Baby Jogger City Select Tandem Double Stroller Review

cityselectBaby Jogger has a history of making a number of high quality side by side double strollers, including the City Mini GT Double, which is the best double walking stroller, and the Summit X3 Double, one of the best double joggers on the market.

However, as I’ve noted elsewhere on this blog, we’re typically used to using side by side double strollers instead of tandem, or sit and stand strollers. As a result, when we had the chance to pick up a Baby Jogger City Select, their tandem answer to the City Mini line, we couldn’t pass it up. Here are my thoughts on what I believe to be the most comprehensive review of the Baby Jogger City Select Stroller on the Internet.

Technically, the City Select is also a single stroller, and you can buy it as a single stroller here for a bit less than the cost of the double stroller configuration. However, since Mike and I usuallyĀ review double strollers, our review focuses on its capabilities as a tandem walking stroller. It has a number of unique features centered in the range of car seat combinations you can set up, meaning you can effectively do some things with it that just aren’t possible with a side by side stroller.

The short version of my review is that this is a solid double stroller, and easily the best tandem double stroller I’ve ever used. You can buy the Baby Jogger City Select here. For the nitty gritty details on how the stroller stacks up to the competition, read on.

Weight and Dimensions of the 2015 Baby Jogger City Select

How much does theĀ Baby Jogger City SelectĀ weigh?

The Baby Jogger City Select weighs around 28 pounds per my scale, although it weighs closer to 38 pounds when a second seat is added. As a result, keep in mind that you’re going to be dealing with significantly more weight if you’ve got a second dedicated infant seat attached to your City Select. That said, you’re not going to find any other stroller that packs some of the unique features of the City Select into a stroller for less weight.

What’s the narrowest door you can fit aĀ Baby Jogger City SelectĀ through?

You can fit the City Select through doors as narrow as 26″ when it’s set up and ready to go, which is almost as good as what you get from the narrowest side by side stroller, the Mountain Buggy Duet. However, if you’re splitting hairs or regularly traveling into extremely narrow locations, the Mountain Buggy doesĀ have the edge by being an inch narrower in diameter.

That said, when testing it, we didn’t run into any doors that we couldn’t get through, despite spending several hours in the local malls and downtown shops in the Chicago suburbs. We didĀ notice several couples struggling with their boat-like side by side strollers and having to park outside random stores while we entered without a second thought.

What are the length, width, and height of theĀ Baby Jogger City Select?

The City Select is 43.5″ long, 25.75″ wide, and 38.5″ tall when unfolded, and 12.5″ long, 25.75″ wide, and 32.75″ tall when folded. It collapses into a decently small amount of space, but it’s definitely a larger amount of space necessary than that in a comparable side by side double walking stroller like the City Mini GT. The City Select has a tall, upright profile when being used. It feels more or less like a traditional single stroller when using it, except that it’s noticeably heavier and sturdier.

 

Using theĀ Baby Jogger City SelectĀ withĀ Children

Can you use two infant seat adapters with theĀ Baby Jogger City Select?

cs2-300x300Yes! This is where the City Select shines; it simply allows configurations that aren’t possible with side by side strollers. You can set up a pair of infant seats in forward- or rear-facing combinations, or an individual car seat, or a car seat and a bassinet. The only combination that isn’t possible is that of a pair of bassinets. This is easily the most infant-friendly double stroller out there right now.

What are the recommended height, weight, and age limits for children you can fit in theĀ Baby Jogger City Select?

The age limits vary depending on whether or not a bassinet is used. Without it, the lower age limit is 6 months, while if the bassinet add-on is included, it can be used from birth. The limit for each seat is 45 pounds, and the maximum height limit is 40.” Of course, it’s possible to move past these seat limits, but you do run the risk of instability in the stroller and increasing the stress you put on it.

Regarding the height limit, keep in mind that there is definitely an upper limit even if you skip the limit suggested by Baby Jogger. My 4 year old was unable to fit in it at 45.” In contrast, our 2 year old at 36″ was fine, and looked like she’d be able to fit for another 4 inches or so comfortably. Our baby was quite content and is probably the happiest person with the stroller.

Where can I find the user manual for the Baby Jogger City Select?

You can download the City Select user manual directly from Baby Jogger here. Unfortunately, it focuses rather exclusively on the stroller as used in a single stroller configuration, but a lot of the basic principles and explanations are the same.

