The Secret Secrets Of 3 Wheel Compact Stroller
3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person in search of an jogging stroller, or simply need a stroller for use in everyday life, there's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, as well test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The most effective strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child much easier. If you're shopping for a new 3 wheeled pushchairs-wheel stroller or 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as large storage baskets and a tray for parents with cup holders, a movable canopy and more. The most important thing is to determine which features are essential to you and your family and which ones you're able to live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a variety of useful features to keep moms and dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade in our testing group, with a clear window at the top to let children peek out while they're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, so bumps in the road did not bother him.
This jogging stroller also has an automatic hand brake that can help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It can be folded into a compact, slim package that takes only a tiny space in your trunk. It is also possible to convert it to a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers that will be used on terrains that are rough. Solid tires are not as comfortable as spongy or air-filled tires but they're great for navigating bumps and potholes.
This stroller is a jogging model and comes with a fold that takes just two steps. It locks in place when folded and is compact enough to fit in the majority of elevators. It's not as easy than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism can be a bit confusing. It requires pressing an arrow near the foot area at the front of stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is a crucial aspect to consider. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for everyday use.
The type and size of the wheels is an important feature. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as those for jogging, which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. However, larger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller which can make it harder to fold, transport, and store.
Some models in our selection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to offer a safe and comfortable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily get flat which will require you to change them out. If you intend to travel frequently with your stroller, we suggest an option with sturdy tires that can withstand regular contact with various surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we advise using it only when your child is safely strapped into the seat and is close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as complete travel systems where the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. These products are often more expensive and convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and could not last in the long-term. In addition many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle product because it may not include all the features they want or may turn out to not be compatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We recommend you choose a stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you wish to upgrade to a higher-end model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best compact 3 wheel strollers fold easily and put away. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families that frequently use public transportation or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that give a more comfortable ride for your baby and can be particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the car seat adapters for Nuna, Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into position when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3 wheel baby stroller-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. It's a bit more expensive than our top choices, but it's well worth the money if you love to travel or live in a city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a compact 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, padding on the harness. It can also be used as a pram for newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a great product with some nice features. It has a spacious recline, and also comes with storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied by its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it's reclining, and there's no cup holders or a snack tray for kids. The brakes are also a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for a lot of moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as possible without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It's equipped with a lengthy list of features that are impressive like a huge basket and a one handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes may be a bit difficult to engage and do not remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should assist in keeping your child secure during use. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness with adjustable and padded straps for the crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is especially important for jogging walkers, as it prevents them from tumbling over while walking up and down stairs and escalators.
In our tests, we evaluated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: the product's ability to bounce and turn over bumps and dips, its ease of maneuvering when loaded with a child and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest, handlebar height and brakes, and then attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that some 3 wheel running stroller-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than the 4-wheel models However, this advantage decreases as baby gets heavier. This is why we recommend the model with hand brakes, which allows you to slow down and come to a stop without as much exertion as using body power alone. However, many of the top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not have this option and only one of our top fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It is important to think about how often you'll be required to utilize your stroller to go up and down stairs or escalators, and if it is safe to do so. Stairs and elevators are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these hazards, like an elevator, if you can or have another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken up a set or stairs with the safety brake engaged. But it's safer to be safe rather than regretting.
