The 10 Scariest Things About 3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair
3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair
If you're looking for a pushchair to tackle walks in the woods or strolls along the high-street, an all-terrain pushchair with a great maneuverability will be a great choice. These models usually have large wheels and offer impressive suspension to ensure a smooth ride over rough terrain and bumps.
Most are suitable for newborns and come with a seat that can be positioned in a flat position or a carrycot for newborns. These vehicles also have tyres that do not flatten, which are typically made of foam.
Suspension
A true all terrain pushchair will have good suspension that is specifically designed to be smooth on uneven ground and help your child to be comfortable and calm. The wheels should also be large and usually be a puncture-proof type to avoid damage from sharp rocks or sticks.
The larger tyres can help you tackle more difficult terrain with ease Some all-terrain pushchairs even offering the option of additional tyres that can be switched between to suit different conditions. Depending on the kind of terrain you prefer to explore Certain all-terrain pushchairs feature an swivel front wheel that can be locked to ensure stability or left unlocked for greater maneuverability when needed.
To give you added security, some all-terrain pushchairs will feature a locking handbrake that is much easier to reach and utilize with your hands than with an ordinary brake pedal located placed on the handlebars' sides. This is a fantastic feature to have if you like to take on difficult terrain, particularly with children in the seat and a lot of shopping bags tucked away underneath!
If you don't want go as far as an all-terrain pushchair there are a lot of strollers that have very good - but not the ultimate off road capability with great suspension and big wheels. 3 wheeled pushchair are usually cheaper than the more expensive full-on all-terrain pushchairs, and will still be perfect for walks in the park with the dog or for short walks in the country.
Many of these pushchairs can be used starting at birth, either with an infant carrycot or a baby-ready car seat. Be aware that these seats won't lay flat when pushing over bumps or dips. As per EU regulations, they only have to meet minimum requirements of a reclining angle of around 150deg. 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. This feature 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's a whole range of 3-wheel all-terrain pushchairs available that offer excellent off-road capability. They are perfect if live in the countryside or walk regularly on rough, uneven terrain. These are more robust and durable than a regular pushchair. They are equipped with unique features, like big puncture-proof tires to handle the most difficult surfaces. They are often quite wide and can be difficult to maneuver in narrow spaces or in the aisles of shops.
All-terrain buggy seat can be positioned either parent or world facing. They grow with your child from newborn to toddler. It is equipped with 'never-flat' foam tyres that give a smooth ride. It also has dual frame suspension, luxurious padding and a seat with great postural support. It also comes with a reclining mechanism, an extended sun hood that can be extended with 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 innovator. It comes with a great suspension and tyres with air-filled so it's suitable to run once your child reaches the appropriate age. It also has an adjustable 360-degree swivel front wheel for manoeuvrability, and a one-handed fold that's super quick and simple. It's suitable from birth and can be paired with an UPPAbaby carrycot, or infant car seat adapters (sold separately).
A lot of all-terrain pushchairs do not have a reversible seat, but the likes of the Oyster 3, Venicci Tinum and egg 2 do have this option, and both provide an excellent level of off-road performance, and also have an adequate weight limit for a 2-year old. There are many pushchairs that are classified as all-rounders, like the iCandy Pear and Bugaboo Cameleon, which cope very well with the rough terrain found in park or National Trust places but don't offer the off-road performance of true all-terrain pushchairs.
Then there are the crossover models which are a fantastic combination of extreme off-road and high-street and offer excellent all-terrain capabilities with large wheels and a great suspension, but they're built more in a typical pushchair style with reversible seats as well as fully-equipped carrycots which means they can be used everyday. Brands like iCandy, Easywalker and Bugaboo have come up with some fantastic models to look at.
Wheels
If you reside in a rural area or frequently take your child on walks over rough ground an all-terrain pushchair becomes essential. These models have larger wheels that are mounted on the back than traditional pushchairs, which enables them to withstand bumpy terrain better and offer a smoother ride for your child. Some also have a robust suspension and puncture-proof models to ensure they're safe for use on grass, woodland or forest paths or gravel tracks, as well as market town cobbles.
Certain all-terrain pushchairs come with a lockable front wheel which provides additional stability when walking on rough terrain and on high kerbs. Some models have swivel wheels at the front that allow you to move the buggy with ease if you want to change direction or turn corners.
Most all-terrain pushchairs feature air-filled tyres which offer excellent shock absorption and are ideal for rough terrain but they're more prone to punctures than the solid EVA tyres found on city strollers, therefore it's a good idea to invest in an repair kit with spare tubes and a pump alongside your pushchair. Certain models have foam tyres that are less likely to puncture but could be more difficult to push.
The new Bugaboo Fox 5 pushchair is an excellent model of a stroller that includes both foam and air filled tyres. It also features a great suspension and large rear wheels that are puncture resistant and suitable for off-road usage or jogging (once your child reaches the appropriate age). The model is also suitable for children from birth and can be used with a carrycot or a lay-flat seat.
Another alternative is the iCandy Peach All-Terrain, which features large tyres as well as only a single steering wheel in the front. It's not as flexible as other all-terrain strollers on this list however, it is able to handle hilly terrain well and has a spacious one-handed fold that's great for long walks in the countryside or long journeys. It's also suitable from birth and comes with a large sun canopy that can be extended and some great parent-friendly features like a simple brake pedal with an adjustable handlebar as well as a generously sized basket.
Storage
There are excellent all-terrain pushchairs for parents who are looking to take their children off-road, but don't want to take on Ben Nevis. They offer the best of both. Look for one that has all-terrain capabilities, sturdy suspension and large puncture-proof wheels, yet is built in a traditional pushchair style with reversible seating and carrycot options.
UPPAbaby's popular Ridge all-terrain pushchair is an excellent example of this; it offers excellent suspension, a simple 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 side and a large, covered storage space. A hood that can be removed and cleaned with cool soapy water is a handy feature that will help keep mildew and mould from growing.
If you're going to be using your all-terrain pushchair off-road it's best to opt for air-filled tyres rather than those with grips made of rubber. They'll provide a more comfortable ride on rough terrain 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 is swivelable or has a quick-release facility so it can lock in place for greater stability.
To ensure that the fabric is in perfect condition, make sure they can be machine-washed. If not, spot cleaning with warm water and a little of soap gentle enough should be sufficient. Drying the fabric thoroughly outside will also help prevent mould and mildew from developing.
The majority of our 3 wheel all terrain pushchairs can be used from birth. Look for models with a fully lie-flat chair and reversible backrest that will allow you to use it from birth until your child is three years old. If you're planning to travel as a family of three, many are compatible with car seats thanks to the built-in adaptors. You can leave your car at home and use all-terrain strollers with fixed wheels for jogging, light or casual strolling. One example is the Delta Special Needs All-Terrain Jogger from Delichon available in various sizes of canvas and frame that can be used by children and adults.