5 Lessons You Can Learn From 3 Wheel Compact Stroller
3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for anyone, whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller for all-purpose use on a daily basis. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry, put these models to the test on roads and off-road surfaces. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that make life on the go with your baby more enjoyable. If you're looking for a brand new 3-wheel or 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as large storage baskets as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, a movable canopy, and more. It's important to know what features are important to you and your family, and those you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It comes with a variety of practical features that keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights, and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a clear window at the top allows children to see out when they're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps on the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller has an automatic handbrake that helps you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds to an extremely compact and slim size that takes up very little space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can convert into a travel system using the best infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using the purchase of an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must-have for strollers of any kind. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps effortlessly.
The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks into position when folded, and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as simple as our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is a little difficult to understand. It involves pressing a button on the front of the stroller, opening a flap near the foot area, and then raising a handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a significant consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, many parents discover that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and more suitable for use in everyday situations.
The type and size of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers, such as jogging strollers have wheels that are larger and will provide a more comfortable ride for babies. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it difficult to fold and store, transport and fold.
Certain models in our collection have air-filled tires that are designed to offer a safe and comfortable ride for your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening and must replace them. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend the use of tires that can stand up to frequent contact with various surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are perfect for safely navigating escalators and stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent injuries to strollers. They are especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we suggest using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat and hold them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers are a travel system that includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. Although these strollers often have attractive price tags and offer convenience by the time spent shopping, they are generally more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform as well in the long haul. Additionally many parents regret purchasing a bundle because it may not include all the features they want or may turn out to not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you are planning to upgrade your product in the future we suggest that you buy a stroller separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The best compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and put away. Some even lock into place automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families that frequently use public transportation or take a car to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded easily. Many are equipped with suspension systems for an easier ride. This is particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller for jogging. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel system with the car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex infant carseats as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller has an easy two-step fold that locks in place when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. The stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but is worth it if you travel a lot or live in a city. The lightweight stroller can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and comes with a padded, adjustable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and an ample basket. It can be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen offers some great features, like a roomy recline and extra storage, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when it is reclining and there are no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as it can without sacrificing the comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of impressive features like a huge basket and a one-handed fold. 3 wheel pushchair is that the brakes could be difficult to engage and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must keep your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point safety harness with adjustable and padded straps for crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to protect your child's head in the event that they fall from the seat or roll off. Some strollers come with safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is essential for jogging strollers since it prevents them from slipping when they're going down escalators or stairs which can be particularly dangerous for children.
In our tests strollers' maneuverability was assessed in three different ways. We rated it based on the ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur, its ease of use with a child loaded, and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also looked at the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest the height of the handlebar, operate the brakes, and then attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. This is why we suggest choosing the model with hand brakes, which allows you to slow down and stop with as little effort as using body power alone. However, the majority of top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not have this option and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models has it.
You should also consider how often you'll need to use your stroller for going up and down escalators or stairs, and if it is safe to do it. Stairs and elevators can be more risky because they contain moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. If you can choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having an adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be carried up or down a set of stairs with their safety brake engaged. But it's safer to be safe rather than regretting.