3 Wheeler Buggies
A three-wheeler is ideal for rough terrain, offering a smooth ride for your child. They are also simpler to push and manoeuvre than a four-wheel buggy and are especially suitable for those with slings made of fabric or modular seat units, which are positioned tightly in the frame and deliver the best design and weight distribution.
Stability
Three-wheeled vehicles are very stable, which makes them an ideal option for off-roading (especially when they are equipped with a seat unit that is all-terrain or off-road). These buggys often have oversized front tires that can withstand bumps, kerbs, and rough terrain. Some have a lockable wheels in the front to give you additional stability when driving on uneven terrain.
It is important to remember that 3-wheel buggies can have a lower centre of gravity than models with four wheels which means that they can tip over more easily. That said, the best 3-wheel pushchairs have an ideal geometry and design to make them very stable in all weather conditions. They must be able to pivot at a whim and be easy to steer using just one hand and have the front wheel rotate 360o which makes them perfect for manoeuvring and navigating difficult terrain.
For extremely difficult surfaces, look out for models with air-filled tyres which are also referred to as pneumatic tyres, which are designed to handle roads that are not paved and can deal with rocks, mud, and so on. Many all-terrain buggies have a swivelling front wheel that can be locked to add stability when working on extremely rough terrain.
A 3-wheeler is an excellent option for runners and those who like to walk quickly and uphill, especially in the event that you're planning to connect a car seat or carrycot. The Roma Atlas is an excellent example. It features an incline-reclining seat that is flat, with 5-point harness and plenty of storage space to keep everything you need (plus the ability to extend 50+ of the sun hood). It's light, compact, and suitable to use from birth. It can be used with a car seat or a carrycot. It can also be used for light jogging but it's not designed for serious runners.
Weight
If you are looking for a buggy to tackle difficult terrain, then you should select one with large tires. They can handle grass, cobbles and dirt tracks, while providing an enjoyable ride for any passenger. These are also great for jogging as they come with built-in suspension and are easy to climb up and down kerbs. However, the trade off is that they can be quite heavy to push.
The best 3-wheel buggy for rough terrain is the Mountain Buggy Urban Glide 2 (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 tyres, that require occasional pumping and it can be used to carry a child up to the age of 3. MFM reviewer Kath said that her toddler loved the shape of the seat and found it easy to steer with her three-year-old child on board.
The Baby Jogger Versa GT is another excellent option. It comes with an adjustable handlebar, a hood made of high-end materials that provides 50+ UV protection as well as a high-quality hood. It is also easy to move kerbs up and down, and can fit into the boot of a car that is small. It can also be used as a stroller and a carrycot for newborns or toddlers.
Fabric slings are positioned inside the frame and not on top as modular seats. 3 wheel buggy has a lower centre-of-gravity at the right height. It is simpler to push and lighter to kerb-pop (you cannot underestimate how many times you will do that as a new parent!).
Seating
There are a variety of alternatives for seating options in 3 wheelers. For a newborn, there is the option to use the carrycot (which MFM reviewer Alice says is a cozy and comfortable lie-flat bed that can be used both on and off the buggy), while older babies and toddlers can use the world-facing or parent facing seat that is large and padded and does have adjustable ventilation. It is important to note that the seats don't recline fully, but they can be adjusted to the lowest position which should still give your child plenty of headroom and room to move around.
A sling seat made of cloth is also available, which has the advantage of being set snugly inside the frame, rather than sitting on top as an open-back seat. This provides a lower center of gravity as well as a perfect weight distribution. This makes it easier and lighter to push, particularly over bumpy terrains or curbs and MFM reviewer Kath was impressed with the way that this style of seat negotiated these obstacles.
This type of buggy comes with a large basket and other beneficial features such as an extended hood with 50+ UV protection, an easy to use brake pedal and some unique visibility lights that can be placed on the front of the passengers to ensure safety when riding on rough terrain.
Alternatively, if you are searching for a single baby buggy that will grow with your family There's a brand new sport(tm) that is the first of its kind to take one baby from day one and change to take two or even 3 once your children have developed and all within the footprint of one buggy.
Stores
The 3-wheeled frame makes a buggy much more sturdy to push one-handed, and it's also great for handling terrain that is difficult to navigate. The shopping basket is smaller than a 4-wheeler.
A good quality ATP will have excellent suspension, pneumatic tyres, and padding for the handle for your convenience. It should be able to accommodate a carrycot or a car seat, meaning you can use it right from birth.
MFM's reviewers have noticed that the 3-wheeler frame won't fit through all the doors in their homes, or small car boot - be sure you check the dimensions of the buggy when it's folded before purchasing if you're worried about space.
Choose a 3-wheeler with 2 (or 3!) seats. seats when your family grows. They are the best of both worlds and future proof your money. The iCandy strawberry sport is one of the most popular; it can be used as a single unit from day dot and later converts to a twin buggies when your baby starts walking.
Tyres
These tyres absorb bumps and uneven surfaces to make your child's ride more enjoyable. They are typically found on pushchairs like the Phil & Ted's Sport, which MFM reviewer Kath said provided "an outstanding ride for her toddler". She also noted that its grippy tyres made it easy to tackle kerbs and cobbles.
These tyres are sometimes difficult to maintain and will need to be filled regularly. They are also more prone to punctures than foam tyres, so you'll need to make sure that you have a repair kit, spare inner tube and pump in case you go out and about with your buggy.
PU tyres can be seen on more pushchairs than the air-filled tyres, but they're still as robust. You can tell PU tyres by their matte appearance and soft, smooth feel. They also slide across smooth and tidy surfaces.
You can usually tell the difference between PU and air-filled tire by running your fingers over each one, if it feels firm, then it's made of rubber, if it slides then it's a PU. You can also confirm whether your buggy has PU tyres by slipping the tyres on a clean, flat surface They'll roll easily and should fit snugly in their wheel hubs.
Foam tyres are typically used in high-performance buggies and joggers since they are able to cope with the rough terrain common to this type of pushchair. The downside is that the foam may shrink and make your buggy appear less stable as it loses its springy nature. Also, these kinds of tyres can typically be noisy because they make a lot of noise as you turn and navigate your way around the town.