3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair
If you're looking for a buggy to tackle woodland walks or strolls on the high street, a pushchair that is all-terrain with excellent manoeuvrability will be a great fit. These models typically have large wheels and a surprisingly strong suspension for smooth rides over bumps and rough ground.
Many are suitable for babies and include seats that can be set on a flat surface or a baby carrycot. These vehicles also have tyres that never flatten, and are usually composed from foam.
Suspension
A true all terrain pushchair will have good suspension, designed to be extremely smooth on rough terrain which allows your child to be comfortable and calm. The wheels are usually big and puncture-proof to prevent injuries from sharp rocks or sharp sticks.
The larger tyres will also help you tackle more difficult terrains easily Some all-terrain pushchairs even offering additional tyres to switch between for different conditions. Certain all-terrain strollers feature a swivel wheel that can be locked to give stability or unlocked to allow for greater manoeuvrability.
To give you added security, some all-terrain pushchairs will have a handbrake that is lockable, which is easier to reach and use with your hands free instead of a traditional brake pedal to the side of the handlebars. This is a fantastic feature if you are a fan of steep hills.
There are many strollers that offer decent off-road capability however they are not the best. They also have large wheels and excellent suspension. They tend to be cheaper than full-on all-terrain buggy models and can work well for short country walks or trips to the park.
3 wheel buggy of these pushchairs are suitable for babies from birth, whether with the carrycot or a newborn-ready car seat. Be aware that the seats do not lie flat when pushing over bumps or dips. As per EU regulations, they have to meet minimum requirements of an incline of about 150deg. Graco has solved this issue with its new 'comfitech in-seat suspension' that lets the seat to recline at a more rounded angle to provide a little 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 variety of 3-wheel all-terrain pushchairs to choose from, offering a superb off-road performance. These are perfect if you live on the countryside or walk regularly on rough, uneven terrain. They are often more robust and durable than a standard pushchair, and have special features such as large wheels that can withstand punctures to deal with the toughest of surfaces. They can be quite wide and can be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces or in aisles of shops.
All-terrain buggy seat can be placed either in the direction of parents or world facing. They grow with your child from newborn to toddler. It has 'never-flat' foam-filled tires that offer a comfortable ride. It also comes with dual frame suspension, luxurious padding and a seat unit with excellent postural support. It features a recline feature, as well as an enormous hood that can be extended, integrated venting and pockets for smartphones.
The new Out 'n' About Nipper V5 is a great option. It's an all-terrain stroller that's a trailblazer. It has great suspension and air-filled tyres, so it's able to run once your child reaches the appropriate age. It features an adjustable 360-degree locking front wheel that allows for ease of maneuverability and one-handed folding. It's suitable for babies from birth and can be combined with an UPPAbaby car seat or infant car seat adaptors (sold separately).
There are a lot of all-terrain strollers that don't offer the option of a reversible seating. However, the Oyster 3, Venicci Tanum and egg 2, which come with this option, have a good weight limit as well as a high level of off-road capability. A lot of pushchairs are categorized as all-rounders. This includes the iCandy Pear, Bugaboo Cameleon and a few others. They can navigate rough terrain in parks and National Trust locations, but lack the off-road capabilities of real all-terrain strollers.
There are also crossover models that are a great compromise between extreme off-road and high-street and offer excellent all-terrain capabilities with large wheels and great suspension but they're designed more in a typical pushchair style, with reversible seats and full carrycot options which means they are suitable for use on a daily basis. Some of the best ones are made by brands like iCandy Easywalker and Bugaboo.
Wheels
All-terrain pushchairs are essential if you live in the countryside or take your child on regular walks through rough terrain. These models have bigger wheels on the back than traditional pushchairs, which enables them to deal with bumpy terrain better and offer a smoother ride for your child. Many models also have a robust suspension that is puncture-proof, which means they can be used on woodland paths or forest paths, gravel roads and market town cobbles.
Certain all-terrain pushchairs have an adjustable front wheel that gives more 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 more easily in case you want to change direction or turn corners.
All-terrain strollers feature air-filled tyres that are great for dealing with rough terrain. However, they are more prone than the solid EVA tyres that are found on light city strollers. It's therefore worth purchasing an repair kit and spare inner tube along with your pushchair. Some all-terrain models have foam tyres, which are less prone to punctures but aren't as effective in absorbing shock and may be harder to push than tyres filled with air.
The brand new Bugaboo Fox 5 is a good example of a pushchair with both foam-filled and air-filled tyres, a great suspension system and large wheels that are puncture-proof at the rear. They are ideal for off-road or running (once your child is old enough). The model is also suitable for children from birth and can be used in conjunction with a carrycot or a lay-flat seat.
The iCandy Peach All-Terrain is another alternative. It has large tires, a single steering wheel in the front and big tyres. It's not as flexible as other strollers that are all-terrain however it can be able to handle terrain that is hilly and features a large, one-handed fold that is great for long walks in the countryside, or long journeys. It's also suitable for children from birth and has a large, extendable sun canopy as well as a number of fantastic features for parents including an easy-to-use brake pedal with an adjustable handlebar as well as a generously big basket.
Stores
Parents who want to take their child off-road but don't necessarily fancy climbing Ben Nevis, there are top all-terrain pushchairs that give you the best of both worlds. Find a model that has good all-terrain capabilities, sturdy suspension and large puncture proof wheels, but is designed in a traditional pushchair style with reversible seating as well as full carrycot options.
The UPPAbaby's bestselling Ridge all-terrain pushchair is an excellent illustration of this. It has a great suspension, a simple 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. A hood that can be removed and then brushed down with cool soapy water is a helpful feature that can prevent mildew and mould from forming.
If you're planning on using your all-terrain pushchair off-road it's a good idea to choose air-filled tyres instead of ones with rubber grips. These will give a smoother ride on rough terrain and are easier to maneuver in tight spaces. If you are planning to use your all terrain pushchair for jogging, ensure that the front wheel is swivelable or has a quick release feature to lock it in place for more stability.
It is important to verify that the fabric of the pushchair is machine washed to ensure they are in good condition. If not, a spot cleaning with warm soapy water and some warm water should be sufficient. Drying the fabric thoroughly outdoors will also help to prevent mildew and mould from forming.
Most of our 3 wheeled all terrain pushchairs are able to be used from the time of birth. It is recommended to look for models with an all-flat, fully-reclining seat with a reversible backrest. This allows you to use the pushchair from the moment your baby is born until your child is around three years old. If you want to travel as a family of three, many are compatible with car seats thanks to built-in adaptors. You can leave your car at home and use all-terrain strollers that have a fixed wheel for light jogging or casual strolling. One example is the Delta Special Needs All-Terrain Jogger from Delichon, which comes in various sizes of canvas and frame that suit both children and adults.