Bonuses for the Phil & Teds Vibe Inline Double include you can fold it with the doubles kit attached, the footbrake has been replaced by a handle one, and the handle is adjustable. The doubles seat has a clever gadget to adjust the straps up and down without having to re-thread. And the main seat now has an adjustable sunhood.
What we love
There are some people who just don’t like the inline concept and I was one of them before I became a mum of two. After trying the Phil & Teds Sport Inline Double I’m now a complete and utter convert – I get out and about endlessly with my two terrors Finn, 3, and Noah, 8 months, and navigate everything from nursery runs to central London public transport without a moment’s thought.
The new Phil & Teds Vibe Inline Double is undeniably sexier than my original Sport version and felt like a real treat. Some of the new functions are amazing. Being able to move the sunhood and rotate it is great if your baby up front is forward facing into the sun. Not being able to fit Finn under the sunhood had been an issue when he was up top in the toddler/baby configuration – this is no longer an issue.
The break is much easier, the straps comfier and padded. The seat wider and more spacious. This is a great buggy for a big boy. Finn is tall and at 3 still has plenty of room for growth.
The Phil & Teds Vibe Inline Double handles beautifully and it folds – not particularly easily – but it does fold and fits in the car with two seats in place.
What to watch out for
The break can catch you off guard – it’s right in the centre of the handlebar and if you’re pushing one handed it can engage by mistake. I’m usually late scooting Finn to nursery so going pretty fast – the sudden deceleration nearly sent me flying! On the bus however it’s a dream – no fiddling around for the foot break when you want to get off.
The slight (2cm or so) extra width could make the difference to you on the bus – there’s one bus I can manage with my Sport and not with the Vibe, although you can always get on the back.
But for me the only real sticking point with the Phil & Teds Vibe Inline Double is the height of the double chair. It’s shorter than the Sport (to enable the in-position seat fold) and Noah’s only 8 months but is already reaching capacity for being able to recline.
Oh, and the footplate. Should I admit to fitting three kids on the Sport by sitting one friends’ junior on the footplate? It wasn’t in the handbook but it was handy - you can’t do this on the Phil & Teds Vibe Inline Double so Finn’s buddies miss the ride.
Who is the Phil & Teds Vibe Inline Double best for?
Style-conscious mums of two who want to get out of the house without fuss.
Phil and Teds wanted to pimp their ride and they have certainly done this with the Vibe Inline Double. However, the extra features and product changes come at a price. The inline style doesn’t appeal to all but there’s no denying the flexibility it gives you as a mum is worth its weight in gold.
