Do you need another stroller? No. Do you need a wagon stroller. Absolutely.
Ok, maybe you don’t need one. The wagon stroller appealed to me for its multitool-like capabilities. Classic GearDad.
Wagon Strollers can handle getting off the pavement with ease. The stroller wagon can haul more than just a kid, but gear that goes with that kid. It seems much more engaging for the little ones, who get a different view of the world while on the move.
I bought one picturing myself, GearMom and little one rolling down a trail on a hike, with lunch and picnic blankets ridding shotgun in the wagon stroller. It’s perfect.
And the fact is most stroller wagons, and I was looking at all-terrain wagons in particular, can go places my regular stroller (which I love) can’t. That’s why you get one. There are strollers that get off the sidewalk and onto the dirt with ease as well, but something about the stroller wagon feels like a perfect meshing of parental and child needs. You go places you want to go with the kid, while they experience the trip in a fashion that is quintessentially childlike.
What are the best stroller wagons?
Like a lot of kid stuff, there are many options that fit a spectrum of budgets and needs. The best will be relative, but several caught my eye when searching for the one that fit my family. There’s the Radio Flyer 3-in-1, which is at a good wagon price point and has two seats. Plus it folds down nicely. The highly rated Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon, which can handle many different terrains and is packed with features. The Jeep Deluxe Wrangler Stroller Wagon by Delta Children allows for various carseats to be used for extra little ones, and comes with a cooler. And you can’t leave out the Veer Wagon, which is a luxurious wagon with a luxurious price tag.
Why I bought the Gladly Family Anthem2 Wagon Stroller
Photo by GearDad
But I went with the new kid on the block, and got a Gladly Family Anthem2 2-Seater All-Terrain Wagon Stroller. They also have a 4-seater version, which allows you to carry up to four kids, go figure. So why go with the Gladly, which when I ordered, was still waiting to deliver its first batch of wagons? Let me tell you.
I planned on buying the Veer. Finally, I convinced that nagging money-focused portion of my mind that spending a significant amount of dough on a wagon would pay for itself in good times. I liked the Evenflo, particularly the price, but it lacked a way to make the inside flat for a quick nap and the shades seemed to offer a lot of coverage, but fell short. I could probably live with those issues. The Veer had solutions to those problems, though. But those solutions came at a price.
Out of the box, the Veer leaves a lot to be desired. Namely, comfort. Sun shades, storage basket, nap system, comfort seat, and cup holders all cost extra. When I had all I wanted in my shopping cart, it was well over $1,000. It was a tough price to stomach.
Fortunately I stumbled upon the Gladly Family Anthem. I don’t remember how, they weren’t even shipping them yet, but the wagon checked a lot of boxes for me. It comes with two sunshades, that zip together. It has a nap system and storage basket included. All-terrain tires are beefy enough to handle sand, snow and trails. Lastly, it’s $500 – less than half the cost of a Veer stroller wagon. There’s also coupon codes floating out there to get you closer to $400. I was sold, and so was a Gladly Family Anthem Wagon Stroller.
Gladly Family Anthem2 Wagon Stroller Review
I’ve been using the wagon for about a month, once our little one was ready to sit up in it. He was so pumped his first time in the stroller wagon and that has held true. Compared to a stroller, little one has a completely different and open view of the world. It’s a much different perspective, one that my little guy has enjoyed. I bought the wagon as Gladly was getting their initial shipment of wagons to the states. I saw wagons in the hand of a couple of instagram influencers and they looked good. They at least rolled. So I pulled the trigger long before Christmas to ensure it would have a spot under the tree for little one.
Why did I buy the Gladly Family Anthem2 Wagon Stroller? It came with everything I wanted in the Veer, for a third of the price. It has a nap system and two sun shades that zip together. The wagon also comes with a brake, storage basket, snack tray, cup holder and three-point harness. As a GearDad, I appreciate well-thought out equipment.
I’m a fan of the Gladly Family Anthem
The Gladly Family wagon is a solid set of wheels. Assembly was easy enough. The parts feel well made. It rolls so smooth. We haven’t really used out stroller – which we also love – since getting the wagon.
Getting baby in and out is a breeze. We are able to hide him from the sun and weather, with both sun shades, and the wagon effortlessly goes from being pushed to being pulled. That allows much more ability when trying not to blast little one with sun. He loves it as well. When he’s fussy, we just strap him into the wagon and go for a walk, he immediately calms down. He can also play with his toys easily while in the wagon. We haven’t tested out the nap system yet, but it is very sturdy.
What I love about the wagon, is its ability to go places strollers can only dream of. In the grass? Not a problem. Cruising the trail? Try to keep up. Its larger rear wheels really make this an easy ride. Pushing the wagon takes some getting used to, as it can be difficult to make quick turns, but it’s an adjustment that will get easier with time.
Also I love the customer service. I had a question before purchasing and got quick and helpful responses back quickly. And they provide great updates on their Instagram page.
The wagon also gets style points. I really like the colors they’ve chosen and purchased the “sand and sea” color before they sold out of that style. Though as of this writing there is one Anthem4 in “sand and sea” on Amazon.
What could be better about the Gladly Family Anthem Stroller Wagon?
Take all these notes, with my opinion that this is a great wagon. And with this being the initial release, I can only imagine the good things that are to come from Gladly Family. But what could be better?
I really liked the idea of a five point harness on the Veer. I think all stroller wagons would probably benefit from that, and this is no different. An older kid would like be find without one, but babies and toddlers would benefit from one. If you have a small baby you can get a carseat adapter, which is not a con, but this felt like the right time to mention it. With that said, the three-point harness is great. The seat in which they are connect to and little one sits on is hard plastic. I would love to see a bit more comfort there.
It’s slightly larger than the Veer and doesn’t collapse down as neatly. That’s mostly not a problem for me, as I just toss it in the bed of my truck. I did have dreams of gate checking the wagon for a trip to a National Park (I read about someone doing that with a Veer), but it is too large to go through the conveyor belt (the Veer can make it) so it would have to be hand inspected. No big deal. But honestly, it’s probably not a good idea to gate check your expensive wagon.
The only other note I have is that I do get wheel chatter on the front two wheels at times. Specifically going downhill quickly.
Conclusion
Stroller wagons are great in that your kid can use them for years and once they’ve outgrown them you can use it in many other ways. If you’re looking for an all-terrain wagon, the Gladly Family Anthem2 or Anthem4 are worth your consideration. They’re well-made, super easy to push and pull, look great and come kitted out. You get everything you need at a third of the price of other competitors. I’m not sure there’s another wagon that gives you so much for your money.
