Maclaren Twin Triumph Review

Test pilot and aviation engineer Owen Maclaren started Maclaren in 1965 with a lightweight stroller that was easy to fold and travel with. He created his design by adapting his own design for aircraft landing gear, and the first umbrella stroller was born. His design was patented and honored by the Queen and for over 50 years has been almost completely unchanged.

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Performance Comparison

Weight and Folded Size

When we tested for weight and folded size, the Triumph earned a 4 of 10. This stroller weighs 23 lbs and measures 12,519 cubic inches when folded. This makes it the second largest stroller in the group and not a good choice for parents with limited space. The ZOE XL2 BEST v2 is almost 2000 cubic inches smaller and is about 6 lbs lighter. The Triumph does have a carry handle, but a shoulder strap would be nicer for a stroller this size.

Ease of Use

The Triumph Twin earned a 6 of 10 for ease of use, which is the second highest score in this metric. The Twin lost points in this metric thanks to a ridiculously difficult to use harness and stiff buckle. Alternatively, the ZOE XL2 BEST once again scores higher with an 9.

Fold and Unfold

The Twin has a two-handed fold that is initiated with the foot (above left), making it not great for sandaled feet. It does not self-stand, but it does have an automatic lock that works well. While it folds easily, you will need to bend all the way over to push it together and lock (above right).

Brakes

The Twin brakes are some of the easiest to use and make a reassuring click sound when the pedal is engaged. They are sandal foot friendly, and smooth to set and release.

Storage

The Twin has 2 under seat storage bins that hold up to 4.4 lbs each (above left). The bins are medium in size and held our small diaper bag. The access isn't great, but the real problem is the opening is too small for most bags. This stroller also has a pocket on the back of each canopy that are easy to use and hold easy access items (above right).

Sunshade

The shades on the Twin are large, have a pop out visor and are SPF 50+. These canopies don't have peek-a-boo windows, but a panel zippers open for ventilation and visibility under the shade. The shades look nice and function well, but the ZOE XL2 BEST v2 shades are larger than the Twin's and offer more coverage.

Harness

Maclaren makes the most difficult to use harnesses and buckles. The straps have a convoluted back and forth threading system that will leave you frustrated and tempted to go with "good enough", and the buckle is so stiff two hands doesn't feel like enough pressure to open it.

Seat

The Twin looks like it has a leg rest, but it is really just a flap of padded fabric. The seat backs do not recline flat, but it is far enough to fall asleep. The seats recline with a button push and slide, and sit upright the same way.

Ease of Setup

The Twin took us just over 6 minutes to set up and requires no tools. The real problem is a poorly designed manual that has 19 languages all mashed together instead of in divided sections. This takes extra time to sort through and follow, which leads to frustration and losing your place or accidentally skipping steps.

Maneuverability

The Twin earned a 4 of 10 for maneuverability, which is the second highest for the maneuverability metric. The Twin has the dual front wheel design common on this kind of stroller, with 6 wheels in front that can veer off course easily with bumps in the road. This stroller steers and turns well, with occasional one-handed pushing possible on straight flat surfaces. Taller users might end up kicking the back of the stroller when strolling, but it did go over curbs without a hiccup. It does have problems with significant transition edges and struggles over small bumps and larger cracks.
This stroller has all-wheel suspension and a nicely padded seat. The handles are foam covered and nicely placed. We think both users and passengers will find the Twin comfortable enough for regular use.

Quality

The Twin earned an 8 of 10 for quality, making this the metric where the Twin really shines. Maclaren seems to take great care in choosing materials and components that work well together and connect securely to form a sturdy final product. While it still has commonalities with the competition, like plastic wheels and exposed fasteners, this one just looks nicer and feels better than most with little flex and high thread count fabric. Overall, one of the nicest in the group.

Manufacturer Video

This Maclaren video gives an overview of the Twin Triumph.