Doona Liki Trike s3 vs s5
Doona Liki Trike S3 vs S5: Is the $50 Upgrade Actually Worth It?
Same fold. Same stages. Same weight. So why does the S5 cost $50 more — and should it? I've used both with my own toddler, done the research, and I'm here to give you the honest answer most product pages won't.
Whether you’re a first-time trike shopper or you’re comparing before you click “add to cart”, this guide breaks down every real difference between the Doona Liki Trike S3 Greyhound and the S5 Nitro Black. I’ll walk you through specs, stages, what’s actually in the box, and — most importantly — which one makes sense for your life. Spoiler: for most families, the answer is simpler than you think.
Four things to know right now
Which Liki is right for you?
S3 Greyhound vs S5 Nitro Black — side by side
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Best value
Liki Trike S3 — Greyhound
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VS |
Best for travel
Liki Trike S5 — Nitro Black
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|---|---|---|
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–
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Price |
$330.00
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5 stages (10–36 months)
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Riding stages |
5 stages (10–36 months)
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14.7 lbs
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Product weight |
14.7 lbs
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12.5 × 23.6 × 9.1 in
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Folded dimensions |
12.5 × 23.6 × 9.1 in
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Plastic
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Handlebars |
Wooden
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No
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Travel bag included |
Yes
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Yes
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Cup holder |
Yes
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Yes
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5-point harness |
Yes
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Yes
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UPF 50 canopy |
Yes
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Yes
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Pedal straps |
Yes
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1 year
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Warranty |
1 year
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| BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
Deep dive: Doona Liki Trike S3 Greyhound
The S3 delivers the complete Liki experience — all five stages, every safety feature, the same compact fold — at the most accessible price in the lineup. For most parents, this is the one.
- Full 5-stage system from 10 to 36 months — same as the S5
- Identical fold, weight, and dimensions to the premium model
- Comes with cup holder, pedal straps, padded armrest, and shoulder pads
- Fits in car trunks and airplane overhead bins — no travel bag required for carry-on
- Saves $50 over the S5 — money better spent on accessories or a rainy day
- Plastic handlebars instead of wooden — less premium feel in-hand
- No travel bag included — adds ~$45 if you want one for checked luggage or storage
- Fewer color options compared to the S5 lineup
Deep dive: Doona Liki Trike S5 Nitro Black
The S5 is the Liki Trike’s top tier — everything the S3 offers, plus a premium travel bag and stunning wooden handlebars with faux-leather detailing. It’s for the parent who travels hard and wants their gear to look the part.
- Wooden handlebars with faux-leather detailing — noticeably more premium in hand and in photos
- Travel bag included from day one — protects the trike during checked luggage and long-term storage
- Same safety, staging, and fold system as the S3 — no compromises on function
- Available in Nitro Black — a colorway that photographs beautifully and holds up to city grime
- Makes an exceptional gift — the unboxing experience is a step above
- $50 more than the S3 for two accessory upgrades, not core hardware
- Travel bag is bulky — adds storage footprint when not in use
- Wooden handlebars require slightly more care in wet conditions over time
- Same plastic frame as the S3 underneath — premium feel is surface-level, not structural
| Suitable ages | 10 months – 3 years |
| Product weight | 14.7 lbs (6.7 kg) |
| Folded dimensions | 12.5 × 23.6 × 9.1 in |
| Open with parent handle | 36.8 × 19.6 × 40.35 in |
| Open without handle | 24.4 × 19.6 × 33.4 in |
| Max child weight | 37.5–44.1 lbs |
| Frame materials | Fiber-reinforced polymer, rust-free aluminum |
| Harness | 5-point |
| Canopy | UPF 50, water-repellent |
| Fold mechanism | One-click patented fold |
| Assembly required | None — ready straight from the box |
| Warranty | 1 year (manufacturing defects) |
Four questions that point you to the right model
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How often do you fly with your trike?HighThis is the single most important question. If you check your trike on flights more than two or three times a year, the S5's included travel bag pays for itself in peace of mind and protection. If you mostly drive or carry the trike in an overhead bin, the S3 handles that without any bag at all.Look forFamilies who travel internationally or take multiple flights per yearAvoidPaying for the S5 travel bag if your trike mostly lives in the car boot
