This fall I rented a Gladly Family Wagon Anthem 4 for our family vacation in Hilton Head Island. Our 2-and-a-half-year-old and 1-year-old really enjoyed the stroller wagon on the beach and in all the surrounding villages. Our friend’s kids and extended family, especially 3-and-a-half-year-old cousin, found themselves jealously seeking to join in on every stroller wagon rides.
I want to share my experience with the Gladly Family Wagon. Before you pull the trigger on this somewhat costly stroller wagon, check out my likes and pain points on this stroller wagon.
Overall Anthem 4 performed well. The kids loved it. The main pain point was that I found it a bit hard to fold the stroller wagon.
What is Gladly Family Wagon?
The Gladly Family Anthem Wagon, where functionality meets fun in family outings! This isn’t your everyday stroller or wagon; it’s a stroller wagon hybrid designed to make every trip a breeze. With its inception in 2015, Gladly revolutionized outdoor adventures for families, offering three spectacular models: the Duo and the spacious Quad, each catering to families of different sizes.
Its low-side wall design is very similar to the Veer Cruiser Wagon: single handle bar push and pull mode with the swirl wheels at the back. It’s all-terrain performance, meaning it can handle all kinds of ground surfaces. The price is on the lower end of similar stroller wagons on the market.
Who is this for?
The Gladly Family Wagon is a lifesaver for parents navigating the tricky stage where toddlers resist traditional strollers but still lack the stamina for extended walks. This wagon-stroller marvel addresses that very struggle. Its inviting, open-concept design appeals to the independent spirit of little explorers who disdain being strapped in, offering them a sense of autonomy without compromising on comfort.
For the child who isn’t quite ready to trek the distance on foot, it provides a fun, restful space where they can take a break from their adventures, ensuring that every family outing remains a joyous experience.
It’s especially handy for parents of multiple children seeking a hassle-free solution to keep their lively little ones happy, safe, and all in one spot while navigating outdoor escapades, be it park picnics, beach outings, or city strolls. In short, it’s for the family that embraces adventure and convenience!
What age is Gladly Family Wagon for?
The Gladly Family Anthem Wagon is designed for toddlers and young children, typically aged 1 to 5 years. Each seat maxes out at 50 lbs. The higher end of the age depends on the size of your child.
Each seat has a 3-point harness. Your child needs to be able to sit up well to enjoy the ride. Our youngest child tried the Baby Trend 3-point harness stroller wagon when he was 8 months old. He struggled to sit up stably while being pushed around (aaaand down he goes). But he really enjoyed the Gladly Family wagon this time around, as he just turned 1 year old.
There is an infant car seat adapter that is sold separately. So ideally you can use it with an infant as well.
Key Features of Gladly Family Wagon
A Quick Overview
Push and Pull Mode
Large double water-resistant canopies with breathable mesh inserts
Parent cup holder & covered storage compartment
Rear swivel wheels
All-terrain rugged wheels and a sturdy suspension system
3-point safety harness for each seat
Child cupholders
Footwell design
Nap System
Compatible with Infant Car Seat
All Terrain Performance
One of the standout attributes of the Gladly Family Anthem Wagon is its All-Terrain Performance, a crucial feature for families who venture beyond city sidewalks. This wagon doesn’t shy away from a challenge; instead, it embraces various landscapes with confidence.
Thanks to its robust big wheels, fortified with deep treads and optimal suspension, it handles sandy beaches, nature trails, and even snowy paths with ease. Parents can bid farewell to the jolting and straining associated with conventional strollers.
The Gladly wagon ensures a smooth, stable ride, managing bumpy routes without compromising your child’s comfort or safety. This feature liberates the family adventure, inviting exploration of places previously considered off-limits.
Single Handle Push and Pull
This feature is great for active parents, allowing an effortless switch between modes to suit the terrain or personal comfort. With just one hand, you can smoothly transition from pushing the wagon — ideal for jogger-like control — to pulling it, which is perfect for leisurely strolls.
