Doona Liki trike review: Is this really world’s most compact folding trike?

Of all the baby gear my family has acquired since our son was born about a year ago, few items have been used or loved as much as our Doona Liki Trike. From the makers of the car seat-stroller-in-one that has also served us well, the Liki Trike is the “world’s most compact folding trike,” designed for little ones aged 10 months to three years old.

Here are some of the many reasons we love our Liki Trike, and why we think other families will too. (Full disclosure: Doona sent us a Liki Trike to try, no strings attached. We were impressed enough to share our opinions here.)

Doona Liki Trike review

Unlike a ton of other baby gear, the Liki Trike is not something you use for a few months and then get rid of or store for a future child.

It grows with your child

Your kid can get more than two years of use out of it, thanks to four different modes of transportation that are easy to toggle between:

• Parent mode (10-18 months), with a parent control bar, backrest, footrest, and armrest
• Push mode (18-24 months), with a parent control bar, backrest, and footrest
• Tricycle mode (24-30 months), with a parent control bar, backrest, and pedals
• Bike mode (30-36 months), with a lower backrest and pedals

It encourages exploration and interaction with the world

I have a hunch that my son gets so excited about his Liki Trike rides because he’s more of an active participant in it than he is in most other strollers. The seat is relatively low to the ground and offers freedom to move about in a safe way. He loves gripping the handlebars, resting his feet on the pedals (which are disabled for now), and taking in his surroundings, whether petting neighbors’ dogs, pointing in the direction he wants to go, or looking back at me to request more snacks.

It's lightweight, sleek, and relatively easy to collapse

The Liki Trike weighs less than 15 pounds and, collapsed, measures 12.5” x 23.4” x 9.17” and fits into the handy travel bag that’s included with some models and can also be purchased separately. While Doona’s claim that it “simply folds and unfolds at the click of a button” is a bit of a stretch, since it actually requires a handful of steps, it does take just a few practice runs to get the hang of. But personally, when I want to bring it with us in the car, I usually just lower the handlebar all the way and plop the trike in the trunk, still assembled. (If you try this method, just make sure the brake is on so the trike doesn’t slide around your trunk while you drive.)

It can go just about anywhere

Beyond our daily neighborhood strolls, our Liki Trike comes in handy in various settings. So far we’ve brought it to indoor and outdoor malls, grocery stores, restaurants, cross-country practices and meets (during my coaching duties), and countless errands that require a bit of walking. In addition to being very portable, the trike is great on the go because it’s sleek enough to fit through narrow aisles, as quiet as a classic stroller, and a breeze to get a kid in and out of.

It travels well too

The Liki Trike also makes a great travel stroller, if you want to bring some form of toddler transportation on a trip. It’s ideal for zipping through airports when you don’t have time to walk at a toddler’s pace, and the travel bag easily fits in an airplane’s overhead bin and the trunk of any rental car. Best of all, once you reach your destination, your kid has a safe, comfortable, and familiar way to explore all the new sights and sounds.

It's made to last

Although we’ve only been using our Liki Trike for three months, we’ve covered enough miles and traversed enough terrains that I can already speak to its durability. It’s made from materials that are meant to last for years, including premium grade fiber reinforced polymers, high durability wheels, and rust-free aluminum profiles. Judging by the quality and durability of the other Doona product we have — the infant car seat and stroller combo — I have zero concerns about the longevity of our trike and look forward to another two years of use.

It includes several thoughtful features and accessories

It’s clear that the Liki Trike was designed with your child’s safety and comfort in mind. On the safety front, it includes a five-point harness, pedal straps, and a dual steering system for parents and children. Comfort-wise, it features padded armrests, shoulder pads, wooden handlebars, and a storage bag and cup holder for snacks, drinks, and other on-the-go supplies. Lastly, the canopy repels water and protects it from the sun’s UV rays. (If you live in an especially wet climate, the Liki Trike rain cover may be a smart add-on.)

It's an investment worth making

If price is your primary concern, you can get a decent stroller for less than $50 and a trike for a bit more. But if you’re looking for a premium form of child transportation that will get at least a couple of years of use and eliminate the need for multiple purchases, the Doona Liki Trike — which runs $250 to $300, depending on the model — is, in my opinion, the way to go. It’s sleek, lightweight, durable, and travel-friendly, and it offers a fun and safe way for your little one to engage with the world around him.