3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies are elegant and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. A lot of them have an sling made of fabric with an incredibly comfortable lay flat bed, perfect weight distribution and are suitable from birth.
The wheels are bigger and often include suspension to allow for smooth movement over a variety of terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they can be bulkier and heavier to transport and store.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies have a lot of stability. They aren't prone to tipping over more easily when moving straight. They also allow you to maneuver faster. However, if you try to turn or stop suddenly, they'll lose stability and could tip over. To avoid this, some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.
You can also tackle off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Look for models that have air-filled tyres (also known as pneumatic tyres) because they can deal with off-road routes as well as other surfaces such as rocks, sand and mud. These models also come with wheels that lock on the front to increase stability on rough terrain.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They will also pass the same global stability standards and test as 4-wheel buggies.
If you're in search of a fabric sling seat, then these tend to be placed lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's centre of gravity is closer to the ground which means a smoother ride and a less noticeable kerb pop (you do not need to apply the same amount of pressure or effort to lift the buggy up and over a curb).
Popular for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added an ultra-light pushchair and travel system to its line-up with the striking Citylife. This 3-in-1 model is designed for urban living and can be used for newborns with a carrycot or infant car seat. It has four wheels and uses an exclusive black pewter frame that the manufacturer claims is 'light and compact' - it's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are many 3 wheel buggies which can be folded compactly and fit into smaller spaces. Many of them can be folded using one hand and are easy to wipe down. Some of the tiniest models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, whereas others come with adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. They may also have a large, spacious basket and a brake lever that is quick-release.
The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain
A 3-wheel buggy will usually be more adept at dealing with off-road terrain than a 4-wheel model, but both can get stuck in difficult places. But, picking a model with larger wheels both front and back can help. This will make it easier to push them over rough terrain and will aid in getting up and down steep curbs.
The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its surprising ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her infant and her 3-year-old, and said "it does really well on bumpy pavements, cobbles, gravel tracks and dirt roads and also on a few hills."
Another great alternative is the new all-terrain 3 wheel buggy made by car seat brand Maxi-Cosi which is called Stella. It is suitable from birth when used with a carrycot. It's a bit bigger than the lighter 4-wheelers but it has air-filled tires with three recline positions and an easy fold with one hand.
Its primary selling point is its modularity. It's compatible across all the brand's infant strollers and car seats. You can build your own travel system, regardless of whether you're looking to go for a shorter walk or a longer one using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres on 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. Air-filled tyres, for example offer an easy ride and excellent maneuverability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The kind of tyre you pick will depend on your lifestyle and the place you reside.
For instance, if you plan to travel often on rough or unpaved terrain, you may want to consider a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tyres. Take into consideration the type of suspension you require. A strong suspension is ideal to handle bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and contribute to the overall weight of your pushchair.
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is the size of the tyre. Understanding how to determine the sizing of a tyre is essential for maintaining safety performance, durability, and performance. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre sidewall may be confusing however, once you understand it, you'll be able to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre having an 185/70 size R14 for instance, means that it is a radial tire that has a size of 185/70 with 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are lighter and more puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure if the pushchair you are using has rubber or PU tires, try sliding the tires across a smooth surface and tie them. 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 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 lockable to provide stability when jogging also important as this will ensure that your buggy will be able to navigate off road surfaces with ease.
Depending on the type of buggie you're seeking There are options that will fit all lifestyles and budgets. For example the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3-wheel buggies. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect their fabric 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 for the best weight distribution to easily tackle kerb pops.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. three wheel pushchairs features an elegant design, a large wheel that is easy to maneuver and is paired with an impressive suspension. It also comes with the twist handbrake to facilitate ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath tested the buggy its paces by walking through rough terrain. She was impressed with how it performed admirably and claimed that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks and dirt tracks and allows you to easily go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road model and, similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes in a variety of colors to match your style. It also features an adjustable handlebar, a spacious basket and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also pick from a selection of infant car seats to transform the buggy into a pram, such as the elegantly designed carrycot plus(tm) that is a cosy lie flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns from 12 months to 12 years old.
Safety
Four wheels make a buggy more stable and less likely to tip over and easier to maneuver. It can also be more secure for your baby since their weight is distributed more evenly throughout the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeled buggy has a lower center of gravity, making it easier to pop over curbs and get up. The seats of the fabric sling are built into the frame, not on top like modular seats. This creates a low seating position and a buggy that can be easily moved.
However, if you want to go out for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler may be better suited as it will have 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 buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most aren't, 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 types of terrain.