3 Wheeler Buggies
A tri-wheeled stroller is ideal for off-road terrain and offers an easy ride for babies. They are also easier to move and push than a four-wheel buggy, especially if they have fabric sling seats or modular seats that are set perfectly in the frame, offering the best geometry and weight distribution.
Stability
A three-wheel buggy has excellent stability, which is why it is a great option for off-road walking (especially with an all terrain or off-road style seat unit). They often feature oversized front wheels, which can cope well with bumps and kerbs and rough ground. Some even feature a lockable front tire to provide extra stability on uneven terrain.
It's worth bearing in mind that 3-wheel buggies can have a lower center of gravity than 4-wheeled models and this can mean that they topple over more easily. The best 3-wheeled pushchairs have been built with the perfect design to ensure they stay stable in any condition. They should be able to turn at a whim and be easy to steer using one hand. They also have an incline of 360o for the front wheel which is ideal to navigate difficult terrain.
For really tricky surfaces you should look for a model with air-filled tyres which are also referred to as pneumatic tyres. They are designed to work on non-paved tracks and are able to deal with mud, gravel, rock and more. A majority of all-terrain buggies come with a swivelling front wheel that can be locked to provide stability when dealing with extremely rough ground too.
A three-wheeled stroller is a great choice for those who run or love to speed up the hill. This is especially true if you plan to connect a car seat or carrycot. The Roma Atlas is an excellent example. It features the flat-reclining seat, 5-point harness and plenty of storage space to store everything you need (plus a 50+ extendable sun hood). It's compact, lightweight and suitable from birth and can be used with a carrycot or car seat. It also allows for some moderate jogging, but it's not designed for serious runners.
Weight
If you are looking for a buggy that can take on difficult terrain, you should choose one with large tires. They can handle cobbles, grass and dirt tracks, and provide an enjoyable ride for anyone. They are also ideal for jogging as they have a suspension built-in and are easy enough to climb up and down kerbs. However, they are quite heavy to push.
3 wheeled pushchair -wheel buggy for rough terrain is the Mountain Buggy Urban Glide 2 (pictured above). This 3-wheeler has 16 rear wheels and an swivel wheel lockable to the front, so it's very manoeuvrable. It comes with air tyres which do need occasional pumping and it can be used to carry a child up to the age of 3. MFM reviewer Kath says that her toddler loved the shape of the seat and was able to steer it easily with her three-year-old in the seat.
Another option that is great is the Baby Jogger Versa GT, that comes with an adjustable handlebar and a hood made of high-quality with 50+ UV protection. It's also easy to get up and down kerbs and can fit in small car boots. It can also be used as a pram with a carrycot or infant car seat for newborns and toddlers.
Sling seats made of fabric fit snugly within the buggie's frame instead of sitting on top of it as modular seats. This model has a lower centre-of-gravity at the right height. It is simpler to push and lighter to kerb-pop (you don't know how many times you'll do that as a brand new parent!).
Seating
The capacity for seating of 3 wheelers is impressive, and there are a number of different options to pick from. For newborns, there is the option to use the carrycot (which MFM reviewer Alice says is a comfortable and cozy lie-flat bed that can be used both on and off the buggy) and older infants and toddlers can be seated in the parent-facing or world-facing seat that is spacious and padded and does have adjustable ventilation. It is important to note that the seats aren't fully reclined however, they can be adjusted to the lowest position which will give your child plenty of headroom and space to move around.
A sling made of fabric is also available. It is advantageous in that it is located inside the frame instead of on top as a modular seat. This means that it has a lower centre of gravity, with a perfect weight distribution. This makes it much easier and lighter to push especially when you're on bumpy terrain or curbs and MFM reviewer Kath loved the way this kind of seat dealt with these obstacles.
This kind of buggy comes with an enormous basket, along with other beneficial features like an hood that can be extended with 50+ UV protection, an easy to use brake pedal, and a few innovative lights for visibility which can be put in front of occupants to ensure safety when riding on rough terrain.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a single buggy that can grow with your family There's the new sport(tm) that's a world's first that can take one baby from the moment of birth and adjust to take 2 or even three once your baby has grown in the space of a single buggy.
Stores
The 3-wheeled frame makes the buggy much more stable to push with one hand and also perfect for handling terrain that is difficult to navigate. The shopping basket is smaller than a four-wheeler.
A top-quality ATP will have pneumatic tyres with a padded grip for added comfort, and a superb suspension. It will accept a carrycot or car seat, meaning you can use it right from the time of birth.
MFM's reviewers have found that the 3-wheeler frame can't fit through all the doors in their homes or small car boot - be sure you know the dimensions of the buggy once it's folded before buying if you're worried about space.
It's worth looking into an SUV with three wheels that can fit two (or even 3!) seats as your family grows - these are the best of both worlds and will help you save money in the future. The iCandy strawberry sport is one of the top of them that can be used as a single seat from day dot and then converts into twin buggies once your baby begins walking.
Tyres
These tires cushion bumps and uneven surfaces to make your child's ride more enjoyable. You'll find these on pushchairs like the Phil & Ted's Sport which MFM reviewer Kath discovered to provide "an outstanding ride for my toddler". She also noted that the grippy tyres on it made it easy to navigate kerbs and cobbles.
These tyres are sometimes difficult to maintain their inflation and will need to be filled regularly. They are also more prone to punctures than foam tyres, so you'll need to make sure that you have a repair kit with spare tubes and a pump in case you go out and about with your buggy.
PU tyres can be found on more pushchairs than the air-filled tyres, yet they're just as durable. You can tell PU tyres by their matte appearance and soft feel. They also glide well on even and tied surfaces.
If you move your hand over the tyres, you can tell if they're PU or rubber. If it feels as if it's moving, then it is a rubber or PU. You can also confirm that your buggy has PU tyres by sliding the tyres on flat, clean surfaces - they'll be able to roll easily and should fit comfortably in their wheel hubs.
Foam tyres are able to withstand the rough terrain of high-performance buggies. This could make your buggy less stable since the foam loses its springy nature. Additionally, these tyres may frequently be noisy, as they generate a lot of noise as you turn and make your way through the town.