(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/1037/baby-jogger-summit-x3-all-terrain-jogging-pushchair-foldable-3-wheel-exercise-stroller-midnight-black-1037.jpg)3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies look stylish and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. Many of these have an upholstered sling that has a cosy lay flat bed that is perfect for weight distribution and are ideal from birth.
The wheels are bigger and often come with suspension for agile smooth movement on various terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they tend to be bulkier and heavier to store and transport.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are very solid - they don't fall over as easily as pushchairs that have four wheels when traveling in a straight line. Also, you'll be able to move them more quickly and efficiently. However, if you attempt to turn or stop suddenly, they'll lose stability and can tip over. Some manufacturers add an additional wheel to their 3 wheel running buggy-wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
You can also take on off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Look out for models with air-filled tyres (also known as pneumatic tyres) as they are able to deal with off-road paths and other surfaces like sand, mud and rock. They'll also typically have the option of locking the front wheel to give stability over rough terrain.
The buggies are simple to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also pass the same rigorous stability standards and tests as the 4-wheel buggies.
If you're in search of 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 and provides a more comfortable ride and less kerb pop (you don't need to apply as much pressure or exertion to get the buggy over and up a kerb).
Best known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a light travel system and pushchair to its range with the attractive Citylife. This 3-in-1 is perfect for urban living and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It comes with four wheels as well as an unique pewter-black frame that is described by the brand as'slim' and compact. It's smaller at 2cm than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a lot of three wheel buggies that can be folded compactly and can be tucked away in smaller spaces. A lot of these buggies can be folded in one hand, and are easy to clean. Some of the tiniest models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, while others have adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. They may also feature a large, spacious basket and a quick-release brake lever.
The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain
A 3 wheel all terrain pushchair-wheeler will typically be better able to cope with off-road conditions than one with four wheels, however both can get stuck in difficult places. A model with bigger front and rear wheels can aid. This allows you to push them over rough terrain and will aid in getting up and down steep curbs.
One option is the brand new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its surprisingly agile handling despite its 3 wheeled pushchair-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her baby and 3-year-old and said ”it does really well on bumpy pavements, cobbles dirt roads and gravel tracks as well as on some hills.”
Stella Stella, the brand new all-terrain 3-wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It's suitable for babies when used with the carrycot. It's a smaller than the light 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim 54cm wide frame) but has big air-filled tyres, three recline positions and a fast one-hand fold.
Its primary selling point is its modularity it's compatible with all the brands' infant car seats and strollers. You can build your own travel system, regardless of whether you're planning to take a shorter walk or take a longer stroll, using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and materials, and each comes with its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air, offer an easy ride and excellent maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type of tyre you choose will be determined by your lifestyle and the place you reside.
If you plan to travel on roads that are not paved or in rough terrain frequently, you might be interested in a three-wheeler equipped with more robust tyres. Think about the type of suspension you require. The suspensions that are strong are great to tackle humps and bumps but they can be heavy, adding to the overall weight.
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is the size of the tyre. Understanding how to read the tyre's size is essential for safety, performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre's sidewall can be initially, but decoding it allows you to understand the tyre's dimensions. A tyre having a size of 185/70 R14 for instance indicates that it is a radial tire in the 185/70 size with 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are lighter and more puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you are unsure if a pushchair's tires are rubber or PU, slide the tires on a smooth surface. If the tires slide easily, they are made of PU. If not, they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension on a 3 wheel strollers wheel buggy is an essential component to look for because it absorbs the jolts and bumps of rough terrain making it more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are filled with air, and can be locked to ensure stability when jogging are also essential. This will enable your buggy to navigate off-road surfaces with ease.
Depending on the type of buggie you're seeking, there are choices to fit every lifestyle and budgets. For instance the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility with its three-wheel buggies. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect, their fabrics sling seat is tucked away within the frame, as opposed to sitting on top like modular seats, offering an lower center of gravity and sitting at the perfect height to ensure optimal weight distribution that allows it to easily handle kerb pops.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. It features an elegant design, a large wheel that's easy to maneuver and is paired with an impressive suspension. It also has a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath put this buggy to the test by taking it on an excursion through the rough terrain and she was impressed with how it adapted to the terrain well, stating that it 'flies easily over grass, bumpy cobbles, pavements dirt tracks, and makes light work of climbing and descending kerbs'.
The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road choice. It comes in a variety of colours that will match your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar and a large basket. You can also choose from a variety of infant car seats that convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus™ which is a comfortable lie-flat mattress for babies and infants up to 12 month old.
Safety
Four wheels make the buggy more stable, less likely for it 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-wheeled buggy has lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to pop over curbs and climb up. The seat made of fabric is within the frame, not over it as modular seats. This results in a lower seating position, and a lighter buggy that is easily manoeuvred.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/1062/pawhut-pet-stroller-jogger-for-medium-small-dogs-foldable-cat-pram-dog-pushchair-w-adjustable-canopy-3-big-wheels-grey-1062.jpg)However, if you want to go out for an exercise with your child 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 rough terrains and bumpy roads - just bear in mind not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most aren't like the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially designed suspension system that has been tested by an independent party on all terrains.
