Valco Baby Snap Duo

If you're in the market for a double stroller, the Valco Baby Snap Duo is a great option. This side-by-side stroller is well built, manoeuvres easily, folds like a dream and keeps your kids safe and comfy. It also stands upright when folded, making storage a snap. And because comfort is king, your little ones will love the infinite recline, adjustable leg rests and padded shoulder straps. Plus the expandable sun shade and mesh windows can help shield the harsh rays of the sun and regulate temperature. Best of all, you can use this stroller with infants from birth, either with an infant car seat or if you fully recline the seat and fold up the footrest to create a little pram-style seat.

FOLDING AND CARRYING

The Valco Baby Snap Duo folds up easily and neatly into a relatively compact square shape that stands on its own. Folding is easy: with both canopies closed, you push the round grey button on the left side of the stroller and squeeze the grey trigger on the handlebar while sweeping the handlebar forward so the stroller folds in half. The frame lock will automatically snap into place, so you can tuck it away or pick it up and go without a worry. While double strollers are understandably on the large side, our parents testers said this one folds up easily and fits well in the trunk of their vehicle. One mom was especially fond of the fact that the stroller collapses inward, keeping the seats clean.

Weighing just 21.5 pounds, the Valco Baby Snap Duo is one of the lightest double strollers we tested, and our testers found it easy to carry when folded. One thing our editors like is the options for carrying this stroller when you need to: you can use either the nylon shoulder strap (which has a rubber shoulder pad for grip and comfort) or the nylon and rubber handle. In our lab testing, editors found that the rear wheels—the widest part of the stroller when folded—could bump into your legs, depending on how you're carrying the stroller, but that was common for all double strollers.

Unfolding the stroller is also super easy. You simply place it on the ground with wheels down and the handlebar up and pointed away from you; then press down on the left side of the frame to unlock it and lift the handlebar up toward you, and it pops right open.

WHEELS, BRAKES AND MANOEUVRABILITY

In our field tests, the Valco Baby Snap Duo was very easy to push and steer using two hands on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, hardwood, grass and gravel, and it navigated curbs no problem. We also found it somewhat easy to push the stroller over these same surfaces one-handed. If you live in a hilly area, you'll be glad that steering both uphill and downhill is a breeze with two hands on this stroller. Our parent testers, who used the stroller daily during the testing period, also said they could comfortably navigate more challenging terrains, noting that they had good grip control and that the Snap Duo rolled pretty smoothly over most of the common surfaces you’d encounter.

The plastic puncture-proof tires are compact and they function well. The front wheels can swivel or lock in place for easier navigation over difficult terrain like gravel or slush. If you’re looking for a little more cushion, the separately sold Snap Sports Pack includes four air-filled tires that are compatible with the Snap Duo.

Brakes are also a top concern, and they need to do double duty with a stroller for two kids. In our lab tests, we found the brakes on the Valco Baby Snap Duo are secure and easy to apply, and all of our parent testers felt the same. To engage the “Tilt-Loc” brake, all you have to do is step down on the right side of the red toggle located between the rear wheels (it has an illustration of a locked padlock on it). When you’re ready to unlock, you simply push down on the left side of the “Tilt-Loc” toggle. It may seem like a small thing, but not having to flip a brake up with the top of your foot comes in awfully handy during sandal season.

RECLINE AND LEG REST

The Valco Baby Snap Duo has full infinite recline on both seats thanks to tether-style recline adjustment, so you can use this stroller with infants from birth, and toddlers can nap in comfort. In our lab tests, the seat was super easy to recline and parent testers said the recline options made it easy for their babies to comfortably take a nap or sit back in a relaxed position while still having enough leg room. Because the seats adjust independently, one kid can be napping while the other watches the world go by.

The adjustable leg rests on this stroller are also a big plus. While some coordination and hand strength is required—you have to press in two buttons on either side of the leg rest while moving it up or down—the payoff is you get six leg rest positions. It's worth noting, however, that one of our parent testers wished there was a bit more length in the seat to accommodate especially tall kids.

CANOPY

No matter the weather, the canopy on your stroller will be used daily. You want one that keeps your little one dry and shaded from the sun. Depending on your needs, the canopy on the Valco Baby Snap Duo stroller can be shortened or lengthened using a zippered extension. Our parent testers agreed the canopy provides good sun protection, and half of them felt it also offers good cover when it's raining. (Really, your best bet in bad weather is a wind and rain cover, sold separately.) One of the things we especially like about the canopies on this stroller is they open and close nearly silently, so it's unlikely you'd wake a sleeping child if the sun comes out and you need to pull it down. Each canopy also has a built-in peek-a-boo window so you can easily check on your kids—but be warned: it velcros, so pulling it back for a look-see very well could wake a little one.

CLEANING

The durable polyester seat fabric on the Valco Baby Snap Duo is stain-resistant and water-repellent, and our parent testers said it's easy to spot clean in the event of a small spill. When the inevitable bigger messes happen and you need to give it a wash, it detaches from the frame with Velcro and snap fasteners, and you can toss the seat fabric into the machine on a cold water cycle with a gentle detergent. Valco Baby recommends putting the seat cover back on the stroller frame to let it air dry. (Never put it in the dryer.) The harness, meanwhile, can be easily spot-cleaned.

STORAGE

Parents with two stroller-aged kids require a lot of stuff when they’re out for an afternoon walk. Plus, if you live in an urban area, odds are your stroller is also your shopping cart. The storage basket under the Valco Baby Snap Duo is spacious and easy to access from behind the stroller, though a little less easy from the side. Without any effort, we were able to fit a full diaper bag in the basket. All of our parent testers were equally impressed with the basket capacity and ease of access. When both seats on the Snap Duo are fully reclined, you gain access to four additional pockets—our testers were big fans.

HARNESS

While the five-point harness will keep kids securely in the seat, its design is the one issue our parent testers had with this stroller. Four separate pieces have to be puzzled together, which can be particularly tricky when you have a wiggly baby or toddler. Our parent testers say the harness and buckles aren't as easy to close as they are on other double strollers. But they did like the ability to adjust the height of the shoulder restraint straps, and thought it was fairly easy to do so.

CAR SEAT COMPATIBILITY

The Valco Baby Snap Duo is compatible with Maxi Cosi, Nuna and Britax B-Safe 35 infant car seats in Canada, and with select Graco, Peg Perego, Maxi Cosi, Chicco and Cybex car seats in the US (see tech specs above for the full list). You'll need separately sold car seat adapters, which slide into the bumper bar housing, and they're quite easy to install. You can only use one infant car seat on this stroller, so it's more ideal for families with a baby and toddler rather than twins.

FINAL WORD

The Valco Baby Snap Duo Double Stroller earned top marks for overall quality, ease of use and value. With a mid-range price tag, you get a quality double stroller that won't break the bank. When asked to compare this stroller to other double strollers they’d tried previously, all of our parent testers all said the Snap Duo is better. Our testers said they'd purchase this stroller and none would hesitate to recommend it to other parents or parents-to-be. We were particularly fond of the high-quality frame, easy manoeuvring, fold and brake application.