20 Myths About 3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair: Dispelled

3 wheel strollers Wheel All Terrain Pushchair

Whether you're seeking a stroller to take on walking in the woods or a stroll along the high-street, an all-terrain pushchair with excellent maneuverability is the perfect fit. These models usually have large wheels and offer impressive suspension for smooth riding over bumps and rough ground.

Most are suitable for newborns and come with seats that can be set on a flat surface or a baby carrycot. These vehicles also come with tyres which never flatten, which are typically composed of foam.

Suspension

A genuine all-terrain pushchair should have an excellent suspension that has been designed to be smooth and comfortable on rough terrain. This will help your child feel relaxed and comfortable. The wheels are usually large and puncture-proof to protect against injuries from sharp sticks or rocks.

Some all-terrain strollers also allow you to switch between different tyres to suit the conditions. Depending on what kind of terrain you prefer to explore, some all-terrain pushchairs have an swivel front wheel that can be locked for stability, or unlocked to allow for more manoeuvrability when needed.

For additional peace of mind Some all-terrain pushchairs include a lockable handbrake which is easier to reach and use with your hands free rather than using an ordinary brake pedal located to the handlebars' side. This is a great feature for those who are inclined to climb steep hills.

If you don't want to go quite as extreme as an all-terrain stroller, there are many strollers on the market which have very good - but not the ultimate off-road capability, with excellent suspension and big wheels. They are usually cheaper than the more expensive all-terrain buggy models but are ideal for walks in the park with the dog or for short walks in the country.

A lot of these pushchairs are suitable for babies from birth, whether with the carrycot or a newborn-ready car seat. Be aware that the seats will not lie flat when pushing over bumps or dips. According to EU regulations, they only must meet minimum standards of reclined angles of approximately 150 degrees. Certain brands, like Graco, have overcome this issue with their "comfitech" suspension in the seat that allows the seat to recline at a slightly flatter angle for a bit more comfort. It is available on the Lila XP all-terrain pushchair which can be used in conjunction with a compatible Graco infant car seat to create a 3 wheel pushchair in 1 travel system.

Seat

There are a wide range of 3 wheeled travel system-wheeled all-terrain pushchairs available, which offer a superb off-road capability. These are ideal if you reside in the countryside or frequently walk on rough, uneven ground. They are often more robust and sturdy than a regular pushchair, and have special features like large puncture-proof wheels to handle the most difficult of surfaces. They are usually quite wide, and can be tricky to manoeuvre in tight spaces or aisles in stores.

The seat of an all-terrain buggy can either be facing the world or towards the parent and will grow with your child, from newborn to toddler (it's suitable from 6 months). It's equipped with foam-filled 'never flat' tyres for a smooth ride with dual frame suspension as well as luxurious padding in the seat, which provides great postural support and comfort. It also has a reclining feature, as well as a large extendable hood with integrated venting, as well as pockets for smartphones.

The brand new Out 'n' About Nipper V5 is another great option. It's an all-terrain stroller that's an inspiration. It comes with fantastic suspension and air-filled tyres, so it's suitable to jog when your child reaches the appropriate age. It also comes with a 360 swivel lockable front wheel for manoeuvrability, and a one-handed fold that's super simple and quick. It's suitable for babies from birth and can be used with an adaptor for the UPPAbaby infant car seat or carrycot (sold separately).

There are a lot of all-terrain strollers that do not have an reversible seat. However, the Oyster 3 wheel parent facing pushchair - Full Document -, Venicci Tanum and egg 2, which have this option, come with a very good weight limit and a very high level of off-road capability. There are many pushchairs that are classed as all-rounders, like the iCandy Pear and Bugaboo Cameleon which are very good with the rough terrain found in park or National Trust places but don't offer the off-road performance of genuine all-terrain pushchairs.

There are also crossover models that are a good compromise between extreme off-road and high-street. They come with big wheels, excellent suspension, and are built in a pushchair design, and include an option for reversible seating and a carrycot. Brands like iCandy, Easywalker and Bugaboo have produced some excellent models to look at.

Wheels

If you live in a rural area or take your child regularly for walks over rough terrain an all-terrain pushchair becomes essential. These models typically have larger back wheels than regular pushchairs, making them better at handling bumpy, off-road terrain and providing the most comfortable ride for your child. Many also come with a sturdy suspension and puncture-proof versions which make them suitable for use on grass, woodland or trails as well as gravel tracks and town cobbles.

Certain all-terrain pushchairs have a lockable front wheel which provides more stability when walking on rough terrain or on high kerbs. Some have swivel wheels on the front that let you maneuver the double buggy 3 wheels more easily when changing direction or turning corners.

All-terrain strollers come with air-filled tyres that are great for dealing with rough terrain. However, they are more prone to punctures than the EVA tyres used on lighter city strollers. It's therefore worth purchasing a repair kit and spare inner tube to go with your pushchair. Some all-terrain models have foam tyres, which are less susceptible to punctures, but aren't as good at taking in shock and could be more difficult to push than tyres with air filled.

The brand new Bugaboo Fox 5 is a good example of a pushchair that comes with foam-filled and air-filled tyres. It also has a great suspension system and large wheels that are puncture-proof at the rear. They are ideal for off-road and running (once your child is old enough). It is also suitable from birth and can be used in conjunction with a carrycot or a lie-flat chair.

The iCandy Peach All-Terrain is another alternative. It has big tyres, a single steering-wheel in the front and big tyres. It's not as flexible as the other all-terrain strollers on this list however it can handle hilly terrain well and features a large one-hand fold that is ideal for long walks in the countryside, or long trips. It's also suitable for children from birth and has a large, extendable sun canopy and some great parent-friendly features like a simple brake pedal, adjustable handlebar and generously big basket.

Storage

There are excellent all-terrain pushchairs designed for parents who want to take their child off-road, but do not want to take on Ben Nevis. They are the best 3 wheel stroller of both. Choose a model that has good all-terrain capabilities, sturdy suspension and large puncture proof wheels, yet is built in a traditional pushchair design with reversible seating and carrycot options.

UPPAbaby's well-known Ridge all-terrain pushchair is a great example of this; it has a great suspension, an easy one-handed fold and a generous 10kg basket but also has features that are suitable for parents, such as an adjustable handlebar, a hand-operated brake on the right-hand side and a large covered storage space. A hood that can be removed and brushed down with cool soapy water is a useful feature that can help prevent mildew and mould from building up.

If you're going to be driving your all-terrain pushchair off road it's a good idea to choose air-filled tyres instead of ones with rubber grips. They will give you a smoother ride over rough terrain, and make it easier to navigate through tight spaces. If you intend to use your all-terrain stroller for occasional jogging, make sure the front wheel is able to swivel or has a quick release facility to ensure it is locked in place for more stability.

It's important to check the pushchair fabrics can be machine washed to ensure they are in good condition. If not, a spot wash using soapy water and warm water should be sufficient. Drying the fabric thoroughly outside can also prevent mould and mildew from developing.

The majority of our 3 wheeled all terrain pushchairs can be used from birth. Look for models with an all-flat seat that is fully lie-flat and reversible backrest that will allow you to use it from birth all the way to when your child is three years old. Many of them are compatible with car seat adapters for a three-person family. If you'd like to leave the car at home, there are all-terrain pushchairs with fixed front wheels which are ideal for a casual stroll or jogging light, such as the Delta Special Needs all-terrain jogger from Delichon that is available in a range of frame and canvas sizes that can be used by adults and children.