Graco Modes Adventure Stroller Wagon Review

Graco Modes Adventure

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How it Compares

Some stroller wagons like the Jeep, Keenz, and Wonderfold have a classic boxy shape and can be used to play on and in. Graco’s Adventure and others like the Evenflo and Veer are a bit more like a stroller. They are comfortable for sitting, but not for playing and napping.

The Modes Adventure is priced at the higher end of the mid-range for 2-seater wagons.

Out of the box it includes a canopy. A car seat adapter is sold separately and there are no other accessories.

Most Common Complaints

Although the Adventure wagon is new to the market we read every review and summarized the most common complaints. Next we respond to the criticisms from our own testing experience and knowledge of the alternative products.

Criticism	Our Experience
No handle mounted parent cupholder	Agreed. There are mesh pockets on the back of the wagon for drink holders but they are not easy to access.
Limited storage space	Agreed. Most wagons have a large, easy-to-reach storage compartment. The Adventure has front and back zippered pockets that don’t hold too much.
In pull-mode, handle falls all the way to the ground	If you let go of the handle while pulling the wagon, it falls to the ground; there is nothing to hold it up, so you have to reach down for it to resume pulling
Handle bar not high enough for tall parents	At the high point, the handle is 40″. That’s the same as the Evenflo Xplore but lower than the Veer at 42″ and Keenz 7S at 42.5″. One 6′ 4″ parent said it was acceptable for them.
Folding requires two hands and not a smooth process	The fold time for the Graco was only 19 seconds in our tests which is lower than any other wagon. However, it is a bit awkward as we discuss below.
Canopy short for bigger kids	True, older or taller children will bump their heads. Its a trade-off between head space and a canopy that is super easy to fold and use.
Cumbersome in the grass	It performed very well for us in tall grass
Doesn’t stay folded well	The single latch does keep it folded, but not tightly, and there is some give. Was not inconvenient for us.
Heavy	No, not compared to other stroller wagons. It is tied for lightest at 30.5 lbs
Requires 2 hands to open and close	True
Pushing down on handle to raise front wheels stresses handle too much	Agreed. I would not want to try to push down on the handle to raise the front of the wagon up onto a curb because the handle seems too weak for that and the wagon is long
Leg room and footwell space limited	There is actually more room in the footwell than other 2-seat wagons that have one. It is 16 x 11 x 5. However, it is true that it gets cramped with bigger kids.
Switching from push to pull is challenging	Technically it should not be challenging, you just push two buttons, slide the handle down and lift. However, practically, sometimes the handle catch doesn’t release easily and you have to jiggle it.
Doesn’t fit in a trunk	It fits in a Honda Civic trunk with plenty of room to spare
Snack tray is small	Small but adequate. It isn’t divided so there is only one area to service two children
No storage pockets for kids	True, no storage inside the wagon
Wheels not all-terrain	Does great on grass and packed gravel. Wheels not wide enough for soft sand.

Kid Travel Video Review

Testing and Research

We analyzed all the leading stroller wagons and chose the top nine wagons to test and purchase. We conducted a series of 65 different real-world tests and evaluations over several months.

We tested how the wagons pushed, pulled, traversed various terrains, how they felt to kids, and many other things. Four parents and several kids helped us through the process.

Folding and Transport

The Adventure folds down small and fast. It is light and comparably easy to lift. Folding and Transport ratings:

Folding

Fold time for the Graco Adventure was 19 seconds.

The attached canopy is sturdy, quick to fold, and doesn’t ever need to be removed unless you never intend to use it.

The handle has to be pressed all the way in during the folding process. It can be obstinate and sometimes requires extra pushing or wiggling to get it to release for folding. The handle also drops to the ground in the folding process, so if the ground is wet or muddy, the handle will get muddy too.

When you leave the wagon folded and standing, it rests on the handle. There is a plastic knob on the handle which is designed to make contact with the floor and protect the foam on the handle.

Fold times:

A plastic latch keeps the wagon folded. As show in the picture below, sometimes the fabric can get between the two pieces of the latch and prevent it from catching.

Unfolding is not a one-hand maneuver but it is pretty fast and easy with some practice.

Folded Size in Cubic Feet

The Adventure folds to 7 cubic feet, smaller than any wagon except the Radio Flyer Discover.

Folded sizes in cubic feet:

There is plenty of room to spare in the back trunk of a Honda Civic. And it fits easily in the back of a minivan with the seats up.

The transportability of the Graco wagon makes it a viable replacement for a double stroller. It also makes it much more likely that you will make the effort to use your stroller wagon frequently.

Kid Comfort and Usability

We got the kids’ opinion of the Graco Modes Adventure and evaluated the seats and other accessories that make a difference to children. Here are the scores for Kid comfort and usability:

Seats

The seats are the softest and most comfortable we’ve seen. They are padded and there are no bars or framing behind the seats that might prod little backs.

The Adventure has the biggest footwell size of the two passenger wagons we tested, 16″ x 11″ x 5″. With two bigger kids they may still bump feet and knees some.

The 3-point harness is standard and the mechanism can be unlatched with a strong push of the thumb.

