3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies are stylish and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. Many of them have seats made of fabric that have a cosy lying flat bed and excellent weight distribution, ideal from birth.
The wheels are larger and usually have suspension to ensure smooth, swift movement on different terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they tend to be bulkier and heavier to store and transport.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are remarkably solid - they don't fall over as easily as pushchairs that have four wheels when traveling in a straight line, and you'll be able to move them more quickly and effortlessly. However, if you try to turn or stop suddenly they'll lose their stability and may fall over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
The additional wheel also allows you navigate off-road terrain. Look out for models with air-filled tyres (also called pneumatic tyres) as they are able to deal with off-road routes and other surfaces like sand, mud and rock. They'll also have a lockable front wheel to give stability over rough ground.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also pass the same rigorous stability standards and tests as the 4-wheel buggies.
If you are looking for a seat made of cloth that are breathable, they tend to be smaller in the frame as compared to modular seats. This means that your baby's centre of gravity will be closer to the ground, instantly providing an easier ride.
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seat range, but it recently expanded its product range with the Citylife compact travel system and pushchair. The 3-in-1 model was designed for urban living and is compatible from birth with a newborn car seat or carrycot for infants. It comes with 4 wheels and uses an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame, which the brand claims is 'slim and compact' - it's actually only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are many three wheel buggies that can be folded down to can fit into smaller spaces. A majority of these buggies are able to be folded in one hand, and are easy to clean. The smallest models will come with a basic height adjustment for the handlebar, whereas others may feature an adjustable suspension and an extendable 50+ UV canopy. They may also have an enormous, spacious basket and a brake lever that is quick-release.
The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain
A 3-wheeled buggy is usually better equipped to deal with off-road conditions as in comparison to a model with four wheels but both can be a bit stuck on tight corners. A model with larger rear and front wheels can help. This allows them to push over rough ground and is often helpful in moving up and down the high kerbs.
The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its surprising ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. 3 wheeler strollers has tested it with her baby and said that "it handled really well on bumpy surfaces, cobbles and dirt roads, gravel tracks and even a few hills."
Stella Stella, the 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It can be used from birth, if it is used in conjunction with a carrycot. It's a bit bigger than the lighter 4-wheelers however, it comes with air-filled tires, three recline positions, and an easy fold with one hand.
Its primary selling point is its modularity - it's compatible with all of the brands' infant strollers and car seats. You can design your own travel system, whether you're planning to take a shorter walk or take a longer stroll, using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of styles and materials, and each comes with its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air, offer an easy ride and excellent manoeuvrability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type you pick will depend on your lifestyle and the location you live in.
For instance, if plan to travel often on rough or unpaved terrain, you may want to consider an all-wheeler with more durable tyres. You should also think about the type of suspension you require. Strong suspension is useful for handling bumps and humps, however it can be heavy and increase the overall weight of your pushchair.
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is tyre size. Knowing how to read the tyre size is important for safety, performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewalls of tyres can appear confusing, but once you decode it, you will be able to understand the tyre's dimensions. For instance, a tyre size of "185/70 R14 indicates that the tire is a 185/70 radial with 14 inches of rim diameter.
PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you are unsure if the tires on a pushchair are made of rubber or PU, simply slide the tires on an even surface. If the tires slide easily and smoothly, they're made of PU. If not, they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is an essential aspect to consider as it absorbs the smacks and bumps of rough terrain making it much more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are ideally air-filled and lockable to provide stability when jogging also important as this will ensure that your buggy is capable of maneuvering off road surfaces with ease.
There are many choices for buggy designs to fit every lifestyle and budget. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility in a three-wheel buggies. Their sling seats made of fabrics are designed with the perfect geometry and engineering that fits comfortably inside the frame rather than sitting on top like modular seats. This provides a lower center of gravity, and is placed at the perfect height to distribute weight evenly to tackle bumps.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. It has a sleek design, a large wheel that is easy to maneuver and is paired with an impressive suspension. It also features the twist handbrake to facilitate ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath put the buggy through its paces by walking on a rough terrain. She found that it handled it really well, saying that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks and dirt tracks and allows you to easily go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road model and, like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a variety of colors to suit your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar and a spacious basket. You can also select from a variety of infant car seats that will convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm), which is a comfortable, flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns until 12 months old.
Safety
The presence of four wheels makes a buggy much more stable, less likely to tip and easier to handle. It is also safer for your child because the weight of their body is evenly dispersed across the frame.
A four-wheeler is also likely to have a lower center of gravity, making it easier to lift over curbs and up the stairs. The sling seat is affixed within the frame, not on top of it like modular seats do, which makes for a low-slung seating position and a lighter buggy that is easily manoeuvred.
If you're looking to go for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler might be better suited as it has suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one so you can tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain be aware that not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most are NOT like the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially-designed suspension system that has been tested by an independent party across all types of terrain.