3 Wheel Buggies

Three-wheel buggies look elegant and sleek, with great maneuverability. Many of them have a fabric sling seat with a cosy lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution, perfect from the moment of birth.

The wheels are larger and, in many cases, include suspension to allow for smooth movements on different terrains. The only downside is that they may be heavier and bulkier to store & transport.

Stability

Three wheel buggies are extremely stable and don’t tip over as easily as pushchairs with four wheels when going in a straight line, and you’ll notice that you can manoeuvre them much more quickly and easily. However, if you try to turn or stop suddenly, they’ll lose stability and may tip over. To avoid this, certain manufacturers add an additional wheel to their 3 wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.

You can also tackle off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Find models with air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road trails, sand, mud, and other surfaces like sand and rock. These models will also have a lockable wheel on the front to increase stability over rough terrain.

With the right design, engineering, and weight distribution these buggies can turn on a dime easy to steer with one hand; they have 360o front swivel wheels that allow mobility and agility to be effortless and light in handling. They’ll also be able to pass the same rigorous stability standards and tests as 4-wheel buggies.

If you’re looking for 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 floor and provides a more comfortable ride and a less noticeable kerb pop (you do not need to apply the same amount of 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 lightweight pushchair and travel system to its line-up with the striking Citylife. This 3-in-1 is perfect for urban life, and comes with a baby car seat or carrycot. It has four wheels and uses an exclusive black pewter frame, which the brand claims is ‘light and compact’. It’s only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There’s a good choice of 3 wheel buggies that fold down to fit in smaller spaces. Many of these buggies can be folded with one hand, and are easy to clean. The smallest models will feature a basic handlebar height adjustment, while others may feature an adjustable suspension as well as an extended 50+ UV canopy. Certain models may come with large baskets and a brake lever that’s quick-release.

The best 3 wheeler for rough terrain

A 3-wheeled vehicle is generally better equipped to deal with off-road conditions as in comparison to a model with four wheels but both may get stuck in tight corners. A model with larger rear and front wheels can help. This allows them to push across rough terrain and is often helpful in getting up and down high kerbs.

The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its remarkable ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her baby and reported that “it did really well on bumpy surfaces, cobbles dirt roads, gravel tracks and even a few hills.”

Another great option is the latest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy made by car seat brand Maxi-Cosi named Stella. It’s suitable for babies when used with the carrycot and is a smaller than the light 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim 54cm wide frame) but it comes with big air-filled tyres. It also has 3 recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold.

3 wheeled pushchair selling point is its modularity, though it’s compatible with all the car seats for infants from the brand and strollers. You can design your own travel system, whether you want to go on an easy stroll or a longer one by using the chassis.

Tyres

The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and materials. Each comes with its own pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres, offer an effortless ride and superior maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type of tyre you choose will depend on your lifestyle and where you live.

For instance, if you intend to frequently travel on rough or muddy terrain, you may think about a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tires. Consider the kind of suspension you need. Strong suspension is useful for handling bumps and humps. However, it can be heavy and increase the overall weight of your pushchair.

Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is the tyre’s size. Understanding the tyre size is important for safety, performance, and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on the sidewalls of tyres may be confusing initially, but understanding it will allow you to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. For instance, a tyre’s size of ‘185/70 R14’ means that the tire is a 185/70 radial with a 14-inch rim diameter.

In addition to being more durable, PU tires are less heavy and puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you’re unsure if the pushchair you are using has rubber or PU tires, try sliding the tires on an even and secure surface. If they slide easily, then the tires are made from PU. If they don’t then the tires are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension of a three-wheel buggy makes it more comfortable for your child as it will absorb any knocks or bumps that occur from rough terrain. Having large wheels, which are filled with air and can be locked to provide stability when jogging essential to ensure that your buggy will be capable of maneuvering off road surfaces with ease.

Based on the type of buggy you’re looking for, there are options that will fit all lifestyles and budgets. The Mountain Buggy, for example is the first all-terrain vehicle to be developed in three-wheel buggie. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect their fabric sling seat rests comfortably inside the frame, in contrast to on top like modular seats, offering an lower center of gravity and sitting at the perfect height to ensure optimal weight distribution to easily tackle kerb pops.

Another great option is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with a large, highly maneuverable front wheel, a great suspension and a simple handbrake that twists. MFM reviewer Kath put the buggy through its trials by going for a ride on rough terrain. She was impressed with how it handled it really well and said that it “navigates over grass, bumpy sidewalks, cobbles and dirt tracks, and even allows you to easily go up and down kerbs”.

The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road option. It is available in a variety of colours that match your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar as well as a large basket. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that transform the buggy into pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfortable lie-flat bed for newborns or babies from 12 months old.

Safety

The presence of four wheels makes the buggy more stable, less likely to tip and easier to handle. It also makes it more secure for your child since 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 more easy to roll up and over curbs. The fabric sling seat sits inside the frame rather than on top of it like modular seats do, which makes for a low-slung seating position, and a lighter buggy that is easily maneuvered.

If you’re looking to go for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler may be more suitable as it will have suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one which allows you to navigate bumpy roads and rough terrain Be aware that not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most are NOT like the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception since they feature a specially-designed suspension system that’s been tested by an independent expert across all types of terrain.