3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair
Whether you're looking for a buggy to take on woodland walks or strolls along the high-street, a pushchair that is all-terrain with a great maneuverability will be a great choice. These types typically have big wheels and have a powerful suspension to ensure smooth riding over bumps and rough ground.
The majority of them are suitable from birth and come with a lie-flat seat or newborn carrycot. They also have foam-filled never-flat tyres to reduce maintenance.
Suspension
A true all-terrain pushchair will have an excellent suspension that has been designed to be smooth and comfortable on rough terrain. This will make your child to feel comfortable and at ease. The wheels are typically large and puncture-proof to protect against injury from sharp rocks or sharp sticks.
Some all-terrain strollers offer the option to switch between additional tyres for different conditions. Certain all-terrain strollers feature an swivel wheel which can be locked to offer stability, or left unlocked to permit greater maneuverability.
Certain all-terrain strollers have an adjustable brake handbrake that locks and is easier to reach by hand. This is more convenient than the traditional pedal that is located on the handlebars. This is an excellent feature to have in case you prefer to take on difficult terrain, particularly with children in the seat and a lot of shopping bags tucked away under!
There are many strollers that offer decent off-road capability but aren't the most powerful. They also have large wheels and excellent suspension. These are typically cheaper than the more expensive full-on all-terrain buggy models but are perfectly suitable for trips to the dog park or short walks around the countryside.
Many of these strollers are suitable for infants with either an infant carrycot or a car seat that is ready for infants. Be aware that these seats won't lie flat when pushing over bumps or dips. According to EU regulations, they only need to meet minimum standards of a reclining angle of around 150deg. Certain brands, like Graco, have overcome this problem with their new "comfitech" suspension in the seat that allows the seat to recline at a slightly more flatter angle for a bit more comfort. This feature is available on the Lila XP All-Terrain Pushchair, that can be used in conjunction with the Graco Infant Car Seat to create a 3-in-1 travel system.
Seat
There is a variety of 3-wheeled all-terrain pushchairs available, which offer a superb off-road capabilities. These are ideal if you reside in the countryside or regularly take a walk on uneven, rough terrain. They are usually more durable and sturdy than a normal pushchair, with special features such as large wheels that can withstand punctures to deal with the toughest of surfaces. They tend to be quite wide and can be difficult to maneuver through narrow spaces or in aisles of shops.
All-terrain buggy seats can be placed either with the parent or facing. They grow with your child from newborn to toddler. It's outfitted with foam-filled "never flat' tyres for smooth rides, dual frame suspension and luxurious padding in the seat that provides great postural support and comfort. It also has a reclining feature and comes with an extended hood that is large with integrated venting, as well as an area for a smartphone.
Another option that is a great choice is the new Out 'n' About Nipper V5, an all-terrain pushchair that's a true trailblazer, with a great suspension and air-filled tyres, making it suitable for jogging when your child is old enough. It also comes with a 360 swivel lockable front wheel to allow for maneuverability, and a one-handed fold that's super quick and simple. It's suitable for babies for babies from birth and is compatible with an adaptor for the UPPAbaby infant car seat or carrycot (sold separately).
Many all-terrain pushchairs don't have an reversible seat, however the models like the Oyster 3, Venicci Tinum and egg 2 do offer this option and both offer a very good level of off-road performance and have an acceptable weight limit for a two-year old. Many pushchairs are categorized as all-rounders. These include the iCandy Pear, Bugaboo Cameleon and others. They can handle rough terrain in parks and National Trust locations, but don't have the off-road capabilities as real all-terrain strollers.
There are also crossover models that are an excellent compromise between off-road and high-street. They come with big wheels, great suspension, and are designed in a pushchair-style, with an option for reversible seating and a carrycot. Brands such as iCandy, Easywalker and Bugaboo have produced some excellent models to take a look at.
Wheels
All-terrain pushchairs are essential when you live in a rural area or take your child for regular walks through rough terrain. These models usually have bigger back wheels than standard pushchairs, which makes them more adept in handling rough off-road terrains and ensuring an easy ride for your child. A lot of models also have a durable suspension and are puncture-proof. They can be used on woodland paths and forest paths, as well as gravel roads and market town cobbles.
Certain all-terrain strollers feature a lockable wheel on the front, which gives extra stability while walking over rough terrain or over high kerbs. Some have swivel wheels on the front which allows you to move the buggy more easily in case you want to change direction or turn corners.
Most all-terrain pushchairs feature air-filled tyres, which provide excellent shock absorption and are ideal for rough terrain, however they're more susceptible to punctures than solid EVA tyres used on city strollers that are light, so it's worth buying an repair kit, spare inner tube and pump to go with your pushchair. Some all-terrain models feature foam tyres that are less prone to punctures but aren't as good at absorbing shock and may feel harder to push than tyres with air filled.
The brand new Bugaboo Fox 5 is a excellent example of a pushchair with both air and foam-filled tyres, a great suspension system and large rear puncture-proof wheels that are ideal for off-road or running (once your child is old enough). The model is also suitable for babies and can be used with a carrycot or a lie-flat chair.
The iCandy Peach All-Terrain is another option. It has big tyres, a single steering wheel at the front and large tyres. It is not as flexible as the other strollers that are all-terrain however it can manage hilly terrain and features a large one-handed fold that's great for long walks in the countryside or long trips. It's also suitable from birth and comes with a large sun canopy that can be extended and a host of great features for parents, like a simple brake pedal and a movable handlebar, as well as a large 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 are the best of both. Choose a model that has an excellent all-terrain capability, solid suspension and large puncture-proof wheels, but built in a more traditional pushchair design, with reversible seats and all carrycot options.
UPPAbaby's popular Ridge all-terrain pushchair is a great example of this. It offers excellent suspension, a simple fold and a generous 10kg basket, but it also comes with features that are suitable for parents, such as an adjustable handlebar, a hand-operated brake on the right and a large covered storage space. A hood that can be removed and then brushed down with cool soapy water is another useful feature that can help keep mildew and mould from building up.
If you intend 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 uneven ground and be easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces. If you intend to use your all terrain pushchair to jog occasionally, ensure that the front wheel is swivelable or has a quick-release feature so it can lock in place for more stability.
To ensure that the fabric is in pristine condition, it's important to make sure they can be machine-washed. If not, a spot cleaning using soapy water and some warm water should suffice. Drying three wheel pushchair can also prevent mildew and mould from forming.
Most of our 3 wheeled all terrain pushchairs are able to be used from the time of birth. You should look for models that have an all-flat, fully-reclining seat with a reversible backrest. This will allow you to use the pushchair from birth until your child is around three years old. If you want to travel as a family of three, there are plenty of models that are compatible with car seats due to the built-in adaptors. If you'd rather leave the car at home, there are all-terrain pushchairs with a fixed front wheel that are perfect for casual strolls or jogging for a short distance like the Delta Special Needs all-terrain jogger from Delichon which comes in a range of frame and canvas sizes to suit children and adults.