Seating in theĀ Baby Jogger City Select

What are the seats and seat support like in theĀ Baby Jogger City Select?

cs3-300x300The seat support is excellent in the Baby Jogger City Select; there are multiple recline positions available in the main seat, and the footwell for the lower seat has multiple positions to make it easier for your kids to ride relaxed. The main seat easily passes the sleep test, and if you use a bassinet for the second seat, I can guarantee that your newborn will be a fan of it.

Can you recline the seats in theĀ Baby Jogger City Select?

Yes, you can recline the main lower seat to a flat position. You can’t do that with the second seat, but that’s an inherent limitation in the tandem design rather than something unique to the City Select. If you’ve got a bassinet, of course, you naturally have a flat recline.

What are the sun canopies like in theĀ Baby Jogger City Select?

The sun canopies are good, but they don’t extend nearly as well as do the ones on the City Mini GT, which was a disappointment. As a result, if you’ve got a baby you’re trying to keep away from the sun, you’re going to need to set something else up, especially if you’ve got the baby reclined nicely.

Buy the Baby Jogger City Select on Sale at Amazon here.

Moving and Using theĀ Baby Jogger City Select

What is it like to push theĀ Baby Jogger City Select?Ā 

It’s solid. That’s the first word that comes to mind when using the City Select. You can tell Baby Jogger put time, thought, and quality materials into the design and construction of this stroller, and it shows every time we use it. It steers easily and fluidly, and has a sure-footed feel that’s probably related to how heavy it is. It’s not a jogging stroller, but with the size of the wheels, you can cross a number of kinds of terrain without issue, including grass, sidewalks, dirt, and packed sand.

The tandem configuration puts more weight on the front wheels than in the side by side stroller design, which means turns are going to be harder than they would be in, say, the City Mini GT Double, but it’s nothing you won’t be able to handle; you’ll just notice a difference if you’ve got a high end side by side double in your garage.

Is the handlebar on theĀ Baby Jogger City SelectĀ adjustable?

Yes, the handlebar is adjustable and makes it easy for people of varying heights to push at a height they find comfortable. The adjustable handlebar is one of those features you don’t notice the need for until you find a stroller that has it, much like the adjustable steering wheel in some cars. However, once you start using it, you don’t want to use a stroller (or car) without it.

What are the brakes, tires, suspension, and wheels like on theĀ Baby Jogger City Select?

The tires on the City Select are impressive; they’re 12 inches in diameter in the back and 8 inches in the front, which makes the ride a lot smoother than you’d expect from a walking stroller. The wheels, like the seats, are removable.

Storing and Transporting theĀ Baby Jogger City SelectĀ 

How easy is it to pack up theĀ Baby Jogger City Select?

This is probably my least favorite part of the City Select. The City Mini GT Double is an easyĀ stroller to assemble, disassemble, and set up and pack up frequently. You essentially take it out, open it up, and then install the car seat or child and off you go. However, with the City Select, you’ve got to unfold it, attach your car seat attachment clip, and then get the car seat in there, all before getting the child in there.

If you’re interested in setting up the second seat, you’ll then need to put up a pair of arms, the seat itself, the attachment for the car seat, and finally the car seat. You then have to do this in reverse if you need to get the stroller back into your vehicle. It gets faster with time, but it would be nice if it could be simpler.

Cargo and Cleaning theĀ Baby Jogger City Select

What are the storage and weight limits of theĀ Baby Jogger City Select‘sĀ compartments?

The suggested limit for the back seat pocket is 2 pounds while the basket limit is around 15 pounds. Baby Jogger warns that exceeding these limits could make the stroller unstable, which makes sense. It’s easier to get to the basket underneath than it is with the City Mini GT Double, but it’s still a bit of a challenge. That said, there’s a generous amount of space under there that makes it easy to fit a lot of things once you get them down there.

How do you clean the Baby Jogger City Select?

Cleaning is done simply with a wet cloth or rag. The materials used in the construction of the stroller are top notch and stain and fade resistant, although you’ll still want to exercise care when using the stroller.

Concluding thoughts on theĀ Baby Jogger City Select

Is theĀ Baby Jogger City SelectĀ worth it?

The Baby Jogger City Select is worth its sticker price and a bit more. It’s easily the best tandem double walking stroller out there and a strong contender to the high-end side by side double walking strollers it shares space with. It has some drawbacks, but if you’re looking for a near-unlimited ability to configure a pair of car seats while keeping a slim profile that can get into just about any door, it’s hard to find a better double stroller solution than the City Select. You can buy the Baby Jogger City Select here in Black, Amethyst, Onyx, Red, Silver, Teal, All Black, and Quartz.

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