The best beach wagons for soft sand are designed to make transporting your gear to and from the shore a breeze. This style of wagon is great for a wide variety of activities like a beach picnic, camping at the seaside, a family day trip to the shore, and more. Spending a day at the beach certainly counts as one of life’s greatest pleasures, and choosing the best wagon for the beach will make your experience even better. Because it can be overwhelming navigating the many styles of wagons available, we’ve created this guide to five ultimate choices, and a buyer’s guide to help you decide which is right for you.
Designed to carry beach coolers, camping equipment, packable beach chairs and more, investing in a quality beach wagon makes carrying your gear both easy and convenient. To help get you one step closer to your next adventure to the shore, here is everything you need to know about beach wagons:Comparison Chart
Best Beach Wagons for Soft Sand Reviewed
1. Beau Jardin's Folding Push Wagon Cart
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Review
The Beau Jardin’s folding push wagon cart is versatile, flexible and easily maneuverable thanks to its rotating wheels.
This wagon has the ability to handle up to 300 pounds of gear, which makes it something of a titan compared to most beach wagons. The typical beach wagon comes with a maximum weight capacity which is often limited to approximately only 150 pounds. Although the 300 pound weight capacity may seem a tad too much for some, there is a certain comfort that comes with knowing that there’s always room to sneak in an extra pack of your favorite cookies.
Along with a heavy weight capacity this wagon also features a sturdy frame and robust 7 x 4 inch thick rubber wheels, leaving no risk of the beach wagon toppling over and sending all your best laid plans tumbling into the soft beach sand. The cart itself has been manufactured using 600D Polyester renowned for its impressive resistance to ultraviolet rays and ability to withstand the wear and tear of a variety of conditions. As a result, it is perfectly capable of withstanding the rigors of frequent scrubbing and regular trips to the beach.Designed for ultimate convenience, this wagon requires no assembly. Simply unfold it, and it’s ready to go. Furthermore, it’s built to ensure a compact and secure fit into your car trunk or vehicle space for ease in portability. Because of the multipurpose function, this wagon can be used for carrying groceries to the house, for backyard hauling, camping trips and more. This folding push wagon truly ticks every box! There is no doubt that Beau Jardin has produced an outstanding product which will ensure spending a day at the seaside is a joy and not a chore.PROS
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2. Mac Sports Heavy Duty Beach Wagon
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The Mac Sports heavy-duty beach wagon company prides itself on its ability to provide first rate leisure equipment for outdoor activities. Its heavy duty beach wagon comes with the prerequisite robust frame and wheels, and an adjustable handle which makes transporting gear to and from the beach a breeze. This wagon has a weight capacity of up to 150 pounds, providing you plenty of room to carry picnic gear, swimming gear, snorkeling gear and more. It saves you from struggling to carry contents through the powdery sand underfoot, and offers plenty of room for carrying everything your family needs. Made from a durable poly fabric, this wagon is resistant to mildew, as well as wear and tear. Additionally, it’s easy to clean and maintain ensuring it can withstand a variety of outdoor environments. Despite measuring 36.2 x 21.4 x 24.6 inches, this wagon folds to a surprisingly compact thickness of 9.7 inches, making it easy to pack in the trunk of your car or storage space in your vehicle.
The surprising and welcome addition of two mesh cup holders on this cart prevent any bothersome spills, and are a clear sign that Mac Sports have quite simply thought of everything to create the perfect beach wagon for transporting all you need at the beach with a minimum of fuss.PROS
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3. Timber Ridge Folding Beach Wagon
Review
The Timber Ridge folding beach wagon is an all-terrain and durable outdoor utility cart, designed to make carrying your gear to and from the beach, or any other location, a breeze. Manufactured from the super durable and UV resistant 600D Polyester in a bold dark blue, this cart is both aesthetically appealing and highly functional. Its steel frame has been built to withstand weights of up to 100 pounds on sandy surfaces, a figure which actually goes up to 150lbs on hard surfaces.
Additionally, the wheels on this design are larger than average and capable of rotating at the front, suitable for all kinds of terrain and an added bonus in terms of versatility.
