3 Wheeler Buggies: The Good The Bad And The Ugly

3 wheel stroller lightweight Wheeler Buggies

A three-wheeled buggy is perfect for off-roading and provides a smooth ride for baby. They are also more convenient to push and maneuver than a four-wheel buggy, particularly those with fabric sling seats or seat units that are placed snugly in the frame, delivering the best geometry and weight distribution.

Stability

Three-wheeled buggys are extremely stable, which makes them a great option for off-roading (especially when equipped with a seat unit that is all-terrain or off-road). They often feature oversized front wheels, which can cope well with kerbs and bumps as well as rough ground. Some even have a lockable front wheel to provide extra stability on uneven terrain.

It's important to remember that 3-wheel buggies have lower center of gravity than their 4-wheeled counterparts and, therefore, could fall more easily. The best 3-wheeled pushchairs are built with the perfect geometry to ensure they remain solid in all conditions. They should be able turn at a whim and be easy to steer with one hand. They also feature the ability to rotate 360o on the front wheel that is ideal to navigate difficult terrain.

For surfaces that are extremely challenging you should look for a model with air-filled tyres which are also referred to as pneumatic tyres. These are designed to work on non-paved tracks and are able to deal with mud, gravel, rock etc. A lot of all terrain 3 wheel stroller-terrain buggies have a swivelling wheel on the front that can be locked for greater stability when dealing with rough terrain.

A 3 wheel buggy for sale-wheel pram is also an excellent option for runners or those who prefer to walk quickly and uphill, particularly in the event that you're planning to connect a carrycot or car seat. The Roma Atlas is an excellent model. It has the flat-reclining seat, 5-point harness and plenty of storage space for everything you need (plus the ability to extend 50+ of the sun hood). It's light, compact and suitable for babies and can be used with the use of a car seat or carrycot. It can also be used for jogging with a light pace, however, it isn't designed for serious runners.

Weight

If you're looking for a buggy that can handle the tough terrain, you need one with large wheels. They will be able to handle grass, cobbles and dirt tracks and provide an enjoyable ride for anyone. They're also good for jogging as they have built in suspension and are easy to climb and descend kerbs. However, the downside is that they are quite heavy to push.

The Mountain Buggy Urban Glide 2 is the best 3 wheel buggy to use on rough terrain (pictured above). The 3-wheel buggy is extremely maneuverable because it has 16 rear wheels as well as the front wheel can be locked. It has air tyres, that require occasional pumping, and it can carry a child up to 3. MFM reviewer Kath says that her toddler was awed by the shape of the seat, and she found it easy to drive with her 3-year-old riding along.

The Baby Jogger Versa GT is another great option. It comes with a movable handlebar, a hood made of high-end materials that provides 50+ UV protection, and a high quality hood. It is also easy to move kerbs upwards and downwards, and can fit into the boot of a car that is small. It can also be used as a stroller with an infant carrycot or toddlers.

Fabric slings are set inside the frame and not on top as modular seats. This model has a lower centre-of-gravity at the right height. It is much easier to push and is lighter to kerb-pop (you don't know how many times you'll need to do this as a new parent!).

Seating

The capacity for seating of 3 wheelers is quite impressive and there are a variety of different choices to choose from. For babies you have the option to use the carrycot (which MFM reviewer Alice says is a comfortable and cozy lying flat bed that can be used both on and off the buggy) In addition, older babies and toddlers can use the parent or world-facing seat that is large and cushioned and has adjustable ventilation. The seats don't recline completely, but can be lowered to the lowest position. This should allow your child to have plenty of room and headroom.

A sling seat made of fabric is also available, which offers the advantage of being set snugly inside the frame, rather than over the top of a modular seat and this delivers a much lower centre of gravity and a perfect weight distribution. This makes it easier to push, especially over bumpy terrain and curbs. MFM reviewer Kath liked the way this style of seat handled the obstacles.

In addition to a big shopping basket, this type of buggy typically has some pretty useful features such as an extendable 50+ UV hood, a simple brake pedal, and a few bright, game-changing lights that come up from the handlebar and can be positioned in front of the passengers to improve their safety when they are tackling difficult terrain.

If you're searching for a stroller that can grow with your family, the sport(tm), a world-first that can take in infants and be modified to accommodate three or more children as they grow, all within a single footprint.

Storage

The 3-wheeled model is more stable and can be pushed with just one hand. It's also ideal for terrains that are difficult to navigate. However, it also means that the shopping basket doesn't hold the same amount as a 4-wheeled buggy.

A high-quality ATP will have excellent suspension, pneumatic tyres, and a padded handle for your convenience. It will also be equipped with the form of a car seat and carrycot so you can use it from the time you are born.

MFM's reviewers have found that the 3-wheeler frame won't pass through all doors in their homes, or small car boots - make sure you check the dimensions of the buggy once it's folded prior to purchasing for those who are concerned about space.

Choose a 3-wheeler with 2 (or 3!) seats. This is the most suitable option for your child's future and will help you save money. The iCandy Strawberry Sport is one of the most well-known. It can be used as early as day dot as a single buggy and later converted into twin buggies when your baby is walking.

Tyres

Air filled tyres are designed to give your child a more comfortable ride by cushioning out bumps and uneven surfaces. They're commonly found on pushchairs like the Phil & Ted's Sport which MFM reviewer Kath discovered to provide "an exceptional ride for my toddler". She also said that the grippy tyres on it made it easy to tackle cobbles and kerbs.

They can be tricky to keep inflated and need to be filled regularly. They are also more susceptible to punctures than foam tyres. So you'll need to ensure that you have repair kits, spare inner tube and pump handy when you're out and about in your buggy.

PU tyres can be seen on more pushchairs than the air-filled tyres, but they're just as durable. You can recognise PU tire treads by their matte appearance and soft texture. They also slide easily on even and tied surfaces.

It's usually possible to tell the difference between air-filled and PU tires by running your hands over them, if it feels hard then it's made of rubber, when it slides, it's a PU. You can also check if your buggy is fitted with PU tyres by sliding them across flat, clean surfaces. They should roll smoothly and fit snugly into wheel hubs.

Foam tyres are commonly used in high-performance buggies as well as joggers since they are able to cope with the rough terrain associated with this type of pushchair. This can make your buggy less stable since the foam will lose its springy quality. Additionally, these kinds of tyres can typically be noisy because they create lots of noise when you turn and navigate your way around town.