3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

· 6 min read
3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair

If you're looking for a buggy to take on walks in the woods or strolls on the main streets, a pushchair that is all-terrain with excellent manoeuvrability will be the perfect fit. These models are usually equipped with large wheels and a suspension system that provides an easy ride on bumpy terrain.

The majority of them are suitable from birth and come with a lie-flat baby seat or newborn carrycot. They also have foam-filled, never-flat tyres for reducing maintenance.

Suspension

A genuine all-terrain pushchair will have a good suspension that is specifically designed to be ultra smooth and comfortable on rough terrain. This will help your child feel relaxed and comfortable. The wheels should also be large and usually have a puncture-proof design to prevent damage from sharp rocks or sticks.

The larger tyres can allow you tackle more difficult terrains easily, with some all-terrain pushchairs even offering the option of additional tyres that can be switched between for different conditions. Certain all-terrain strollers feature a swivel wheel that can be locked to offer stability, or left unlocked to permit greater maneuverability.

A few all-terrain strollers include a lockable brake handbrake that is more accessible by hand. This is superior to a traditional pedal on the handlebars. This is an excellent feature to have if you want to tackle the steep slopes, especially with children in the seat and a lot of shopping bags tucked away under!

If you don't want to go as extreme as an all-terrain pushchair there are a lot of strollers available that are very well-built, but not ultimate - off-road capabilities, and have great suspension and big wheels. These are usually more affordable than full-on all-terrain buggy options and will still work well for short walks in the countryside or trips to the park.

Many of these strollers are suitable for newborns, with either an infant carrycot or a car seat that is designed for infants. Be aware that the seats will not lie flat when pushing over bumps or dips. As per EU regulations, they only must meet minimum standards of an incline of about 150deg. Certain brands, such as Graco have gotten around this issue with their "comfitech" suspension in the seat that allows the seat to recline at a slightly flatter angle to provide a bit more comfort. This feature is available on the Lila XP all-terrain pushchair which can be used with an appropriate Graco infant car seat to create a 3- in one travel system.

Seat

There's a variety of 3-wheel all terrain pushchairs to pick from with a fantastic off-road performance. They are perfect if you reside in the countryside or frequently go walking on uneven, rough ground. These are more robust and durable than a standard pushchair. They have special features, like big puncture-proof tires to withstand the toughest surfaces. They are usually quite wide, and could be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces or narrow aisles in shops.

All-terrain buggy seat can be positioned either parent or world facing. They grow with your child from birth to toddler. It has 'never-flat' foam-filled tyres that provide a smooth ride. It also has dual frame suspension, luxurious padding and a seat with great postural support. It also features a recline mechanism and comes with an expansive sun hood that extends with integrated ventilation, as well as an integrated pocket for smartphones.

The new Out 'n' About Nipper V5 is another great option. It's an all-terrain stroller that is an innovator. It comes with a fantastic suspension and air-filled tyres so it's suitable to run once your child is of the right age. It also comes with a 360 swivel lockable front wheel that allows for manoeuvrability and a one-handed fold that's super easy and quick.  3 wheel buggy  for babies for babies from birth and can be used with an adaptor for the UPPAbaby infant car seat or carrycot (sold separately).

A majority of all-terrain pushchairs lack seats that can be reversible, however the models like the Oyster 3, Venicci Tinum and egg 2 do have this option and both offer a very good level of off-road performance and have a decent weight limit for a two-year old. Many pushchairs are categorized as all-rounders. This includes the iCandy Pear, Bugaboo Cameleon and a few others. They are able to handle rough terrain in parks and National Trust locations, but lack the off-road capabilities of true all-terrain strollers.

Then there are the crossover models that are a great combination of extreme off-road and high-street and are able to handle all terrains with big wheels and excellent suspension, but they're built more in a typical pushchair style, with reversible seats and the option of a full carrycot which means they can be used everyday. Some of the top models are made by brands like iCandy Easywalker and Bugaboo.

Wheels

All-terrain pushchairs are a must if you live in a rural area or take your child on regular walks through rough terrain. These models typically come with larger back wheels than regular pushchairs, making them better in handling rough, off-road terrain and providing a smooth ride for your child. Many models also have a robust suspension that is puncture-proof, which means they can be used on grass, woodland paths or forest paths, gravel roads and market town cobbles.



Certain all-terrain strollers also have a lockable wheel on the front, which gives extra stability while walking over rough terrain or high kerbs. Others have swivel front wheels that allow you to maneuver the buggy more easily when you change direction or turn corners.

All-terrain pushchairs come with air-filled tyres, which provide excellent shock absorption and are ideal for rough terrain, but they are more susceptible to punctures than EVA tyres that are used on lightweight city strollers therefore it's a good idea to invest in a repair kit with spare tubes and a pump alongside your pushchair. Some models come with foam tyres that are less likely to puncture but may be harder to push.

The brand new Bugaboo Fox 5 pushchair is an excellent model of a stroller that features both air and foam filled tyres. It also comes with an excellent suspension and large rear wheels that are puncture resistant and suitable for off-road usage or running (once your child reaches the appropriate age). It is also suitable for children from birth and can be used with a carrycot or a lay-flat seat.

The iCandy Peach All-Terrain is another option. It comes with large tyres, a single steering-wheel in the front and big tyres. It's not as flexible as the other pushchairs with all-terrain capabilities on this list but it does perform well on hilly terrain and has a spacious, one-handed fold which is ideal if you plan to be using the pushchair for long walks or trips to the countryside. It is also suitable for infants and features a large canopy that extends with an adjustable handlebar and a generously sized basket.

Storage

Parents who want to take their child off-road, but aren't sure about tackling Ben Nevis, there are excellent all terrain pushchairs that provide the best of both worlds. Look for one that has all-terrain capabilities, sturdy suspension, and large puncture-proof wheels, yet is built in a classic pushchair style with reversible seating and carrycot options.

UPPAbaby's popular Ridge all-terrain pushchair is a perfect illustration of this. It provides excellent suspension, a simple one-handed fold and a huge 10kg basket. It also has features for parents that are child-friendly, like an adjustable handlebar, hand-operated brake on the right side and a large covered storage space. The hood can be taken off and washed with cool soapy-water to prevent mildew or mould.

If you're planning on using your all-terrain pushchair off-road it's a good idea to choose air-filled tyres instead of those with grips made of rubber. These will give a smoother ride on rough ground and will be more maneuverable in tight spaces. If you are planning to use your all terrain pushchair to jog occasionally, make sure that the front wheel can be swivelable or has a quick-release feature so it can lock in place for greater stability.

It is essential to determine if the pushchair fabrics can be machine washed to maintain them in good condition. If not, a spot wash using soapy water and warm water ought to be sufficient. The fabric can be dried thoroughly outside to avoid mould or mildew.

The majority of our three wheel pushchairs are suitable from birth. Look for models with a fully lie-flat chair and a reversible backrest to allow you to use it from birth right up until your child is about three years old. Many are compatible with car seat adapters for an all-three-person family. You can leave your car at home and use all-terrain strollers that have fixed wheels for light jogging or casual strolling. One example is the Delta Special Needs All-Terrain Jogger from Delichon available in various sizes for the frame and canvas that are suitable for children as well as adults.