3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer superb maneuverability, and are a stylish, slim frame. Many of them have an upholstered sling seat that has a comfortable lying flat bed and excellent weight distribution that is ideal from birth.
The wheels are larger, and they also often have suspensions for smooth movement on different terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they may be bulkier and heavier to store and transport.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies offer lots of stability. They aren't prone to tipping over as easily when driving straight. They also allow you to maneuver them more quickly. If you turn or stop abruptly, they could lose their stability and fall over. To avoid this, certain manufacturers add an additional wheel to their 3 wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.
You can also conquer off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Find models that have air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road paths, sand and mud, and other surfaces like sand and rock. These models also come with an adjustable wheel that locks on the front, which will increase stability over rough terrain.
The buggies are simple to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also pass the same rigorous global stability standards and tests as 4-wheel buggies.
If you're in search of a fabric sling seat, then they are typically placed lower in the frame than modular seats, so that your baby's centre of gravity is closer to the floor which means a smoother ride and less kerb pop (you don't have to exert the same amount of pressure or effort to lift the buggy up and over a kerb).
Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a lightweight pushchair and travel system to its line-up 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 an exclusive pewter-black aluminum frame that the brand calls'slim and compact. It's smaller at 2cm than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There's a good choice of 3 wheel buggies that fold up to fit into smaller spaces. Many of these buggies can be folded with one hand, and are easy to clean. Some of the smallest models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, while others feature adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. Some models may have a large basket and a brake lever that is quick-release.
The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain
A 3-wheeled model is typically better equipped to handle off-road terrain when compared to a four-wheeled model however both may get stuck in tight corners. A model with bigger front and rear wheels will assist. This will make it easier to push them over rough terrain, and can assist you in climbing up and down the steep slopes.
One option is the brand new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its quick handling, despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it out with her infant, and she said that "it did really well on bumpy surfaces, cobbles dirt roads, gravel tracks and a few hills."
Stella Stella, the all-terrain 3-wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It is suitable from birth, if it is used in conjunction with a carrycot. It's slightly bigger than the lightweight 4-wheelers, but it has air-filled tires and three recline positions and a one-handed fold.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity it's compatible with all the brands' infant car seats and strollers. This means that you can design your ideal travel system for day-today or longer walks, using only the chassis as a foundation.
Tyres
The tyres on 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of styles and materials, and each comes with its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres provide a comfortable performance and maneuverability, whereas foam-filled tyres last longer. The type you choose will depend on your lifestyle and where you live.
For instance, if you intend to frequently travel on rough or muddy terrain, you may want to consider a 3-wheeler with sturdier tires. 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 and add to the overall weight.
Another important factor to consider is the tyre's size. Understanding how to read tyre sizing is crucial for maintaining safety performance, durability, and performance. The combination of letters and numbers on the sidewalls of tyres may be confusing initially, but decoding it will allow you to comprehend the tyre's dimensions. A tyre that has an 185/70 size R14, for example indicates that it is a radial tire in the 185/70 size 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 whether a pushchair has rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires over an even and secure surface. If they move easily, then the tires are made of PU. If they do not then the tires are composed of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension on a 3 wheel buggy is an important aspect to consider as it will absorb the bumps and knocks of rough terrain making it much more comfortable for your baby. Large wheels that are filled with air, and are able to be locked to provide stability while jogging are crucial. This will allow your buggy to maneuver over off-road surfaces easily.
There are many choices for buggy designs to fit every budget and style of life. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility in three-wheel buggies. With perfect geometry and engineering their sling seat made of fabric rests comfortably within the frame, as opposed to on top like modular seats, providing a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the ideal height for the best weight distribution that allows it to easily handle kerb pops.
Another option worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with a large, highly maneuverable front wheel, excellent suspension, and a simple handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath really put this buggy to the test by taking it for an excursion through the rough terrain and found that it was able to handle the terrain well, stating that it 'flies effortlessly over bumpy grass, pavements, cobbles, dirt tracks and even makes a light work of climbing and descending the kerbs'.
The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road option that, like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to suit your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar as well as a large basket. You can also select from a selection of infant car seats to convert the buggy into a pram, including the chicly designed carrycot plus(tm) which is a comfortable lie-flat bed for newborns and babies from 12 months to 12 years old.
Safety
Four wheels make the pushchair more stable and less likely to tip over and easier to maneuver. It also makes it safer for your child because the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.
A four-wheeler is also likely to have a lower center of gravity and therefore is easier to pop over curbs and up the stairs. 3 wheeled pushchair sling seats are built into the frame and not on top as modular seats. This creates a low seating position and an automobile that is easily pushed.
However, if you'd like to go out for a run with your baby then a four-wheeler is better suited since it comes with a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back one which allows you to navigate bumpy roads and rough terrain Be aware that not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most aren't, such as the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception because they come with a specially-designed suspension system that's been independently tested across all kinds of terrain.