Here at The Adventure Junkies, we believe in hard work. We also believe in the adage, “work smart, not hard.” Kayaks are typically heavy, long and unwieldy vessels. Your energy is best spent on the water, not the trek through the woods (or parking garage), which is why we want to help find the best kayak cart for you. Kayak carts are two-wheeled devices that support one end of a kayak to allow for easy transport. If you plan to make kayaking a regular hobby of yours, a kayak cart should be viewed as a necessity rather than a superfluous purchase. We’ve listed the best 10 kayak carts for all different kayaks and terrains. QUICK ANSWER: THE BEST KAYAK CART 1. SEATTLE SPORTS ATC 2. MALONE CLIPPER DELUXE 3. SEA TO SUMMIT 4. QUANTUM ENGINEERING STERN 5. C-TUG TROLLEY CART 6. APEX KC DOLLY 7. WHEELEEZ BEACH 8. WHEELEEZ TUFF TIRE 9. BEST CHOICE SKY1251 10. TMS KY001 CART Photo by istockphoto.com/portfolio/Photo by istockphoto.com/portfolio/nithid FREE BONUS! Click here to download the AJ Quick Starter Guide to Kayaking THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO FIND THE BEST KAYAK CART PICTUREKAYAK CARTBEST USEFRAME MATERIALWEIGHTCAPACITYPRICERATING PICTUREKAYAK CARTBEST USEFRAME MATERIALWEIGHTCAPACITYPRICERATING Seattle Sports ATCOverallPowder-coated steel15.0 lbs300 lbs$$$4.1 Malone Clipper DeluxeOverallAluminum10.0 lbs200 lbs$$4.5 Sea To SummitOverallAlloy5.0 lbs154 lbs$$$4.3 Quantum Engineering SternVersatilityPlastic2.8 lbs75 lbs$$4.1 C-Tug Trolley CartVersatilityReinforced composite9.8 lbs300 lbs$$4.3 Apex KC DollyVersatilityAluminum9.0 lbs240 lbs$$4.3 Wheeleez BeachBeachAluminum10.0 lbs176 lbs$$$4.3 Wheeleez Tuff TireBeachAluminum8.8 lbs176 lbs$$4.4 Best Choice SKY1251BudgetAluminum9.0 lbs150 lbs $4.9 TMS KY001 CartBudgetAluminum8.3 lbs150 lbs$4.9 KAYAK CARTS 101 6 THINGS TO CONSIDER TO FIND THE BEST KAYAK CARTS 1. FRAME MATERIAL Kayak carts are usually made of either steel or aluminum. Occasionally, they are made of plastic or composite. While steel is suitable for freshwater excursions, it will corrode if exposed to saltwater or ocean air. Aluminum is lightweight and will not corrode. Look for a powder-coated or aluminum frame to ensure your investment lasts. 2. WEIGHT Decide where you will be using your kayak the most before settling on a cart. Strength and durability can come at the expense of portability unless the cart is designed to accommodate both. You will need to consider the weight of your kayak in addition to the weight of the cart. 3. WHEELS WIDTH Do you live on the beach? Maybe your favorite stream is only accessible via a rocky trail through the forest. As with cycling, you wouldn’t ride a mountain bike in a race judged on speed, or a road bike in a downhill mountain race. The wider the tire, the more stable a wheel will be. MATERIAL Not all tires are created equally. Some are all-terrain inflatable, some are molded plastic and some are foam-filled. An all-terrain tire, ideally puncture-proof, is the way to go if you intend to cover rougher surfaces. 4. VERSATILITY The fact that you are browsing The Adventure Junkies gives us reason to believe you may be an adventure junkie. If you prefer to splash your way through as many different water sports as possible, a kayak cart that can carry a variety of vessels would be your perfect match. Some carts offer an adjustable width or flexible saddle to accommodate thin, wide, or multiple kayaks and maybe even stand up paddle boards. 5. WEIGHT CAPACITY Look for a cart with a weight capacity over 150 lbs for maximal versatility. This may not be necessary if you own a single, lightweight or inflatable kayak. Those with heavy, tandem kayaks or interested in accommodating stand up paddle boards will find a higher weight capacity useful. 6. STORAGE In recent years, kayak carts that fold flat or easily dismantle to enable easy on-board storage have become very popular. It’s not ideal to have to leave a possession purchased with hard-earned money on the shore in hopes it will still be waiting upon your return. Photo by istockphoto.com/portfolio/ KAYAK CART REVIEWS 1. BEST OVERALL KAYAK CARTS SEATTLE SPORTS ATC Check out the latest price on: Amazon | REI BEST FOR: All-around kayak carting FRAME MATERIAL: Powder-coated steel WEIGHT: 15.5 lbs (7.0 kg) WHEELS: Bike tires, 16.0″ (40.6 cm) VERSATILITY: High, can cross many terrains WEIGHT CAPACITY: 300 lbs (136 kg) PROS: Designed to haul kayaks, canoes, John boats, and larger craft, foldable, spring-loaded kickstand CONS: Some users report wheels are low quality, not durable MALONE CLIPPER DELUXE Check out