3 Wheeler Buggies
A three-wheeler is perfect for off-roading providing a smooth ride for your baby. They are also easier to push and manoeuvre than a four-wheel buggy and are especially suitable for those with fabric slings or modular seat units that are positioned tightly in the frame and deliver the most efficient design and weight distribution.
Stability
Three-wheeled vehicles are very stable, which makes them an ideal option for off-road walks (especially when they are equipped with a seat unit that is all-terrain or off-road). They often feature oversized front wheels, which can cope well with bumps and kerbs and rough ground. Some models even come with a lockable front wheel to give extra stability when driving on uneven terrain.
It's worth bearing in mind that 3-wheel buggies can have a lower center of gravity than 4-wheeled models, which can mean that they can tip over more easily. However, the most reliable 3-wheel pushchairs have perfect geometry and engineering to ensure that they remain solid in all conditions. They should be able to turn on a dime and be easy to steer using one hand. They also have a 360o rotating front wheel which makes them ideal for navigating difficult terrain.
Find models with pneumatic tyres. These are made to work on tracks that are not paved, and should be able to take on rocks, mud, gravel and more. Many all-terrain buggies come with an swivelling wheel at the front that can be locked to provide extra stability when you're dealing with rough terrain.
A 3-wheeled pram is a great choice for those who run or love to speed up the hill. This is particularly true if you are planning to connect a car seat or carrycot. The Roma Atlas is an excellent model. It features an incline-reclining seat that is flat, with five-point harnesses, and plenty of storage space to store all your gear (plus the ability to extend 50+ of the sun hood). It's lightweight, compact and suitable for babies and can be used in conjunction with the use of a car seat or carrycot. It can also be used for jogging with a light pace, but is not intended for serious runners.
Weight
If you're looking for a buggy that can handle the tough terrain, then you'll need one with big wheels. These are made to handle grass, cobbles and dirt tracks easily while providing smooth riding. They are also great for jogging since they have built in suspension and are simple to move up and down kerbs. However, the drawback is that they can be quite heavy to push.
The Mountain Buggy Urban Glide 2 is the most suitable 3 wheel buggy for use on rough terrain (pictured above). The 3-wheel buggy comes with 16 rear wheels with a lockable swivel front wheel, so it's very manoeuvrable. It has air-filled tyres that need to be pumped up every now and then. It can accommodate children up until the age of three. MFM reviewer Kath says that her toddler loved the seat shape and she was able to steer it easily with her 3 year old in the seat.
Another great option is the Baby Jogger Versa GT, which has an adjustable handlebar and a high-quality hood with 50+ UV protection. It is also easy to move kerbs up and down and fits in a small car boot. It can also be used as a pram with baby car seat for infants and toddlers.
Fabric slings are set inside the frame and not on top as modular seats. This design provides a lower center of gravity at the perfect height, making it easier to push and lighter to pop the kerb (you cannot overestimate the amount of times you'll have to do this when you're a new parent!)
Seating
The capacity for seating of 3 wheelers is impressive and there are many different options to choose from. For a newborn it is possible to use the carrycot plus (which MFM reviewer Alice says is a cosy and comfortable lie-flat bed that can be used on and off the buggy) and older infants and toddlers can sit in the parent-facing or world-facing seat that is spacious and padded and does have adjustable ventilation. The seats do not recline fully, but they can be adjusted to the lowest setting. This should allow your child plenty of headroom and space.
A fabric sling is also available. It's a benefit that it is positioned inside the frame, instead of being placed on top of it as a modular seat. This means that it has a lower centre of gravity, with a perfect weight distribution. This makes it easier and lighter to push especially when you're on bumpy terrain or curbs and MFM reviewer Kath loved the way that this style of seat handled these challenges.
In addition to a big shopping basket, this kind of buggy generally has quite useful features, such as an extendable 50+ UV hood, an easy-to-use brake pedal and some game-changing visibility lights that appear from the handlebars and can be placed in front of the passengers to increase their safety when traversing difficult terrain.
If you're looking for a buggy that will grow with your family it's the sport(tm) is a first in the world designed to accommodate infants and be modified to fit two or three children as they grow. All in one footprint.
Stores
The 3-wheeled frame makes a buggy much more stable to push one handed and is also ideal for handling difficult terrain. However, it does mean that the shopping basket can't hold as much as a four-wheeled buggy.
A top-quality ATP will have excellent suspension, pneumatic tyres, and padding for the handle for your ease. It will accept a carrycot or car seat, which means you can use it right from the time of birth.
MFM's reviewers discovered that the 3-wheeler frames couldn't fit through their home's doors or car boot. If you're worried about space, be sure to verify the dimensions when the buggy is folded before buying.
Choose a 3-wheeler with 2 (or 3!) seats. seats when your family grows. They are the best of both worlds and can help you to save money in the future. The iCandy Strawberry Sport is among the most popular. It can be used from day dot as a single buggy, and later converted into twin buggies once your baby is walking.
Tyres
These tires cushion bumps and uneven surfaces to make your child's journey more comfortable. They are commonly found on pushchairs such as the Phil and Ted's Sport which MFM reviewer Kath found to offer "an exceptional ride for my toddler". She also noted that the grippy tyres make it easy to navigate kerbs and cobbles.
These tyres can be difficult to maintain and will require air pressure regularly topped up. They are also more vulnerable to punctures than foam tyres so you'll need to make sure that you have a repair kit, spare inner tube and pump on hand when you are out and about with your buggy.
PU tyres are found on more pushchairs than the air-filled tyres, yet they are still just as durable. PU tire are easily identifiable by their matte finish and soft feel. They also slide over flat and tidy surfaces.
You can usually identify the difference between air-filled and PU tires by running your hands over each one. If it feels firm, then it's made of rubber, when it slides, it's a PU. You can also confirm that your buggy is fitted with PU tyres simply by sliding the tyres onto an even, clean surface - they'll be able to roll easily and fit comfortably in their wheel hubs.
Foam tyres are often utilized in high-performance buggies and joggers since they are able to cope with the rough terrain associated with this kind of pushchair. The downside is that the foam could expand and cause your buggy to feel less stable, because it loses its springy quality. You'll also find that these types of tyres can frequently be noisy, as they create a lot of noise as you turn and navigate your way through town.