Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite Review

Starting in 2005, a family started the company, which is now located in Texas and California. Joovy prides itself on original, functional designs created with the quality construction of fun gear for everyday outings. Joovy makes a multitude of different baby products, including everything from favorite baby bottles to strollers.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Joovy Caboose is below-average for ease of use out of the best double strollers.

Fold and Unfold

The Caboose requires two hands to fold and has three steps. It is average for ease of folding, and you'll need to pull up on the release on both sides simultaneously and bend over to finalize the fold. It does not self-stand and has a manual lock. Unfolding the stroller is easier with one hand, one step, and bending to the ground.

Storage

The storage is easier to access with the sliding bench seat than some other sit-and-stand competitors with almost impossible access to storage. However, if you opt for the Caboose Rear seat, the access is virtually nil. The maximum allowance of the basket is 5 lbs, and the smaller access opening means it is hard to fit a diaper bag inside. The bin is medium in size, but we couldn't fit any diaper bag inside. However, it is on par with the competing sit-and-stand style strollers.

The Caboose has a neoprene parent's console (above left) with 2 cup holder pockets and Velcro and zipper pockets for smaller items. The pockets are easy to use and can carry about 5 lbs. The holders work well, and the flex of the fabric means even odd-shaped items can fit inside. The child's tray (above right) also works with bottles and sippys, but the holders are shallow, and taller items could fall out.

Harness

The Caboose has a 5-point harness for the front seat and a 3-point for the rear bench seat (standard). Both are easy to get on and take off but aren't as easy to adjust as competitors. The shoulder height adjustment has three options and rethreads for height on the front seat, while the rear seat doesn't offer shoulder straps. The crotch straps in both seats are stationary, but the length is adjustable. The straps also help connect the car seat, and this is not ideal as you can't adjust the straps with the car seat in place. You'll need to guess the strap length and redo the installation if it needs adjustment.

Brakes

The brakes are single-action and are average for ease of setting and release. The single-action brakes are favorable and rare on this product style, a welcome departure.

Maneuverability

The Caboose is not a stand-out in maneuverability. None of the sit-and-stand models impress in the maneuverability department.

This stroller is narrower, which makes getting around in tight areas easier, but the plastic wheels and dual front wheel design make pushing it more difficult than it should be, and some testers kicked the back of the stroller when pushing. It continues to struggle off-road, needing extra strength on the grass and stopping dead on gravel. It is probably best to keep this option on hard and flat surfaces.

Transporting and Storing

Weight and Folded Size

The Caboose is the lightest option in our tests of double strollers, with a total weight of 23.4 lbs.

The Caboose is also relatively small when folded, with one of the smallest folded measurements in the group at 11,634 cubic inches. Being light and small gave the Caboose an edge in the weight and folded size metric.

Kid Ride

The Caboose isn't meant for napping, and it doesn't try to be something it isn't. but if your little ones prefer to nap on the move, it could be the wrong stroller for your needs.

Seat

The front seat reclines with one hand and has three positions. It is a little harder to use than it should be, and it doesn't lay flat enough to be cozy. The rear seat does not recline at all, and you won't be able to recline the front seat if the rear bench seat has a child in it. More comfort can be found in other side-by-side options that typically offer a deeper recline.

Sunshade

The sunshades on the Caboose are the best for the sit-and-stand style. The front canopy is large and covers most of the baby's head and part of their body. The rear seat doesn't have a true canopy but instead has a piece of fabric that stretches from the front seat and zips onto the frame, covering the baby from front to back without side coverage. The rear seat cover will not work with the older child using the rear platform to stand on. Neither cover has a peek-a-boo window or ventilation, but neither is large enough for you to miss them. If you want a huge canopy with more body coverage, you'll need to upgrade to an option with two identical oversized sunshades.

Quality

While this product isn't a high disappointment, it isn't that impressive either. For a Joovy product, it scored low, but it manages a higher score than most similar options. This stroller has a heavier canvas that feels durable, but it isn't very soft. The hemstitching falls right on the edge of the seat behind the knee of some toddlers, and it could chafe. The material along the edge also feels like it will snag easily. We like the harness material (very soft and supple), but the seat only has average padding for comfort.

The frame has an umbrella-style feel and is utilitarian-looking without smooth and appealing lines. The overall fit and finish are on the dull side, and the components and plastic wheels have a cheap feel that impacts the overall design. The handlebar is not adjustable and is narrow and flat, which doesn't feel that good in the hand and might cause fatigue on longer trips.

The stroller has stiff front and rear shocks, and the front seat is hard with minimal padding. The back seat is a hard bench with light padding and no seatback, so comfort for that passenger is even less than the front.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Caboose can be used with one infant car seat, like those from our best infant car seat review. It is compatible with some seats from the following brands: Baby Trend, Britax/BOB, Chicco, Cybex, Evenflo, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Peg Perego, Safety 1st, and UPPAbaby. We tested the Caboose with the Britax B-Safe 35, Chicco Keyfit 30, Cybex Aton 2, Evenflo Embrace, Graco Click Connect 35, Graco Click Connect 40, and the Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30.

None of the adapters need assembly, but you need to remove the child's tray to attach them. All of the infant seats are strap-in connections, and they can be installed incorrectly if the straps are not properly secured. We worry some parents will forget the strap or choose not to use it, making this design a potential safety concern.

None of the seats were straightforward to install or remove, but they were all secure once attached. All seats scored the same in our tests, and we wouldn't really recommend one over the other.

Ease of Setup

The Caboose did not score well for ease of setup, with a setup time of over 14 minutes.

However, the documentation is good, and we like the quick start guide with useful illustrations. It isn't as clear as it could be, but the number of things you need to put together is the real problem.

Twins

The Caboose is not the best bet for twins, given the disparity between seats and the lack of car seat attachment for two. While it is a nice option for parents who have an active older child and a younger one, it accepts only one infant car seat, making it impossible to use with two babies of the same age, and even if you purchase it for twins who are large enough to fit in the seats, they will likely disagree over who gets to stand and who gets to nap. The budget-friendly Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double has two similar seats, has inline width, and works with some infant car seats, making it more of a twin potential choice.

Should You Buy the Joovy Caboose?

If you have two children of different ages and need a lightweight narrow stroller that folds relatively flat, then the Caboose fills a niche that you can't find in much of the competition. We like what it offers, and we think it fits the niche well. However, it is not the right stroller for those looking for a primary everyday option as it lacks sufficient storage for two or running errands, and it is harder to maneuver under certain circumstances. We think this is the right choice for families who want an economical choice, need a secondary or travel stroller, and don't anticipate the need for napping or carrying a lot of supplies.

What Other Doube Stroller Should You Consider?

If you have two children closer in age or plan to move off flat hard surfaces, we think you'll be better off with a more traditional stroller for two. The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a high-quality choice with two similar seats and all the conveniences you'll need for a full day of fun or errands. However, the Vista is pricey and might not be the best choice for those on a budget or parents who want to head off the beaten path. If outdoor adventures or running is in your future, then the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double is a strong contender. If Budget is a concern, the Baby Trend Expedition Double deserves a closer look.

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