3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies look stylish and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. Many of them have an upholstered sling seat that has an incredibly comfortable lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution that is ideal for babies from birth.
The wheels are bigger and often come with suspension for agile smooth movements on a variety of terrains. The only downside is that they could be heavier and bulkier to store & transport.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies provide plenty of stability. They aren't prone to tipping over as easily when you are driving straight. You can also manoeuvre more swiftly. However, if you attempt to stop or turn suddenly they'll lose their stability and could fall over. For this reason, some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their three wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
You can also conquer off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Choose models that have air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres), which can handle off-road routes, sand and dirt, as well as other surfaces such as rock and sand. They'll also typically have an adjustable front wheel that locks to add stability over really rough ground.
Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They also pass the same stability standards globally and test as 4-wheel buggies.
If you are looking for a seat made of fabric they are typically less upright in comparison to modular seats. This means that your baby's centre of gravity will be closer to the ground, instantly providing an easier ride.
Maxi-Cosi is best known for its car seat range However, it has recently expanded its product range with the Citylife lightweight travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is perfect for urban living and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It has four wheels and a unique pewter-black aluminium frame, which the brand describes as'slim and compact. It's smaller at 2cm than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a variety of 3 wheel buggies which can be folded in a compact way to fit into smaller spaces. Many can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wipe down. 3 wheeled pushchairs will have a simple height adjustment for the handlebar, whereas others could have an adjustable suspension and an expandable 50+ UV canopy. They may also have large, spacious baskets and a brake lever with quick release.
The most reliable 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be more adept at dealing with off-road conditions better than one with four wheels, however both models can get stuck in tight places. However, selecting a model with larger wheels on both sides can help. This allows them to push over rough ground and will often help with moving up and down the high kerbs.
The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its astonishing agility despite its 3-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath has tested it with her infant and reported that "it did really well on cobbles, bumpy surfaces gravel tracks, dirt roads, and a few hills."
Stella, the new all-terrain 3-wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi, is another option. It is suitable for babies from birth, if it is used in conjunction with a carrycot. It's slightly bigger than the lightweight 4-wheelers, however, it comes with air-filled tires with three recline positions and a single-hand fold.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity. It's compatible with all the brands' infant strollers and car seats. This means you can build your ideal travel system for day-today or longer walks, using just the chassis as a starting point.
Tyres
The tyres on 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of designs and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres offer an effortless ride and superior maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type of tyre you choose will depend on your lifestyle and where you live.
For instance, if plan to travel often on unpaved paths or rough terrain, you might think about an all-wheeler with more durable tires. Think about the type of suspension you require. Strong suspensions are useful to deal with humps and bumps but they can also be heavy and add to the overall weight.
The size of the tyre is also important. Understanding how to read the tyre's size is essential for safety, performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewalls of tyres may be initially, but understanding it allows you to understand the tyre's dimensions. For example, a tyre size of "185/70 R14' means that the tire is a 185/70 radius with a 14 inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are less heavy and puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you aren't sure if the tires of a pushchair are rubber or PU, simply slide the tires across a smooth surface. If the tires slide easily they are made of PU. If they don't, then the tires are composed of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three wheel buggy makes it more comfortable for your child because it absorbs any knocks or bumps that occur from rough terrain. Large wheels that are air-filled, and are able to be locked to provide stability when running are important. This will allow your buggy to travel on off-road surfaces easily.
There are many options for buggy styles to suit every budget and lifestyle. The Mountain Buggy, for example is the first all-terrain vehicle to be developed with three-wheel buggie. Their fabrics sling seats are designed with precise geometry and engineering that fits perfectly inside the frame rather than on top, like modular seats. This provides an lower center of gravity, and allows it to be placed at the right height to spread weight evenly to tackle bumps.
Another option worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that has a sleek design with a massive, manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension and a simple handbrake that twists. MFM reviewer Kath put the buggy through its paces by walking on rough terrain. She was impressed with how it was able to handle it very well, saying that it "navigates over bumpy grass, cobbles, sidewalks, and dirt tracks and makes it easy to go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas is another popular off road option and similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to complement your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar and a large basket. You can also choose from a variety of infant car seats that will convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfortable, flat mattress for babies and infants until 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the buggy more stable and less likely to tip over, and more easy to maneuver. It is also safer for your child as the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.
A four-wheel buggy also tends to have a lower centre of gravity, making it easier to lift over curbs and up the stairs. The seats made of fabric are placed inside the frame rather than on top of it like modular seats. This creates a low seat position and a buggy that can be easily moved.
If you're looking to go out for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler may be more suitable as it will have a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one to allow you to tackle 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 types of terrain.