3 Wheel Buggies

Three-wheel buggies are stylish and sleek, with outstanding maneuverability. A lot of them have a fabric sling with an incredibly comfortable lay flat bed, perfect weight distribution and are ideal starting at birth.

The wheels are larger and, in many cases, come with suspension for agile smooth movements on a variety of terrains. The only drawback is that they may be heavier and bulkier to store and transport.

Stability

Three wheel buggies are very stable - they don't tip over as easily as pushchairs with four wheels when they're in a straight line, and you'll notice that you can move them more quickly and efficiently. If you stop or turn abruptly, they may lose stability and tip over. For this reason, some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.

The additional wheel can also help you tackle off-road terrain. Look for models with air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres) that can be used to handle off-road paths, sand and dirt, as well as other surfaces such as sand and rock. They'll also usually have the option of locking the front wheel to provide stability on rough terrain.

The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They will also pass the same stability standards worldwide and tests as buggies with four wheels.

If you're in search of a fabric sling seat, then they are typically placed lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the floor - instantly delivering a smoother ride and a lighter kerb pop (you do not need to apply the same amount of pressure or effort to get the buggy up and over the kerb).

Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added an ultra-light travel system and pushchair to its product line with the attractive Citylife. The model is designed for urban living and is compatible for newborns with a car seat or carrycot for infants. It has 4 wheels and an exclusive black pewter frame, which the brand claims is 'light and compact'. It's actually only 2cm wider 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 majority of these buggies are able to be folded with one hand and are easy-to-clean. The smallest models will feature a simple height adjustment for the handlebar, whereas others could have an adjustable suspension and an extended 50+ UV canopy. They could also come with large, spacious baskets and a brake lever with quick release.

The most reliable 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain

A 3-wheeled buggy is usually better equipped to handle off-road conditions when compared to a four-wheeled model, though both may get stuck in tight corners. However, selecting a model with larger wheels both front and back can be beneficial. This will make it easier to push them across rough terrain, and can assist you in climbing up and down steep curbs.

The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its remarkable agility despite its 3 wheel tandem stroller-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath has tested it with her child and said that "it handled really well on bumpy surfaces, cobbles dirt roads, gravel tracks and even some hills."

Stella Stella, the brand new 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. It's suitable from birth when used with the carrycot. It's slightly larger than the lighter 4wheelers (with an impressively slim 54cm wide frame) however it has large air-filled tyres. It also has 3 wheel double stroller recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.

Its most appealing feature is its modularity - it's compatible across all the brand's infant strollers and car seats. You can design your own travel system, whether you're planning to take a a short walk or a longer one, using the chassis.

Tyres

The tyres of 3 wheel stroller with seat wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air offer a smooth ride and great maneuverability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The kind of tyre you pick will depend on your lifestyle and where you reside.

If you intend to travel on unpaved roads or on rough terrain frequently you may think about a three-wheeler equipped with more robust tyres. You should also consider the type of suspension that you need. Strong suspension is useful to handle bumps and humps, however it can be heavy and contribute to the overall weight of your pushchair.

Another aspect to be considered is the size of the tyre. Knowing how to determine the sizing of a tyre is essential for ensuring safety performance, durability, and performance. The combination of letters and numbers on the sidewalls of tyres may be confusing at first, but decoding it allows you to understand the tyre's dimensions. A tyre that has the size 185/70 R14, for example indicates that it is a radial tire with a diameter of the 185/70 size with 14-inch rim size.

In addition to being more durable, PU tires are also less heavy and puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure if the pushchair you are using has rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires on a smooth and tied surface. If they slide easily then the tires are made of PU. If they do not then the tires are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension of a three wheel buggy will make it more comfortable for your child as it will absorb any bumps or knocks from rough terrain. A large wheel which are filled with air and can be locked to ensure stability while jogging is crucial to ensure your buggy is capable of navigating off roads with ease.

There are a variety of buggy designs to fit every lifestyle and budget. For example, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a three-wheel buggie. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect their fabric sling seat is tucked away inside the frame, in contrast to on top like modular seats, resulting in the lowest centre of gravity and sitting at the right height for the best weight distribution to easily tackle the kerb pops.

Another great option is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule which boasts a sleek design with a large, highly maneuverable front wheel, a great suspension and a simple handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath really put this buggy to the test by taking it for an excursion through the rough terrain and she found that it adapted to the terrain well saying that it 'navigates easily over grass, bumpy pavements, cobbles dirt tracks, and can be a breeze going up and down kerbs'.

The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road model and, similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes with a variety of colours to complement your style. It also features an adjustable handlebar, a large basket, and a 50+ UV hood. You can also pick from a range of infant car seats that convert the buggy to pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfy lie-flat mattress for babies and infants until 12 months old.

Safety

Four wheels make the buggy more stable, less likely for it to tip over and is easier to maneuver. It is also safer for your child as the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.

A four-wheeler is also likely to have a lower center of gravity, making it easier to lift up and over curbs. The seat made of fabric is inside the frame rather than on top of it like modular seats do, which creates a low seating position and a comparatively lighter buggy that is more easily maneuvered.

However, if you want to go for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler may be more suitable as it comes with suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one to allow you to tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all terrain 3 wheel stroller 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most are NOT, such as the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially designed suspension system that has been independently tested across all kinds of terrain.