Ideal for shopping & round town with two young children. (Marco Sky Twin Buggy)

Member Name: daafyduck

Product:	Marco Sky Twin Buggy
Date:	13/05/09 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Umbrella Fold, Slim design, Low weight, Passenger visibility, Price, May avoid new car purchase.

Disadvantages: Only 1 seat reclines, Small basket, Limited legroom in rear, Poor off road.

I've had my second hand Marco Sky from Ebay for exactly 12 months and have been pleasantly surprised by its ability for a double buggy. It's a 2 tier design on a very compact wheel base with umbrella fold. We used it from birth with a head hugger, although the rear seat does not lie flat and as such is really only suitable from 2 months. However, no worse than a car seat IMO. There are 3 positions and it's quick to adjust. My toddler was 16 months and sat in front.

We chose the Marco as it was the only buggy which would fit into our tiny A2, forget using your boot and plonk it on the front passenger seat and footwell, plus it was cheap at around £70. Nothing else would remotely go near the boot and we were loathe to change the car just for a buggy. I use the buggy when out alone and we use 2 compact singles at other times.
This buggy has well and truly been hammered, used for daily dog walks, off road and around town and is starting to look a bit mucky, although still solid and reliable. The covers don't seem to be easily removable, therefore a bucket and scrubbing brush seems to be the only option. The hood is easily removable which is good as I try to not use it due to its bulk; you can't see much of the children with it up, plus it only protects the rear passenger; you really need the raincover for poor weather. Unfortunately this is quite bulky and only just fits into the tiny net basket underneath so I try to get away with cagoules, a wing and a prayer!

The rear seat legroom is cramped, although my 2 1/2 year old son enjoys sitting up there. I would imagine he could still fit next year. He can hook his feet under the frame though when he doesn't want to get out which can create a "scene" if you don't notice and try to yank him out. The front seat is comfortable for babies who can sit unsupported, around 6 months, however not ideal for napping comfortably, although both have done it without ill-effect.

As the boys have got heavier the buggy is becoming more difficult to steer and manoevure. It is easier to have the heavy one in the back and use a foot on the crossbar to get up kerbs. The swivel wheels can swizz the wrong way and it's difficult to correct, although anyone pushing two children will eventually struggle with their combined weight. It's best to avoid off-road although it will manage decent forest tracks and we have managed to somehow heave it up a couple of hills (not pleasant).

The handles aren't the best, very hard plastic and only 2 quite high height levels so if you are short I would imagine this would cause quite a problem. The lower height is about right for me at 5ft 6. There is no way I can steer 1 handed due to the design of the handles, although very handy for hanging bags off and the most stable buggy I've used.

The seatbelts are very strange, a bit like a racing car design so I didn't bother until I found out that they can stand up very easily! Close seat proximity means that any fisticuffs can end up with the front seat passenger being bashed on the head or having their hair pulled, however the 2 tiered design means that both children can see comfortably rather than being slung underneath like some.

You get loads of compliments with 2 little heads poking out and they do look cute. It really is fantastic for shopping, taking up a fraction more space in length than a single and definitely as narrow. Ideal for pokey aisles and buses. I can overlook the niggly drawbacks for the advantages of price, avoidance of new car and ease of shopping and so would certainly recommend it, particularly for anyone on a budget. No double buggy is going to match a single because of the children's combined weight and it is only a short term requirement.

Summary: A good short-term buggy which bridges gap until you can use a buggy board.