Road Test Review: Phil & Teds Dash Stroller

Double strollers can make a huge impact on the parental psyche. Phil & Teds has reinvented how modern parents look at their lives. The arrival of child number two no longer means an end to slipping in and out of shops, having lunch at an outdoor cafe or strolling in urban settings.

You see, before this Kiwi company hit the US, double strollers were bulky and unwieldy to steer. Not so the Phil & Teds.

It all started a few years ago, when this New Zealand company brought us the Classic--an inline, double stroller.

Most parents were thrilled with the Classic's arrival in the late 1990's. The concept: Turn the stroller into a double-decker ride with one child riding under the other.

As the years passed, parents grumbled for an update. After the Classic, the Sport arrived. I know the Sport well; it was my means of transport for a little over six months. The Sport took the Classic model and tweaked a few things. First, it was 1 pound lighter (a big deal if you are pushing this contraption around for several hours), weighting in at 23 pounds. More importantly the color options were widened. Now a parent could express their sense of style via their stroller. Pink camo? Check. Lime green? You bet. Total cost of this new ride? About $500 with the Double Kit (this item is sold separately-it's the seat that attaches to the lower portion of the stroller for kid #2)

Life was good with my Sport. I zoomed all over Brooklyn with my two girls in tow. Doctors' offices, grocery stores, zoos-nothing stopped me. I loved the (relatively) narrow design and found the stroller easy to fold flat and stash in my car. What I wasn't thrilled with was the dastardly foot brake--it was stiff and awkward to release (especially when I was wearing sandals)-but overall I was in love.

Then I was asked to test drive the new model called the Dash. Why not, I thought and I waited for the big box to arrive. As I opened my new treasure I was taken with the sassy red color. Oh yes, I said we will get along nicely.

Assembly was fairly easy (though I was stumped as to how to get the wheel guards on and had to have a friend help at the playground) requiring about 15 minutes from start to finish.

Once set up, my three-year-old was eager to take a test drive. So I grabbed the baby and hit the road. When buckling the girls in, I noticed the seat padding had definitely been bulked up-and I liked the additional seat height settings.

Once outside I flipped up the much improved canopy and set the adjustable handle to a suitable height. When we got to the swings and need to park, I took a moment to celebrate the new handbrake.

On the ride home from the park, my eldest had seriously sandy toes. Back in New Zealand, the designers must have heard the parental laments about the wear-and-tear to the footwell. This model replaced the fabric well with durable plastic. The sand just rolled off onto the sidewalk.

It's now been more than a month, and I'm still smitten with my new wheels. I've gotten lots of attention at camp pick-up with my new ride. But if you know me, you know I'm always looking towards the next model. It's my job to stay on top of developments and share them with the parenting world. The model is now widely available, retailing for more than $600 with all the necessary add-ons (zip-on cover, double kit, etc.)-worth the price and then some.

What would I like to see changed in the next interpretation? In addition to including the double kit, I think the stroller should be shipped with a rain hood. Really, what parent won't be in need of some protection from the elements? I'd also love to see more color offerings in this model. Red and charcoal are a tad safe if you ask me. And I'm still desperate for a drink holder.

One can only wonder what is next for this trend-setting brand. Richard Shirtcliffe of P & T says, "We're committed to providing parents with the kit to live a dynamic lifestyle with kids." I'm one consumer who will stay tuned for more.