When it comes to hauling children, especially for families with two or more kids, the choice of a stroller or wagon can make a world of difference. The Veer Cruiser Wagon has gained popularity among parents as a versatile solution that some find superior to traditional double strollers.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Veer Cruiser Wagon, from its standout features to real-life experiences.
Why Choose the Veer Cruiser Wagon Over a Double Stroller?
Parents often face the dilemma of deciding on a mode of transportation that works through widely different development stages – what works for an infant might not be great for a wild toddler.
The Veer Cruiser Wagon is designed to offer flexibility and ease of use that can effectively replace a double stroller, especially for families navigating errands or outdoor adventures. Its versatility allows parents to push or pull, catering to different situations while providing ample space for toddlers and infants.
What Are the Key Features of the Veer Cruiser Wagon?
- Versatile Design Can be pushed like a stroller or pulled like a wagon, accommodating various terrains and situations.
- Infant and Toddler Compatibility Supports infants with accessories like the nap system and car seat adapters, allowing families with children of different ages to use it together.
- Lightweight Construction Made from high-quality, lightweight aluminum, making it easy to maneuver without sacrificing durability.
- Durable Wheels Features airless rugged tires designed for mixed terrain, ensuring a smooth ride on grass, sand, and pavement.
- Safety Features Low footwell for older kids, secure seating design, and a robust flip-flop-friendly foot brake that enhances safety during stationary use.
- Ample Storage Stores anything from kids to farmer’s markets or beach hauls (or all three).
- Easy Assembly and Folding Simple to assemble and collapse down for self-standing, compact storage, which is a hallmark of many premium strollers.
- Accessory Options Offers various add-ons like cup holders and snack trays for added convenience during outings.
What comes in the box?
Like many strollers, it comes standard with cup holders and a snack and drink tray. But when it comes to optional accessories, the sky’s the limit.
- Cruiser This is the base wagon ready to roll
- Two cup holders This goes on the handle for your drinks
- Drink and snack tray This fits across the middle of the wagon for kid snacks and drinks
But when it comes to optional accessories, the sky’s the limit (I haven’t even listed all the accessories you can trick this Cruiser out with).
- Retractable Canopy Includes a peak-a-boo window and works with the Nap System or Bug Shield to add insect protection. One or two can be attached above either seat.
- Comfort Seat for Toddlers Soft, padded fabric seat and headrest designed with a larger recline angle for more comfort and to be more nap friendly. Includes a 5 point harness for safety (the basic wagon only has 3-point harnesses).
- Foldable Storage Basket Soft-sided storage basket mounts behind the rear seat with a mesh zipper hood to hold bulky items.
- Infant Car Seat Adapter for major brands of infant car seats quickly and intuitively fasten to any Cruiser frame.
- Bug Shield Stretches across the top of your Cruiser to help keep bugs away
- Cargo Nets for Cruiser (set of 2) Secures to the outside sidewall to securely hold items in place.
- Nap System Turns the Cruiser into a JPMA safety-certified Bassinet for the ultimate rest stop or changing station for infants.
- Weather Cover Keep your passengers warm and dry in rain, snow and wind
- Shearling Seat Cover Toasty warm comfort for chilly adventures
- Beach Wheel Kit Effortlessly pull all day from the sand to the parking lot.
How Easy Is It to Assemble the Veer Cruiser Wagon?
The Veer Cruiser wagon can be assembled in minutes right out of the box. I find it’s similar to other strollers where you are clicking wheels into place rather than screwing anything together.
What’s the Age Range?
Unlike most wagons, if you get the infant car seat adaptor, you can start using it from day one. This is especially helpful if you’re hauling an infant and a toddler.
It technically maxes out at 110 pounds, so depending on how flexible they are (and how strong you are), you could probably pull your middle schooler across the graduation stage if you felt so inclined. But the target audience for this one is 0-5-year-olds, giving it serious longevity compared to your standard stroller.
It also meets ASTM safety standards and is JPMA certified which is comforting if you’re using it for the youngest of passengers and don’t want them rolling around in a busted old metal wagon.
How big is it?
Okay, so it’s not exactly small, but it only has about 4” on a comparable premium stroller (the Vista V2). It’s also a little heavier, but nothing outrageous.
I easily fit it into the back of my Subaru Forester, collapsed down but with the wheels still on. Oh, and it folds super easily, which is always nice—just lift two handles on the back of each seat and collapse the sidewalls down.
All-Terrain Cruiser Specs
Dimensions
Body Open: 37” L x 20” W x 23” H
Body Folded: 37” L x 20” W x 14” H
Body Folded (wheels removed): 37” L x 20” W x 9” H
Wheelbase: 24″ W
Capacity
Passenger Capacity: 55 lbs per seat x 2 seats
Cargo-only or Pet Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
Weight
32.6 lbs (with wheels)
24.6 lbs (wheels removed)
Can You Stroller Check It on a Flight?
Yes. Pop off the snack tray and sunshades, collapse it down, and you’re good to go. It will fit through most TSA scanners and can be stroller-checked at the gate – although this does vary depending on airline carriers, so check first.
If you are going to fly with it, there’s a handy travel bag sold as an accessory to help keep everything protected.
