3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer superb maneuverability, and are a stylish, slim frame. A lot of them come with a fabric sling seat with an incredibly comfortable lying flat bed and excellent weight distribution that is ideal for babies from birth.
The wheels are larger and usually come with suspensions to allow for smooth, swift mobility on various terrains. The only downside is that they can be more heavy and bulkier to store & transport.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are extremely stable - they don't tip over as easily as four-wheeled pushchairs when going in a straight line. Also, you'll find that you can move them more quickly and easily. If you stop or turn abruptly, they can lose stability and even tip over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.
You can also conquer off-road terrain by adding an extra wheel. Look for models that have air-filled tyres (also known as pneumatic tyres) as these can cope with off-road paths and other surfaces like rocks, sand, and mud. They'll also usually include a lockable front wheel to give stability over rough ground.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They also pass the same global stability standards and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you are in the market for a fabric seat they are typically lower in the frame compared to modular seats. This means that your baby's center of gravity will be closer to the ground - instantly ensuring the smoothest ride.
Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a lightweight pushchair and travel system to its line-up with the striking Citylife. The model is designed for urban living and is compatible from birth with a newborn car seat or carrycot for infants. It has 4 wheels and an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame, which the brand claims is 'slim and compact'. It's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are many three wheel buggies that can be folded down to can fit into smaller spaces. They can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wash down. The smallest models will come with a basic height adjustment for the handlebar, whereas others may feature an adjustable suspension or an expandable 50+ UV canopy. They may also feature a large, spacious basket and a brake lever with quick release.
3 wheeled pushchair for tackling rough terrain
A 3-wheeled vehicle is generally better equipped to deal with off-road conditions as compared to a 4-wheeled model, though both can be a bit stuck on tight corners. A model with bigger front and rear wheels will aid. This allows them to push across rough terrain and can help in moving up and down steep kerbs.
The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its remarkable agility despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath used it with her baby and 3-year-old and said "it handles really well over bumpy pavements, cobbles, gravel tracks and dirt roads and also on a few hills."
Stella Stella, the brand new 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. It's suitable for babies when used with the carrycot. It's smaller than the light 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim 54cm wide frame) however it has large, air-filled tyres, 3 recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold.
Its main selling feature is its modularity - it's compatible with all the brands' baby strollers and car seats. This means that you can design your ideal travel system for day-to-day or longer walks, using only the chassis as a starting point.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and types of materials. Each one has its own pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air, offer an effortless ride and superior maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The kind of tyre you pick will depend on your lifestyle and the place it is that you live.
If you plan to travel on roads that are not paved or in rough terrain frequently, you might want to consider a three-wheeler that has more robust tyres. Think about the kind of suspension you need. Strong suspensions are useful for tackling bumps and humps but they can also be heavy and add to the overall weight.
Another important factor to consider is the size of the tyre. Knowing how to determine the sizing of a tyre is essential to ensure safety performance, durability, and performance. 3 wheeled pushchair of letters and numbers on a tyre's sidewall can be confusing at first, but decoding it allows you to understand the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre with a size of 185/70 R14 for instance indicates that it is a radial tire in the 185/70 size with a 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are also lighter and more puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure whether the pushchair you are using has rubber or PU tires, try sliding the tires over an even and secure surface. If they move easily, then the tires are made from PU. If not, they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is an important component to look for because it absorbs the jolts and bumps of rough terrain, making it more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are ideally air-filled and are lockable to ensure stability while jogging is crucial to ensure your buggy is able to navigate off roads with ease.
Depending on the type of buggie you're looking for There are a variety of options that will fit all lifestyles and budgets. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility with three-wheel buggie. The sling seats made of fabric are designed with perfect design and engineering to fit snugly inside the frame, rather than sitting on top like modular seats. This provides a lower center of gravity and sits at the ideal height to distribute weight easily to take on the kerbs.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. It sports a sleek design, a big wheel that is easy to maneuver and comes with a superb suspension. It also features the twist handbrake to facilitate ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath put this buggy through its paces by walking on rough terrain. She was impressed with how it was able to handle it very well and said that it "navigates over bumpy grass, cobbles, sidewalks and dirt tracks, and even allows you to easily go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road option. It comes in a variety of colors that will complement your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar, a large basket, and a 50+ UV hood. You can also pick from a range of infant car seats that will transform the buggy into pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) which is a comfy lie-flat mattress for babies and infants from 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the pushchair more stable and less likely to tip over and easier to maneuver. It is also safer for your child because the weight of their body is evenly dispersed across the frame.
A four-wheel buggy also tends to have a lower center of gravity and therefore is more easy to roll over curbs and up the stairs. The fabric sling seat sits inside the frame rather than sitting on top like modular seats. This results in a lower seating position, and a lighter buggy that can be easily manoeuvred.
However, if you'd like to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler may be better suited as it comes with suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one so you can tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most are NOT, such as the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception, as they have a suspension system specifically designed for them that's been tested independently across all types of terrain.