Pushchairs And Prams offer excellent maneuverability, and are a stylish, sleek frame. Many of these have a fabric sling with an incredibly comfortable lay flat bed, perfect weight distribution and are ideal starting at birth.
The wheels are larger, and they also often include suspension to allow for smooth movement on various terrains. The only downside is that they can be more heavy and bulkier to store and transport.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are extremely solid - they don't fall over as easily as four-wheeled pushchairs when traveling in a straight line. Also, you'll notice that you can maneuver them more quickly and easily. If you turn or stop abruptly, they may lose their stability and fall over. Some manufacturers add an additional wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.
The extra wheel also helps you navigate off-road terrain. Look for models with air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road trails, sand, mud, and other surfaces such as rocks and sand. They'll also come with the option of locking the front wheel to add stability over really rough terrain.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile thanks to the 360o front swivel wheel. They also meet the same stability standards globally and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you're looking for a seat made of cloth that are breathable, they tend to be lower in the frame compared to modular seats. This means that your baby's centre of gravity will be closer to the ground, instantly providing the smoothest ride.
Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a light travel system and pushchair to its range with the eye-catching Citylife. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban living and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It has four wheels and uses an exclusive black pewter frame, which the brand claims is 'light and compact' - it's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are many 3 wheel buggies which can be folded in a compact way to can be tucked away in smaller spaces. They can be folded with a single hand and are simple to wash down. The smallest models will have a simple adjustable height of the handlebars, while others may have an adjustable suspension and an extendable 50+ UV canopy. They may also have a large, spacious basket and a quick-release brake lever.
The best 3 wheeler for rough terrain
A 3-wheeler is likely to be more adept at dealing with off-road terrain than a 4-wheel model, although both can get stuck in difficult spots. A model with larger front and rear wheels can assist. This makes them easier to push over rough ground and will often help with moving up and down the high kerbs.
The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its astonishing ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her baby and 3-year-old son and reported that "it does really well on cobbles, bumpy pavements, gravel tracks and dirt roads as well as on some hills."
Stella, the new 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It can be used from birth when used with a carrycot. It's slightly bigger than the lighter 4-wheelers however, it comes with air-filled tires with three recline positions and an easy fold with one hand.
Its primary selling point is its modularity, though it's compatible with all the brands' infant car seats and strollers. This means you can create your ideal travel system for day-to-day or longer walks using the chassis as a base.
Tyres
The tyres on 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of designs and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres provide a comfortable ride and manoeuvrability, while foam-filled tyres last longer. The type of tyre you select will be determined by your lifestyle and the place you live.
If you plan to travel on roads that are not paved or rough terrain often you may be interested in a three-wheeler equipped with more durable tyres. Think about the type of suspension you require. Suspensions that are strong are ideal for tackling bumps and humps however they can be quite heavy, adding to the overall weight.
The size of the tyre is important. Understanding the size of the tyre is crucial for safety, performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewalls of tyres can be confusing, but once you decode it, you can understand the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre with the size 185/70 R14 for instance, means that it is a radial tire that has a size of 185/70 and has a 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are lighter and more puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you aren't sure if a pushchair's tires are rubber or PU, slide the tires on the surface with a smooth surface. If the tires move easily, they are made of PU. If not, then they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three wheel buggy makes it more comfortable for your child since it will absorb any bumps or knocks caused by rough terrain. Large wheels that are air-filled and are able to be locked to provide stability while jogging are important. This will enable your buggy to navigate off-road surfaces easily.
There are many choices for buggy styles to suit every budget and style of life. The Mountain Buggy, for example was the first to introduce all-terrain agility in three-wheel buggie. With perfect geometry and engineering their sling seat made of fabric is tucked away inside the frame, in contrast to sitting on top like modular seats, resulting in an lower center of gravity and sitting at the perfect height for optimal weight distribution, allowing it to easily take on kerb pops.
Another option worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that has a sleek design with a massive, manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension, and an easy-to-use handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath tested the buggy its tests by walking on rough terrain. She found that it performed admirably and claimed that it "navigates over grass, bumpy sidewalks, cobbles and dirt tracks, and even makes it easy to drive up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road choice. It is available in a variety of colors that will match your style. It also comes with a movable handlebar and a large basket. You can also choose from a selection of infant car seats to transform the buggy into a pram. This includes the elegantly designed carrycot plus(tm) that is a comfortable lie-flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns that are up to 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the pushchair more stable, less likely for it to tip over, and more easy to maneuver. It also makes it safer for your child because the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.
A four-wheeled buggy has a lower center of gravity, making it easier to get over curbs and get up. The seats of the fabric sling are built into the frame, not on top like modular seats. This results in a lower seating position and buggy that is easily moved.
However, if you'd like to go out for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler may be better suited since it comes with suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back wheel which allows you to navigate bumpy roads and rough terrain Be aware that not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most are NOT, such as the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception because they come with an exclusive suspension system that has been tested independently across all kinds of terrain.