We couldn’t find a minimum age limit for the wagon. With the car seat adapter (not included), clearly it can be used by infants. Children in the regular seats need to be big enough to sit upright on their own and not require a 5-point harness.

Snack Tray and Storage

The Adventure has a snack tray with a single, shared area for snacks. The two kid cupholders are deep to prevent drink tip-overs.

The Inside

This wagon measures 32″ x 15″ x 13.5″ on the inside. That’s a little longer than the Evenflo and not as wide as the Jeep or Keenz wagons.

Getting In and Out

Small toddlers will need to be lifted into the wagon. Most kids can probably hike a leg over and crawl in themselves. There is no secret door (like on the Wonderfold W4) or fold-down capability (like on the Evenflo) that provides an entrance for small children to crawl in on their own.

However, unlike the Keenz 7S, the sides don’t block children from being able to see out the sides once inside the wagon.

Play and Nap Mat

Some wagons have a flat lower surface for napping or playing. The footwell on the Graco prevents that.

Canopy

This is the sturdiest and easy-to-operate canopy we have tested. It stays on well, stays tight and still when opened, and has excellent coverage from the sun.

It never has to be removed and has meshing for ventilation. The only negative is that big kids may bump their heads on it, and when it is up, it blocks some of the view.

Canopies like these on the Keenz 7S and Jeep Wrangler have pros and cons compared to the Graco-style canopy. They allow for more visibility but don’t block as much sun without the additional sunshades deployed.

Also, the Keenz and Jeep canopies start to look wrinkled with use whereas the Graco canopy holds its shape better.

The Adventure canopy won’t keep the mosquitos out. You’ll need a separate mosquito net for that.

Part and Material Quality

The Graco Modes Adventure stroller wagon has excellent part and material quality. Here are the scores:

Zippers, velcro, and buttons operated well in our testing. The only problem we experienced was with the handle.

Wheels

Unlike most wagons, the wheels are made from rubber instead of EVA foam. This gives them a softer feel and a smooth ride. They also have little bumps which look cool but I’m not sure they have any other purpose.

The front wheels have spring suspension and it really does reduce the bumpiness of the ride.

Parent Comfort and Usability

The Parent Comfort and Usability category includes things like assembly, cleaning, brake operation, accessories, and storage. This was not the best category for the Adventure wagon:

Getting Started

It took only 17 minutes to unpackage and set up the wagon. It was straightforward once we found where the assembly instructions started in the manual. The manual is decent and the packaging is adequate.

Customer Service

We did not get a response to our email to customer service. However, this is possibly because we also contacted customer service by phone. The experience on the phone was pleasant but they weren’t able to solve the delivery problem we had (FedEx somehow lost our package, so we re-ordered via Amazon).

Handles

The handle slides to three height positions from 37″ to 40″. The buttons on each side must be pressed simultaneously. Some taller parents say it is too short, others say it isn’t.

The operation of the handle was a bit inconsistent. It must be pushed all the way in, to enable folding and switching to pull-mode. Sometimes it doesn’t release and has to be wiggled or pushed.

In pull-mode the handle doesn’t have a stop, so it falls freely to the ground when you release it. It is inconvenient to have to lean down to pick it up.

Car Seat Adapter

The base product does not include a car seat adapter. It must be purchased separately here. It works with all Graco car seats. We didn’t test it but some parents say it doesn’t leave enough room for the other kid when it is in use. The snack tray must be removed to install the car seat adapter.

Storage Volume Ranking

The Adventure has a zippered pocket and 3 mesh compartments that can serve as cup holders on the rear end of the wagon. There is another zippered pocket on the front.

These pockets are not very big and the manual says they hold 5 lbs. This is much less storage volume than the best stroller wagons we tested. There isn’t extra room in the wagon itself for storage with two kids in there.

Cleaning

The fabric on this stroller is thick and sturdy. It can be spot cleaned but is not removable for washing.

Crumb removal in the main body of the wagon isn’t too difficult although you do have to get down into the footwell. However, crumbs can make their way behind the seatbacks which is why the Graco landed where it did on crumb removal ratings:

Brake Operation

There are separate brake pedals for each rear wheel that brake a single wheel at a time. The pedals push and release easily. The underside of the pedal is smooth and doesn’t hurt bare or sandaled feet in our testing.

The brakes certainly work but in our runaway-wagon testing we found that the wagon stopped more slowly and skidded to one side. Wagons with a brake system that brake both rear wheels at the same time are more effective.

Steering and Maneuverability

In our steering and maneuverability testing, all the wagons were weighted down with 40 lbs in the front and 40 lbs in the back.

Steering and maneuverability ratings:

Pushing and Turning

We measured how much force it took to get each of the weighted wagons rolling.

We also measured the force required to turn the wagon 90 degrees starting from a dead stop, as you sometimes find yourself turning in a grocery store.

Terrain Performance

We pushed, pulled, and maneuvered the Adventure through the grass, up and down hills, and over gravel and bumps to compare it with other wagons we’ve tested.

Grass: The Adventure pushed smoothly through the grass surrounding an athletic field. It performed turns well while rolling but was difficult to turn from a stop.