This versatility eliminates the stop-and-adjust struggle common with traditional strollers, making walks more fluid and responding instantly to on-the-go situations, a true testament to convenience and ergonomic design.
Large Double Canopies
The two large Double Canopies provide each child with individual shade and shelter. These water-resistant covers ensure that unexpected drizzles won’t dampen your adventures, while the breathable mesh inserts facilitate airflow, keeping the space cool and comfortable.
Unique to the design, the canopies not only zip together for full coverage but also ingeniously fold down with the wagon, making storage and travel hassle-free. This feature ensures every family outing is comfortable and adaptable, without the extra worry about space or weather disruptions.
Storage space and Cup holders
Both Anthem 2 and 4 include a spacious storage basket for essentials, and two to four convenient mesh pockets (depending on the model) for quick-access items, it handles all your carry-along with ease.
The covered storage compartment is good for safeguarding valuables such as phones or keys, while the dedicated parent cup holder and additional four cup holders for the kids mean that everyone’s beverages are secure and within reach.
These thoughtful inclusions promote a clutter-free journey, making your outings enjoyable and fuss-free.
Be careful which model you choose. Anthem 2 comes with a double child snack tray with cupholders, while the others don’t have a snack tray.
Footwell
The footwell is deep enough to allow children’s feet to rest naturally, preventing the discomfort of dangling legs, especially during longer journeys. Coupled with the stroller wagon’s smooth ride, the footwell ensures a more stable and cozy seating experience, making every trip a pleasure for little passengers.
Nap System
Utilizing a plush lounge pad or nap mat, the wagon transforms from a lively, interactive play space into a serene napping haven. This feature allows your younger child to comfortably lounge and settle into restful slumber, while your older kids can take a wagon break.
While the lounge pad offers a unique napping solution, it’s worth noting that the padding might not rival the comfort of something like the Uppa Baby Bassinet. The space accommodates one child at a time, so families with multiple youngsters might find the traditional car ride for a trip back home a more feasible option for simultaneous naps.
Additionally, once your child recharges and the lounge pad is no longer in use, there’s a slight hiccup of storage. The wagon doesn’t provide a dedicated space for the folded pad, presenting a bit of a challenge when you’re on the move and juggling various baby essentials.
Compatible with Infant Car Seat
For parents of multiple children, the stroller wagon from Gladly stands as a unified solution for all your outing needs, eliminating the necessity to haul both a stroller for your infant and a separate wagon for your toddlers.
It’s crucial to ensure compatibility between your infant car seat model and the Gladly family wagon. It’s also worth noting that each stroller wagon is designed to accommodate just one infant car seat.
Here’s the list of compatible infant car seats.
- Graco Snuglock 35
- Graco Snuglock 30
- Nuna Pipa Lite
- Uppababy Mesa
- Cleck Ling
- Chicco Keyfit 30
- Chicco Keyfit 35
- Chicco Fit2
- Evenflo Litemax
- Summer Affirm
- Britax Car Seats
Color Options
Each model comes in a choice of five distinct colors, offering selections in shades of classic brown, refreshing green, and a cool, blue-ish hue
Anthem2™ 2-Seater All-Terrain Wagon Stroller
Anthem4™ 4-seater All-Terrain Wagon Stroller
The Adventure Bundle: Anthem All-Terrain Stroller Wagon
Pricing
Anthem2™ 2-Seater All-Terrain Wagon Stroller: From $499.00
Anthem4™ 4-seater All-Terrain Wagon Stroller: From $649.00
The Adventure Bundle: Anthem All-Terrain Stroller Wagon: From $649.00
Pros and Cons
Pros
Easy to pull: After trying both push and pull mode, we decided to use pull most of the time. It is very smooth when pulling the wagon even with 4 kids in it.
High-quality materials: This is a really good quality wagon. The steel frame is very sturdy. The fabrics are very durable. It looks like a wagon that will last for a long time.
