What to Look For in an All-Terrain Pram
If you like being outdoors, you will need a stroller that can handle rough terrain. The best all-terrain strollers come with large, air-filled tires and suspension built-in for an easy ride.
The majority fold bigger and bulkier. A lot of them are compatible with infant car seats but make sure to consult your pediatrician before. Some seats recline flat and come with an open-air seat.
Features
All-terrain strollers are designed to be as comfortable as is possible for both the child as well as the parent. To make sure that this happens, you'll need to ensure that the suspension is smooth, and there's enough space in the seat to accommodate a large, padded cushion. It is important to ensure that the seat is able to recline flat and that your child's feet are still in the air. This will give them more comfort during long hikes through a mountain that is rocky and stop them from becoming cold.
You should also make sure that the stroller you purchase comes with a canopy. You don't want your child to get burned during a hike. It's a good idea look for an umbrella that has an open space that can be adjusted to meet your needs, or that can be removed to offer some protection during certain weather conditions. Your all-terrain stroller should have a 5-point safety harness to secure the child and prevent them from falling.
The all-terrain pushchair you choose should come with plenty of storage space as well. Most will have a fairly sized shopping basket underneath the seat, and a few will also have front and rear mesh pockets. They can be a handy place to store things such as keys and mobile phones.
Most all-terrain strollers are good for walking, hiking and even some light running (check the product guidelines to determine whether this is a recommended use). These prams may be more expensive, but because they are designed to handle rough terrain, you can rest assured that they will last a lot longer. Some have additional features, like changing facilities or a newborn cocoon for use from birth. These can add to the cost of a pushchair, but are worth the investment for some active families.
Suspension
A high-quality suspension system is an essential feature in any pram that is all-terrain to ensure a smooth and safe ride. A well-padded seat is also crucial, particularly if are planning to take your child out on numerous outdoor adventures.
If all terrain prams want to maximize your space while keeping the family in motion, an all-terrain stroller with lightweight and compact frames is a great choice. The Bumbleride Indie is a good model, featuring a spacious pram that has air-filled tires as well as an all-wheel suspension that provides excellent traction on all surfaces. The Indie also comes with a lay flat seat as well as a built-in infant mode making it suitable from birth right through to toddlerhood.
There are many all-terrain strollers available, but you should choose one that is easy to maneuver over curbs, uneven pathways, and tree roots. You'll want to pick a chassis that is easy to lift and lower out of the car's boot and comes that has a large enough shopping basket to accommodate all the necessities you might require for your outdoor adventure.
The Bugaboo Fox 5 offers impressive all-terrain capability that is perfect for tackling country walks and dog walks on gravel roads. It comes with large puncture-resistant foam tyres that roll over almost anything and excellent shock-absorption for an easy ride and a solid chassis for enhanced stability and manoeuvrability. This all-terrain stroller is also equipped with some parent-friendly features. They include a handy twist-handbrake located on a back wheel bar to regulate the speed, as well as an adjustable handlebar for taller parents.
The UPPAbaby Ridge is designed for active families who enjoy walking or running with their dogs and children. It is a light flexible design that can be transformed to a double stroller in minutes. It also has a variety of features, including a state-of-the-art suspension system, as well as a large reclined seat with side ventilation and an electronic peek-a-boo window. The Ridge is simple to drive and maneuver even with a hefty load of kids and toys. The front wheels can also be locked in place to provide more stability on slopes that are steeper.
Tires
All-terrain strollers are ideal for those who like to explore and wander away from the main roads or have children who like to run. You can enjoy your walks and runs without being concerned about your child sliding or falling from the seat. This kind of pushchair comes equipped with large, rugged, puncture-proof wheels that can move over a wide variety of surfaces like gravel and grass.
The UPPAbaby Ridge is an excellent option for families with active children with large puncture-proof tyres that will glide over almost everything and a shock-absorbing suspension system to ensure your baby is comfortable while they're on the move. It features an lockable wheel on the front, and the swivel seat that can be turned to face either you or the world, to let your baby be seen when out and out and about.
Another option is the Mamas and Papas Ocarro, it is available as an individual pushchair or as part of a six-piece starter set that includes chassis, seat unit, carry cot, and adaptors (carry cot is sold separately). This eye-catching pram has an adjustable canopy that offers UPF 50+ sun protection, meaning you can shield your child from harmful UV rays while the rain cover protects the child from sudden rain.
Although the Ocarro is a little more expensive than the other all-terrain models, it's worth it in order to avoid having to purchase separate components or accessories once your baby grows up. For example, the chassis can be transformed into a twin pram by purchasing the second seat kit while the carry cot will be able to change into a toddler's seat, and then the footmuff.
The suspension system is the most important element of any all-terrain stroller. This is crucial for absorbing bumps and providing a smooth ride for your child. The suspension system must be easily adjustable, so that you can adjust it to various terrains and weather. The suspension on the Bugaboo Fox 5, for instance, can be adjusted depending on the surface you're on and the roughness of the surface by adjusting the amount of air in the tyres. The more air you pump into the more the tyres will absorb bumps, resulting in an easier ride for your baby.
Storage
All-terrain pushchairs and prams are the best choice if you enjoy long, adventurous walks with your child. These models have more sophisticated suspension and are designed to cope with a range of terrains that range from paved pathways through the countryside and woodlands to urban streets and steep hills. Look out for models with an excellent shopping basket as these can be useful for carrying additional clothing or a change of clothes and even an outdoor picnic. Also, consider how much you plan on bringing along and whether the chassis will be too heavy to lift out and in of your car boot regularly.
A lockable front swivel wheel is useful to control manoeuvrability. It can be particularly beneficial when you are driving off-road. You'll want to choose wheels that are designed to tackle rough terrain, including puncture-proof tyres with air in them and options for puncture-proof which means you don't have to carry a spare wheel around with you. Certain models include an automatic handbrake to help manage your buggy's movements on uneven surfaces or hills.
Some models are compatible with travel systems, which means you can use them right from the time of birth. They can be used in conjunction with a bassinet, carrycot or baby car seat that lays flat (carrier sold separately). This can save you money and stress since you can switch between the car and stroller whenever you go for a walk.
One of our mum test subjects particularly appreciated the simple one-handed fold on this model, which she found suited her lifestyle and made it easier to prepare for outings and then bring back when it was time to go again. It also sat perfectly in her car boot and took up less space than other double prams.
This single pram can be expanded to double in only a few minutes. It comes with a UV50+ canopy that has two windows that are magnetic and peek-aboo. It also comes with a Mountain Buggy Parenting Bag and nifty shopping basket that replaces one of the seats.