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3 Wheel Buggies

Three-wheel buggies look stylish and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. Many of them come with an upholstered sling that has a comfortable lay flat bed, which is ideal for weight distribution and are ideal starting at birth.

The wheels are larger and typically come with suspensions to allow for smooth, swift movement on different terrains. The only downside is that they may be heavier and bulkier to store and transport.

Stability

Three wheel buggies are remarkably stable and don’t tip over as easily as pushchairs that have four wheels when going in a straight line and you’ll find that you can manoeuvre them much more quickly and efficiently. If you stop or turn abruptly, they can lose stability and even tip over. This is why certain manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.

The additional wheel also allows you tackle off-road terrain. Be sure to look for models with air-filled tyres (also known as pneumatic tyres) as they are able to deal with off-road trails as well as other surfaces such as rocks, sand and mud. 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, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They’ll also pass the same rigorous global 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 centre of gravity is closer to the floor – instantly delivering a smoother ride and less kerb pop (you don’t need to apply the same amount of pressure or effort to lift the buggy over and up a kerb).

Popular for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a light travel system and pushchair to its range with the striking Citylife. The model is designed for urban living and is suitable starting at birth with a newborn carrycot or infant car seat. It comes with four wheels and an unique pewter-black frame, which the brand describes as’slim and compact. It’s smaller at 2cm than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There’s a variety of 3 wheel buggies that fold up to fit in smaller spaces. Many can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wipe down. The smallest models will feature a basic handlebar height adjustment, while others may have an adjustable suspension and an extended 50+ UV canopy. Some models could have large baskets and a brake lever that’s quick-release.

The best 3 wheel buggy for tackling rough terrain

A 3-wheeler will typically be more adept at dealing with off-road terrain than a 4-wheel model, although both can get stuck in tight spots. A model with bigger front and rear wheels will assist. This will make them easier to push over uneven 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 agile handling despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her baby and 3-year-old son and reported that “it is very well-handled over bumpy pavements, cobbles dirt roads and gravel tracks and also on a few hills.”

Stella Stella, the 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. 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 it comes with big air-filled tyres. It also has 3 recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold.

Its main selling point is its modularity – it’s compatible with all the brands’ infant car seats and strollers. This means you can create your ideal travel system for day-today or longer walks using the chassis as a starting point.

Tyres

The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are offered in many styles and materials. Each has its own pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres offer a smooth ride and great maneuverability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type you select will depend on your lifestyle and the location you live in.

For instance, if are planning to travel frequently on unpaved paths or rough terrain, you may want to consider a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tyres. Also, you should consider the type of suspension you need. A sturdy suspension is helpful for handling bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and add to the overall weight of your pushchair.

The size of the tyre is also important. Understanding how to read the size of the tyre is crucial for safety, performance, and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on the sidewalls of tyres may be confusing initially, but understanding it helps you understand the dimensions of the tyre. For instance, a tyre’s size of “185/70 R14 indicates that the tire is a 185/70 radial with a 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 the tires on a pushchair are made of rubber or PU, try sliding the tires on a smooth surface. If 3 wheeled pushchair move easily and smoothly, they’re made of PU. If they do not, then the tires are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension on a 3 wheel buggy is a vital component to look for because it will absorb the smacks and bumps of rough terrain making it much more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are ideally air-filled and are lockable to provide stability when jogging essential to ensure that your buggy will be capable of maneuvering off road surfaces with ease.

There are a variety of buggy designs to fit every budget and style of life. For instance, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3-wheel buggies. With the perfect geometry and engineering their fabric sling seat is tucked away within the frame, as opposed to on top like modular seats, providing an lower center of gravity and sitting at the right height to ensure optimal weight distribution that allows it to easily handle the kerb pops.

The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is a great alternative. It sports sleek design, a large wheel that’s easy to move and is paired with an impressive suspension. It also comes with a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath took this buggy to the test by taking it on a walk through rough ground and she found that it handled the terrain really well saying that it ‘navigates effortlessly over bumpy grass, pavements, cobbles, dirt tracks and even makes light work of getting up and down the kerbs’.

The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road option. It is available in a range of colors that will complement your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar, a spacious basket and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also choose from a range of infant car seats that convert the buggy into a pram, including 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

Having four wheels makes a buggy much more stable and less likely to tip, and easier to maneuver. It also makes it more secure for your child since the weight of their body is evenly dispersed across the frame.

A four-wheel buggy also tends to have a lower centre of gravity, making it easier to pop up and over curbs. The seats of the fabric sling are built into the frame, not on top like modular seats. This creates a low seat position and buggy that is easily moved.

If you want to run with your child, then an all-wheeler is the best option. It has an suspension system that allows the front wheel to be independent from the rear. This allows you to take on rough terrain or bumpy roads. However, not 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 independently across all terrains.