3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer excellent maneuverability in a stylish and slim frame. A lot of them come with a fabric sling seat with a comfortable lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution that is ideal from the moment of birth.
The wheels are bigger, and they also often include suspension to allow for smooth movements on a variety of terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they tend to be heavier and bulkier to transport and store.
Stability
three wheeler pushchair-wheel buggies provide lots of stability. They don't tip over as easily when you are moving straight. You can also maneuver faster. However, if you attempt to stop or turn suddenly they'll lose stability and may fall over. This is why certain manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel parent facing Pushchair wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
The additional wheel also allows you tackle off-road terrain. Look out for models with air-filled tyres (also known as pneumatic tyres) as these can cope with off-road trails and other surfaces including rocks, sand and mud. These models also come with wheels that lock on the front, which will increase stability over rough terrain.
With the correct design, engineering and weight distribution these buggies can be turned on a dime easy to steer with one hand; they have 360o front swivel wheels that allow mobility and agility to be easy and light in handling. They'll also be able to pass the same rigorous stability standards and tests as the 4-wheel buggies.
If you're looking for a fabric sling, then they are typically placed lower in the frame than modular seats, so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the floor and provides a more comfortable ride and a less noticeable kerb pop (you don't need to apply the same amount of pressure or effort to get the buggy up and over the Kerb).
Maxi-Cosi is a household name for its car seat collection however, it has recently expanded its product line with the Citylife, a lightweight travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is perfect for urban living, and comes with a baby car seat or carrycot. It comes with 4 wheels and uses a unique pewter black aluminium frame that the manufacturer claims is 'light and compact'. It's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There's a wide selection of 3 wheel buggies that fold up to fit into smaller space. Many of them can be folded using just one hand, and are easy to wipe down. The smallest models will feature a basic height adjustment for the handlebar, whereas others could have an adjustable suspension as well as an extendable 50+ UV canopy. Some models could have an enormous basket as well as a brake lever that is quick-release.
The best 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be more adept at dealing with off-road terrain than a 4-wheel model, but both can be stuck in difficult spots. However, choosing a model that has larger wheels on both sides will help. This allows them to push over rough ground and is often helpful in moving up and down the high kerbs.
One option is the latest Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its surprisingly quick handling, despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath has tested it with her child, and she said that "it did really well on cobbles, bumpy surfaces and dirt roads, gravel tracks and even some hills."
Stella Stella, the all-terrain 3-wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It can be used from birth when used with a carrycot. It is slightly larger than the lightweight 4-wheelers, however, it comes with air-filled tires with three recline positions and a one-handed fold.
Its primary selling point is its modularity - it's compatible with all of the brand's infant car seats and strollers. You can create your own travel system, regardless of whether you want to go on a short walk or a longer one by using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air provide an easy ride and excellent maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type of tyre you choose will depend on your lifestyle and where it is that you live.
For example, if you intend to frequently travel on rough or unpaved terrain, you might want to consider an all-wheeler with more durable tyres. Take into consideration the kind of suspension you need. Suspensions that are strong are ideal to tackle humps and bumps but they can also be heavy and add to the overall weight.
Another important factor to consider is tyre size. Knowing how to read the tyre size is important for safety, performance and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on a tyre's sidewall can seem at first, but decoding it will allow you to comprehend the tyre's dimensions. A tyre that has a size of 185/70 R14 for instance is a radial tire that has a size of 185/70 and has a 14-inch rim diameter.
PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you aren't sure if the tires of a pushchair 3 wheels are rubber or PU, try sliding the tires on an even surface. If the tires slide easily and smoothly, they're made of PU. If they don't then the tires are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is an important element to look for as it absorbs the bumps and knocks of rough terrain making it more comfortable for your child. Large wheels which are filled with air and lockable to provide stability when jogging also important as this will ensure that your buggy is capable of maneuvering off roads with ease.
Depending on the style of buggy you're looking for, there are choices to fit every lifestyle and budgets. For instance, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3-wheel buggies. With the perfect geometry and engineering, their fabrics sling seat rests comfortably inside the frame as opposed to being on top of modular seats, resulting in a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the right height to ensure optimal weight distribution that allows it to easily handle the kerb pops.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another excellent option. It has sleek design, a big wheel that is easy to maneuver and comes with a superb suspension. It also features a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath tested the buggy its paces by going for a ride on a rough terrain. She found that it handled it really well and claimed that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks and dirt tracks, and makes it easy to go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road option that, similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to match your style. It also comes with a movable handlebar and a spacious basket. You can also pick from a selection of infant car seats to convert the buggy into a pram. This includes the stylishly designed carrycot plus(tm) which is a comfy lie-flat crib for babies and infants from 12 months to 12 years old.
Safety
The presence of four wheels makes a buggy much more stable and less likely to tip over and easier to handle. It also makes it safer for your baby as their weight is distributed more evenly across the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeled buggy has lower center of gravity, making it easier to get over curbs and walk up. The sling seat is affixed within the frame, not sitting on top like modular seats do, which makes for a low-slung seating position and a lighter buggy that is easily manoeuvred.
However, if you'd like to go for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler might be more suitable as it has a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one to allow you to tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most are NOT, such as the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially-designed suspension system that has been independently tested across all terrains.