The Duette, for £625, is suitable from birth, as it has two lie-flat seats, and by buying the additional Mamas & Papas Primo Viaggio IP 0+ car seats, for £125 each, you have a travel system (that’s £875 for those of us with mummy brain). The car seats weight 4.5kg each, and are ISOFIX compatible. You can buy the optional ISOFIX bases for £125 each, and these make getting the seats in and out of your car easy, but do add to the expense.
Why we love it
The Duette’s lie-flat seats were great - I could take my 5-month-old twins, Zach and Jonah, out for walks to soothe them as both could lie flat in comfort. The seats are well padded and come with fabric aprons for colder weather. You can buy an optional rain cover for each as well.
My 3-year-old son Max loved sitting at the front while one of my 5-month-old twins slept behind him. And it.
When using the Duette as a travel system, swapping seats out is easy as you just pull up two buttons on the side to release them from the base, and then click the seat you want to use into place.
You can use a mix of standard Duette seats, car seat and even a Navetta Bassinette plus seat. But always use two seats, even if you’re only pushing one child, for balance reasons.
The Duette gives a smooth ride and negotiates kerbs easily because of its big wheels.
The Duette’s folding mechanism is simple to operate.
What to watch out for
You can only lie the two seats flat when they’re both facing the same way.
The Duette isn’t cheap, and the optional extras will cost you more. The chassis and two seat units are £625, plus £125 for each car seat, and then the optional bases. Raincovers also cost extra.
The Duette is huge when in use, and also has a big turning circle. Make sure you check it will fit into your car boot before you buy it. We have a Renault Espace and it just fitted.
Who is the Mamas & Papas Duette travel system best for?
Multiple birth mums who want a transport solution that has a choice of comfy seating arrangements.
The Mamas & Papas Duette is on the expensive side and isn’t small, but it offers a smooth and comfy ride. The versatility of seat arrangements is good, and if you have the cash and room for it, the upsides outweigh the down.
