When selecting a buggy, comfort for the little ones and manoeuvrability are paramount — especially if you’ve got twins to deal with — which is why the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller should, in Joe’s opinion, be on your shortlist.
Described by Baby Jogger as an all-terrain compact side-by-side double stroller, it comes with tough foam-filled tyres, all-wheel suspension (like the Thule Chariot Cross we tested recently) and a solid hand-operated parking brake. It promises to be as capable off-road as on the pavement, with clever features and useful extras to make life easier. It’s the sister product to a single-seater version, but as Average Joes’ handy baby models are twins, we’ve put the GT2 Double to the test.
Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Features
Straight out of the box, the City Mini GT2 has a sleek and elegant look, and the choice of fabrics adds to the aesthetic, but how it works is more important than simply being stylish.
Happily, getting started is super simple. To unfold the buggy, just release a single clip, and with one flick, you’re ready to load up and head out. Folding it away again is just as easy with Baby Jogger’s impressive one-step quick-fold technology: grab the straps in the seat bases, pull upwards, and the whole thing is folded in seconds. Being the slightly heavier double version, the handle hits the ground with quite a thud, which is something to be aware of, but after a couple of uses, you’ll get the knack. Once folded, it is pretty compact and very stable, making it reasonably easy to store if you have limited space.
The double seats are nicely padded, keeping our baby models comfortable and happy. There are five-point harnesses which separate entirely, so there is no need to contend with the stress of trying to get an uncooperative toddler arm through a loop to get them strapped in.
Once strapped in, your passengers have the choice of two leg positions, thanks to the adjustable calf support panel. It’s a little stiff to start, as it pushes into clips at the bottom, but after a bit of use, it pops in and out with ease.
The back of the seats are individually adjustable, with each seat able to go from fully upright to almost flat with the slide of a toggle. This is perfect if you have different-aged siblings, with the City Mini GT2 able to cater for kids from birth to 22kg.
Each seat has its own extensive canopy, allowing maximum flexibility and comfort. They provide almost complete coverage when extended completely, giving protection from the sun — it’s rated at UV50+ — as well as wind and rain showers. You’ll need the optional ‘weathershield’ rain cover for full rain protection, but light rain showers won’t be too much of a problem. There’s also a magnetic mesh window in the top of each canopy, so while the babies are fully covered, you can check in on them without having to stop rolling.
Underneath the Mini City GT2 is a decent-sized mess basket that should carry most of what you need, at least up to its 4.5kg weight limit. The downside, though, is that the structure of the frame means there’s a metal bar impeding access at the back, so getting a bulky nappy bag in there might be a bit of a challenge. Baby Jogger has tried to mitigate that by making the basket edges elasticated, but we fear that, over time, they could become loose and eventually make the basket less secure. There is extra storage thanks to mesh nets behind each seat, which will be handy for small items, so you’ll be able to get by overall.
Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Handling
Don’t let the Baby Jogger name fool you — while this is a great all-terrain buggy, it isn’t designed for running. However, it will contend with most terrain you put in its way. The wheels are fitted with ‘forever-air’ foam-filled rubber tyres, so no maintenance is required, and with all-wheel suspension, it glides effortlessly across all types of surfaces. If you’re heading off-road, the front wheels can be locked into position with the flick of a switch so that you have more control. In the unlocked position, the City Mini GT2 is light and easy to steer, and for its larger size, it really is incredibly agile.
Parking is a breeze, too; with the Mini City GT2, you’ll not be stomping about with your foot looking for the brake, as it’s handily located up by the handle. Just flip the handle upwards (pushing the seat fabric out of the way if the seat is fully upright), and the brake is applied. To release it, slide the locking mechanism up and flip it back down. It’s a simple, one-handed operation but very effective.
Plenty of parents aren’t convinced by the side-by-side configuration of double buggies, as they’re a little wide for many spaces and can be cumbersome. From the point of view of feeling that you can keep an eye on both babies or toddlers at the same time, we’re big fans, but there’ll always be the occasional tight squeeze. If you have a UK standard-width front door, you’ll likely need to take the 77.5cm wide Mini City GT2 outside to unfold it. In most settings, while you’re out and about, though, it’s not a big problem.
The first iteration of the City Mini buggy couldn’t be used as part of a travel system, but this is something that Baby Jogger has changed in this latest revamp. Both an infant car seat and carrycot are now available for the GT2. In an even more forward-thinking move, Baby Jogger also sells an adapter kit that allows some other brands of infant car seats to be used with its buggy. There are also belly bars, glider boards for older kids to hitch a ride on, and a handy parent console available at extra cost.
The only downside is that only one infant car seat can be fitted to the double stroller if you have twins. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that they can address this with the next facelift.
Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller Verdict
There are very few negative and plenty of positive points about the City Mini GT2 — it rides well, is comfortable, compact when folded and can be used as part of a travel system. It is sturdy and durable, and can be used from birth for years without needing to buy anything extra. It’s not cheap
, but it’s just one investment to make, making it reasonable value for money. It’s also backed by a comprehensive two-year warranty and a limited lifetime warranty for the frame.
If you need a (relatively) lightweight, compact, adaptable double buggy, then the City Mini GT2 would be a worthy contender and offers good value for money, too.
Model Tested: Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller
Average Joes Rating: ★★★★☆
