At 28 pounds (13 kg) it’s fairly heavy, but it comes with the best carrying case, which covers the wheels completely, great for minimizing dirt in the car, but also for easier lifting and neater stowage. Look closely and you’ll also find a couple of hidden water bottle holders, although we’d have appreciated some more external storage options similar to those on the Timber Ridge.
Apart from the sand race, the Alpaca performed well, and it’s the most versatile if you’ve not got a huge trunk. It is expensive compared to so many options on Amazon, but there’s not many of those backed by a lifetime warranty.
A Budget Behemoth: Timber Ridge Folding Wagon
Light, nimble and definitely affordable, this $80, 135-liter collapsible wagon has, as of August 2025, 2,768 reviews (average 4.5 stars) on Amazon, making it one of the most popular and well-received options on the internet. There’s a couple of insignificant differences between the US and UK models (we tested the UK option), so essentially they’re the same wagon from one of the biggest names in budget outdoor gear.
Like the Gregory, this wagon has hard plastic wheels. In this case, 7.5 inches in diameter and 3.4 inches wide. And they too got stuck in the deeper sand and took a huge effort to pull the loaded wagon up the hill, but the front two wheels didn’t plow through the sand as noticeably.
We struggled to get the loaded cart up the dunes, but it was nimble over firmer sand and other surfaces. And despite the smaller capacity, we only lost one item during the time trial, thanks mainly to the side pockets. We were able to stuff towels, water bottles, sandals, and even a giant shuttlecock in them securely.
The Timber Ridge Wagon is just as easy to assemble as both the Business & Pleasure and Gregory carts, but it is a little bit rickety, especially if you haul a heavy load over firm, uneven ground. The handle gives away its low price, too, as does the slightly lower maximum capacity of 220 pounds (100 kg).
It packs down nice and small, although the cover is not as practical as the one found on the Gregory, which covers the wheels and so protects your trunk. There is, however, a practical strap loop on the base which means the fabric cover is held securely in position.
WIRED was pleased by the quality of this budget beach wagon, and we hope it lasts for years, as we’re tired of seeing many similar, albeit broken, designs discarded at the end of a festival weekend.
Best for the Gram: Business & Pleasure Beach Cart
Available in a collection of attractive fabric colorways (think Cape Cod meets Côte d’Azur), the Business & Pleasure Beach Cart is definitely looking to be in the “influencer” zone. It looks good, substituting the usual rugged polyester for soft, subtle parasol stripes. Pretty costs, though, and at $399 it feels expensive for what is essentially a fold-up beach cart with a facelift.
A 70-pound (32-kg) load capacity is also meagre compared to the competition, especially given the high unloaded weight, and the metal frame does rattle a bit for a premium-priced product, especially over firm, uneven ground. Across the sand, however, the extra-large wheels do a great job, and it was the second fastest wagon on test. Yes, a couple of items went AWOL during the race, but that could be more to do with the packer than the wagon.
