Veer Cruiser Review

Veer is a brand for parents that claim to create products to get kids outdoors and on adventures instead of staring at scenes. The company branding and marketing leans heavily into outdoor adventures and "clean living" to build "unbreakable bonds" with our kids and memories they will never forget.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

While the features and functionality of the Veer are easy enough to use and well-designed, it is the lack of features that hurt its overall ease of use performance score.

Fold and Unfold

The walls of the wagon break down for folding. First, you break down the front and back by pressing a button on each end to release them, and then the side walls fold in next. The buttons are easy to press, and you can then lower the handle to look it in place. Sometimes we had to use a little more pressure to finish the job, but the walls are lightweight, and it isn't hard to do. There is no place to stow the snack tray in the fold, so it will be on its own and an opportunity to be left behind or lost over time.

Storage

If you want real storage on the Veer, you'll have to purchase it. As it comes, this wagon only has a snack tray with cup holders and interior storage pockets. This wagon cannot hold supplies for two or even a picnic without putting it on the floor between the children.

It also includes parent cup holders that somewhat swivel on the handlebar when you lift it up and down. These seem to work well, and we didn't experience items falling out during normal use, but uneven terrain could cause items to potentially fall out.

Harness

The Veer has 3-point harnesses in each seat. As there is no back support, there is nowhere for two more points to go to create a 5-point harness. The side and crotch straps on the harness are all adjustable for a snug fit.

The buckle requires sliding in the side straps one at a time into the crotch strap end. The mechanism is a pinch between your index finger and thumb instead of a button to press. It is effective but rudimentary and takes more effort, which could be challenging with a wiggly toddler.

Adjusting the straps isn't as easy to tighten or pull as some of the competition. Multiple testers felt it wasn't intuitive, and adjusting with a child in the seat wasn't easy.

Brakes

This wagon has single-action brakes with a pedal in the middle of the end of the wagon under the handlebar. The brake pedal is wide and presses down to lock with a deeper press necessary to push out the lock button. It requires a good amount of pressure but nothing that feels impossible or difficult.

The pedal springs back at you if not appropriately set, and we can't imagine someone thinking they've set it when they haven't. Releasing is an inward pressure on the unlock button with the tow of your shoes or actual toes if wearing sandals or barefoot. It is a comfortable process.

Maneuverability

The Veer has hard plastic wheels with a larger pair on the side opposite the handlebar. This wagon can be pushed or pulled, but the handlebar always remains on the same side as the smaller wheels and brake pedal. The stroller fits through a 32-inch standard doorway.

In our experience, it is easier to pull than push this stroller, no matter the terrain. The pushing on the handlebar makes for an awkward and uncomfortable arm position. The back wheels are fixed, so the wagon swings out in a way that isn't intuitive and takes time to sort out when you first move it. While pulling is better, it isn't a lot better, and it is still hard to turn and takes some effort and turning to view. We could not make one turn on our obstacle course that the other strollers and competing wagon made without problems. It feels like the wagon is pulling away from the puller on turns, and it doesn't manage tight turns very well, push or pull. The hard wheels and lack of suspension create a less smooth movement than much of the competition.

Using this wagon off-road isn't a lot better than flat surfaces, and because the handle is just a T at the end, it made pushing near impossible. Imagine pushing a shopping cart backward with one hand, and you have a close approximation. We think the only real viable way to use this wagon is to pull it. The handle shaft also locks into place at some elevation, making tight turns even more troubling. None of the maneuverability tests with the Veer are as simple as most of the competition.

Transporting and Storing

The Veer folds relatively flat, even if it can be long. This makes it easier than much of the competition to lift, carry, and stow in a car or smaller space in a home.

Weight and Folded Size

This wagon weighs 34.5 lbs, which is about average for the group but larger than the manufacturer claims of 32.6.

Its folded size is 15,168 cubic inches, which is much smaller than a lot of the competition. The size is thin and easy to slide in narrow spaces because it doesn't have the bulk of most of the competition.

Kid Ride

Keeping little ones comfortable can be the difference between a fun outing and a fussy one. This wagon can't compete with more traditional or jogging strollers for comfort, given the sling-style seat,s padding, and often suspension seen on those kinds of strollers that aren't included here.

Seat

The seats in the Veer are upright with no head or neck support. There are no recline or real leg rest considerations and no padding or features designed for comfort or napping. We don't think little ones will like riding in this wagon for longer periods.

Sunshade

There are no sunshades included with this stroller. If you want shades, you need to buy the accessory from Veer. This seems shortsighted for a wagon intended to transport children outdoors. Frankly, given the price of this option, it is a disappointment that something as simple as sun protection isn't being offered for this price.

Quality

The Veer earned a higher-than-average score for quality, and it definitely looks sleek and rugged, like it can take on anything and be hosed off afterward. This wagon has only minimal amounts of fabric, using canvas on the sides. The ends are plastic, and the foot well is mesh.

The frame on this wagon feels solid and has welded joints on the base components. The entire unit is rigid and feels sturdy, including the footwell, which is stationary instead of a hanging part like on some other wagons. The wheels are foam-filled plastic to help avoid disfigurement, and the back wheels are about 5 inches larger than the front. We like the addition of fenders over the back wheels to prevent some mud/dirt/sand from spraying the rear passenger.

The overall fit and finish are nice, and the paint did not have errors or issues in our purchased option. The handle locks firmly in place to prevent jiggling, and everything else also locks in place for a solid final product. It has no canopies or other components to consider.

Car Seat Compatibility

This wagon can accept one infant car seat with an adapter from the following brands: Graco, Britax, UPPAbaby, Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, Chicco, and Peg Perego. For details, see the comparison chart in the main review.

Ease of Setup

The Veer took less than 15 minutes to assemble.

The process is straightforward, requiring no tools or tightening of any screws. The manual has pictures and a step-by-step in case it isn't clear. We had difficulty sliding on the fenders, but it still wasn't an arduous experience. Many of the components sort of lock or click into place. Most parts pull out of the box as is, and you just snap on the wheels.

Twins

Older twins can work in the Veer as long as they can sit up on their own and have good head and neck control. It is not suitable for infants or younger babies, and we think it is probably best for toddlers or children who are mobile and ready for world exploration (always follow manufacturer instructions and warnings).

Should You Buy the Veer Cruise?

While this wagon is a higher-quality option with a sleek look and fun marketing, we don't see the appeal of a wagon this expensive. This model comes bare bone with a fairly hefty price tag for what you get. There are no sunshades or padding for seating, and storage is practically non-existent. If a wagon is what you are after, we think there are better options, but in all honesty, we think a jogger or bike trailer is better for versatile outdoor adventures with inside possibilities.

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?

If a wagon is what you're after, then we prefer the Evenflo Pivot Xpand. This double wagon comes with dual canopies, a snack tray, detachable storage, and the ability to push or pull. In our tests, the Xplore performed better than the Veer overall, and it comes with many of the conveniences the Veer lacked for a lower price. However, we aren't sold on the idea that a wagon is all that. We think our lineup offers better, more versatile options for adventurous parents looking for fun with little ones. A jogger like the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double or a bike trailer like the Hamax Outback could offer better comfort, more storage, and easier maneuverability.

Manufacturer Video