The Hidden Secrets Of 3 Wheel Compact Stroller
3 wheel jogger stroller Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast seeking a jogging stroller or just need a stroller for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller out there for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry tested these models to the test on road surfaces and off-road ones. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that make life on the go with your little one more comfortable. Whether you're shopping for a new 3 wheel baby stroller-wheel or 4-wheel stroller, look for convenience features like large storage baskets, parent tray with cup holders, adjustable canopy, and more. It's important to determine what features are important to you and your family and which you can do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features to keep moms and dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights, and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder features the biggest sunshade of the strollers we tested, and a glass window at the top allows children to see out when they are resting. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable cushion, so bumps in the road did not cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller has the handbrake to help keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds down to a slim, compact package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can be converted into a travel system with select infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must for any stroller. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect for navigating potholes and bumps easily.
The stroller folds down in just two steps. It locks into place when folded, and is small enough to fit in the majority of elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism for locking is a bit confusing. It involves clicking a button on the front of the stroller, opening a flap that is located near the foot area, and then lifting the handle. We'd like to see a simpler system where it just clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is an important consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. However, many parents discover that a lighter stroller is more maneuverable and more suitable for use in everyday situations.
Another important feature of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Some strollers have larger wheels, like jogging ones that can make the ride smoother for your baby. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it difficult to fold and store, transport and fold.
Some models in our selection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can easily become flat, which will require you to change them out. If you are planning to take your stroller on the road a lot, we recommend you purchase a model with solid wheels. These tires are able to endure contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller injuries. They can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid using the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we suggest using it only when your child is securely strapped in the seat. Keep them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers come as an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat and the stroller. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and provide convenience by reducing shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their standalone counterparts and may not function in the long term. In addition many parents regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not come with all of the features they want or could turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's seat. If you want to upgrade your product in the future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller that is separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and store. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transportation or drive prior to taking a a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that provide an easier stroll for your child and can be particularly useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that doesn't weigh you down, the Guava Roam Crossover is an excellent option. It's a stylish stroller which can be used as a travel set-up with the matching car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller features an easy two-step fold that can be locked once it is it is opened.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but worth it if you travel often or live in a city. The stroller is lightweight and can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.twin 3 wheel stroller x 7.1) and has a padded, adjustable, five-point no-rethread harness and an ample basket. It can be used as a pram for newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen offers some great features, like an ample recline and additional storage, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when it is reclining and there's no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes are also difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without losing comfort or ease of use. It has a long list of amazing features including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to engage, and they're not locked after the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should help to keep your child safe during use. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and padded crotch straps. This allows for a customised fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that shields your child's head if they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers are equipped with the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is particularly important for those who run, since they are less likely to fall over when going up and down escalators or stairs.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was rated in three different ways. We scored it based on a product's ability to bounce and turn when bumps or dips are encountered and its comfort with a child in it, and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting the height of its backrest and handlebar and operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that some 3 wheel Push chair-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than the 4-wheel models however this benefit diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. That's why we recommend choosing the model with a hand brake, which assists you in slowing down and stop without as much exertion as using body power alone. However, many of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't have this option and only one of our top fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It's important to consider the frequency that you will have to take your stroller up the stairs or an escalator, and whether or not it's safe to do it with the stroller still in place. Escalators and stairs present more of a hazard due to the fact that they move mechanical parts, making it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. If you can choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having another adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken up a set of stairs or a set with their safety brake engaged. However, it's better to be safe than sorry.