Having two toddlers close in age is sometimes hard to deal with. It becomes even more challenging when you have to go out with both of them. Having to push a baby and watch over a toddler at the same time isn’t a fun thing to do, believe me.
That’s why Phil and Teds has been gaining much popularity; because it’s making it easier for parents. The company has been manufacturing double strollers for some time now. Consequently, there are many options to choose from.
In this Phil and Teds double stroller review, we’ll check out the features of the Dash stroller and how it compares to other similar models.
Overview
The Dash Inline Stroller comes with separate parts for installation, but it’s pretty easy to assemble it. You’ll have to attach the wheels, bumper bar, and the canopy.
For starters, you’ll attach the mudguards to the wheels; then you’ll slide them into the frame. Next, you’ll slide the front wheel into the frame’s front.
As for the other items, the bar clips on the frame with ease. You just need to push it with a slight force and it’ll secure in place.
On the other hand, the visor attaches by two velcro patches to the back of the seat. You won’t have to worry about these details, because the Dash comes with a detailed instructions guide.
The Dash has a 3-wheel design that includes mudguards for the back wheels. The mudguards particularly come in use when you have the double kit on. That’s because the toddler in the back seat won’t get splatters on his hands.
Plus, the front wheel locks to avoid swiveling on rough terrain. There’s also a suspension system included.
You can install two car seats on the Dash and convert it into a travel system, but it’s not compatible with a lot of brands. It only works with Mountain Buggy, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Phil and Teds.
The seat’s material can be removed, so you can put the car seat in its place. However, make sure you get an adapter first.
Rideability
The Dash is a pretty smooth stroller. Although two babies mean extra weight and resistance, the weight is distributed so you won’t feel it. In addition, the ergonomic design of the handle ensures that you’re comfortable while pushing.
Moreover, the Aeromaxx tires are very soft on the ground. They’ll push through all rough terrains like it’s nothing. On top of that, they won’t puncture because of the high-quality rubber. Your baby won’t feel any bumps from the ground either; because the front suspension is shock-absorbant.
Folding Mechanism
The Dash has a freestanding fold, which is pretty convenient for storing. Not only that, but it also folds into a compact size, even when the double kit is on. It also has quick-release wheels. It’s one of the most storage-convenient double strollers on the market.
The folding process requires a few steps, but it’s fairly easy and quick. Firstly, you’ll pull the button that’s on the left of the frame.
Next, fold the lower part of the seat and bumper bar down. Afterward, there’s a bar below the seat that needs pushing, so the lock is released. You’ll then fold down the pushchair’s top on itself until it locks in place.
As for the other seat, you’ll need to pull the left button out and push on the right adaptor. That way, you’ll be able to push the whole seat into the main one and proceed with the rest.
The Dash Inline Stroller vs. Other Models
The Dash isn’t the only inline stroller Phil and Teds make. There are a couple of other models that have different features. Here, I’ll show you how the Dash is different from the Dot and the Voyager.
Phil & Teds Dot Buggy
The Dot costs more than the Dash. It’s one of the priciest Phil & Teds strollers because of its large weight capacity and slim design. It only weighs 26 pounds and carries up to 75 pounds, which is pretty impressive. However, its tires are thinner than the Dash, which means they’re less stable.
Furthermore, the Dot stroller is suitable for every-day use. Its compact size makes it ideal for busy streets and malls. It can be converted to a travel system stroller like the Dash. It’s also compatible with a couple of brands, such as Graco, Chicco, and Maxi-Cosi.
Phil & Ted Voyager Stroller
The Voyager costs more than the Dash, but it still costs less than the Dot. It’s very well-designed and versatile. Besides, it’s available in a wide range of colors, such as Black, Butterscotch, Rust, and Blush.
Similar to the Dash, the Voyager is a reversible stroller, which means that it can adjust to face the parent or face the other way.
However, it’s different from the Dash in its available extra seat positions. Your toddler can ride in an inline style, tandem style, or stadium-seating style. The Dash is only available as an inline stroller, which explains the price difference.
What Makes the Phil & Ted Dash Inline Stroller Different?
Up till now, all the features in the Dash can be found in other strollers. So, why would you choose it over other brands? There are a lot of reasons why it’s the leading inline stroller in the market. Let’s check them out.
Build & Design
When it comes to high-quality construction, the Dash is hard to match. It doesn’t only offer one position, but twelve different ones! Whether it’s vertically upright or far down, your toddlers would surely be comfortable.
In addition, the handlebar is adjustable to match the parent’s height; it goes from 77 cm to 116 cm. It also has a foam cover for a comfortable grip. If you squeeze the two buttons that are inside the handle, it’ll get locked into position. That way, you can push the stroller and change its direction with ease.
