3 Wheel Buggies

Three-wheel buggies look stylish and sleek, and have great maneuverability. Many of them have an upholstered sling seat that has a cosy lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution that is ideal from the moment of birth.

The wheels are bigger and, in many cases, have suspensions for smooth movement on a variety of terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they can be more bulky and heavy to transport and store.

Stability

Three wheel buggies are very stable - they don't tip over as easily as pushchairs that have four wheels when they're in a straight line, and you'll find that you can move them more quickly and efficiently. If you attempt to stop or turn abruptly, they'll lose stability and can tip over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs in order to increase the stability of the chassis.

You can also conquer off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Look for models with air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that can be used to handle off-road trails, sand, dirt, as well as other surfaces, such as rock and sand. These models also come with wheels that lock on the front to increase stability over rough terrain.

The buggies are simple to maneuver and agile thanks to the 360o front swivel wheel. They also pass the same global stability standards and test as 4-wheel buggies.

If you're looking for a seat made of fabric, these tend to be smaller in the frame as compared to modular seats. This means that your baby's centre of gravity will be closer to the ground - instantly providing an easier ride.

Maxi-Cosi is best known for its car seat range however, it has recently expanded its product line with the Citylife compact travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban life, and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It comes with 4 wheels and uses an exclusive black pewter frame, which the company claims is 'slim and compact'. It's only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There are a variety of 3 wheel buggies that can be folded compactly and can fit into smaller spaces. Many of these buggies can be folded with one hand and are easy to clean. Some of the smallest models have a simple height-of-handlebar adjustment, while others feature adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. Some models may have an enormous basket as well as brake levers that are quick-release.

The most reliable 3 wheel buggy for tackling rough terrain

A 3-wheeled model is typically better equipped to deal with off-road conditions as compared to a 4-wheeled model but both may get stuck in tight corners. A model with bigger rear and front wheels can aid. This will make them easier to push across rough terrain and is often helpful in getting up and down high kerbs.

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

Another great option is the latest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy made by car seat brand Maxi-Cosi which is called Stella. It is suitable for babies from birth when used with a carrycot. It is slightly larger than the lighter 4-wheelers but it has air-filled tires, three wheel pushchair recline positions, and a one-handed fold.

Its primary selling point is its modularity - it's compatible across all the brand's car seats and strollers for infants. You can build your own travel system, no matter if you're planning to take a shorter walk or a longer one using the chassis.

Tyres

The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are available in many styles and materials. Each comes with 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 of tyre you choose will depend on your lifestyle and where it is that you live.

For example, if you intend to frequently travel on unpaved paths or rough terrain, you may be interested in a 3-wheeler with sturdier tyres. Consider the type of suspension you require. Strong suspension is useful for handling bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and increase the overall weight of your pushchair.

The size of the tyre is also important. Understanding how to read the tyre size is important for safety, performance and longevity. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre sidewall may be confusing, but once you decode it, you'll be able to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre that has a size of 185/70 R14, for example, means that it is a radial tire with a diameter of the 185/70 size with 14-inch rim size.

PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you're not sure if a pushchair has rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires across a smooth and tied surface. If they move easily, then the tires are made from PU. If they don't then the tires are composed of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is an important aspect to consider as it will absorb the bumps and knocks of rough terrain making it more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are air-filled and are able to be locked to ensure stability when jogging are also crucial. This will allow your buggy to navigate off-road surfaces effortlessly.

Based on the type of buggy you're looking for There are a variety of choices to fit every lifestyle and budgets. For example, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility with its three-wheel buggies. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect their fabric sling seat is tucked away within the frame, as opposed to on top like modular seats, offering a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the perfect height for the best weight distribution that allows it to easily handle the kerb pops.

The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another excellent option. It features sleek design, a large wheel that's easy to move and combines it with exemplary suspension. It also comes with a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath tested the buggy its paces by going for a ride on rough terrain. She found that it handled it really well and said that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks, and dirt tracks and 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 variety of colors to complement your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar and a large basket. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats to convert the buggy into a pram, such as the chicly designed carrycot plus(tm) that is a cosy lie flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns from 12 months to 12 years 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-wheeled buggy has a lower center of gravity, pushchairsandprams which makes it easier to climb over curbs and walk up. The fabric sling seat sits within the frame, not on top of it like modular seats do, which creates a low seating position, and a lighter buggy that is more easily manoeuvred.

If you're looking to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler might be better suited since it comes with a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back wheel so you can tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most are NOT, such as the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception because they come with a suspension system specifically designed for them that's been independently tested across all types of terrain.