3 Wheel Buggies

Three-wheel buggies are elegant and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. A lot of them come with an upholstered sling seat that has a comfortable lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution, perfect from birth.

The wheels are larger and often come with suspension for agile smooth movement on a variety of terrains. The only drawback is that they may be more heavy and bulkier to store & transport.

3 wheeled pushchair are extremely solid - they don't fall over as easily as four-wheeled pushchairs when going in a straight line and you'll find that you can maneuver them more quickly and easily. If you stop or turn abruptly, they may lose stability and even tip over. Some manufacturers add an additional wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.

The additional wheel can also help you to tackle off-road terrain. Choose models with air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that can be used to handle off-road paths, sand and dirt, as well as other surfaces like rocks and sand. These models will also have an adjustable wheel that locks in the front to improve stability on rough terrain.

The buggies are simple to maneuver and agile thanks to the 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also be able to pass the same rigorous global stability standards and tests as 4-wheel buggies.

If you're looking for a fabric sling seat, these tend to be placed lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the ground and provides a more comfortable ride and less kerb pop (you don't have to exert as much pressure or effort to lift the buggy over and up the Kerb).

Best known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added an ultra-light travel system and pushchair to its line-up with the attractive Citylife. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban living, and comes with a baby car seat or carrycot. It comes with four wheels and a unique pewter-black aluminium frame, which the brand describes as'slim and compact. It's only 2cm wide than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There are a variety of three wheel buggies that can be folded down to can be tucked away in smaller spaces. They can be folded with just one hand, and are easy to wash down. The smallest models will come with a basic adjustable height of the handlebars, while others may have an adjustable suspension or an extendable 50+ UV canopy. They may also feature large, spacious baskets and a quick-release brake lever.

The most efficient 3 wheeler for rough terrain

A 3-wheeled buggy is usually better equipped to handle off-road conditions compared to a 4-wheeled model, though both can be a bit stuck on tight corners. However, choosing a model with bigger wheels on both sides can be beneficial. This will make it easier to push them across rough terrain and can help you get up and down steep curbs.

The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its surprising ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her infant and 3-year-old son and reported that "it is very well-handled over bumpy pavements, cobbles dirt roads and gravel tracks, as well as on a few hills."


Stella, the new 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. It's suitable from birth when used with the carrycot and is a little bigger than the lightweight 4wheelers (with an impressively slim frame of 54cm wide) but it comes with big air-filled tyres, three recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.

Its primary selling point is its modularity. It's compatible with all the brands' car seats and strollers for infants. You can design your own travel system, whether you're looking to go for a a short walk or take a longer stroll, by using the chassis.

Tyres

The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres offer an easy ride and excellent 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 plan to travel often on rough or muddy terrain, you may want to consider a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tires. Take into consideration the kind of suspension you need. Suspensions that are strong are ideal to tackle humps and bumps but they can be heavy and add to the overall weight.

Another aspect to be considered is the size of the tyre. Understanding how to read tyre sizing is crucial for maintaining safety performance, durability, and performance. The combination of letters and numbers on the sidewall of a tyre can be confusing initially, but understanding it will allow you to comprehend the tyre's dimensions. A tyre having an 185/70 size R14 for instance is a radial tire with a diameter of 185/70 and has 14-inch rim size.

In addition to being more durable, PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber ones. If you're not sure if the pushchair you are using has rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires over a smooth surface and tie them. If they slide easily, then the tires are made from PU. If they don't, then the tires are composed of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension of a three-wheeled buggy can make it more comfortable for your child as it will absorb any bumps or knocks caused by rough terrain. Having large wheels, that are air-filled, and lockable to ensure stability while jogging is also important as this will ensure that your buggy is capable of navigating off roads with ease.

Depending on the style of buggy you're looking for There are a variety of 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 buggies. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect their sling seat made of fabric rests comfortably within the frame, as opposed to sitting on top like modular seats, offering an lower center of gravity and sitting at the right height for the best weight distribution that allows it to easily handle kerb pops.

The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. It has a sleek design, a large wheel that's easy to maneuver and is paired with an impressive suspension. It also features a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath took this buggy to the test by taking it on an excursion through the rough terrain and she found that it was able to handle the terrain well, stating that it 'flies easily over grass, bumpy pavements, cobbles, dirt tracks and even makes light work of climbing and descending kerbs'.

The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road option that, like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to match your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar as well as a large basket. You can also choose from a range of infant car seats that convert the buggy into a pram, including the stylishly designed carrycot plus(tm) that is a cosy lie flat bed for newborns and babies that are up to 12 months old.

Safety

The presence of four wheels makes a buggy much more stable and less likely to tip, and easier to maneuver. It also makes it 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 centre of gravity and is therefore easier to lift over curbs and up the stairs. The fabric sling seat sits within the frame, not sitting on top like modular seats do, which results in a lower seating position and a lighter buggy that is more easily manoeuvred.

However, if you want to go for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler might be better suited since it will have a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one which allows you to navigate bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most are NOT like the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially designed suspension system that has been tested by an independent party on all kinds of terrain.