In terms of convenience, this beach wagon checks nearly all of the boxes. It’s easy folding design is both compact in design and can even roll along while folded for ultimate portability. It features a very useful and functional telescopic handle to make transporting your gear a breeze.
This wagon requires no assembly. Simply unfold the wagon, and you’re ready to go. Boasting a capacity of 35.5 x 18.4 x 12 inches, this wagon has a large volume capacity and is capable of holding up admirably under the weight of all the food, drink and swimwear required for a memorable day out at the seaside.
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4. RIO Brands Wonder Wheeler Plus Beach Cart
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The Wonder Wheeler beach cart makes it easier than ever to take all of your gear, food, and beach toys with you to the beach without having to physically carry it all yourself. The deep design of the cart allows you to keep longer items, such as a boogie board or beach umbrella, inside the mesh basket without worrying about them tipping over or falling out. Additionally, thanks to the durable handle on this cart, it’s relatively easy to control without worrying about the cart falling over or going off track. The comfort padding on the handle allows you to push it for extended periods of time without experiencing hand fatigue or discomfort, and also prevents the handle from getting too hot when left out in the sun for a long time.
There are four wheels on this cart, and they were all chosen to add to the mobility and ease of use of the equipment. The oversized back wheels are sturdy and designed to help you power over any rocks, branches, seaweed, or sand that may be in your path. The rotating front wheels make it easy to push and drive around obstacles in the way.
Unlike other similar carts, this one folds instantly so that you don’t have to worry about how you are going to have enough hands to fold it for storage. The mesh bag is designed to allow any sand from the beach to fall out so that you don’t get a huge mess in your car or your home. Overall, we have to say that for a multi-purpose cart, Rio Brands did a great job with the design of this versatile outdoor wagon.PROS
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5. Tommy Bahama All Terrain Beach Cart
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What’s really impressive about the Tommy Bahama all-terrain beach beach cart is all of the additional storage that it offers for holding gear securely. Like most beach carts, it has a main mesh compartment for carrying large items like a pop up beach tent, but it also offers a removable cooler tote bag that makes it easy to keep your snacks and drinks cold. Additionally, it has an umbrella holder by the front wheel so that your umbrella is always within easy reach.
The folding design of this beach cart makes it perfect for stowing in the back of your car so that you can always pull it out at a moment’s notice. It folds surprisingly flat and is easy to break down, which is great for busy parents who also need to corral and keep an eye on their children. Additionally, thanks to the large design of the back wheels and the traction that they offer, this cart easily moves across both wet and dry sand without sinking or requiring extra effort. Pushing the cart on firm surfaces is easy, thanks to the smaller front wheels, and it can be turned and pulled for easier movement on softer surfaces.
The mesh fabric not only allows sand to drop out of the cart, but it also dries incredibly fast. This design helps to reduce the possibility of the cart developing mold or mildew once it has been used to transport any wet or damp items. This also makes it ideal for daily use, as the fabric and mesh will be dry before the cart is used again the next day.
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Choosing the Best Beach Cart for Soft Sand: Buyers Guide
You've carefully packed your picnic basket, selected the right sunscreen, finally ditched those old beach towels for a brand new beach blanket and even remembered to bring along your favorite beach volleyball. And now all you need is that one essential factor which will make it all come together so beautifully- a beach wagon. Not just any beach wagon will do, but one which comes with great capacity, flexibility and wide wheels, to enable it to glide smoothly over the soft sand on the beach.
When you begin your search for a beach wagon, especially for soft sand beaches, you should consider the following factors in making your decision:
Design and Durability
Any beach wagon you are considering should be designed and constructed with a sturdy frame and using quality materials. The durability of your equipment should be one of your top considerations, as you don’t want it to fail while you are on the beach. Some of the features that make a quality beach cart design and durability are:
- Sturdy and Durable Frame
- UV Resistant Materials
- Heavy-Duty Wheel Connections
- All-Terrain Wheels and Design
- Large Capacity for Carrying Beach Gear
- Lightweight Build for Easy Transport
Aluminum is a lightweight and durable option used in many beach wagon frame designs. This material is strong enough to handle carrying the weight of your beach gear, and tough enough to withstand rugged outdoor environments like the beach. The fabric or mesh materials used in the cart should be high quality, UV resistant, and able to withstand the wear and tear of the beach environment. This carrying compartment will be hauling wet, sandy and possibly dirty gear back to your vehicle or accomodations, and needs to be able to withstand regular wear and tear. Additionally, this material should be easy to clean and maintain, and it should prevent the growth of mildew with a quick drying design.
