Chicco Cortina Together

When you’re a mama of two or three (or more!), you know that getting out and about with all the littles in tow is no small feat. My brood consists of a preschooler, toddler and baby. While easy is never a word I would use to describe toting all three around town, I can attest to the fact that a double stroller makes the whole process go much more smoothly.

That’s why I was thrilled to welcome the Chicco Cortina Together Double Stroller into the mix. Within 20 minutes of arriving on my doorstop, the stroller was ready for action. (Read: Set-up was a breeze. Simply snap in the wheels, canopies, brake and go.)

If there is anything I’ve learned over the past few years of child-rearing, it’s that life with kiddos happens in stages (this too shall pass, anyone?!), and the Cortina Together has got all the bases covered. It can take you from the newborn stage through toddlerhood without a hitch.

Because the Cortina Together can accept infant car seats into one or both seats, it’s ideal for the family traveling with siblings or multiples. Have an infant and a 2-year-old? Snap the baby car seat directly into the stroller while the older child rides. Have two bundles of joy? Snap the twins’ car seats both in. Really, it’s that easy.

With the Cortina Together, you won’t have to purchase (or keep track of!) additional car seat attachment pieces. This is a big one for me. Anything that makes my life easier gets my mark of approval. Not having to worry about extra brackets to go missing (or junk up my garage) when not in use is amazing. To snap in your KeyFit or KeyFit 30 infant car seats, you simply fold the front seat forward, recline the rear seat and snap in the seats and go. Easy-peasy.

But because babies can only hang in their car seats for so long, it was also important to me that the stroller be comfortable for an older baby and siblings. The adjustable, padded seats—they fully recline for infants or for older kids taking a snooze—and padded, five-point harness fit the bill. Both seats offer substantial footrests, okay canopies (sun shades can never be too large IMO, and these run on the small side) and arm bars that are interchangeable with cup holders (my kids favorite feature!).

One hitch I have run into, besides the tiny canopy issue: the five-point harness is designed in such a way that the shoulder straps often slip off the waist belt and have to be reattached every time I strap my children in. Not a deal breaker, but it can be a bit of a struggle—especially when contending with a squirmy baby.

Once I’ve mastered the five-point harness and everyone is safe and secure, the stroller makes up for the hassle with its handling. If you’ve ever pushed a double stroller, words like “unwieldy,” ‘bulky” or “awkward” might come to mind—if you’ve never pushed the Cortina Together, that is. This gal rides like a dream.

An anodized aluminum frame keeps her a doable 34 pounds, while the all-wheel suspension and front locking swivel wheels makes for a smooth ride. The stroller is also noticeably more narrow than another tandem I have used, making it super easy to navigate through aisles in retail shops or busy city streets.

And, while this baby is carrying my babies from one errand to the next, she looks great doing it. The aluminum frame and elliptical tubing give the stroller an upscale, modern look. The Italian designed, yarn-dye woven fabrics and careful tailoring continue the vibe. A sleek, integrated parent station offers two cupholders and a lidded(!) compartment that’s large enough to hold a set of keys and a phone. The zip-open storage basket is easily accessible from the rear of the stroller and offers plenty of room for the essentials plus more.

While the stroller is a breeze to use, it’s what it can do once we’re ready to head back home that is my favorite feature. The stroller collapses with a one-hand activated fold and offers an automatic storage latch so it can stand straight on its own. Compared to my previous double stroller that often required a five-minute long parking lot battle before finally crumbling into submission, Cortina Together makes the process of corralling all three kiddos into the car and stashing the stroller in the trunk seamless—or at least as seamless as it can be. And, that is the beauty of the Chicco Cortina Together, I think: It makes the adventure of doing life with my kids just hat much better.

Price: $300
To buy: chiccoshop.com