Doona Liki Trike Review: The Coolest Little Ride in Our Parenting Arsenal

A modern parenting milestone is choosing a tricycle or toddler bike system, and there are many options out there for kids who are outgrowing the stroller and want a sense of independence. I knew I wanted one with my oldest, who is now five, but I definitely chose the wrong model then—it was clunky, difficult to assemble and hard to fold up properly.

These types of bikes have always appealed to me as someone who lives in a small space, and I wanted to see if the Doona Liki Trike was compact, foldable and travel-friendly—and if it really was that much better than the competition. If so, it could be a good replacement for a stroller and a toddler trike for my almost 2-year-old. After doing my research, here's my S3 Premium Doona Liki Trike review.

What is the Doona Liki Trike?

Doona is known for making travel systems incredibly easy for parents. The Doona Liki Trike is a tricycle that can grow with a child from about 10 months to 36 months, converting as the child develops more fine and gross motor skills and independence. It can go from completely parent-controlled to child-controlled through four different modes:

• Parent mode, for 10 to 18 months
• Push mode, for 18 to 24 months
• Tricycle mode, for 24 to 30 months
• Bike mode, for 30 to 36 months

It is foldable and collapsible, perfect for people who don't have a ton of space for multiple strollers and ride-on toys. It comes in three styles: the S3 premium, S5 deluxe and Midnight, its most sophisticated offering. Each model comes with a cup holder and storage bag, and the S5 and Midnight styles have additional accessories, including a travel bag and upgraded wood or faux-leather handlebars.

Set up and first impressions

One of the best parts about the Doona Liki Trike is that it comes mostly assembled, making it easy and quick to have that first ride. Any parent who has spent countless hours on YouTube or been frustrated at written instructions can appreciate how quick the setup for the Liki Trike is, including myself.

For once, instructions felt intuitive and easy to follow, and there were very few steps to get us out of the box and onto the sidewalk. The trike was assembled in about 15 minutes, which was much faster than the off-brand style I had previously bought for my first child.

Design and build quality

One of the first things I noticed right away about the Doona tricycle is that it felt much more substantial than our previous model. It's made from high-grade plastic and rust-free aluminum with high-durability wheels. It feels light at only 6.7kg, which is great because I often pick it up with one hand.

There are sophisticated, modern colours to choose from, such as Desert Green, Flame Red and Greyhound, which match Doona's popular Infant Car Seat style. It definitely feels very design-forward, especially for those who opt into the premium Midnight version.

Foldability and portability

Several competitors also offer foldable models, but I have struggled to get ours to fold completely flat every single time. (I eventually gave that model away.) Where the Doona Liki Trike really shines is in its foldability. To collapse it, parents can remove the parent handle and any other accessories, fold the canopy flat (if in use), and then press two quick buttons to fold the trike all the way down. It takes only a few seconds to do one, once you have the hang of it.

When it's completely folded down, the trike measures only 32 by 60 by 23 cm, which easily fits into a hallway, closet or car. Doona often touts that it can go in an airplane overhead bin because it's so light, but our family hasn't tested that yet. I've folded it down a few times when company comes over, but for the most part, we keep it out in the hallway because we use it nearly every single day.

Ease of use for parents

Another thing I love about the Doona trike is that it is durable but easy to maneuver. The steering feels deluxe, and it moves like a stroller, not a bike. Getting it up and down curbs is easy, and the parent push handle is long enough for us tall parents. It is relatively easy to switch between modes—I've had to alternate between push and tricycle mode for my almost 2-year-old as we experiment with what she's able to do. I have one small negative for the Doona Liki Trike: the storage bag is not as big or as sturdy as I would like, which prevents me from replacing our umbrella stroller.

Comfort and experience for kids

My almost 2-year-old adores her "bike" as it makes her feel like one of the big kids. She is constantly playing on it when it's indoors, and goes wild when we say we are going on a bike ride. It seems to be very comfortable for her, including the five-point harness and cushioned seat. We have had problems getting her tiny feet to stay in the pedal straps, but I think that is more of a function of age and developmental skills than a product fault. She is so close to understanding how to make it move, and it's exciting to see her try to figure it out.

Safety features and performance

The five-point harness is a fantastic feature on the Liki Trike, especially as kids become more independent with it. My daughter accepts it as a must-do and waits for us to harness her in, which is cute. The anti-slip pedals and padded seat are also great, as is the wide wheelbase that keeps the trike stable. We go over curbs quite a bit, and it handles it beautifully every time. There is a rear brake to keep the trike from moving or rolling down the hill, which is essential. Steering and pedal locks help ensure that the trike is in the right mode.

Real-life use cases

So far, we've been using it like we would a stroller: for casual jaunts around our neighbourhood or for rides when the big kids bring out their bikes. I recently got rid of my large stroller and am down to an umbrella stroller. I've considered using the Liki Trike instead of the umbrella stroller, but the small storage bag is what is preventing me from doing so. My 2-year-old and I are travelling together alone this summer, and I might use it as a replacement for the umbrella stroller to navigate the airport.

Differences between the American and Canadian versions

The Doona Liki Trike convertible tricycle has a few subtle but important details between its Canadian and American versions. The Canadian version has two shoulder strap heights, while the American only has one, and there are different harness configurations based on each country's safety standards. The Canadian version does not have an armrest, has a wider canopy and locks while folded. The American one folds but does not completely lock.

Pros and cons

Pros

• How compact it is
• The sophisticated and elegant design
• The way it handles terrain like a stroller
• The smoothness of the ride
• The ability to use it in four different modes, and how it grows with the child
• How lightweight it is
• That it could replace an umbrella stroller while travelling
• Ability to place in overhead bins on flights

Trade-offs

• Price, although it does make a great toddler gift
• Usable only for about 2 years
• Small storage bag

Is the Doona Liki Trike worth it?

After giving away a competitor model that was difficult to fold, I can say that the Doona Liki Trike is absolutely worth the price if you think you'll use it every day. It's a great fit for families like ours that don't have a ton of garage or storage space, and I can see how families that travel often would get a lot of use out of it. It handles city sidewalks with ease, and my child enjoys the ride. The only thing preventing me from ditching my umbrella stroller completely in favour of the Liki Trike is the small storage bag—I like being able to shove the diaper bag under the umbrella stroller.