3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies are stylish and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. A lot of them have an sling made of fabric with a cosy lay flat bed, which is ideal for weight distribution and are suitable for babies from the age of.
The wheels are larger and often include suspension to allow for smooth movement on various terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they tend to be more bulky and heavy to transport and store.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are very stable - they don't tip over as easily as four-wheeled pushchairs when traveling in a straight line, and you'll be able to maneuver them more quickly and easily. If you stop or turn abruptly, they can lose stability and tip over. To avoid this, some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their
3 wheel pushchair off road wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
You can also conquer off-road terrain by adding an extra wheel. Look out for models with air-filled tyres (also called pneumatic tyres) as they are able to deal with off-road trails and other surfaces including sand, mud and rock. They'll also usually come with a lockable front wheel to give stability over rough terrain.
Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They also meet the same global stability standards and test as 4-wheel buggies.
If you're looking for a cloth sling seat, these tend to be placed lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the ground - instantly delivering a smoother ride and a less noticeable kerb pop (you don't need to apply as much pressure or exertion to get the buggy up and over the curb).
Maxi-Cosi is a household name for its car seats, but it has recently expanded its product line with the Citylife, a lightweight travel system and pushchair. The model is designed for urban living and is suitable for newborns with a carrycot or infant car seat. It comes with 4 wheels and an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame that the manufacturer claims is 'light and compact'. It's actually only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a variety of
three wheel buggies that can be folded down to fit into smaller spaces. Many of these buggies can be folded with one hand and are easy to clean. The smallest models will feature an easy height adjustment for the handlebar, whereas others may have an adjustable suspension as well as an expandable 50+ UV canopy. Certain models may come with large baskets and a brake lever that's quick-release.
The most reliable 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be more able to deal with off-road conditions than a 4-wheel model, although both can get stuck in difficult spots. A model with bigger front and rear wheels can aid. This allows you to push them across rough terrain and will help you get up and down the steep slopes.
The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its astonishing agility despite its
3 wheel stroller cheap-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath used it with her infant and her
small 3 wheel stroller-year-old, and said "it is very well-handled over bumpy pavements, cobbles dirt roads and gravel tracks, as well as on a few hills."
Stella Stella, the brand new 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. It's suitable from birth when used with the carrycot. It's a slightly larger than the lighter 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim frame of 54cm wide) however it has large air-filled tyres. It also has
3 wheel stroller reversible seat recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity, though it's compatible with all the brand's infant car seats and strollers. This means you can build your ideal travel system for your day-to-day or longer walks, using just the chassis as a starting point.
Tyres
The tyres of 3 wheel buggies are available in a range of styles and materials, and each comes with its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air provide a comfortable performance and maneuverability, whereas foam-filled tyres last longer. The type of tyre you select will depend on your lifestyle and where you live.
If you intend to travel on unpaved roads or in rough terrain frequently, you might be interested in a three-wheeler equipped with more durable tyres. You should also consider the type of suspension that you require. A strong suspension is ideal for handling bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and increase the overall weight of your pushchair.
Another important factor to consider is the tyre's size. Understanding the tyre size is important for safety, performance, and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre sidewall may seem confusing until you get the hang of it, you will be able to understand the tyre dimensions. A tyre that has a size of 185/70 R14 for instance, means that it is a radial tire with a diameter of 185/70 with 14-inch rim size.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are also lighter and more puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure if the tires on a pushchair are rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires across an even and secure surface. If they slide easily, then the tires are made from PU. If they do not then the tires are composed of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three-wheeled buggy can make it more comfortable for your child as it absorbs any knocks or bumps that occur from rough terrain. Large wheels that are air-filled, and are able to be locked to provide stability when jogging are also essential. This will enable your buggy to travel on off-road surfaces effortlessly.
Depending on the type of buggie you're looking for, there are choices to fit every lifestyle and budgets. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility in a three-wheel buggies. With perfect geometry and engineering their fabric sling seat rests comfortably within the frame, as opposed to on top like modular seats, offering a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the perfect height for optimal weight distribution that allows it to easily handle kerb pops.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another excellent option. It has an elegant design, a huge wheel that's easy to move and is paired with an impressive suspension. It also has the twist handbrake to facilitate ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath put the buggy through its tests by going for a ride on rough terrain. She found that it was able to handle it very well and said that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks and dirt tracks, and makes it easy to go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road choice. It comes in a variety of colors that will match your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar and a spacious basket. You can also pick from a selection of infant car seats that convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus(tm), which is a comfy lie-flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns until 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the pushchair more stable and less likely to tip over and is easier to maneuver. It also makes it more secure for your child as their weight is distributed more evenly across the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeler is also likely to have a lower center of gravity and therefore is easier to pop up and over curbs. The fabric sling seat sits inside the frame rather than over it as modular seats. This makes for a low-slung seating position and a comparatively lighter buggy that can be easily maneuverable.
However, if you want to go for an exercise with your child then a four-wheeler is more suitable as it has suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back wheel which allows you to navigate rough terrains and bumpy roads - just bear in mind not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most aren't, such as the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception since they feature an exclusive suspension system that has been tested by an independent expert across all kinds of terrain.