3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer excellent maneuverability with a stylish and streamlined frame. Many of these feature an upholstered sling seat that has a cosy lying flat bed and excellent weight distribution, perfect from the moment of birth.
The wheels are larger and typically come with suspensions to allow for smooth, fluid 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 provide a lot of stability. They don't fall over as easily when you are driving straight. You can also manoeuvre them more quickly. If you turn or stop abruptly, they may lose stability and tip over. To avoid this, some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.
You can also take on off-road terrain using the additional wheel. Choose models with air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres) that can be used to handle off-road paths, sand and mud, and other surfaces such as rock and sand. These models will also have a lockable wheel in the front to improve the stability of the vehicle over rough terrain.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile thanks to the 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also pass the same rigorous global stability standards and tests as 4-wheel buggies.
If you're looking for a fabric 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 and provides a more comfortable ride and less kerb pop (you don't have to exert as much pressure or effort to get the buggy over and up the curb).
Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a light travel system and pushchair to its range with the striking Citylife. The model is designed for urban living and is compatible for newborns with a car seat or carrycot for infants. It has four wheels and has an exclusive black pewter frame, which the brand claims is 'slim and compact' - it's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a variety of 3 wheel buggies which can be folded compactly and can be tucked away in smaller spaces. A majority of these buggies are able to be folded in one hand and are easy to clean. 3 wheel buggy of the smallest models have a simple height-of-handlebar adjustment, while others have adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. They may also feature a large, spacious basket and a brake lever that is quick-release.
The best 3 wheeler for rough terrain
A 3-wheeled model is typically better equipped to handle off-road terrain compared to a 4-wheeled model, though both can get stuck on tight corners. But, picking a model that has larger wheels both front and back can be beneficial. This will make them easier to push across rough terrain and is often helpful in moving up and down steep kerbs.
The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its remarkable agility despite its 3-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her baby and 3-year-old and said "it handles really well over bumpy pavements, cobbles dirt roads and gravel tracks as well as on a few hills."
Stella Stella, the brand new all-terrain 3-wheel buggy by Maxi-Cosi, is another option. It is suitable from birth when used with a carrycot. It is slightly larger than the 4-wheelers that are lighter, but it has air-filled tires, three recline positions, and an easy fold with one hand.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity - it's compatible with all the car seats for infants from the brand and strollers. This means you can build your ideal travel system for your day-to-day or longer walks using the chassis as a foundation.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are offered in a variety of styles and types of materials. Each has its own pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air offer an effortless ride and superior manoeuvrability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type of tyre you select will depend on your lifestyle and where it is that 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 robust tyres. You should also think about the type of suspension that you need. Suspensions that are strong are ideal to deal with humps and bumps however they can be quite heavy, adding to the overall weight.
The size of the tyre is also crucial. Knowing how to read the tyre size is important for safety, performance and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on the tyre's sidewall might 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 example is a radial tire that has a size of the 185/70 size with 14-inch rim size.
PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you're unsure whether the tires of a pushchair are rubber or PU, simply slide the tires on an even surface. If the tires move easily and smoothly, they're made of PU. If they do not then the tires are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three-wheel 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 ensure stability when jogging are also essential. This will allow your buggy to maneuver over off-road surfaces effortlessly.
There are a variety of buggy styles that will suit any budget and lifestyle. The Mountain Buggy, for example was the first to introduce all-terrain agility with three-wheel buggie. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect their fabric sling seat is tucked away inside the frame as opposed to sitting on top like modular seats, resulting in an lower center of gravity and sitting at the ideal height for the best weight distribution, allowing it to easily take on kerb pops.
Another great option is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule which boasts a sleek design with a large, highly maneuverable front wheel, excellent suspension and a simple twist handbrake. MFM reviewer Kath tested the buggy its trials by taking it for a walk through rough terrain. She was impressed with how it handled it really well, saying that it "navigates over bumpy grass, sidewalks, cobbles and dirt tracks and makes it easy to go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas is another popular off road option and like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a variety of colors to match your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar, a spacious basket, and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that will transform the buggy into a pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfy lie-flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns until 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the pushchair much more stable and less likely to tip, and easier to handle. It is also more secure for your baby since their weight is distributed more evenly over the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeled vehicle has a lower center of gravity, making it easier to get over curbs and get up. The fabric sling seat sits within the frame, not sitting on top like modular seats. This creates a low seating position, and a lighter buggy that can be easily manoeuvred.
If you're looking to run with your child, then a 4-wheeler is the ideal option. It comes with a suspension system that allows the front wheel of the buggie to be independent from the rear one. This will allow you to tackle rough terrains or bumpy roads. However, not all 4 wheel buggies can be used for running. Mountain Buggies are the exception, as they have a suspension system specifically designed for them that's been tested independently across all terrains.