In-depth reviews guided by a Pediatrician

Maclaren Twin Triumph Review

Larger option with hard to use buckle and harness strap adjustment
Maclaren Twin Triumph
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Price:   $350 List | $349 at Amazon
Pros:  Nice quality, easier to use
Cons:  Higher Price, large, heavy, frustrating harness and buckle
Manufacturer:   Maclaren
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team  ⋅  Dec 29, 2016
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50
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#5 of 10
  • Weight/Folded Size - 40% 4
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 6
  • Maneuverability - 20% 4
  • Quality - 10% 8

The Skinny

The Maclaren Twin Triumph is an average stroller with a rank of 4 out of 9 double umbrella options. This stroller earned its highest score for quality, but its performance in general was sort of lackluster, and while it earned second place in metrics like Maneuverability and Ease of Use, its overall size and heft prevented it from scoring higher. In a gear category where weighing less and folding small is king, the Twin Triumph was the second largest and one of the heaviest. This stroller does offer nice seating, good canopies, and extra storage pockets that makes us feel like we can possibly overlook its shortcomings, but one attempt to adjust the harness or release the buckle leaves us unable to recommend this stroller. With a cheaper price than the Twin, the ZOE XL2 BEST v2 scored higher in every metric but quality, and offers better storage, larger canopies, and is the lightest in the group.


Compare to Similar Products

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Maclaren Twin Triumph
This Product
Maclaren Twin Triumph
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Best Value Award Top Pick Award 
Price $350.00 List
$349.00 at Amazon		$330.00 List
$269.95 at Amazon - 18% off		$500.00 List
$499.00 at Amazon		$100.00 List
Check Price at Amazon		$400.00 List
$399.99 at Amazon
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Pros Nice quality, easier to useEasy to use, lightweight, nice qualityVery small, well-made, adjustable leg restsPrice, small, light, easy to stowTop quality, easy to use, easy to push and turn
Cons Higher Price, large, heavy, frustrating harness and buckleHarder to push and turnExpensive, harder to fold, no peek-a-boo windowsLower quality, harder to useHeaviest, largest
Bottom Line Larger option with hard to use buckle and harness strap adjustmentNice, lightweight umbrella that is easy to use and small when foldedSomewhat pricey umbrella that is well made and fits in tight spacesBudget friendly option that is easy to carry and fits in small spacesEasy to use and maneuver, but super heavy and difficult to fit in small spaces
Rating Categories Maclaren Twin... ZOE XL2 BEST v2 Mountain Buggy... LX Side by Side UPPAbaby G-Link
Weight Folded Size (40%)
10
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4
10
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8
10
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8
10
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9
10
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2
Ease Of Use (30%)
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6
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8
Maneuverability (20%)
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Quality (10%)
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Specs Maclaren Twin... ZOE XL2 BEST v2 Mountain Buggy... LX Side by Side UPPAbaby G-Link
Weight 23 lbs 19.7 lbs 20.3 lbs 18.5 lbs 24.7 lbs
Folded Dimensions 19.7"W x 15.5"H x 41"L 32.2"W x 10"H x 28.4"L 28.5"W x 13"H x 20.2"L 17"W x 11.5"H x 42"L 19"W x 16"H x 43.2"L
Capacity Limits Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 55 lbs/43"		 Minimum: 3 months
Maximum: 33 lbs		 Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 33 lbs		 Minimum: Must Have Proper Head and Neck Control
Maximum: 35 lbs		 Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 55 lbs/45"
Included Car Seat Compatibility None None None None None
Click-in Car Seat Adapters None None None None None
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters None None None None None
One-handed Fold No No No No No
Locking Fold Auto Auto Auto Manual Auto
Self-standing Fold No No Yes No Yes
Carry Strap No No Yes No No
Handlebar Height - Min/Max 41.4" 40.7" 39.7" 36.8" 41.6"
Sandal-friendly Brake Yes Yes Yes No No
Included Accessories None Cup Holder and Snack Cup None None None
Setup Time 6:07 4:06 3:33 2:53 5:06

Our Analysis and Test Results

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.

Performance Comparison


The Twin Triumph came in 4th place out of 9 umbrella products.
The Twin Triumph came in 4th place out of 9 umbrella products.

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.
The Triumph's carry handle is a nice touch but a shoulder strap would make carrying it easier and keep user's hands free.
The Triumph's carry handle is a nice touch, but a shoulder strap would make carrying it easier and keep user's hands free.

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.

The Twin's traditional umbrella fold requires a convoluted collection of crossbars and is initiated with a foot.
The Twin is the second largest folded stroller in the review and the 4th heaviest.

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.

The Twin has 2 under seat storage bins that are easier to access than most of the competition but due to size and divider bar won't hold most diaper bags.
The Twin has twin pockets on the back of the canopies that close with a hook and loop closure.

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).

The Triumph has some of the nicer and better looking canopies in the review.
The Triumph has some of the nicer and better looking canopies in the review.

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.

The Twin Triumph's harness is the hardest to adjust and the buckle is super stiff and difficult to use.
The Twin Triumph's harness is the hardest to adjust and the buckle is super stiff and difficult to use.

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.

The recline on the Triumph is no where near flat but it should be deep enough for comfortable napping.
The recline on the Triumph is no where near flat, but it should be deep enough for comfortable napping.

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.
The dual wheel design on the Triumph's front wheels isn't the best but somehow these small plastic wheels still manage to be better than most of the competition.
The dual wheel design on the Triumph's front wheels isn't the best, but somehow these small plastic wheels still manage to be better than most of the competition.
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.


— Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team