3 Wheeler Buggies
A three-wheeler is ideal for rough terrain providing the most comfortable ride for your child. They can also be easier to maneuver and push than a four-wheel buggy, particularly those with fabric sling seats or seats that are set comfortably in the frame, delivering the best geometry and weight distribution.
Stability
Three-wheeled buggys are very stable, making them an ideal choice for off-road walking (especially when equipped with a seat that is all-terrain or off-road). They often feature oversized front wheels, which can cope well with kerbs and bumps and rough ground. Some have a lockable wheel in the front to give you additional stability while driving on uneven terrain.
It's important to keep in mind that 3-wheel buggies may have a lower centre of gravity than 4-wheeled models and this can mean that they fall over more easily. The best 3-wheeled pushchairs have been designed with perfect geometry to ensure they remain solid in all conditions. They should be able to turn on a dime and be able to be controlled with one hand. They also have an incline of 360o for the front wheel that is ideal for maneuvering over difficult terrain.
For surfaces that are extremely challenging you should look for models with air-filled tyres, also known as pneumatic tyres, which are made to handle roads that are not paved and can deal with mud, gravel, rock and so on. Many all-terrain buggies come with a swivelling wheel on the front which can be locked for greater stability when dealing with rough terrain.
A 3-wheel pram is also a good option for runners or for those who like to walk fast and uphill, especially in the event that you're planning to connect a carrycot or car seat. The Roma Atlas is a great example, with a world-facing seat that reclines flat and features a more comfortable 5-point harness and storage space for all your kit (plus an extendable 50+ sun hood). It's light, compact and suitable from birth and can be used with the use of a car seat or carrycot. It also handles some moderate jogging, but it's not designed for serious runners.
Weight
If you're looking for a buggy that will take on tricky terrain, then you'll need one with big wheels. These are made to handle cobbles, grass and dirt tracks easily, while still providing a smooth ride. They're also good for jogging since they're equipped with suspension and are easy to get up and down kerbs. However, the trade off is that they can be quite heavy to push.
The Mountain Buggy Urban Glide 2 is the best 3 wheel buggy to use on rough terrain (pictured above). This 3-wheeler is highly mobile due to its 16 rear wheels as well as the front wheel can be locked. It has air tyres, which do need occasional pumping and can hold children until the age of 3. MFM reviewer Kath says that her toddler was awed by the seat shape and she was able to steer it easily with her three-year-old on board.
Another option that is great is the Baby Jogger Versa GT, which has an adjustable handlebar as well as a hood that is of high-quality with 50+ UV protection. It is also easy to move kerbs upwards and downwards, and can fit into the car's boot space in a small size. 3 wheel buggies can also be used as a pram with baby car seat for infants and toddlers.
Fabric sling seats sit snugly inside the buggie's frame, as opposed to over it like modular seats. This design has an lower centre of gravity that is at the ideal height, making it easier to push and lighter to kerb pop (you can never think about how often you'll do this when you're a new parent!)
Seating
The seating capacity of 3 wheelers is quite impressive and there are many different options to choose from. For babies, there is the option to use the carrycot (which MFM reviewer Alice says is a comfortable and cozy lie-flat bed that can be used on and off the buggy), while older babies and toddlers can sit in the parent or world-facing seat that is spacious and padded and does have adjustable ventilation. It's important to note that these seats don't recline fully however they can be adjusted to the lowest position which should still give your child plenty of headroom and space to move around.
A sling seat made of fabric is also available, which offers the advantage of being positioned snugly inside the frame, rather than on top like a modular seat and this gives a lower centre of gravity and perfect weight distribution. This makes it easier to push, especially on bumpy terrain or over curbs. MFM reviewer Kath liked the way this style of seat handled obstacles.
Alongside a huge shopping basket, this type of buggy generally has pretty useful features such as an extended 50+ UV hood, a simple brake pedal, and a few game-changing visibility lights that come up from the handlebar and can be positioned directly in front of the occupants to improve their safety when traversing difficult terrain.
If you're looking for a buggy that can grow with your family, the sport(tm), a world-first that can take in infants and be modified to accommodate two or three children as they grow, all within a single footprint.
Storage
The 3-wheeled frame makes the buggy more stable and 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 top-quality ATP will have pneumatic tyres, a padded grip for better comfort, and an excellent suspension. It should also be equipped with a carrycot and car seat so you can use it from the moment you are born.
MFM's reviewers found that the 3-wheeler frames couldn't pass through their doors at home or car boot. If you're concerned about space, make sure to verify the dimensions of the buggy when it is folded prior to purchasing.
Choose a 3-wheeler with 2 (or 3!) seats. seats once your family grows. They are the most efficient of both and future proof your money. The iCandy strawberry sport is among the best of these and can be used as a single seat from day dot and later converts to twin buggies when your baby begins walking.
Tyres
These tires cushion bumps and uneven surfaces to make your child's journey more comfortable. You'll find these 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 said that its grippy tyres made it easy to navigate kerbs and cobbles.
They can be difficult to maintain and need to have their air pressure regularly topped up. They are also more susceptible to punctures than foam tyres so you'll need to ensure that you have repair kits with spare tubes and a pump in case you go traveling with your buggy.
PU tyres are more commonly used on pushchairs since they are a cheaper option than air-filled tyres but are equally durable. You can tell PU tires by their smooth appearance and soft, smooth feel. They also slide well on even and tied surfaces.
You can usually identify the difference between air-filled and PU tires by running your hands over them, if it feels firm, then it's made of rubber, if it slides then it's a PU. You can also check that your buggy has PU tyres by slipping the tyres over an even, clean surface They'll be able to roll easily and should fit comfortably in their wheel hubs.
Foam tyres can withstand the rough terrain associated with high-performance buggies. This can make your buggy less stable because the foam will lose its springy nature. Also, these kinds of tyres can frequently be noisy, as they make lots of noise when you turn and make your way around the town.