If you’re looking for a buggy to tackle woodland walks or strolls on the high street, a pushchair that is all-terrain with a great maneuverability will be an ideal choice. These models are usually equipped with large wheels and a suspension system that provides a smooth ride on rough terrain.
Most are suitable from birth and come with a lie-flat baby seat or a baby carrycot. They are also typically fitted with foam-filled tyres that are never flat to help with maintenance.
Suspension
A truly all-terrain pushchair will have good suspension which is designed to be extremely smooth on rough ground and help your child to be comfortable and calm. The wheels should also be large and will usually have a puncture-proof design to protect against damage caused by sharp sticks or rocks.
Some all-terrain strollers offer the option to switch between different tyres to suit the conditions. Some all-terrain strollers have an swivel wheel that can be locked to provide stability or unlocked to permit greater manoeuvrability.
Certain all-terrain strollers have an adjustable brake handbrake that locks and is easy to reach with your free hand. This is superior to the traditional pedal that is located on the handlebars. This is a great feature to have if you like to tackle the steep slopes, especially with a child in the seat and a lot of shopping bags stashed beneath!
There are many strollers that have decent off-road capability but aren’t the most powerful. They also have big wheels and excellent suspension. They are generally less expensive than full-on all terrain buggy options and will still work well for short country walks or trips to the park.
A lot of strollers are suitable for babies and come with a carrycot or car seat that is ready for infants. Be aware, however, that when it comes to pushing over bumps and dips, the seats will not lie completely flat. According to EU regulations they only have to meet minimum standards for a reclined position of around 150deg. Certain brands, such as Graco, have overcome this with their new ‘comfitech’ in-seat suspension which allows the seat to recline at a slightly flatter angle to provide a bit more comfort. This feature is available on the Lila XP all-terrain pushchair which can be used in conjunction with a compatible Graco infant car seat to create a 3 wheeler pushchair off road in one travel system.
Seat
There’s a whole range of 3 wheel buggy for sale-wheel all-terrain pushchairs available, offering a superb off-road capability. They are perfect for those who live in the countryside or regularly walk on uneven, rough ground. They are often more robust and sturdy than a regular pushchair, and come with features such as large puncture-proof wheels to withstand the toughest of surfaces. They are usually quite wide, and may be difficult to maneuver in narrow spaces or through aisles in shops.
The seat of an all-terrain buggy may be facing the world or towards the parent and will grow 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 a smooth ride with dual frame suspension, as well as lavish padding inside the seat that provides great postural support and comfort. It features a recline feature and comes with an enormous hood that can be extended with integrated venting, as well as a pocket for a smartphone.
The brand new Out ‘n’ About Nipper V5 is another excellent choice. It’s an all-terrain stroller that’s an innovator. It comes with a fantastic suspension and air-filled tyres so it’s suitable to jog once your child reaches the appropriate age. It features an adjustable 360-degree locking front wheel that allows for easy maneuverability and a quick one-handed folding. 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 a reversible seat, but the likes of the Oyster 3 wheel stroller brands, Venicci Tinum and egg 2 do come with this option and both offer a very good level of off-road performance, and also have an adequate weight limit for a 2-year old. There are also many pushchairs that are classed as all-rounders, like the iCandy Pear and Bugaboo Cameleon that are able to cope with rough terrain at the park or National Trust places but don’t offer the off-road performance of genuine all-terrain pushchairs.
There are also crossover models that offer an excellent compromise between off road and high street. They have large wheels, excellent suspension, and are built in a pushchair-style, with reversible seating and carrycot options. The best models are made by brands like iCandy Easywalker and Bugaboo.
Wheels
If you reside in a rural location or take your child regularly on walks over rough ground an all-terrain pushchair becomes essential. These models usually have larger back wheels than regular pushchairs which makes them better in handling rough off-road terrain, and ensuring a smooth ride for your child. Many also come with a sturdy suspension and puncture-proof versions to ensure they’re safe for use on woodland, grass or trails or gravel tracks, as well as market town cobbles.
Certain all-terrain pushchairs have front wheels that lock, which provides additional stability when walking on rough terrain and on high kerbs. Some have swivel wheels on the front that allow you to move the buggy more easily in case you want to change direction or turn corners.
All-terrain strollers have air-filled tyres that are excellent for rough terrain. However they are more susceptible to punctures to punctures than the EVA tyres found on lightweight city strollers. It’s therefore worth purchasing a repair kit and spare inner tube along with your pushchair. Certain models have foam tyres which are less likely to puncture, but might be more difficult to push.
The new Bugaboo Fox 5 pushchair is an excellent model of a stroller which includes both foam and air filled tyres. It also has a great suspension and large rear facing 3 wheel stroller wheels that are puncture resistant and suitable for off-road use or jogging (once your child reaches the appropriate age). This model can also be used as a baby with a carrycot as well as a lying-flat chair.
Another alternative is the iCandy Peach All-Terrain, which comes with large tyres and one steering wheel at the front. It’s not as flexible as some of the other all-terrain pushchairs listed on this list, but it does perform well on the terrain that is hilly and has an ample one-handed fold, which is perfect if you’re planning to be using the pushchair for long walks or excursions to the countryside. It’s also suitable for infants and has a spacious canopy that can be extended with an adjustable handlebar and a hugely-sized basket.
Stores
For parents that would like to take their child off-road, but don’t want to commit to tackling Ben Nevis, there are some top all-terrain pushchairs that give you the best of both worlds. Choose a model that has excellent all-terrain capabilities, durable suspension, and large puncture-proof wheels, but built in a more traditional pushchair design with reversible seats and full carrycot options.
The UPPAbaby’s bestselling Ridge all-terrain pushchair is a perfect example of this; it offers excellent suspension, an easy one-handed fold, and a large 10kg basket, but it also comes with parent-friendly features including an adjustable handlebar, hand-operated brake on the right-hand side and a huge covered storage space. The hood can be removed and washed with cool soapy-water to avoid mould or mildew.
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 uneven ground and will be more maneuverable in tight spaces. If you plan to use your all-terrain stroller for occasional jogging, ensure that the front wheel can swivel or has a quick release facility so it can be locked in place to give you more stability.
It is important to verify that the fabric of your pushchair to ensure it can be machine washed to maintain them in good condition. If not, a spot cleaning using soapy water and warm water should suffice. Drying the fabric thoroughly outside can also prevent the growth of mould and mildew.
The majority of our three wheeled all terrain pushchairs can be used from birth. Choose models that have a fully lie-flat seat and a reversible rearrest that will allow you to use it from birth until your child is about three years old. Many of them are compatible with car seat adapters when you’re traveling with a three-person family. You can leave your car at home and use all-terrain strollers that have a fixed wheel for casual jogging or light strolling. One example is the Delta Special Needs All-Terrain Jogger from Delichon, which comes in various sizes for the frame and canvas that are suitable for children as well as adults.