Hills: With 80 lbs of cargo going uphill in the grass is a challenge. The Adventure was easier to push uphill than almost every other wagon.

Bumps: The front wheel suspension on the Adventure wagon makes for a smooth ride for kids but wasn’t much help in our bump test. We tried to push over rocks, branches and concrete barriers without a lot of success. Pulling instead of pushing didn’t help much as the handle doesn’t allow you to lift the front very easily. Bump ratings:

The front wheels are slightly larger than most at 8.5″ in diameter and not as wide as most at 1.6″ in width. The front-wheel suspension has quite a bit of give, to the extent that wheels can bend sideways a bit.

The mount for the front wheels is almost over the edge of the wheel (as opposed to over the middle), and it seems like in some turning situations you are fighting against the wheels.

The rear wheels are 10″ in diameter and 2″ wide. This is not quite as large as some of the wagons we tested. See the size comparison with the Baby Trend Expedition below:

Staying Straight

It can be frustrating to go on a long walk and fight a stroller that wants always wants to veer off to one side. In our tests to determine the veer tendency, the Adventure wagon was average. The chart makes it look worse but all those numbers in the fourteens are practically the same.

Straight push test results:

Steering

The overall maneuverability rating for the Adventure is on the low end. Longer wagons are simply less agile and slightly more difficult to steer. Maneuverability Ratings:

Graco Modes Adventure vs Evenflo Pivot Xplore

The Veer Cruiser and Evenflo Xplore were the highest-scoring 2-seat wagons in our testing but the Graco Adventure was a very close third.

The Xplore and the Adventure both fold to a small size although the Graco is smaller. Both handle well, have footwells, have comfortable seats and easy-to-use canopies. Neither have convenient parent cupholders.

The handle operation is better designed on the Xplore and it switches from push to pull more easily.

The Graco is slightly more roomy with higher canopies.

See our full review of the Evenflo Pivot Xplore.

Advantages of the Adventure over the Xplore:

• Spring suspension for a better ride
• 2″ longer
• 4 lbs lighter
• Slightly more comfortable seats
• Deeper footwell
• Smaller folded size

Advantages of the Evenflo Pivot Xplore over the Graco Adventure stroller wagon:

• Easier to maneuver
• Better terrain performance
• More storage space
• Lower price

Graco Adventure vs Baby Trend 2-in-1 Expedition

The Expedition is a lower-cost wagon than the Adventure with better storage and included car seat adapter.

The Expedition folds easily but is bulky and heavy when folded. It has a flat inner surface with 1″ foam seats. But there is no footwell so children must sit upright and their feet compete for the center of the wagon.

Both the Adventure and Expedition handle well and are sturdy and well built.

See our full review of the Baby Trend Expedition.

Advantages of the Adventure over the Baby Trend Expedition:

• Smaller folded size
• 11.5 lbs lighter
• More space on the inside, 2 inches longer
• Footwell
• More comfortable seats

Advantages of the Expedition over the Adventure:

• More storage space
• More accessible storage and cupholders
• Mosquito netting
• Nap mat included
• Car seat adapter included
• Lower price

Graco Modes Adventure vs Keenz 7S

The Keenz 7S is a popular wagon with a classic, boxy shape. It did not perform as well in our tests as the Graco Adventure.

The Keenz has a flat inner surface with no footwell. The advantage is that it provides a flat space for napping and play. The disadvantage is there is no footwell. Kids have to sit straight-backed and upright with legs stretched out in front.

The Keenz is wider on the inside, 18″ vs Graco’s 15″. The sides are higher making it hard for children to see out when seated.

One big differentiator between the two wagons is that the Adventure is much easier to fold, lift and stow than the Keenz.

Both retail at similar prices.

See our full review of the Keenz 7S.

Advantages of the Adventure over the Keenz 7S:

• Smaller fold size
• Easier to fold, lift and stow
• 1.5 lbs lighter
• More comfortable seats
• Footwell
• Easier to get kids in and out
• Canopy is easier to use

Advantages of the Keenz 7S over the Adventure:

• Mosquito netting
• More storage
• Insulated cooler bag
• Nap mat and flat play area
• Better brake operation and performance

Graco Modes Adventure vs Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler has a lot of interior space and comes equipped with useful accessories like a large insulated bag and a car seat adapter.

However, it is difficult to fold, lift and store. It is also difficult to steer and push. It was the worst scoring of the wagons we tested.

The Graco, compared to the Jeep, is lacking in storage space, an included car seat adapter, easy to access cupholder, and an insulated cooler bag.

But the Graco performs much better than the Jeep in important areas like terrain performance, maneuverability, folding, storing, and seat comfort.

We heartily recommend the Adventure over the Wrangler even though the Adventure is more expensive.

See our full review of the Jeep Wrangler.

Advantages of the Adventure over the Wrangler:

• Almost 16 lbs lighter
• Folds much smaller
• Steers and handles better
• More comfortable kid seats
• Footwell
• Easy to use canopy

Advantages of the Jeep Wrangler over the Graco Adventure:

• Includes car seat adapter and insulated cooler bag
• More storage
• Flat area for napping and paly
• High canopy (no danger of bumping your head on it)
• Lower price