Just the thought of having to haul your kayak to the water’s edge could put you off. The answer to this problem is a kayak cart!
This can solve your problems of getting your kayak to and from the water and will take a load off your shoulders.
If this sounds good to you, read on, and we will help you find the best kayak cart for you. Our favorite would be the RAILBLAZA C-Tug Kayak Trolley Cart. We review the best kayak carts and share what you should be looking for when choosing your kayak cart.
These are the best kayak carts available right now:
- RAILBLAZA C-Tug Kayak Trolley Cart—Best Overall
- Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty Kayak Cart—Best for Heavy Loads
- Malone WideTrak ATB Large Kayak Cart—Best for Wide Loads
- Suspenz Smart Airless DLX Kayak Cart—Lightweight Design
- Bonnlo Kayak Cart Canoe Carrier Trolley—Best Wheels
- Seattle Sports Paddleboy ATC All-Terrain Kayak Cart—Best for Versatility
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Which Are the Best Kayak Carts?
The best kayak carts available right now are below.
RAILBLAZA C-Tug Kayak Trolley Cart—Best Overall
Specs
The RAILBLAZA C-Tug kayak cart is a rugged, strong, and great-looking kayak cart. It’s easy to assemble and weighs in at just 10 pounds. It may be lightweight, but it can carry a heavy load of up to 300 pounds.
The wheels on the trolly cart are puncture-free, so you don’t have to worry about a flat tire. They have a high grip rubber tread and are suitable for any surface. The C-tug frame is made from non-corroding polymers and has reinforced stainless steel axles to last a long time.
It takes just seconds to dismantle the kayak cart, and it’s easy to store in your kayak hatch.
Verdict
Customers like how easy this universal kayak carrier is to assemble and the fact that no tools are required. The simple design is eye-catching, and it looks like a solid, heavy canoe trolley cart, when in fact, it’s lightweight.
The c pads on the cart swivel around so that you can move them to fit your kayak. They also have an excellent grip, so your kayak doesn’t move about when towing.
The smooth wheels give you a secure grip on the trickiest of terrains and will never go flat. The straps make sure that you won’t lose your kayak along the journey. It also has an adjustable kickstand to keep it in position.
In Summary
The RAILBLAZA C-Tug kayak cart is a great all-around find to move your kayak with ease. Behind its modern look is a robust and durable kayak cart that can carry heavy sit-on-top kayaks and your gear without issues.
It’s not the cheapest kayak carrier, but it will last a very long time, and you get what you pay for. For us, it’s the best kayak cart out there.
Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty Kayak Cart—Best for Heavy Loads
Specs
The Wilderness Systems heavy-duty kayak cart is built for strength. It transports up to 450 pounds without any issues and weighs just 13 pounds. The marine-grade heat-treated aluminum frame is adjustable in both width and height, giving you a versatile structure.
The non-puncture airless wheels on the cart are 12 inches in size and give you a solid platform to carry your kayak. The wheels can be changed to balloon beach wheels. These are sold separately and are ideal for traveling over soft sand.
The kayak cart is completely collapsible and is easy to assemble or dismantle. It’s small enough to store in your kayak hatch when not in use.
Verdict
What customers like about this cart are its strength and stability. It has no trouble transporting the heaviest loads to the water and can cover the most uneven terrains.
Users say the build quality is above average, and the simple design is highly versatile. Just a few twists of the adjustable frame, and you can adapt it to any kayak.
The Bunker bar frame holds the kayak stable and prevents the kayak from slipping and twisting. There’s padding to keep it safe and straps to hold it in place.
In Summary
The Wilderness Systems heavy-duty kayak cart does exactly what its name suggests. It carries the heaviest kayaks wherever you want, no problem. The choice of wheels gives you flexibility when moving your kayak over rough terrain.
It’s a strong, stable kayak cart that can be easily assembled and dismantled. It collapses completely so that you can store it away inside your kayak.
If you have a tandem, sit on top or longer, heavier kayak this may be the cart for you.
Malone WideTrak ATB Large Kayak Cart—Best for Wide Loads
Specs
The Malone WideTrak ATB large kayak cart is an excellent solution for larger and wider kayaks. It has adjustable padded bunks and mounting hardware to fit most kayaks, especially those with a wider hull.
