This past snowstorm, I took the Veer Cruiser XL All-Terrain Wagon for a spin. I pushed and pulled my 8-year-old and 1.5-year-old around the yard. The uphill was a workout, but I was amazed at how easily this wagon rolled over snow. Moreover, the kids LOVED sitting in it. The little one cried when I had to extract her, literally. This got me thinking: are wagons the new strollers? Let’s explore. 

The Case for Wagons

The Veer keeps it simple: no flipping seats, no tricky folds. Just a sturdy bench where kids sit comfortably—their feet on a proper footing. The XL fits up to four kids, but with two onboard—bundled in winter gear—the extra space seemed necessary. 

It’s adaptable too. Infant car seat adapters mean you can use it with the littlest ones. All Veer cruisers can accommodate one infant car seat with an adapter for that specific model/ car seat. Another kid may ride seated in the second seat at the same time (note: 2-seater and 4-seater cruisers require different adapters/ accessories). I love that you can equip it with many other accessories too, like the Day Cooler and Beach Wheel Kit which are a summer dream.

All-Terrain vs. City

I tested the all-terrain Veer Cruiser which has large, fixed front wheels designed for tackling trails, snowbanks, and uneven terrain. Pulling it felt easier than pushing, especially uphill with the combined weight of two kids and the wagon itself. At around 37 lbs, the XL wagon is hefty, but its impressive 250-lb weight capacity makes it great for hauling just about anything.

The city cruiser, on the other hand, has swiveling front wheels which are better for tight corners and smooth sidewalks—perfect for parents in urban settings. Its front-wheel swivel makes navigating city spaces easier, acting more like a traditional stroller. 

Image below: City version (smaller/ swivel front wheels) vs.all-terrain

Veer vs. Wonderfold

Over the past two years we've heard a lot about the Wonderfold wagons and I finally saw them in person at the Las Vegas ABC show last year. My first thought was: school bus on wheels. Great for hauling multiple kids and all their stuff, but massive. To me, the Veer is more balanced—rugged but compact enough to make sense for most families (you could even get away with it in the city if you have the space). I can see the Wonderfold's appeal, however, especially to suburban families with multiple kids who need serious cargo space (ideal for nanny shares!).   

So, Are Wagons the Future?

Wagons like the Veer and Wonderfold are certainly carving out their niche in the stroller industry. They’re not replacing strollers yet, more complementing them. For suburban parents who love outdoors adventures and wagons' versatility, I definitely recommend. For city parents, I'd say, if you’ve got room to store it, it’s worth considering. Keep in mind that the wagons are pretty bulky. They do fold compactly, but not compact enough for your average Boston closet.

Image: Veer Cruiser XL folded

And the future? I could see a hybrid popping up—something between a wagon and a stroller (four-wheel swivel please!), less bulk, and the same sturdy build. The “strollagon,” as I’ll call it, might just show up at this year’s ABC Expo.

So, what's the verdict? 

The Veer Wagon worked like a charm for me in the snow. But as much as I love testing gear in blizzards, I’m ready for summer. Cruiser on a sandy beach...sweaty refreshments in the cooler... now that’s a workout I'm looking forward to. 

This has been Tadpole Trends, where we test, compare, and overthink baby gear so you don’t have to.