Another important consideration in the wagon design in the wheels, and how they are attached to the cart, to ensure your cart is both built for use in marine environments, and sturdy enough to last you for many adventures to come. The wheels of this wagon will be exposed to a variety of hard and soft terrain, and need to be suited to handle the weight of your gear on these surfaces. Additionally, choose a durable cart design that’s best suited to your needs. For example, if you need ample room to carry gear for a big group, choose a style with the largest capacity possible. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a compact and highly maneuverable wagon that is multifunctional for grocery trips, camping excursions and more, choose a style designed to do so. The wagon you choose should fit your needs as an individual, or as a family.
Wagon Maneuverability
There is nothing more frustrating than having to tug and pull at your wagon to get it to move in the direction you are headed. Here are the top things to look for when choosing a quality beach wagon with ultimate maneuverability:
- All-Terrain Wheels
- Large Back Wheel Design
- Front Rotating Wheels
- Adjustable Handle
All-terrain wheels are your best choice for ultimate mobility in soft sand, and should be large enough to move freely across sand without sinking under the weight of your gear. Additionally, if you want maximum control over steering on hard terrains, choose a model with front rotating wheels. Another consideration for the ideal maneuverability of your beach wagon is an adjustable handle that will allow you to alter the length for a variety of situations. This added benefit provides you with the ability to switch up the person pulling it, and it makes a custom fit to your height and comfort level while pulling the wagon behind.
Stowing and Storage
While the main purpose of your beach wagon will be to haul your gear to and from the shore, it’s also important that the model is easy to transport and store away while it’s not in use. Choose a cart that breaks down and folds easily for convenient storage and stowing. This is a great feature for transporting your wagon to and from the beach, and it’s ideal for storing during the off season, or while it’s not in use. It minimizes the space needed to keep it tucked away, and amplifies the space available in your vehicle when traveling.
Wagon Capacity
The weight and size of the items and gear you intend to transport should be factored into your decision when choosing the right wagon weight capacity for your needs at the shore. If you have heavy items, such as coolers, chairs, skimboards, bodyboards, you will want to look for a wagon with a sufficient weight capacity. Additionally, you will want to make sure the storage area of the wagon has the length, width and depth needed to secure your gear. Here are general weight capacity sizes for beach wagons:
- Small Capacity: 75-100 Pounds
- Average Capacity: 100-200 Pounds
- Large Capacity: 300+ Pounds
Material Maintenance
Your beach wagon will be exposed to some challenging conditions like sand, sun rays and salt water. The fabric material should be durable, easy to clean, and quick-drying to prevent mold and mildew. A breathable and fast drying material that can be easily wiped down, sprayed with water and designed to avoid sand being trapped inside are important features that will provide you with ultimate ease and convenience at the shore.
Wagon Accessories
While the main function of your beach wagon will be to haul gear to and from the seaside, added features and accessories can enhance your towing experience. Some quality options offered by some of the best beach carts on this list are:
- Detachable Coolers
- Adjustable Handles
- Umbrella Holders
- Additional Straps for Securing Contents
- Pockets for Valuables
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planning a beach camping excursion, a leisurely day at the shore, a fun filled day catching waves, or more, a quality beach wagon will provide you with ease and convenience on the way to your favorite destination. Use this guide to choose the best wagon for the beach, and to understand which features you’ll need while adventuring at the seaside.
Has this guide helped bring you one step closer to your next beach adventure? We would love to hear about it- share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!
Megan Jones leads the editorial staff of Seaside Planet. They are a multidisciplinary team of outdoor adventurers, water sports lovers, and passionate beach goers. You can learn more about Meg and the rest of the editorial team here.