4 Dirty Little Secrets About 3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair And The 3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair Industry
3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair
Whether you're looking for a pushchair to take on woodland walks or strolls on the main streets, an all terrain pushchair with excellent manoeuvrability will be an ideal choice. These types typically have big wheels and offer impressive suspension for smooth riding over rough terrain and bumps.
3 wheeled pushchair are suitable for infants and include seats that can be set on a flat surface or a baby carrycot. These vehicles also have tyres that do not flatten, which are typically comprised of foam.
Suspension
A quality all-terrain pushchair will have a good suspension that is designed to be extra smooth and comfortable on rough terrain. This will make your child feel relaxed and comfortable. The wheels are usually large and puncture-proof to prevent injury from sharp rocks or sharp sticks.
The larger tyres will also help you to tackle more challenging terrain with ease and some pushchairs that are all-terrain even having different tyres you can switch between for different conditions. Depending on what kind of terrain you like to explore, some all-terrain pushchairs have an swivel front wheel that can be locked to ensure stability or unlocked for more maneuverability when required.
For added security, some all-terrain pushchairs will have a handbrake that is lockable, which is more accessible to use with your hands free instead of the traditional brake pedal that is located to the side of the handlebars. This is an excellent feature to have in case you prefer to tackle difficult terrain, particularly with a child in the seat and lots of shopping bags stashed beneath!
If you don't want go as extreme as an all-terrain pushchair there are many strollers available that offer excellent - but not ultimate - off-road capabilities, and have great suspension and big wheels. They tend to be less expensive than full-on all terrain buggy models, and can be suitable for short country walks or trips to the park.
Many of these pushchairs can be used from birth, either with the carrycot or a newborn-ready car seat. Be aware that the seats do not be able to lie flat when you push over bumps or dips. According to EU regulations, they only have to meet minimum requirements of a reclining angle of around 150deg. Graco has overcome this problem with its new 'comfitech in-seat suspension' that lets the seat recline at a more rounded angle for a bit more comfort. This is available on the Lila XP all-terrain pushchair which can be used in conjunction with an appropriate Graco infant car seat to create a 3 in 1 travel system.
Seat
There are a wide range of all-terrain pushchairs with three wheels available that offer an excellent off-road capability. They are great for those who live in the countryside or regularly take a walk on uneven, rough ground. They are typically more durable and sturdy than a normal pushchair, and come with features like large wheels that are puncture-proof to deal with the toughest of surfaces. They are usually quite large, which means they can be tricky to manoeuvre in tight spaces or aisles in stores.
The seat on an all-terrain buggy may be facing the world or towards the parent and grows with your child, from infant to toddler (it's suitable for children as young as 6 months). It comes with 'never flat' foam-filled tires that offer a comfortable ride. It also comes with dual frame suspension with luxurious padding, as well as a seat unit with excellent postural support. It also has a reclining mechanism and comes with a large extendable sun hood that has integrated ventilation as well as a smart phone pocket.
The new Out 'n' About Nipper V5 is another excellent choice. It's an all-terrain stroller that is an inspiration. It comes with a great suspension and air-filled tyres so it's suitable to run once your child reaches the appropriate age. It has a 360-degree lockable front wheel that allows ease of maneuverability and one-handed folding. It is suitable from birth, and is compatible with an adaptor for UPPAbaby's infant car seat or carrycot (sold separately).
3 wheel buggy -terrain pushchairs don't have seats that can be reversible, however the likes of the Oyster 3, Venicci Tinum and egg 2 do come with this option, and both provide an excellent level of off-road capability and an adequate weight limit for a 2 year old. Many pushchairs are classified as all-rounders. They include the iCandy Pear, Bugaboo Cameleon and others. They are able to navigate rough terrain in parks or National Trust locations, but lack the off-road capabilities of genuine all-terrain strollers.
There are also crossover models that are a great alternative to extreme off-road and street and have great all-terrain capability with big wheels and excellent suspension, but they're built more like a standard pushchair with reversible seats and fully-equipped carrycots which means they are suitable for use on a daily basis. Some of the best ones are manufactured by companies like iCandy Easywalker and Bugaboo.
Wheels
If you reside in a rural area or regularly take your baby for walks over rough terrain an all-terrain pushchair becomes vital. These models have bigger wheels on the back of normal pushchairs, allowing them to withstand bumpy terrain better and provide a smoother ride for your child. Many also come with a sturdy suspension and puncture-proof versions to ensure they're safe for use on grass, woodland or forest paths, gravel tracks and market town cobbles.
Certain all-terrain pushchairs come with an adjustable front wheel that offers additional stability when walking on rough terrain and on high kerbs. Others have swivel front wheels that let you maneuver the buggy more easily when you change direction or turn corners.
All-terrain strollers have air-filled tyres that are excellent for dealing with rough terrain. However they are more susceptible to punctures than the solid EVA tyres found on lightweight city strollers. It's therefore worth purchasing an repair kit and spare inner tube with your pushchair. Certain models come with foam tyres that are less likely to puncture, but may be harder to push.
The brand new Bugaboo Fox 5 is a great example of a child's pushchair with both foam-filled and air-filled tyres, an excellent suspension system, and large rear puncture-proof wheels that are ideal for off-road and jogging use (once your child is old enough). This model can also be used from birth with a carrycot as well as a lie-flat chair.
Another option is the iCandy Peach All-Terrain, which comes with large tyres and a single steering wheel at the front. It's not as flexible as the other all-terrain strollers on this list however it can manage hilly terrain and features a large one-handed fold that is great for long walks in the countryside or long trips. It is also suitable for infants and comes with a large canopy that can be extended, an adjustable handlebar, and a large, spacious basket.
Stores
There are excellent all-terrain pushchairs for parents who would like to take their child off-road, but do not want to take on Ben Nevis. They offer the best of both. Choose a model that has an excellent all-terrain capability, solid suspension, and large puncture-proof wheels but designed in the traditional pushchair style with reversible seats as well as full carrycot options.
The UPPAbaby's bestselling Ridge all-terrain pushchair is a perfect example of this; it provides excellent suspension, a simple one-handed fold and a generous 10kg basket. It also has features for parents that are child-friendly, like an adjustable handlebar, hand-operated brake on the right and a huge covered storage space. The hood can be removed, and washed with cool soapy-water to prevent mildew or mould.
If you plan to take your all-terrain stroller off road and on the road, you should consider air-filled tires rather than rubber grips. These will give a smoother ride on rough terrain and will be more maneuverable in tight spaces. If you are planning to use your all-terrain pushchair to do occasional jogging, be sure the front wheel can swivel or features a quick release mechanism so it can be locked in place for greater stability.
It's important to check the pushchair fabrics can be machine washed to keep them in perfect condition. If not, a spot cleaning with warm soapy water and some warm water should suffice. The fabric can be dried thoroughly outside to prevent mold or mildew.
Most of our 3 wheeled all terrain pushchairs are able to be used as early as. Choose models that have a fully lie-flat seat and a reversible rearrest that will allow you to use it from the time of birth until your child is around three years old. Many of them are compatible with car seat adapters when you're traveling with a family of three. If you'd like to leave the car at home, there are all-terrain pushchairs that have a fixed front wheel that are ideal for casual strolls or light jogging, such as the Delta Special Needs all-terrain jogger from Delichon which is available in a variety of sizes for canvas and frames to fit adults and children.