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We all want a stroller that can do it all – a kind of multi-purpose vehicle that makes our lives so much easier. But, this is easier said than done. Go too extreme with a massive system and you get overwhelmed with features and end up wrestling with a heavyweight.
That is why many parents turn to the Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger Travel System Rixen when looking for a top stroller with lots of potentials. But, does this model find that middle ground with a feature-rich specification and ease to use the design? Or, does it end up being a cumbersome beast that still fails to tick all the right boxes?
The short answer here is that the appeal depends on your needs.
This Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger has the potential to help parents on the go with a travel system that takes advantage of off-road features. There are also plenty of aspects to this product that showcases the quality that parents have come to expect from a Graco trailer. I will talk more about these advantageous features below, such as the safety features, folding system, and other key details.
However, I’m not going to pretend that everything about this stroller is ideal. There are also a few issues to keep in mind about the design of this stroller, a couple of which could be a deal-breaker for some mothers.
Below, in my Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger Travel System Rixen review, I will go through some of those important points in detail. I want to highlight the best and worst that this stroller provides so you know what you are dealing with. Before that, here are the key pros and cons to take away from this system.
The pros and cons of this Graco stroller
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]The travel system with the extra car seat
The off-road features of the jogger
Nice design in different colors
Some nice details to make life better for parents
Security features where they count
A comfortable ride for most children
A folding frame for greater ease of use
Not too expensive
[/i2pros][i2cons]A little too big and heavy for everyone
Problems with some of the adjustable features[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Why Graco?
Graco is a name that many parents turn to because of its high reputation. They have created some brilliant products and strollers over the years to help parents get around with ease. Understandably, we trust them to bring us the very best and that is why so many mothers purchase Graco strollers on the basis of a decent star rating and familiar specification.
But, even the biggest giants have their flaws here and there. So, take a look through my findings on this stroller before you commit.
The Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger Travel System Rixen is a travel system, not just a stroller
Below is a video review from Sarah’s deals and more if you prefer to watch.
The first thing that we have to talk about here is that this is a travel system. Don’t assume that you are just getting a jogger here. Instead, the stroller comes with a car seat and base. This is great for those that want a whole new mobility system for their kids as you can use the seat in the car, put it into the stroller, then adapt the stroller as needed.
Kids should be able to grow up with this thing a little more easily. That car seat is the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 Infant Car Seat, which is a secure, comfortable, and well-made option. The seat is compatible with kids up to 35lbs and that is no more than 32’’ tall. When fitted into the stroller you can have a nice rear-facing seat where you get a much better view of your child and their needs.
On top of that, you have a jogger stroller for off-road capabilities.
This is where things start to get interesting if you have plans for more than just trips to the store and nursery. A good jogger should be able to offer you a reliable mode of transport on different terrains.
This means a steady motion over grass and sand that won’t disturb any sleeping children. The comments I have seen about this model suggest that you have a good chance of a smooth, care-free ride wherever you choose to go. The frame and strength mean that kids aren’t rattling around over the bumps too much.
Also, you have those air-filled tires on the three wheels for better grip and stability. There is always the chance that an air-filled tire could develop a puncture. But, these thicker options are far more reliable than a standard wheel. If you want to pick up the pace and actually use this for its primary purpose – as a jogger – you should find that you can get a decent pace without the stroller veering around.
The decision to add a lock on the front wheel helps with that. You can still have this as a swivel wheel for normal walks. Just be aware that the size and weight of the stroller mean it isn’t as streamlined as some others out there. I will talk more about these dimensions later.
All of this comes in a design that is easy on the eye.
Graco strollers tend to look stylish and as though they might cost a little more than average. It doesn’t look too bulky and there is a nice tapered feel that should add to the aerodynamics – if you are to go jogging with it.
Then there are the color choices. It is no surprise to see Gotham in there, as this is a go-to color for these strollers. It’s just a nicer way of saying black or grey. There are also coconut and chili red options in the range in case you want something a bit lighter or brighter.
There are some nice parent-friendly features across the Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger to help you out.
The beauty of this stroller doesn’t just lie in those primary purposes. There are also a few additional helpful features here to make this stroller an even better choice for busy parents. The first is the massive basket underneath.
I have seen some glowing reviews highlighting this feature because of the capacity. I know how frustrating it is to get a stroller that claims to have storage beneath to find won’t hold a small bag of groceries, let alone a diaper bag. This is much better and you can throw a lot in there out the way.
Then there are the two cup holders a phone holder. The cup holders seem to be secure and deep enough to prevent accidents and are perfect for a morning coffee or a cup of water on a hot day. The phone holder is a nice touch. But be warned that it is a little outdated as it is too small for anything bigger than an iPhone 5.
Also, there is the fact that you can wipe the seat clean with ease if there is ever a spill or accident. Finally, there is a decent amount of padding on the handle. But, there is a secondary issue with the handle you will see below.
This parent-friendly feel also includes features for the health and safety of your child.
So far, we have focused primarily on the benefits for you as a parent. How well you can get around and use this as a jogger or a standard stroller. But, we also need to look at the experience of your child. Let’s start with the safety features.
