3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair
If you're looking for a buggy to take on walks in the woods or strolls along the high-street, a pushchair that is all-terrain with excellent maneuverability is the perfect choice. These types typically have big 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 come with tyres which never flatten, usually comprised of foam.
Suspension
A truly all-terrain pushchair will have a good suspension which is specifically designed to be smooth on uneven ground and help your child to feel comfortable and at ease. The wheels are usually big and puncture-proof to protect against damage caused by sharp rocks or sharp sticks.
The larger tyres will also help you navigate more difficult terrains with ease, with some all-terrain pushchairs even offering different tyres you can switch between for different conditions. Certain all-terrain strollers feature an swivel wheel which can be locked to offer stability, or left unlocked to allow for greater manoeuvrability.
For additional security Certain all-terrain pushchairs have a handbrake that is lockable, which is more accessible to use with your free hand rather than using a traditional brake pedal to the side of the handlebars. This is a fantastic feature to have if you want to take on difficult terrain, particularly with children in the seat and a lot of shopping bags stashed beneath!
If you don't wish to go as far as an all-terrain pushchair, there are a lot of strollers that offer excellent - but not the ultimate off-road capabilities, and have great suspension and big wheels. These are typically cheaper than the more expensive full-on all-terrain buggy models, and will still be perfect for trips to the dog park or short walks around the countryside.
A lot of strollers are suitable for newborns and come with a carrycot or a car seat that is suitable for infants. Be aware, however, that when pushing over bumps and dips the seats aren't completely flat. As per EU regulations they only have to meet minimum standards for a recline of around 150 degrees. Certain brands, like Graco have gotten around this problem with their new 'comfitech' in-seat suspension which allows the seat to recline at a slightly flatter angle for a little more comfort. This feature is available on the Lila XP all-terrain pushchair which can be used with an appropriate Graco infant car seat to create a 3 in one travel system.
Seat
There is a variety of 3-wheeled all-terrain pushchairs available that provide a fantastic off-road capability. They are ideal if you live on the countryside or regularly walk on uneven, rough terrain. They are usually more durable and sturdy than a normal pushchair, with special features such as large puncture-proof wheels to deal with the toughest of surfaces. They can be quite large and may be difficult to maneuver in tight spaces or in the aisles of shops.
The seat of an all-terrain buggy could 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's fitted with foam-filled 'never flat' tyres to ensure smooth rides with dual frame suspension as well as luxurious padding in the seat, which provides excellent postural support and comfort. It also comes with a reclining mechanism, as well as an extended sun hood that can be extended that has integrated ventilation as well as an integrated pocket for smartphones.
Another option that is a great choice is the new Out 'n' About Nipper V5, a pushchair that's all-terrain that is a true trailblazer with an excellent suspension and tyres that are air-filled, so it can be used for jogging once your child is old enough. It also has an adjustable 360-degree swivel front wheel to allow for maneuverability, and an easy fold that's easy and quick. It's suitable from birth, and is compatible with an UPPAbaby infant car seat adaptor or carrycot (sold separately).
A lot of all-terrain pushchairs do not have an reversible seat, however the models like the Oyster 3, Venicci Tinum and egg 2 do have this option, and both provide a very good level of off-road capability and a decent weight limit for a two-year old. A lot of pushchairs are classified as all-rounders. This includes the iCandy Pear, Bugaboo Cameleon and others. They can handle rough terrain in parks or National Trust locations, but do not have the off-road capabilities of true all-terrain strollers.
There are also crossover models that are a good compromise between extreme off road and high street. They have big wheels, great suspension, and are designed in a pushchair design, and include reversible seating and carrycot options. lightweight 3 wheel stroller of the best ones are manufactured by companies like iCandy Easywalker and Bugaboo.
Wheels
If you reside in a rural area or take your child regularly on walks over rough ground an all-terrain pushchair becomes essential. These pushchairs typically have larger back wheels than standard pushchairs, making them better in handling rough off-road terrain, and ensuring a smooth ride for your child. They also have sturdy suspension and puncture-proof versions to ensure they're safe for use on grass, woodland or paths through the forest as well as gravel tracks and town cobbles.
Some all-terrain pushchairs also feature a lockable front wheel which gives additional stability when walking on rough terrain and over high kerbs. Some models have swivel wheels at the front that allow you to move the buggy more easily if you want to change direction or turn corners.
All-terrain strollers come with air-filled tyres which are ideal for dealing with rough terrain. However they are more susceptible to punctures than the solid EVA tyres that are found on light city strollers. It is therefore recommended to purchase a repair kit and spare inner tube with your pushchair. Some models come with foam tyres which are less prone to puncture but could be more difficult to push.
The brand new Bugaboo Fox 5 pushchair is a great model of a stroller that has both foam and air filled tyres. It also comes with a fantastic suspension and large rear wheels that are puncture proof 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 lie-flat seat.
The iCandy Peach All-Terrain is another option. It has big tyres, a single steering wheel at the front, and huge tyres. It's not as flexible as the other all-terrain pushchairs on this list, but it can cope well with the terrain that is hilly and has an expansive one-handed fold that is great if you're going to use the pushchair for long walks or excursions to the countryside. It's also suitable for children from birth and has a huge, extendable sun canopy as well as a number of fantastic features for parents like a simple brake pedal and a movable handlebar, as well as a large sized basket.
Stores
For parents that want to take their children off-road, but don't want to commit to taking on Ben Nevis, there are top all-terrain pushchairs that provide the best of both worlds. 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 full carrycot options.
UPPAbaby's well-known Ridge all-terrain pushchair is an excellent example of this. It offers excellent suspension, a simple fold, and a large 10kg basket, but it also comes with features for parents that are child-friendly, like an adjustable handlebar, a 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 another useful feature that can help keep mildew and mould from growing.
If you're going to be using your all-terrain pushchair off-road, it's worth opting for air-filled tyres rather than those with rubber grips. They'll provide a smoother ride over rough terrain and make it easier to navigate in tight spaces. If you plan to use your all-terrain pushchair for jogging, ensure that the front wheel can be rotated or has a quick-release facility to lock it in place for greater stability.
To keep the fabrics in pristine condition, it's important to make sure they can be machine-washed. If not, spot cleaning with warm water and a bit of soap gentle enough should be sufficient. The fabric can be dried completely outside to avoid mold or mildew.
Most of our 3 wheeled all terrain pushchairs can be used from the time of birth. You should look for models that have a fully lying-flat seat with a reversible backrest. This allows you to use the pushchair from birth until your child reaches around three years old. If you want to travel with your family of three, many are compatible with car seats due to the built-in adaptors. If you'd rather leave the car at home, there are some all-terrain pushchairs with fixed front wheels which are ideal for a casual stroll or jogging light like the Delta Special Needs all-terrain jogger from Delichon which comes in a variety of frame and canvas sizes to fit adults and children.
