20 Trailblazers Leading The Way In 3 Wheel Buggies

3 Wheel Buggies

Three-wheel buggies are stylish and sleek, and have outstanding maneuverability. Many of these feature a fabric sling seat with a comfortable lay flat bed and a perfect weight distribution, ideal from birth.

The wheels are bigger and often include suspension to allow for smooth movement over various terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they can be heavier and bulkier to transport and store.

Stability

Three wheel buggies are remarkably stable - they don't tip over as easily as four-wheeled pushchairs when traveling in a straight line, and you'll notice that you can move them more quickly and effortlessly. If you turn or stop abruptly, they can lose their stability and fall over. For this reason, some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheeler pushchair off road wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.

The additional wheel also allows you navigate off-road terrain. Look for models with air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road routes, sand and dirt, as well as other surfaces such as rocks and sand. These models will also feature an adjustable wheel that locks on the front to increase the stability of the vehicle over rough terrain.

Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also pass the same rigorous global stability standards and tests as 4-wheel buggies.

If you're in search of a fabric sling seat, they tend to be set lower in the frame than modular seats, so that your baby's centre of gravity is closer to the ground which means a smoother ride and less kerb pop (you don't have to exert as much pressure or effort to lift the buggy up and over the Kerb).

Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a light travel system and pushchair to its product line with the attractive Citylife. This 3-in-1 model is designed for urban living and is suitable from birth with a newborn car seat or carrycot for infants. It comes with four wheels as well as an exclusive pewter-black aluminum frame, which the brand describes as'slim and compact. It's just 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There are many three wheel buggies that can be folded in a compact way to can fit into smaller spaces. Many can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wash down. Some of the smaller models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, whereas others come with adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. They may also have an enormous, spacious basket and a quick-release brake lever.

The best 3 wheeler for rough terrain

A 3-wheeler is likely to be more able to deal with off-road terrain than a 4-wheel model, but both models can get stuck in tight spots. A model with larger rear and front wheels can aid. This allows them to push over rough ground and will often help with getting up and down high kerbs.

One option is the brand new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its surprisingly quick handling, despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath has tested it with her infant and reported that "it was very well-handled on bumpy surfaces, cobbles and dirt roads, gravel tracks, and a few hills."

Another great alternative is the newest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi, a car seat manufacturer which is called Stella. It's suitable from birth when used in conjunction with the carrycot and is a little bigger than the lightweight 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim frame of 54cm wide) but has big, air-filled tyres, 3 recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold.

Its primary selling point is its modularity. It's compatible with all of the brands' baby strollers and car seats. You can create your own travel system, whether you're looking to go for a shorter walk or take a longer stroll, by using the chassis.

Tyres

The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and types of materials. Each one has its own pros and cons. Air-filled tyres, for example provide a smooth ride and great maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type you choose will depend on your needs and where you live.

For example, if you are planning to travel frequently on rough or muddy terrain, you may think about a 3-wheeler with sturdier tyres. Also, you should consider the type of suspension that you need. The suspensions that are strong are great to tackle humps and bumps however they can be quite heavy, adding to the overall weight.

The size of the tyre is important. Knowing how to determine the sizing of a tyre is essential for ensuring safety as well as performance and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on the tyre's sidewall might appear confusing, but once you decode it, you can understand the tyre's dimensions. A tyre having an 185/70 size R14 for instance indicates that it is a radial tire in the 185/70 size with a 14-inch rim diameter.

In addition to being more durable, PU tires are also less heavy and puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you aren't sure if a pushchair's tires are rubber or PU, try sliding the tires across an even surface. If the tires move easily, they are made of PU. If not, they are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is an important aspect to consider as it will absorb the jolts and bumps of rough terrain making it much more comfortable for your baby. Having large wheels, that are ideally air-filled and are lockable to provide stability when jogging essential to ensure that your buggy is capable of navigating off road surfaces easily.

There are many options for buggy styles to suit every lifestyle and budget. For instance the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a three wheeler pushchairs-wheel buggie. With perfect geometry and engineering their sling seat made of fabric rests comfortably within the frame, as opposed to sitting on top like modular seats, offering a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the ideal height for the best weight distribution to easily tackle kerb pops.

Another option that is worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with a massive, manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension and a simple handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath tested the buggy its tests by going for a ride on a rough terrain. She was impressed with how it performed admirably and said that it "navigates over bumpy grass, cobbles, sidewalks, and dirt tracks, and even 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, a large basket, and a 50+ UV hood. You can also pick from a selection of infant car seats that convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus(tm), which is a comfortable, flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns from 12 months old.

Safety

Four wheels make the pushchair more stable and less likely to tip over and is easier to maneuver. It is also more secure for your baby since their weight is distributed more evenly throughout the frame of the pushchair.

A four-wheeled buggy has a lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to climb over curbs and walk up. The seats of the fabric sling are positioned inside the frame, not on top like modular seats. This results in a lower seat and a buggy that can be easily moved.

If you're looking to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler may be more suitable as it will have suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear facing 3 wheel stroller one so you can tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain Be aware that not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most aren't like the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception, as they have a suspension system specifically designed for them that's been independently tested across all terrains.