3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies provide excellent maneuverability with a stylish and sleek frame. Many of these have a fabric sling with a cosy lay flat bed, which is ideal for weight distribution, and are perfect from birth.
The wheels are larger and, in many cases, come with suspension for agile smooth movement over different terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they can be more bulky and heavy to transport and store.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies offer a lot of stability. They don't fall over more easily when driving straight. You can also manoeuvre more swiftly. However, if you attempt to stop or turn suddenly they'll lose stability and may fall over. This is why certain manufacturers add an additional wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.
You can also tackle off-road terrain by adding an extra wheel. Look for models that have air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road paths, sand and mud, and other surfaces, such as rock and sand. These models will also feature a lockable wheel in the front to improve stability on rough terrain.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They also meet the same stability standards globally and test as 4-wheel buggies.
If you're looking for a fabric sling, then they tend to be set lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the ground which means a smoother ride and less kerb pop (you don't have to exert the same amount of pressure or effort to get the buggy up and over a kerb).
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seat collection however, it recently expanded its product line with the Citylife compact travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is perfect for urban living, and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It comes with four wheels and 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 a variety of three wheel buggies that can be folded down to can fit into smaller spaces. Many can be folded with a single hand and are simple to wash down. The smallest models will come with a basic handlebar height adjustment, while others could have an adjustable suspension and an expandable 50+ UV canopy. Some models could have an enormous basket as well as a brake lever that is quick-release.
The best 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be better able to cope with off-road conditions better than a 4-wheel model, but both models can get stuck in tight spots. A model with bigger front and rear wheels can assist. This will make them easier to push over rough ground and will often help with moving up and down steep kerbs.
The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its remarkable agility despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it out with her baby, and she said that "it did really well on cobbles, bumpy surfaces dirt roads, gravel tracks and even a few hills."
Stella Stella, the brand new all-terrain 3-wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi, is another option. It's suitable for babies when used with the carrycot. It's a slightly larger than the lighter 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim frame of 54cm wide) but it comes with big air-filled tyres. 3 wheel pushchair has 3 recline positions and a fast one-hand fold.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity, though it's compatible with all of the brands' infant car seats and strollers. This means you can create your ideal travel system for your day-to-day or longer walks using the chassis as a base.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are available in a range of styles and materials, and each comes with its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air provide a comfortable performance and maneuverability, whereas foam-filled tyres are more durable. The type you pick will depend on your lifestyle and the location you live in.
For instance, if intend to frequently travel on rough or unpaved terrain, you might be interested in a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tyres. Consider the kind of suspension you need. The suspensions that are strong are great to deal with humps and bumps but they can also be heavy, adding to the overall weight.
The size of the tyre is also important. Understanding how to determine the sizing of a tyre is essential to ensure safety performance, durability, and performance. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre's sidewall can seem confusing at first, but decoding it helps you understand the tyre's dimensions. A tyre having a size of 185/70 R14 for instance, means that it is a radial tire in 185/70 and has 14-inch rim diameter.
PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you aren't sure if a pushchair's tires are rubber or PU, slide the tires on a smooth surface. If they move easily, then the tires are made of PU. If they do not, then the tires are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension on a 3 wheel buggy is an essential element to look for as it will absorb the smacks and bumps of rough terrain, making it more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are air-filled and that can be locked to provide stability while jogging are crucial. This will enable your buggy to travel on off-road surfaces easily.
There are many options for buggy styles to suit every lifestyle and budget. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility in a three-wheel buggies. With the perfect geometry and engineering their sling seat made of fabric is tucked away within the frame, as opposed to being on top of modular seats, providing an lower center of gravity and sitting at the ideal height for optimal weight distribution to easily tackle the 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 put this buggy through its paces by taking it for a walk on a rough terrain. She found that it was able to handle it very well, saying that it "navigates over grass, bumpy sidewalks, cobbles and dirt tracks, and makes it easy to drive up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas is another popular off road option and like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a variety of colors to suit your style. It also comes with a movable handlebar and a spacious basket. You can also pick from a selection of infant car seats to transform the buggy into a pram, such as the elegantly designed carrycot plus(tm) that is a comfortable lie-flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns that are up to 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make a buggy much more stable and less likely to tip, and easier 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, making it easier to get over curbs and climb up. The seats of the fabric sling are built into the frame and not on top as modular seats. This results in a low seat and buggy that is easily moved.
If you're looking to run with your child, a 4-wheeler is the ideal option. It has a suspension system that allows the front wheel of the buggie to move independently from the rear. This allows you to navigate rough terrain or bumpy roads. However it is not the case that all 4 wheel buggies can be used for running. Mountain Buggies are the exception, as they have a suspension system specifically designed for them that's been tested by an independent expert across all kinds of terrain.