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Do the handlebars genuinely matter to you?MediumBe honest with yourself here. Wooden handlebars are a real tactile and visual upgrade — but they are a finish upgrade, not a functional one. If you'll appreciate them every single day, they're worth it. If you honestly wouldn't notice after week one, save the $50.Look forDesign-conscious parents and families who value aesthetics in their gearAvoidChoosing the S5 purely because it sounds more premium without considering daily use
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Are you buying this as a gift?MediumThe S5 wins on gifting, full stop. The wooden handlebars, faux-leather detailing, and travel bag make the unboxing experience genuinely special. If this is a first birthday or baby shower present and you want it to land perfectly, the S5 is worth the investment.Look forBaby shower gifts, first birthday presents, grandparent purchasesAvoidOverspending on the S5 for a child you'll be parenting day-to-day on a tighter budget
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Do you already own — or plan to buy — a travel bag separately?HighThe S3's travel bag is available as a separate purchase for around $45. If you're already planning to add it, the gap between S3 plus bag and the S5 becomes just a few dollars. At that point the S5 is the obvious choice since it also includes the wooden handlebars.Look forS3 buyers who know they'll want the travel bag eventuallyAvoidBuying the S3 and the travel bag separately without doing the math first — you may end up spending more than the S5
For the overwhelming majority of families, the Doona Liki Trike S3 Greyhound is the right buy. It delivers every stage, every safety feature, the same compact fold, and the same ride quality as the S5 — for $50 less. That said, if you fly with your trike regularly or you’re buying a gift that needs to wow, the S5 Nitro Black earns its premium without apology. Both are extraordinary trikes. The decision comes down to how you live, not how much you spend.
Your Doona Liki Trike questions, answered
Is the Doona Liki Trike S5 worth the extra $50 over the S3?
For most families, no — and I say that as someone who has used both. The S3 and S5 are mechanically identical. The S5 adds wooden handlebars and a travel bag, which are genuinely lovely, but they don’t change how the trike rides, folds, or grows with your child. If you fly frequently or the aesthetic finish matters deeply to you, the S5 is absolutely worth it. Otherwise, save the $50 and put it toward the accessories you actually need.
Can the Doona Liki Trike fit in an airplane overhead bin?
Yes, and this is one of the Liki’s most impressive party tricks. Folded to 12.5 × 23.6 × 9.1 inches, it fits in most aircraft overhead compartments. The S3 does this with no bag at all — you just fold it and slot it in. The S5’s travel bag is designed for checked luggage and storage, not overhead bin use.
Are the S3 and S5 exactly the same size and weight?
Yes, completely. Both weigh 14.7 lbs and fold to the same 12.5 × 23.6 × 9.1 inches. Open dimensions, stage ages, harness system, canopy, and fold mechanism are all identical. The physical differences are limited to the handlebar material (plastic vs wood) and what’s included in the box.
What is the difference between the Liki Trike S1, S3, and S5?
The S1 is the entry-level model with fewer included accessories and color options. The S3 adds a cup holder, padded armrest, shoulder pads, and pedal straps. The S5 takes everything in the S3 and adds wooden handlebars and a premium travel bag. The core trike — its fold, safety features, and staging system — is the same across all three.
Can I buy the travel bag separately for the S3?
Yes, Doona sells the Liki travel bag as a standalone accessory for around $45. If you’re buying the S3 and already know you’ll want the bag, do the math: S3 at $250 plus bag at $45 equals $295, versus the S5 at around $300. At that point the S5 makes obvious sense since it also comes with wooden handlebars.
At what age can my baby start using the Liki Trike?
Doona recommends starting from 10 months in Stage 1 (Parent mode), which includes the reclining backrest, armrest, and canopy. This stage is fully parent-controlled, so your little one just sits and enjoys the ride while you steer. The trike grows with them through four active riding stages all the way up to 36 months, at which point most toddlers have transitioned to independent pedaling.
Bottom line: same trike, different tier
- S3 and S5 are mechanically identical — same fold, weight, stages, and safety
- S5 adds wooden handlebars and a travel bag — genuine upgrades, not just branding
- S3 is the smarter buy for most families at $50 less
- S5 earns its premium for frequent flyers, gift-givers, and design-conscious parents
- Either way, you're getting one of the best toddler trikes ever made
The Doona Liki Trike is one of the most genuinely clever pieces of toddler gear on the market — compact enough to fit in an overhead bin, thoughtful enough to grow through nearly three years of development, and safe enough to carry Doona’s car-seat-grade design philosophy into every ride. Whether you choose the S3 Greyhound or the S5 Nitro Black, you’re getting that trike. The only real question is whether the wooden handlebars and travel bag are worth $50 to your specific family — and now you have everything you need to answer that honestly.