Can You Use the Veer Cruiser at Disney?
No. You can’t use the Veer Cruiser Wagon at Disney or Disneyland, even if you plan to put it in stroller mode to push.
Wagons and stroller wagons are prohibited from the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks because they take up space and often pose a safety risk. For additional information, you can check out the Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules.
Is It Easy to Clean?
Yes. You don’t have to be scared of mud, spilled milk, or dirty hands because the fade- and stain-resistant fabric is easy to clean with a hose and cold water. Some special care is recommended if you take it to the beach and get it salty or sandy, but it’s mostly a good hose-down.
How Does the Veer Cruiser Compare to Similar Stroller Wagons?
Veer isn’t the only stroller wagon (or ‘baby waggon’ if you’re a creative googler) out there. Here are some wagons similar to the Veer and how they compare.
- Keenz – similar price but a little shorter and wider with a different fold and handle. It can’t accommodate infants like the Veer can with the car seat adapter and the nap system. Better for older kids and more urban treks.
- Evenflo Pivot Xplore – less expensive with more of a stoller feel. Less rugged and can’t be used for infants, but has a nice drop down entry feature for older kids.
- Jeep Deluxe Wrangler – similar to the Keenz wagon but less expensive. Cost effective if you’re at the tail end of how long you’d use this (i.e. your kids are toddlers/preschoolers) and you don’t care about resale.
- BOB Gear Renegade – a little less expensive but the fold is different. You can’t add storage like the Veer and you can’t add an infant seat.
The handle style is one of the biggest differences between these models (besides price).
The Veer has an adjustable height handle, making it easy for people of any height to push or pull without having to adjust their stride. The Veer sunshade style is also more “stroller-y” than a couple of the other styles, so depending on what you’re looking for that might be a plus.
Overall, though, it feels like the most sturdy and “wagon-y” option of the stroller wagons, which makes it seem like it has more longevity than the others.
How Do the Cruiser Models Compare?
Veer currently has four models since launching their original wagon in 2018. The All-Terrain Cruiser (original), Cruiser City, All-Terrain Cruiser XL, and the Cruiser City XL.
The Cruiser City models have one key design difference from the original Cruiser models: the wheel configuration.
The All-Terrain has two seats and the larger wheels further from the handlebar side and is better suited if you’re going to be dragging it up hills or pulling it over rough terrain.
The Cruiser City has two seats and the smaller wheels further from the handlebar side making it more like a stroller for rolling on smoother surfaces (like sidewalks) and nimble navigation through crowds.
They cost the same.
The All-Terrain Cruiser XL and Cruiser City XL have the same features as the All-Terrain and the Cruiser City, but they’re larger, accommodating four seats instead of two and cost more than the smaller versions.
Pros and Cons of the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser
Every stroller and wagon comes with its pros and cons. Here is the list we came up with from our testing.
🟢 Pros
- Excellent maneuverability across various terrains.
- Durable construction for long-lasting use.
- Can accommodate an infant seat.
- Designed with safety in mind.
- Versatile for family outings and outdoor adventures.
- Easy to clean and assemble.
- Endless add-ons to customize it to exactly what you want.
- Good resale value.
🔴 Cons
- Expensive.
- Often requires two hands for steering, which may challenge multitasking parents.
- Cup holders may not reliably secure drinks.
- Heavier compared to typical strollers, which can be cumbersome in tight spaces.
Is Veer Worth the Cost?
This is a very personal call. $700 is nothing to sneeze at, but unlike a traditional stroller, there is the promise of being able to use it for years to come.
It’s constructed of high quality materials, works for infants through the toddler stage, and is big enough to lug beach gear, pull through a farmer’s market or haul a cooler down the street.
It folds up small enough to fit in a trunk and stands alone like a stroller for easy storage, so it’s not a huge space commitment like a traditional metal wagon.
Where is the Best Place to Buy a Veer Wagon?
There are five place that consistently carry the Cruiser: the Veer site, Nordstrom, Babylist, Pottery Barn Kids and Amazon.
All Cruisers have a 2-year warranty from the date of purchase as long as you register it or retain your proof of purchase, regardless of where you buy it.
I would check the Veer site first to see if they are running any discounts or promos.
If you’re shopping in July, Veer is often included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
If you are setting up a baby registry, Veer wagons are included in the 15% completion discount at Babylist, Pottery Barn Kids and Amazon.
Summary of the All-Terrain Veer Stroller Wagon
The Veer Stroller Wagon is versatile, easy to push or pull, comfortable, and breaks down for upright, stand alone storage.
It can be used for infants through the young kid stage and then easily transitioned into more of a traditional gear-hauling wagon, so you can use it for a long time and then sell it for a decent price.
If you have older kids, and don’t need it for very long, it’s probably worth looking at something more cost effective without the bells and whistles.
However, if you’re looking for something that lasts from 0-5, the Cruiser is made from high-quality components built to last – the Veer we tested over four years ago has gone through six kids and two households and is still going strong.
It’s a good fit for active families who want to invest in a piece of gear they can use for years on moderate trails, sidewalks, and just about anything in between.
Our next reco: 10 Baby Registry Items That Are Worth the Splurge