If you’re wearing flip flops, it’ll be inconvenient for you to push the foot brakes. That’s why Phil & Teds created this stroller with hand brakes. There’s a handle on the handlebar’s right that activates the brakes. Also, it has a color-coding to indicate whether it’s off or on.
On top of all that, the stroller is designed to give a large storage space. Even when you have the double kit on, you’ll have a place to deposit your shopping bags.
There’s a basket underneath that holds up to 22 pounds. You can easily access it from the front, sides, and back of the stroller. Besides, there’s a little pocket that closes with a zipper on the canopy.
The Seats
The seat of the Dash is a masterpiece. The manufacturers didn’t leave anything to chance; they made a fully-featured seat to impress. Let’s see in detail what makes it special.
Material
The seat is made of high-quality grey marl that’s soft on the baby’s skin, but tough enough to resist tears and punctures. It can be removed for washing and attached back on.
Plus, the seat comes with a removable liner for extra comfort that can be hand-washed. You also get to choose the color you want from a wide variety available.
The frame construction is made of thick aluminum alloy that provides enough support and durability. It connects easily to anything you want to add, whether it’s a car seat, a carrycot, or a double kit.
Size
The main seat is 60 cm-high; it’ll fit your baby until he grows to the weight limit. Furthermore, it’ll hold weight up to 55 pounds, which is enough for 4-year-old kids.
On the other hand, the second seat measures 46cm and holds a weight of up to 35 pounds. So, whether it’s your newborn, or your older kid, the seats will fit them just fine.
Harness
The 5-point harness on the Dash’s seat is more developed than the one on other models. This one has a large buckle in the center, and it locks into position separately. Additionally, the harness adjusts to 3 different shoulder heights. Its waist straps also adjust into two positions.
Recline
The seat’s reclining mechanism is designed to offer maximum safety for your baby. In order to recline it just a bit, you’ll have to loosen the two buckles on the seat’s back.
If you want to activate the main recline, you’ll have to unfasten the two zips inside the seat. This can become inconvenient when your baby is asleep because you won’t be able to reach it unless you push him out of the way.
The best sleeping position for the baby is the flat reclining. It’ll also offer you the chance to unzip the back screen for better ventilation.
The Double Kit
The Dash’s double kit is highly convenient and reliable. First of all, it comes with adaptors for attaching the seat to the frame.
They’re pretty easy to use too. Once you have the adaptor attached in place, you just clip the seat in its assigned place. And when you have to remove it, you just press the buttons on each side of the seat.
The Dash is a reversible stroller, which means that the seat can face the parent or the other way. In the case of the double kit, you have many positions to choose from. You can either have them both facing you or facing away. You can also have each of them facing a different direction.
The seat of the double kit is smaller than the main one, but it’ll still fit your baby just fine. It stands at 46 cm, unlike the 60 cm of the bigger seat. It also has a lower weight limit of 35 pounds. However, it can hold more weight if it’s used on the front.
What We Like About the Phil and Ted Dash Inline Stroller
There are a lot of features that separate the Dash from similar brands and models. It also comes at a moderate price compared to strollers with similar benefits.
Here, I’ll summarize all its advantages.
- The handlebar adjusts to a lot of different heights to match the parents’ height.
- The hand brakes operate by a mere lever beside the handlebar. It pushed easily without much effort needed.
- The second seat has comfortable padding and removable high-quality fabric.
- The folding mechanism is smooth and quick, even with the second seat in place.
- The stroller folds into a fairly compact size and stands freely.
- The back screen has two layers. One of them is mesh, so the baby is fully protected when the seat reclines.
- There’s a storage pocket on the sun visor.
- The stroller is lightweight and portable thanks to its aluminum frame. It’ll easily fit into the back of a car when folded.
- The canopy is extendable and large enough to protect the baby’s face.
What We Think Could’ve Been Better
- The stroller is a bit hard to push into its back wheels. You’ll have to put some effort into pushing.
- The extra accessories that are sold separately are a bit expensive.
- The high seat in the double kit can get too high for toddlers. Their heads may be touching the sun visor.
- When the double kit is in place, it can be hard to access the storage compartment.
- The second seat doesn’t have storage space.
- The sun visor is high to the point where you can’t see the front wheel from your position behind the bar.
Closing Thoughts
The Phil and Ted Dash Inline Stroller is one of the best double strollers on the market. It has all the features you need, as well as some extra add-ons for your comfort.
It comes at a fair price tag for a double stroller. It’s also one of the few double strollers that can convert to a travel system stroller.
If you want a stroller that’ll last for long, and will fit your two toddlers with ease, the Dash inline stroller is definitely worth considering.