Taking a hard look at the Valco Latitude last weekend with a dear, dear friend of mine who has just given birth to her second child (we both have two year olds) and she is looking for a double stroller that she can handle herself. She is on the petite side and can't see lifting the beautiful Bumbleride Indie Twin all terrain in and out of her car fives a day. I can't blame her, but in my case I would probably do it anyways just to have it! That's just me being stroller obsessed....
Said friend has a husband who is an engineer and after basically taking the Phil and Teds Sport and putting it back together in the store, has decided that it's not as perfect as his wife (my friend) described it to be and wanted to look at more options. As she had her heart completely set on the Sport, finding another option wasn't easy.
Of course, the City Mini double was an option, but the long footrest and fabric covering threw her off. Of course, the weight and fold are excellent, the seats are comfy and the sun coverage is super. Function wise, the City Mini covers every base, but as far as style, there was a bit to be desired in her book. (She has to be seen around town with the thing, doesn't she? This is Boca...By the way, engineer husband loved the City Mini. So did her three week old who snoozed away in the seat!)
I had pointed out the Latitude twin to her in the store a few times, but it wasn' t until she really pushed it that she decided it could be for her. Why is that? When you stand behind this double you seriously do not feel that you are pushing a double stroller so for someone petite like her, that is score one. Two, it is managable for one person, without feeling like you are driving a truck. Score three, it turns easily, folds easily (well, sort of, once you get the hang of it although it can take more than a few tries to learn) and is not extremely heavy (30lbs, not bad!)
I was more than happy to foster this newfound relationship between her and the Valco Latitude for Two. My only complaint about it is the car seat adapter. The adapter is a bit senseless, since you have to take the stroller canopy off to use the adapter. The adapter comes with another "temporary" canopy that can be used for the other seat, but my complaint is that it takes away from the style of the stroller! Moms want the stroller to look as beautiful with or without the car seat on it. Of course, this is all only temporary because the car seat stage is so short and the original canopy does make it back on eventually. However, a mom coming out of the six week or so fog between giving birth to her second child and actually making it out to the mall, wants to feel like a million bucks pushing her new double stroller. The adapter with temporary canopy is just not stylish, it's just not!
I wish Valco (hint, hint) found a way to make the adapter more simple, either with some sort of clip on the side of the chrome frame, or by making it compatible with the front bar (which comes with the stroller already) allowing the canopy to stay put.
However, lets say you have twins (excellent stroller for twins) or you are not using the car seat adapter, which, back to my dear friend, she was not since her car seat isn't even compatible, the Valco Latitude is an excellent double and a stylish alternative to the City Mini. The frame is chromed out, the seats have nice blue/green or clay colored accents. It comes with a few accessories which the mini does not, and has a larger basket and double adjustable footrests. It has a height adjustable telescopic handle as well. There are so many wonderful things about the Valco Latitude Twin that I suppose we can overlook it's flaws.
By the way, my friend still hasn't decided on her stroller! Let you know if it's the Latitude, Mini or even the P&T Sport (perhaps she'll convince her husband!)
Happy Strolling!
By the way, the Valco Latitude for Two above is shown in Clay!
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