the latest price on: Amazon BEST FOR: Wide kayaks FRAME MATERIAL: Aluminum WEIGHT: 10.0 lbs (4.5 kg) WHEELS: “Never go flat” 10.0″ (25.4 cm) tires VERSATILITY: High, can support other vessels over many terrains WEIGHT CAPACITY: 200 lb (90.7 kg) PROS: Folding, oversized padding on the frame protects the boat, locking kick stand, tie-down straps included CONS: Some users reported tires going flat SEA TO SUMMIT SIT-ON-TOP Check out the latest price on: Amazon | REI BEST FOR: Sit-on-top kayaks FRAME MATERIAL: 6061-T6 Aircraft grade alloy WEIGHT: 5.0 lbs (2.3 kg) WHEELS: Wide molded plastic wheels, 10.0 x 3.5″ (25.4 x 8.8 cm) VERSATILITY: Low, only meant for sit-on-tops WEIGHT CAPACITY: 154 lbs (69.8 kg) PROS: Tapered rubber cones fit a wide range of scupper holes, reduced side-to-side rocking, adjustable, locking axle, quick-release clamp, oversize alloy tubing, welded construction, wide, molded wheels, cart can be used with or without tie down strap (sold separately) CONS: Low versatility, plastic wheels lack all-terrain ability 2. BEST KAYAK CARTS FOR VERSATILITY QUANTUM ENGINEERING STERN Check out the latest price on: REI BEST FOR: Compact, lightweight versatility FRAME MATERIAL: Plastic WEIGHT: 2.8 lbs (1.3 kg) WHEELS: 7.0 x 1.7″ (17.7 x 4.1 cm) VERSATILITY: Moderate, holds a variety of stern shapes WEIGHT CAPACITY: Not available, but users report at least 75 lbs (34.0 cm) PROS: Flexible cradle, quick release pin on axles for quick breakdown, fits in most kayak hulls and hatches, dual nylon webbing straps, rubber-coated hook CONS: Small wheels limit terrain options, wheels can be noisy C-TUG TROLLEY CART Check out the latest price on: Amazon BEST FOR: Pack-in camping FRAME MATERIAL: Reinforced composite, thermo-bonded elastomeric seat pads WEIGHT: 9.4 lbs (4.3 kg) WHEELS: Puncture-proof wheels, high-grip tread, 10.0 x 3.5″ (25.4 x 8.9 cm) VERSATILITY: High, supports many activities, weights WEIGHT CAPACITY: 300 lbs (136 kg) PROS: Folding, UV-resistant, corrosion-free, tool-free assembly, fits most kayak and canoe hulls, SUP boards, fits in most kayak hatches, 7.9 ft strap, removable kickstand CONS: Some users reported wheels coming off on long treks APEX KC DOLLY Check out the latest price on: Amazon BEST FOR: Car camping FRAME MATERIAL: Aluminum WEIGHT: 9.0 lbs (4.1 kg) WHEELS: Inflatable all-terrain VERSATILITY: High, doubles as a chair WEIGHT CAPACITY: 240 lbs (109 kg) PROS: Can be used as a small chair, tie-down strap included, built-in kickstand, four rubberized grip pads, supports wide and hybrid hulls, high weight for camping gear CONS: Some users reported tires have an odor 3. BEST KAYAK CARTS FOR THE BEACH WHEELEEZ BEACH Check out the latest price on: Amazon | REI BEST FOR: Soft sand FRAME MATERIAL: Aluminum WEIGHT: 10 lbs (4.5 kg) WHEELS: Smooth inflatable wheels, 11.8 x 7″ (30 x 17.7 cm) VERSATILITY: Low, meant only for beach or soft dirt WEIGHT CAPACITY: 176 lbs (79.8 kg) PROS: Collapsible for storage, perfect for the beach, dual kickstand, rubber padding, two 13.0 ft. tie-down straps included CONS: Bulky tires take up valuable storage room on-board WHEELEEZ TUFF TIRE Check out the latest price on: Amazon | REI BEST FOR: Long, heavy kayaks FRAME MATERIAL: Aluminum WEIGHT: 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg) WHEELS: Foam filled tires, 10.0 x 3.0″ (25.4 x 7.6 cm) VERSATILITY: High, can support any kayak weight or length WEIGHT CAPACITY: 176 lbs (79.8 kg) PROS: Folding, cam buckle tie down straps, 6 month warranty CONS: Kickstand too short, not secure 4. BEST BUDGET KAYAK CARTS BEST CHOICE SKY1251 Check out the latest price on: Amazon BEST FOR: Paved trails FRAME MATERIAL: Aluminum WEIGHT: 9.0 lbs (4.1 kg) WHEELS: PU Foam, 10.0″ (25.3 cm) VERSATILITY: High, can travel on many terrains WEIGHT CAPACITY: 150 lbs (68.0 kg) PROS: Foam bumpers, spring-loaded stand, foldable, 12.0′ straps, stainless steel fasteners CONS: Some users report cart has a strong odor, not suited for soft sand TMS KY001 CART Check out the latest price on: Amazon BEST FOR: Long hauls on a budget FRAME MATERIAL: Aluminum WEIGHT: 8.3 lbs (3.8 kg) TIRES: Inflatable all-terrain, 9.5 x 3.5″ (24.1 x 8.9 cm) tires VERSATILITY: Moderate, not suited for large, heavy kayaks WEIGHT CAPACITY: 150 lbs (68.0 kg) PROS: Foldable, 12.0 ft long tie-down strap, solid metal frame, foam bumpers, stainless steel fasteners, spring-loaded stand for quick loading CONS: Kayak tends to bounce around during transport, some users needed extra bungee cords Pin2 Share4 Tweet12 FlipShares 18
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