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 a cosy lying flat bed and excellent weight distribution, ideal for babies from birth.
The wheels are bigger and often come with suspension for agile smooth movements on different terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they may be bulkier and heavier to transport and store.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies provide a lot of stability. They don't fall over as easily when you are going straight. You can also maneuver them more quickly. If you attempt to stop or turn suddenly they'll lose their stability and can tip over. To avoid this, certain manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
The extra wheel also helps you tackle off-road terrain. Choose models with air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road routes, sand and mud, and other surfaces like rock and sand. They'll also usually have the option of locking the front wheel to provide stability on rough ground.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile thanks to the 360o front swivel wheel. They will also pass the same global stability standards and test 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 which means a smoother ride and a less noticeable kerb pop (you do not need to apply as much pressure or effort to lift the buggy over and up the kerb).
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seats however, it has recently expanded its product line with the Citylife compact travel system and pushchair. The 3-in-1 model was designed for urban living and is compatible starting at birth with a newborn carrycot or infant car seat. It has four wheels and has an exclusive black pewter frame, which the company claims is 'slim and compact' - it's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a lot of 3 wheel buggies which can be folded down to can fit into smaller spaces. Many of them can be folded using just one hand, and are easy to wash down. The smallest models will feature a basic handlebar height adjustment, while others may feature an adjustable suspension and an expandable 50+ UV canopy. They may also have an enormous, spacious basket and a brake lever with quick release.
The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain
A 3-wheeled vehicle is generally better equipped to handle off-road terrain when compared to a four-wheeled model however both can be a bit stuck on tight corners. However, choosing a model that has larger wheels both front and back can help. This makes it easier to push them over rough terrain and can aid in getting up and down steep curbs.
The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its astonishing agility despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it out with her child and said that "it handled really well on cobbles, bumpy surfaces and gravel tracks, dirt roads and some hills."
3 wheeler pushchair , the new all-terrain 3-wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It's suitable from birth when used with the carrycot and is a slightly larger than the lighter 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim frame of 54cm wide) however it has large air-filled tyres. It also has 3 recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold.
Its most appealing 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 your day-to-day or longer walks, using just the chassis as a base.
Tyres
The tyres on 3 wheel buggies come 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 select will be determined by your lifestyle and where you live.
For example, if you plan to travel often on rough or muddy terrain, you might think about a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tires. Take into consideration the kind of suspension you need. A sturdy suspension is helpful for handling bumps and humps. However, it can be heavy and add to the overall weight of your pushchair.
The size of the tyre is also crucial. Understanding how to read the tyre size is important for safety, performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewalls of tyres can seem confusing initially, but decoding it helps you understand the tyre's dimensions. A tyre with the size 185/70 R14 for instance, means that it is a radial tire with a diameter of 185/70 with a 14-inch rim diameter.
PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you're unsure if a pushchair has rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires across a smooth surface and tie them. If they slide easily, then the tires are made from PU. If they don't then the tires are composed of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three wheel buggy will make it more comfortable for your child as it absorbs any knocks or bumps that occur from rough terrain. Large wheels that are ideally air-filled and can be locked for stability during jogging is crucial to ensure that your buggy is capable of maneuvering off roads with ease.
There are many options for buggy styles that will suit any lifestyle and budget. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility with three-wheel buggies. Their sling seats made of fabrics are designed with precise design and engineering to fit comfortably inside the frame rather than sitting on top like modular seats. This gives an lower center of gravity and sits at the ideal height to spread weight evenly to tackle the kerbs.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. It has an elegant design, a huge 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 put the buggy through its paces by walking on rough terrain. She found that it performed admirably, saying that it "navigates over bumpy grass, sidewalks, cobbles and dirt tracks, and even allows you to easily 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 suit your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar and a large basket. You can also select from a range of infant car seats to transform the buggy into a pram. This includes the elegantly designed carrycot plus(tm) that is a comfy lie-flat crib for babies and infants that are up to 12 months old.
Safety
The presence of four wheels makes the buggy more stable, less likely to tip, and easier to maneuver. It is also safer for your child as the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.
A four-wheeled buggy has a lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to get over curbs and walk up. The fabric sling seat sits inside the frame rather than over it as modular seats. This makes for a low-slung seating position and a comparatively lighter buggy that can be easily maneuverable.
However, if you'd like to go for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler may be more suitable as it has suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back one to allow you to tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain Be aware that 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 independently tested across all types of terrain.