Great performance on the beach and bumps: We were beach-bound almost daily with our Gladly family wagon in tow during our vacation. Impressively, it handled the sandy terrain like a pro. While softer sands required pulling, I found that both pushing and pulling were incredibly effortless on firmer surfaces. The wagon’s adaptability truly shone, making our seaside adventures a breeze
I also had to move the wagon up and down a few stairs at Salty Dog Cafe Stores. The stroller wagon handled them surprisingly well.
Easy to clean: After our daily escapades on the beach, it was inevitable that the wagon would pick up some grime. However, cleaning it was simpler than anticipated. Once the sand dried, it brushed off effortlessly.
The plastic seats were particularly low-maintenance — a quick wipe-down was all it took to have them looking pristine again.
Compact fold and lightweight: The Anthem 2 tucks neatly into 41″ x 25″ x 16″, while the Anthem 4 folds down to 41″ x 30″ x 15″. The quick-release wheels pop off for an even tighter fit. Despite their solid builds — 40 lbs for the Anthem 2 and 42 lbs for the Anthem 4 — I had no trouble hoisting them into our 7-seater SUV, a testament to their smart, user-friendly design.”
Comfortable for kids: Despite its compact design, the interior of the Gladly Family Wagon is a revelation in terms of space. We managed to comfortably seat 4 kids inside, and they all enjoyed ample room to play and wiggle without feeling cramped. Even more impressive was the generous footwell space, allowing them plenty of legroom for a more enjoyable ride.
Cons
Challenging folding mechanism: Folding the stroller wagon was a consistent battle for me. On a rare occasion, it folded smoothly, but usually, it’s a 3 to 5-minute tussle. Often, I’ve had no choice but to rely on my husband’s strength to tackle it. Picture this: you’re out with your kids, sans husband, and your toddlers are growing restless while you wrestle with the wagon. Sometimes I even felt like leaving it behind — it was that much of a struggle!
Little harder to push and turn: Steering the stroller wagon straight was a task, requiring more finesse than expected. I was never able to push it straight for long. Though there’s a learning curve, it’s clear the Veer wagon has the upper hand in maneuverability compared to the Anthem versions. Executing sharp turns also demands extra effort. So we mostly resorted to pulling it for ease.
Non adjustable handle: With the handlebar standing at a fixed 42.5″ from the ground, pushing the wagon poses no issue for me or my 5’10” husband. However, I can imagine that for someone taller, this one-size approach might not measure up, potentially making the pushing experience less comfortable.
Do you need a stroller wagon?
Deciding if you need a stroller wagon comes down to personal preference, but let me tell you, it’s a game-changer for families with little ones who rebel against the confines of traditional strollers, yet aren’t quite ready for the full freedom of a regular wagon ride.
It’s perfect for those of us with multiple kids who love to be out and about. In a stroller wagon, siblings or twins can interact, play, and talk in ways standard strollers don’t allow, making outings more enjoyable for them and, honestly, less stressful for us!
Plus, for children who find long wagon rides uncomfortable, stroller wagons offer a cozy alternative. They blend the best of both worlds – the adventure of a wagon with the safety and comfort of a stroller.
Our vacation on Hilton Head Island was a breeze thanks to our stroller wagon. It not only made our travels easier but the kids had a blast too — and seeing them so excited and engaged made everything more fun for us too!
Conclusion
Both our kids and the family & friends who joined us on vacation loved the Gladly family wagon. They were more than happy to sit in the wagon while we enjoyed walking around the Island’s various plantations. It made going from one point to another much easier and faster. At the same time, they played with each other and delighted in the freedom the wagon stroller offered. For the kids, Gladly family wagon was a hit!
To Mom and Dad, the experience was pretty good except for the occasional struggle with the folding mechanism. It is a critical drawback in my opinion, but keep it mind it may have been a function used item. But beware, you don’t want to be stuck outside after a fun adventure fighting to fold up a wagon (especially after fighting to load the kids into the car).
Rent one from Baby Quip to try it out. Decide for yourself if this is the stroller wagon for your family!
I would also check out its competitors like Veer Cruiser or Evenflo Pivot Xplore.
