The Stroller Wagon You Didn’t Know You Needed
Written By: Dr. Alli Chisholm, PT, DPT
I don’t typically review strollers, but as a new mom of TWO babies now, I feel like this one needed a particular shoutout. Whether you’re a new mama of two - like me - or a busy family on-the-go, this stroller wagon is pure gold. Keep reading to see why I recommend this double stroller rendition more than any others!
As many parents of young kids, it is freaking HARD to get out of the house. But, if you’re anything like me, it is also absolutely necessary to get out of the house for your own sanity. Because of this, having an easy way to transport my kiddos is key (otherwise, you’d find me swallowed up by the couch, or trying to convince my toddler to keep moving on our walk versus putting dirty rocks in her mouth).
Prior to my second being born - and after seeing the cost of some of the top brand double strollers - I started asking every parent of two young ones that I knew what they recommended: double stroller or stroller wagon. The response was a resounding WAGON, for many reasons. Since purchasing the BabyTrend Expedition 2-in-1 Stroller Wagon PLUS, I can tell you that there are, for sure, several reasons to choose this stroller wagon over the many other options: price, adaptability, functionality, maneuverability, and - perhaps the most important of all - my toddler loves it.
Price:
As I mentioned before, when researching double strollers and wagons, the top brand options went up to $1800 (I’m sure there are ones at higher costs, but I just stopped looking at double strollers after this). With money being a little tight in our household - especially with me preparing to go on maternity leave as a small business owner - we needed a more affordable option. The BabyTrend Expedition Stroller Wagon PLUS - the one we have - is listed as $239.99 on Amazon, a HUGE difference in price than the recommended, name brand double strollers that we had previously been looking at!
Adaptability:
When it comes to stroller wagons, there was one other stroller wagon that came highly recommended: the Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon. While this one also has amazing reviews, there was just one problem for us… We already had a non-Evenflo car seat for our newborn and weren’t interested in having to purchase another one just to fit this particular wagon. Thankfully, the BabyTrend Expedition Stroller Wagon has an adaptor for the wagon that fits most car seats, which was definitely another win for us!
Functionality:
Depending on the terrain you’re on, this stroller wagon can be pushed - like your standard stroller - or transformed into your typical wagon for terrains that may be harder to be pushed on, like soft sand or rocks. I have to say, though, we’ve been to the beach and been over our rock driveway several times and have never had to transition to pulling the wagon vs pushing it.
On top of that, we can fit so much in this stroller wagon; in fact, we traveled to Martha’s Vineyard to visit family when our second was one week old and was able to fit the newborn in her carseat, the car seat base underneath the adaptor in the car seat, our toddler, as well as some small bags in the front storage area included with the PLUS wagon (for those who may not know, traveling to Martha’s Vineyard consisted of us driving to a relatives’ house in Falmouth, MA to park, walking to the Island Queen ferry in the pouring rain with neither of our babies getting wet, and getting on and off the ferry… Not to mention the car ride with the wagon there and back).
Speaking of the car ride, this stroller wagon folds up to fit into any standard size trunk, with back wheels easily able to be removed for even further compactness that may be needed. When opening it up, I’ve been able to do this one-handed while holding my toddler in the other hand, or holding my newborn against me in her baby carrier without any hiccup. Easy-peasy, just how I like it.
We are very fortunate to live within walking distance of the beach, so it’s not uncommon to see us pushing this wagon down the street loaded up with our beach gear in the front and our toddler in the back.
Okay, last thing on functionality (for right now, at least): if you’re out and about and baby needs to take a nap, using the shade that comes with the stroller wagon, you can lay baby down to take a nap like they’re in a bassinet, with the shade acting as canopy over baby; for even more coverage, you can place a large blanket or towel over the shade and wagon. Of course, only use this option if you’re able to supervise your baby while they’re sleeping, since the sides are not breathable and you want to make sure that baby’s airways are clear at all times with nothing else in the wagon if you’re using it as a nap surface!
Maneuverability:
I don’t know how BabyTrend does it, but this thing is so lightweight and manueverable that I can even push it around with one hand if need be - even when turning - a difficult feat with the single stroller we would use when we just had to worry about strolling around (haha, get it?) with our first. And, as I mentioned before, this thing can handle all sorts of terrain without you having to fight the wagon to get somewhere. Sand? No problem. Rocks? It can handle it. Hiking trail? Well, that might be pushing it (anotha one).
Toddler Love:
Arguably the most important criteria of them all, our toddler LOVES this wagon. Long walks have gotten so much easier with our first, since we can plop her down in the wagon and be on our merry way. Granted, there are definitely times when she insists on getting out and when I’d rather her little legs get the exercise - after all, I am a pediatric PT - but, I have to say, having the wagon available for her to choose when she demands her daily walk is so much easier than having to chase a toddler out of someone else’s yard because she’s trying to catch a bunny (yes, this has happened on multiple occasions).
While I’m not sure what the official rating standards are for strollers, if I could give this wagon more than five stars, I would. That may sound dramatic, but I can’t imagine not having this wagon now, since we’ve used it SO many times since receiving it. I guess the only con I can think of at this moment is that if you’re expecting multiples, this wagon would not be able to be used for more than one infant at a time, but certainly can fit two toddlers comfortably. Honestly, I would argue to purchase this over a single stroller even if you’re preparing for your first baby, due its ease of movement, storage capacity, and ability to grow with your family!
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