The first thing to mention here is the weight allowance. At 50lbs, this should be more than enough for your child to keep them secure until they outgrow the stroller and move onto something else. The last thing you want is it creaking under their weight while they are still young!
Then there is the harness. While some parents have swapped the harness out for a 3-point one, I am glad that there is a 5-point harness as standard. Interchangeability is helpful for parents that maybe have mobility issues and struggle with 5 attachment points. But, 5 point harnesses like this one is safer. This seems to be able to provide a secure fit and keep kids where they need to be on those bumpier rides over sand, or while jogging.
Also, this stroller possesses dual brakes. This might sound like something quite simple, but it can make a difference. Activating both brakes on this stroller means that both back wheels remain locked and fixed into position. The stroller isn’t going to veer off if it gets knocked by another child or passing stroller.
Kids should be able to get fairly comfortable here.
If you are going to test out that harness and off-road capability with your child, you need some other comfort features to go with it. Comfort is always going to be subjective and some smaller or larger babies may not get the same perfect fit as others. But, there still seems to be more than enough padding on this soft chair.
You can also recline the back a little – but not a lot. The stroller also comes with a footrest to provide even more support for their legs and feet, which is a must when jogging. From what I have seen, the seat gets a gurgle of approval from most babies.
The folding system is better than some parents expected.
For the final benefit in this Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger Travel System Rixen review, we have the folding frame. There are mixed comments about this system that will relate to some of the issues below. Yet, there is still potential here for a simple, helpful system with the right motion. There is a one-handed mechanism that collapses the chair pretty quickly. Also, I like that it uses a free-standing function.
Too many strollers just fall over on you once you figure out how to fold it up. In this case, the stroller should lock into place and then stand up proud. From there, you can move it into any suitable storage area or just leave it as it is. After all, it is easier to deal with the stroller after you settle your child.
But, there are also those that struggle with this Graco Fastaction Travel System because of the dimensions.
Let’s move onto some of the disadvantages of choosing this stroller. There are more benefits than problems. Still, it is important to be aware of the impact of these issues. The first is the large dimensions of the stroller.
This was never going to be small with a car seat fixture and that tough jogger design. You are looking at a height of 42 inches, a length of 40 inches, and a width of 24. This does come down considerably when folded but could be a problem when set-up and ready to go. The large size can make it a little more difficult to handle, especially if you have the canopy set up and struggle to see the front wheel. The width of 24 inches isn’t the widest out there, but it is worthwhile checking the width of your door frames.
Then there is the weight. This stroller weighs 30lbs. This is far too heavy for some parents that say they lack the arm strength to pick it up – especially with one hand – and that it is a bit awkward for them to move. If you are unsure about this weight, look up the weight of your current stroller and see how it compares.
Also, there are limitations to the adjustable features that affect shorter users.
This is where we come to one of the biggest drawbacks. That handle may have enough padding on it, but there isn’t much movement for adjustments. Shorter parents have found it difficult to hold the handle at a comfortable height and wish it went down further. When you combine this with those dimensions, you do get a system that is just too cumbersome for everyone.
On the subject of adjustable features, I want to also point out two other factors: the canopy and the reclining seat. Graco boasts that the seat has different angles for comfort. But, the recline of 45 degrees is not ideal if you are used to something a little more adaptable for napping or changing.
As for the canopy, it only gives kids full shade with the car seat configuration. When you use it as a stroller, the shade doesn’t cover the lower part of their body. This is fine for eye protection, but not great for bare legs. I would rather see a more generous shade that lets babies completely escape the sunshine when they need to.
Finally, there is the issue of the cost.
With so much going on in such a large stroller, it is understandable if you are curious about the cost. I was surprised to find that this retails for a fair $300. Yes, there are Graco strollers that are cheaper, even with the additional seat, but not by a lot. You are paying a little more to be sure of the strength and quality you need. You are still getting a lot of stroller with a practical, helpful set up for a decent price.
There are issues to be aware of in buying the Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger Travel System Rixen.
At the start of this Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger Travel System Rixen review, I mentioned that there was an aspect here that was a deal-breaker for a lot of parents. The simple truth here is that if you know you won’t be able to push or carry this comfortably, it just isn’t going to work. Shorter users will struggle to get around the issues posed by that non-adjustable handle and heavyweight. You may also look at other aspects, like the canopy or the reclining function on that seat, and decide that this isn’t the best fit.
However, the Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger could still be a helpful tool for a lot of new parents.
This issue with the size shouldn’t affect everyone. There are still plenty of parents that can wheel this around town, the beach, and everywhere in between with ease. The travel set does provide comfort and security in a nice package, with plenty of additional bonus features to make life easier. This is more than a jogger for getting around in the great outdoors. It is also a tough, practical option for errands, school runs, and more.
Is this Graco Fastaction Rixen Travel System the right choice for you?
In the end, it is up to you whether or not you think that this Graco Fastaction Fold Jogger Travel System Rixen will work for your family. If you are in need of a more complete travel set and like the sound of the features, check out the product listing to learn more. Take your time to go over the finer details and understand the measurements to see how they relate to previous strollers and your home environment. Personally, I think that if you can handle the size with ease, you will appreciate the practical features and design.