The cart has two airless never-go-flat tires that can be used on all terrains. The anodized aluminum frame can carry loads up to 250 pounds. It weighs just 15 pounds and can be folded down for storage.
Verdict
What customers like about this universal kayak carrier is that it’s a solid design for wider kayaks. It’s adjustable so that it can fit most sizes of kayaks. It’s more expensive than other carts but is worth the extra money, according to users.
The semi-cushioned 12-inch wheels are sturdy and are great on all terrain. The heavy-duty cam buckle straps are useful when on uneven surfaces and keep your kayak canoe in place.
In Summary
The Malone WideTrak ATB large kayak cart is a good choice for those with a wider kayak. Many sit-on-top kayaks have a wider hull for stability, and as such, they need a kayak cart with extra width. The frame of this cart is adjustable and can fit most kayak widths.
This kayak cart has all the great elements of the Malone Clipper Deluxe cart but is bigger and can carry the larger kayak models.
Suspenz Smart Airless DLX Kayak Cart—Lightweight Design
Specs
The Suspenz Smart Airless DLX kayak cart is a versatile, popular dolly cart. It’s a lightweight design, weighing in at just 9 pounds. It can carry the weight of your kayak or canoe up to 150 pounds and folds down small to fit in its mesh bag.
The powder-coated aluminum frame with stainless steel hardware makes it a sturdy choice. It has quick-release wheels and 10-inch never-flat airless rubber tires.
Verdict
What customers like about the Suspenz Smart Airless DLX cart is how stable it is on all surfaces and terrain. It works as well on sand as it does on uneven surfaces, and the double straps help keep your kayak in place. The straps are long enough to fit most kayak canoe models, with a few inches left spare.
Users say the design is well-engineered, and they love the no-flat tires. It’s a pleasure to use and easy to steer on all types of surfaces.
The cart is simple to assemble, and it folds down small enough to fit in the included mesh carrying bag.
In Summary
The Suspenz Smart Airless DLX cart is a great choice for those that want a sturdy, lightweight cart. It doesn’t hold as much as some of the other cart types but is fine if you only have a lightweight kayak to carry.
The robust straps help keep everything in place, so you don’t have to worry about your kayak sliding about.
Bonnlo Kayak Cart Canoe Carrier Trolley—Best Wheels
Specs
The Bonnlo kayak cart is versatile and can carry your canoe, paddleboard, or float mat as well as your kayak. It’s a hard-wearing cart with a solid aluminum frame, which is lightweight at 9 pounds.
The 10-inch wheels are made from solid PU so won’t go flat, and they can be removed easily for storage. The cart folds down in minutes without any tools required. It’s easy to keep your kayak in place with the two 7.75 feet long ratchet straps.
The cart can carry a load of up to 165 pounds over any terrain without issues.
Verdict
What customers like about this cart is its versatility. It’s easy to assemble and dismantle and can be used to carry all kinds of kayak or canoe models. The solid PU tires work well over any terrain, from gravel to sand, and even on uneven surfaces.
It comes with both a heavy-duty strap and a bungee cord to keep your kayak from sliding off the cart. Even better, it’s able to protect your kayak from scratches and dents with the padded bumpers on each arm.
It comes with a kickstand to keep it upright at all times and sturdy and secure.
In Summary
The Bonnlo kayak cart is a high-quality cart that offers security when transporting your kayak to the water.
The wheels are great and can be used on just about any kind of surface. This will give you peace of mind that they won’t go down when on the move. They are 3 inches wide, which provides a good surface area when traveling on sand.
It’s a well-designed kayak cart that will make your life a little easier and will last for several years.
Seattle Sports Paddleboy ATC All-Terrain Kayak Cart—Best for Versatility
Specs
The Seattle Sports Paddleboy ATC All-Terrain is a versatile, heavy-duty kayak cart. It can carry a heavy load of up to 300 pounds over any kind of terrain. It’s a heavier cart, weighing in at 15.5 pounds, but it can be used with kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, jon boats, and other large watercraft.
The cart frame is made from powder-coated steel, and it has solid urethane tires and a spring-loaded kickstand.
