Joovy is just groovy enough for us!

I was ready to dive into the world of double strollers. This has been something I have been doing a lot of research on and still had not found a solution that works for my family until recently.

After many outings to the store, many reviews online and many questions being asked to people that I seen out and about with a double stroller, I found the best double stroller for us!

I was told by multiple people that they just loved the "JOOVY CABOOSE STROLLER". Now, at first I snubbed the idea because I have never even heard of JOOVY. I was thinking more along the lines of Graco, jeep, Evenflo, Peg Perego and the like.

I went to Babies R Us and was very happy when I seen they carried the RED Joovy. I later found out that the red version is only available at Babies R Us and online. The other colors apparently are available online and at boutique stores only.

I have a 2 1/2 yr old girl as well as a 7 month old girl. When I was in the stores test-driving the strollers, most were very long and very hard to steer. I even had issues of putting my 2 1/2 year old into the stroller and her being too big, even though she's physically petite.

The Joovy solved this issue!

After using it for only a few days, I have figured out what I love and dislike about this item, here they are:

My oldest is able to stand on a platform in the back facing forward and she can be secured to where she won't fall backwards by a strap that can be tightened up. The platform has bumps on it so when it is wet, she won't slip off. When she is tired of standing, she can sit on a padded seat about the size of a box of cereal which features a harness style restraint system for safety.

Speaking of the harness systems on this stroller, I have to say that I think Joovy was very thoughtful when putting the system together by adding a strip of reflective threads in the childs restraint systems straps! That is a very nice touch.

The only issue I have with the padded seat is that it slides around a little bit. I would have liked to see Joovy put a latch on it of some sort that when the child is using it as a seat, we can "lock" it to where it does not move. However, this seat really doesn't move TOO much; just slides a little. The other miniscule issue I have is that to get to the basket, you really cannot have the child sitting on the seat. The seat blocks the opening to the basket.

Speaking of the basket, it is an alright size, I wouldn't call it large, but its not small either. It most likely won't hold a large diaper bag, however a few diapers, toys and wipes would do fine in there.

As far as the infant seat part goes, I really like the fact that it has a detachable infant seat holder. This attachment comes with the stroller as a standard piece and just literally snaps onto the front bar after you unsnap the tray for the infant. This piece then makes it a "sling" type holder and your infant seat can easily sit right into it. Now, while that is fabulous, what I find more wonderful, is the fact that Joovy took it one step further. They have a coordinating colored thick strap that will strap AROUND your infant seat to secure it. So, not only is it in the sling securely, but it has an extra security precaution which is the strap. When you are not using the strap, the strap you can just fold up and put into the little elasticized pockets on the side of the stroller.

One thing I did not care for though is the fact that when you are using the infant attachment for the car seat/carrier is that you cannot have the older child sit down. The seat has to be laid back and in doing so, your older child MUST at that time be standing. On the backside of the seat it has a couple netted elasticized pockets for our keys, cellphone, wallet and the such. Nice touch.

The harness system for the infant in the front is VERY easy to use and is quite secure.

As far as being able to adjust the seat for the infant. This couldnt be easier. It is a bar and it just slides to the correct position. I also love the fact that the infant seat has a two position footrest. One is all the way down for toddlers and the other one is straight out for infants.

This stroller was a breeze to put together. It comes 95% assembled and you snap on the two front wheels, the canopy and the tray, then you are done.

The stroller is compact when folded and features a secure latch to hold it closed. You press on two buttons near the top of the stroller handle and it folds down VERY easily.

I find it a little heavy, but it is very streamlined as far as the look goes.

I do think this is a great value, because with most traditional double strollers, once your oldest is too old for a traditional stroller, you are left with a piece of equipment you cannot use. However, with this Joovy, it does not look that different from a traditional single stroller. I find that after my oldest outgrows the need to rest as we take walks etc, I think we will still use this Joovy. I think that I will be able to secure the diaper bag on the seat in the harness. I also think it will be a great seat when we are stopped somewhere for my oldest. She may not want to ride then, but she may want to sit down for a few minutes.

I have only pushed this stroller on a few surfaces, the grass, the store floor and the side of the road.
The store floor of course is smooth and it was very easy to turn and push. This was done with only my 2 1/2 year old standing & Sitting on the seat. The infant was not in the store with me. The grass, I had my infant in her car seat so we were able to use the infant sling part. Even with the frontal weight, the stroller maneuvered just fine. It was bumpy as all strollers would be on the grass, but that is to be expected. The side of the road; I had both of the children using the stroller and it was wonderful! I have even told my husband that I cannot wait to go on more walks now that I have a solution to our issue!

The steering is wonderful on this! I am literally able to push this in a circle with one hand when no children are in it. When they are in it, I can still turn it with one hand, just not as fast! I wanted to prove to my husband how easy this was to turn and just how smooth the wheels turned; so I put my 2 1/2 year old on the bench seat in the back and sat there and made the TEENIEST TINIEST circles with wheels and they just went around like a hot knife through butter!

I have thought of one last small issue that I have found that I'm not thrilled with. When you fold it down and lock the little latch to secure it, you cannot use the wheels. So lets say that you want to fold it up at the front of the car, you fold it, secure it, then you want to drag it to the back to the trunk, well, you can't. You must lift it. The wheels are locked down by the way it folds up. Then again, I guess if you are folding it up, you are most likely putting it away or in a trunk, so the wheels really don't need to be able to turn unless you cannot lift items.

All in all, although not a traditional double stroller, this is a fantastic option for the ever so common problem for families!