3 Wheeler Buggies
A three-wheel buggy is great for tackling off-road terrain, offering an easy ride for your child. They are also easier to push and maneuver than a four-wheeler, particularly those with fabric slings or modular seats that are set snugly within the frame, providing the best geometry and weight distribution.
Stability
A three-wheeled buggy offers excellent stability, which is why it's a good option for off-road walks (especially with an all terrain or off-road style seat unit). They usually have large front wheels, which cope well with bumps and kerbs and rough ground. Some have a lockable wheel on the front for additional stability when driving on uneven terrain.
It's worth bearing in mind that 3-wheel buggies can have a lower center of gravity than models with four wheels and this can mean that they fall over more easily. The most reliable 3-wheeled pushchairs are built with the perfect geometry to ensure that they remain solid in all conditions. They must be able to pivot on a dime and be easy to steer with one hand, and feature 360o swivelling front wheels which makes them ideal for manoeuvring and navigating difficult terrain.
For surfaces that are extremely challenging be sure to choose an air-filled model also known as pneumatic tyres. They are designed to work on roads that are not paved and can deal with mud, gravel, rock etc. Many all-terrain buggies come with an swivelling wheel on the front that can be locked to provide extra stability when you're dealing with rough terrain.
3 wheeler pushchair -wheeled pram is a great choice for those who run or like to walk fast uphill. This is particularly true if you intend to attach to a car seat or carrycot. The Roma Atlas is a great example, with a wide-facing seat that can recline flat and comes with a new 5-point harness as well as storage space for all your equipment (plus an extendable 50+ sun hood). It's light and compact, and is suitable for use from birth. It can be used in conjunction with the car seat or carrycot. It can also be used for light jogging, but it's not designed for serious runners.
Weight
If you're seeking a buggy that can handle difficult terrain, then you'll need one with big wheels. 3 wheel pushchair will cope well over cobbles, grass and dirt tracks, and provide an enjoyable ride for any passenger. These are also great for jogging, as they have a suspension built-in and are easy enough to climb up and down kerbs. However, the downside is that they can be quite heavy to push.
The best 3-wheel buggy for rough terrain is the Mountain Buggy Urban Glide 2 (pictured above). This 3-wheel buggy has 16 rear wheels, and a lockable swivel front wheel making it extremely maneuverable. It comes with tyres filled with air that require pumping up every now and then. It can be used by children until the age of three. MFM reviewer Kath says that her toddler was awed by the seat shape and she found it easy to drive with her 3 year old in the seat.
The Baby Jogger Versa GT is another excellent option. It has an adjustable handlebar, a top-quality hood that provides 50+ UV protection and a high quality hood. It is also easy to move kerbs up and down and fits in a the car's boot space in a small size. It can also be used as a stroller with baby carriers or toddlers.
Fabric slings are set within the frame and not on top of the frame like modular seats. This model has a lower centre-of-gravity at the ideal height. It is much easier to push and lighter to kerb-pop (you don't know how many times you'll do that as a new parent!).
Seating
The capacity for seating of 3 wheelers is quite impressive and there are a variety of different choices to choose from. For newborns, there is the option to use the included carrycot and (which MFM reviewer Alice says is a cozy and comfortable lying flat bed that can be used on and off the buggy), while older babies and toddlers can be seated in the parent-facing or world-facing seat unit that is roomy and cushioned and has adjustable ventilation. It's worth noting that the seats don't recline fully, but they can be lowered to the lowest level which will give your child plenty of headroom and space to move around.
A fabric sling seat is also available. It is positioned snugly inside the frame rather than on top like a modular seat and this gives a lower centre of gravity and perfect weight distribution. This makes it much easier and lighter to push especially when you're on bumpy terrain or curbs and MFM reviewer Kath really liked the way this type of seat handled these obstacles.
Alongside a huge shopping basket, this type of buggy generally has very useful features like an extendable 50+ UV hood, an easy-to-use brake pedal, and a few game-changing visibility lights that pop up from the handlebar and can be placed in front of the passengers to increase their safety when they are tackling difficult terrain.
If you're searching for a stroller that will grow along with your family it's the sport(tm) is a first in the world designed to accommodate the newborn, and later be modified to fit two or three children as they grow. All within a single footprint.
Storage
The 3-wheeled frame makes a buggy much more sturdy to push one-handed and is also ideal for handling rough terrain. The shopping basket is smaller than a four-wheeler.
A top-quality ATP will have pneumatic tyres, a cushioned grip for added comfort, and a superb suspension. It is also equipped with a carrycot and car seat which means you can use it right from birth.
MFM's reviewers found that the 3-wheeler frames couldn't fit through their home doors or car boot. If you're concerned about space, be sure you check the dimensions of the buggy once it is folded prior to purchasing.
It's worth looking for 3-wheelers that can accommodate 2 (or even 3!) This is the best choice for your future and will help you save money. The iCandy Strawberry Sport is among the most popular. It can be used from the day of birth as a single buggy and then converted into twin buggies when your baby begins walking.
Tyres
These tyres absorb bumps and uneven surfaces to make your child's journey more comfortable. They're commonly found on pushchairs such as the Phil and Ted's Sport which MFM reviewer Kath found to be "an amazing ride for my toddler". She also noted that the grippy tyres make it easy to tackle cobbles and kerbs.
These tyres can sometimes prove tricky to keep inflated and must be replenished regularly. These tyres are more susceptible to punctures, and you should always carry a repair kit and spare inner tube with you when you're out and about.
PU tyres can be seen on more pushchairs than the air-filled tyres, yet they are still just as robust. You can identify PU tires by their smooth appearance and soft feel. They also slide easily on uneven and tied surfaces.
It's usually possible to tell the distinction between air-filled and PU tire by running your fingers over each one, if it feels hard, then it's rubber and if it slides then it's a PU. You can also confirm that your buggy has PU tyres by sliding the tyres over a clean, flat surface - they'll be able to roll easily and fit snugly in their wheel hubs.
Foam tyres are able to withstand the rough terrain associated with high-performance buggies. This can make your buggy less stable since the foam will lose its springy feel. Also, these kinds of tyres can typically be noisy because they create lots of noise when you turn and navigate your way around the town.