Verdict
Customers like this Seattle Sports kayak cart as it offers a great deal of support for all shapes and sizes of kayaks and other watercraft. It has a sturdy frame, and the wheels work well on most terrain. You may have to take it slowly on soft sand due to the weight and narrow wheels.
The airless wheels will never go flat and are designed to reduce vibrations and give your kayak a smooth journey. There’s also a spring-loaded stand to keep it stable.
It has a robust cinch strap to fasten your kayak to the cart and adjustable padded top bars. These will stop your kayak from becoming scratched or dented when on the cart.
In Summary
The Seattle Sports Paddleboy ATC All-Terrain kayak cart is a solid and sturdy cart that can carry all watercraft. It’s versatile and can be used with heavy loads across most terrain and surfaces.
The tires are solid and have been made to reduce vibration. It’s a heavy-duty cart that’s an excellent choice for larger, heavier kayaks.
What To Look for in a Kayak Cart
The best kayak cart should make transporting your kayak from the car to water a painless experience. It should also be stable and easy to move on all kinds of terrain.
There are lots to consider when choosing your kayak cart, and you should make sure that it’s suitable for your needs. Check out our tips below on what to look for before you buy your kayak cart.
Cart Type
Kayak carts are all made to quickly get your kayak to the water, but there are different types out there. These suit all kinds of kayak and canoe designs, such as sit-in, sit-on-top, or tandem kayaks.
Trolley Cart
A trolley cart has a frame that is generally made from metal or plastic. The frame is attached to two wheels and supports the hull of your kayak.
The kayak is held in place by a long tie-down strap around the body of your kayak, which keeps it stable over sandy or rough terrain.
Scupper Cart
Scupper holes are used for drainage in a kayak. The scupper cart has two arms that can be attached to the scupper holes in your kayak. This helps to keep your kayak securely attached via the scupper holes.
Dolly Cart
A dolly cart is built wider than a trolley and sometimes longer. They are generally designed in the same way as a boat trailer.
This kind of cart is suitable for larger kayaks or for when they are fully loaded with gear.
Frame
The majority of cart frames on the best kayak carts are made from either aluminum or powder-coated steel. These are strong materials that last a long time. Some frames nowadays are made from plastic or composite, as these are corrosion-resistant materials. These work better when exposed to saltwater on a regular basis.
It’s handy to have a kayak cart that can be assembled and dismantled without any tools. You don’t need to be carrying extra tools around with you when you’re out on a kayaking adventure.
Wheel Size and Material
The wheel size is important when choosing the best kayak cart, as suitable wheels will make your kayak journey effortless.
Wider, larger wheels are best on soft sand on the beach or over dunes. Taller wheels allow you to position the kayak closer and are good for stability.
You don’t want to worry about punctures when transporting your kayak to the water, so solid wheels are ideal. Look for airless, no-flat tires if you’ll be crossing rough terrain.
Weight Capacity
The purpose of a kayak cart is to carry your kayak to and from the water’s edge with ease. With this in mind, it’s essential to check the maximum weight that the cart can carry before buying it.
You should also factor in your gear, as you won’t want to carry all of this when pulling along the kayak. The best kayak carts should have a minimum weight capacity of 150 pounds.
How you position your kayak on your cart is key; you need to make sure that the weight is distributed evenly. This helps when pulling the cart along. If you position the cart right at the back, you’ll have a whole lot of weight to carry.
Storage
A kayak cart that can be easily stored should be one of your key requirements when looking to buy a cart.
A foldable cart or one that can be easily dismantled are the top choices to look for. This can then be stored in your kayak while you are paddling for the day. That beats leaving it somewhere to be forgotten or taken when you’re out on the water.
Our Favorite
Our choice of the best kayak cart out there is the RAILBLAZA C-Tug Kayak Trolley Cart. It’s a modern-looking, stable kayak cart that can carry your kayak and all of your gear with no worries.
The wheels are puncture-free and have a great grip on any surface or the trickiest of terrain. It’s easy to assemble and requires no tools, which is a bonus when out and about.
Our runner-up would be the Wilderness Systems Heavy Duty Kayak Cart. This is a strong cart that is great for heavier kayaks.
Treat yourself to one of the best kayak carts today. You won’t be disappointed, and your shoulders and back will thank you!
