3 Wheel All Terrain Pushchair
A pushchair that is all-terrain and offers outstanding maneuverability will work whether you are searching for a buggy for woodland walks or a stroll on the high street. These models usually have large wheels and have a powerful suspension to ensure smooth rides over rough terrain and bumps.
Most are suitable from birth and come with a lie-flat seat or newborn carrycot. These vehicles also have tyres that never flatten, usually made of foam.
Suspension
A quality all-terrain pushchair should have an excellent suspension that has been designed to be smooth and comfortable on rough terrain. This will help your child feel relaxed and comfortable. The wheels are typically large and puncture-proof, preventing damage from sharp rocks or sharp sticks.
The larger tyres can enable you tackle more difficult terrains with ease, with some all-terrain pushchairs even having different tyres you can switch between to suit different conditions. Depending on what kind of terrain you like to explore Some all-terrain pushchairs come with an adjustable front wheel that can be locked for stability, or unlocked to allow for more maneuverability when needed.
Some all-terrain strollers come with a lockable brake handbrake that is easier to reach by hand. This is better than a traditional pedal on the handlebars. This is a fantastic feature to have if you want to climb up steep hills, especially with children in the seat and a lot of shopping bags stashed beneath!
If you don't want go as far as an all-terrain pushchair, there are plenty of strollers available that are very well-built, but not perfect - off-road capabilities, and have great suspension and large wheels. They are usually cheaper than the more expensive full-on all-terrain buggy models but are ideal for trips to the park with the dog or short walks around the countryside.
Many of these pushchairs are suitable starting at birth, either with the carrycot or a newborn-ready car seat. Be aware that the seats will not lay flat when pushing over bumps or dips. As per EU regulations, they must meet minimum standards of an incline of about 150deg. Graco has solved this issue with its new 'comfitech in-seat suspension' which allows the seat to recline to a more comfortable angle to provide a little more comfort. This feature is available on the Lila XP all-terrain pushchair which can be used with an compatible Graco infant car seat to create a 3- in one travel system.
Seat
There are a wide range of all-terrain pushchairs with three wheels available, which offer a superb off road capability. These are ideal if you reside in the countryside or walk on rough, uneven ground. These are more robust and durable than a standard pushchair. They come with special features such as large puncture-proof tires to handle the most difficult surfaces. They tend to be quite large, which means they can be tricky to manoeuvre in tight spaces or aisles in shops.
The seat on an all-terrain buggy could be a parent or world facing and will grow with your child from infant to toddler (it's suitable for children as young as 6 months). It comes with 'never flat' foam-filled tyres that provide a smooth ride. It also comes with dual frame suspension with luxurious padding, as well as an adjustable seat that provides excellent postural support. It also features a recline mechanism, as well as an expansive sun hood that extends that has integrated ventilation as well as a pocket for your smart phone.
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 excellent suspension and air-filled tyres, so it can be used to run once your child reaches the appropriate age. It also has the ability to lock the front 360 swivel wheel that allows for manoeuvrability and a one-handed fold that's super quick and simple. It's suitable for babies 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 an reversible seat, however the models like the Oyster 3, Venicci Tinum and egg 2 do offer this option, and both provide a very good level of off-road capability and an adequate weight limit for a two-year old. There are many pushchairs that are classed as all-rounders, such as the iCandy Pear and Bugaboo Cameleon which are very good with the rough terrain found in park or National Trust places but don't have quite the off-road capability of all-terrain pushchairs.
There are also crossover models, which are a great alternative to extreme off-road and high-street and have great all-terrain capability with large wheels and a great suspension but they're designed more in the typical pushchair style, with reversible seats and fully-equipped carrycots and can be used on a daily basis. Brands like iCandy, Easywalker and Bugaboo have created some great ones to look at.
Wheels
If you reside in a rural area or regularly take your baby for walks on rough terrain an all-terrain pushchair becomes essential. These models have bigger wheels that are mounted on the back than normal pushchairs, allowing them to withstand rough terrain better and provide a smoother ride for your child. Many also come with a robust suspension and puncture-proof models so that they're suitable for use on woodland, grass or trails, gravel tracks and market town cobbles.
Some all-terrain strollers also have a lockable wheel on the front which provides extra stability when walking on rough terrain or on high kerbs. Some have swivel wheels on the front that let you maneuver the buggy more easily when you are changing direction or turning corners.
All-terrain strollers have air-filled tyres which are ideal for dealing with rough terrain. However they are more prone to punctures than the solid EVA tyres that are found on light city strollers. It's worth buying a repair kit and spare inner tube to go with your pushchair. Some all-terrain models have foam tyres that are less susceptible to punctures but aren't as effective in taking in shock and could be more difficult to push than air-filled tyres.
The brand new Bugaboo Fox 5 is a great example of a child's pushchair with both foam-filled and air-filled tyres, an excellent suspension system, and large rear puncture-proof wheels which are ideal for off-road or running (once your child is old enough). This model is also suitable from birth and can be used in conjunction with a carrycot or a lay-flat seat.
Another alternative is the iCandy Peach All-Terrain, which has large tyres and has one steering wheel at the front. It's not as pliable as some of the other all-terrain pushchairs listed on this list but it does handle hilly terrain and has an expansive one-handed fold that is great if you're going to be using the pushchair for long walks or trips into the countryside. It's also suitable for babies and comes with a large sun canopy that can be extended and a host of great features for parents, such as a brake pedal that is easy to use and a movable handlebar, as well as a large spacious basket.
Storage
For parents that would like to take their children off-road but don't necessarily fancy taking on Ben Nevis, there are some top all-terrain pushchairs that offer the best of both worlds. Choose a model that has an excellent all-terrain capability, solid suspension, and large puncture-proof wheels, but built in the traditional pushchair style, with reversible seats and full carrycot options.
UPPAbaby’s popular Ridge all-terrain pushchair is a good illustration. It comes with a fantastic suspension and a single-hand fold and a large basket that can support up to 10kg. However, it also has numerous features that are suitable for parents, such as an adjustable handlebar and a hand-operated break on the right. The hood can be removed and washed using cool soapy-water to keep out mould and mildew.
If you're planning on taking your all-terrain pushchair off-road it's best to opt for air-filled tyres, rather than ones with rubber grips. They will give you a smoother ride over rough terrain and will make it easier to navigate through tight spaces. If you plan to use your all terrain pushchair for occasional jogging make sure that the front wheel can be swivelable or has a quick release feature to lock it into position for better stability.
It's important to check the fabric of your pushchair to ensure it can be machine washed to maintain them in pristine condition. If not, a spot cleaning using soapy water and some warm water should be sufficient. The fabric can be dried thoroughly outside to avoid mould or mildew.
Most of our 3 wheeled all terrain pushchairs can be used from the time of birth. Find models with an all-flat seat that is fully lie-flat and a reversible rearrest that will allow you to use it from birth all the way to when your child is about three years old. 3 wheeled pushchair are compatible with car seat adapters if you're traveling as a three-person family. You can leave your car at home and use all-terrain strollers with fixed wheels for casual jogging or light strolling. One such example is the Delta Special Needs All-Terrain Jogger from Delichon, which comes in a variety of frame and canvas sizes that are suitable for children as well as adults.