The Best Folding Wagon for all Types of Terrain
If you are someone who regularly visits the beach, goes camping or fishing, or likes to take regular trips to the park with the children, then you’ll know that moving all your gear across all types of terrain can be a challenge. Folding wagons offer a smart solution, enabling you to carry extra loads with ease, and because most come with all-terrain fat tires, tackling uneven surfaces should be a breeze.
There are numerous different types of folding wagons on the market, so we decided to look at 6 of the best to give you the lowdown on what to seek.
- Folds to 8 inches thick
- 150 lbs maximum load
- Adjustable handle
- Weighs 22.5 lbs
- 1-year limited warranty
- 360-degree wheels
- Adjustable handle
- 300 lbs maximum weight load
- 7” x 4” thick wheels
- 1-year warranty
- Push or pull cart
- 4” thick all-terrain wheels
- Adjustable handle
- Weighs 31 lbs
- 1-year warranty
- 150 lbs capacity
- 8” x 3.3” wheels
- 360-degree rotating wheels
- Weighs 24.9 lbs
- 1-year warranty
- Maximum load 155 lbs
- Lockable wheels for greater control
- Weighs 22 lbs
- 2 cup holders
- 6-month warranty
- Removable fabric
- 225 lbs Of load capacity
- Available in 4 colors
- Weighs 23.8 lbs
- 1-year warranty
Mac folding wagons are by far the best selling models on Amazon, and this particular one has notched up over 5,000 sales and rising. It comes in 7 color choices, including pink and camouflage, and its thick, solid rubber wheels make it a “go anywhere” trolley. It is ideal for sports events, camping, fishing, concerts, and even the garden when doing some weeding and digging.
It has an adjustable handle so that any height of a person can pull it with comfort and ease, and it folds to an incredibly compact 8 inches thick for easy transport. The fabric is 600 Denier and is mold and mildew resistant, so a few drops of rain shouldn’t spoil its good looks, and its durable handles and carrying case make it simple to maneuver when folded.
On the downside, it doesn’t like rolling over very fine sand, as the narrow wheels tend to get stuck, and it has maneuverability issues when trying to turn 180-degrees. This is especially evident with a heavy load that can strain the joints of the trolley.
Pros
- Great price
- Trusted manufacturer
- Many color combinations
- Durable material
- Folds super-thin
Cons
- Some terrain is more of a challenge
- Not as maneuverable as others in its class
This Beau Jardin is indeed an all-terrain wagon with 4-inch thick wheels that should handle even the most challenging terrains like soft sand and deep gravel. It has 360-degree rotating wheels to make maneuverability issues like the ones on the Mac Sports Utility Wagon nonexistent.
This wagon has been designed for heavy-duty use: It has a hefty 300 lbs weight capacity, so you don’t need to fret about too much load. The fabric is 600 Denier Polyester, so it can be removed for washing or spray cleaned with a hose. It also has adjustable wheels that can be set at any width that makes it adaptable depending on the surface.
On the downside, it is rather heavy, weighing in at over 30 lbs, so you have to factor in that extra weight when pulling it loaded to the maximum. Moreover, the chunky wheels can cause issues when turning: some report that this hinders the maneuverability rather than helping it.
Pros
- Rotating wheels to improve maneuverability
- High weight capacity
- Adjustable wheels
- Adjustable handle
- Heavy duty polyester fabric
Cons
- Very heavy
- Wheels make it hard to push
- Wheels don’t roll that easily on particular surfaces
- Build quality issues
This wide wheel wagon by TCP Global has a 265-lb load capacity, which makes it one of the more cumbersome carts on the list, but its ridged, wide wheels give it superior performance on varying terrains. It has a push and pull option with adjustable handles at both the front and rear. The fabric is constructed of 600 Denier Polyester, which is removable and washable, and the folding mechanism is operated from a single pull-hook located in the center of the trolly, making it fold in a straightforward manner. It also comes in 5 color variations, including green and camouflage.
On the downside, this product states on the box that it will expose you to lead, which means it will be impossible for you to purchase in California as it violates state law. In addition, the handle is attached with a plastic bracket that makes it less durable and prone to breaking.
Pros
- Chunky wheels for the beach
- 600 Denier Polyester fabric
- Cup holders
- Push and pull cart
- Adjustable front and rear handles
- Available in 5 colors
Cons
- Danger of lead exposure
- Can’t buy it in California
- Feels less durable than others in its class
- Plastic handle attachments feel cheap
This Timber Ridge, much like the TCP Global Wide Wheel Wagon, has chunky wheels designed to tackle the harshest of environments, including fine sand and shingle. It has a maximum weight capacity of 150 lbs, but that does drop to 110 lbs on fine sand. It has fixed rear wheels and rotating front wheels, making the maneuverability much better, and its telescopic handle makes adjusting the height quick and easy.
The fabric is polyester, so it is durable and washable, and if you add in the fact that it also has utility pouches in the front and sides, it stores bottles and other items safely for transportation. This wagon is freestanding when folded flat and comes with a carry and storage cover.
On the downside, because the rear wheels aren’t adjustable, it doesn’t fold as flat as others in its class, and the hollow plastic wheels mean that the grip and ride can be compromised, especially on fine sand. It can also be noisy when rolling along the sidewalk due to the large ridges on the wheels.
Pros
- Telescopic handle
- Rotating front wheels for steering
- 150 lbs of capacity
- Comes in 4 colors
- Heaps of storage pouches
Cons
- Noisy on hard surfaces
- Doesn’t fold as flat as others in its class
- Hollow plastic wheels instead of rubber
This Impact folding wagon has a pram-style adjustable handle with a mechanism that allows the wheels to lock, meaning that both control and maneuverability are increased. The wheels are thinner than others in its class, so negotiating finer terrain like sand might be an issue, but they are durable.
It has a maximum weight capacity of 155 lbs; this capacity might be diminished when traversing finer sand c, though, as the wheels can sink. When folded it lays almost flat to make storage easy, and it should fit into most car trunks. Like most on this list, the material is 600 Denier heavy-duty polyester, so it is washable and strong.
On the downside, this model has the shortest warranty, at only 6 months, and because the wheels are so thin, it isn’t as maneuverable as some, making the turning circle on this thing too large, especially when fully laden.
Pros
- Folds almost flat
- 155 lbs of capacity
- 600 Denier polyester fabric
- Lockable wheels
- Pram-style handle
Cons
- Wheels too thin for sand
- Maneuverability could be an issue
- Short warranty
This Portal wagon has a maximum capacity of 225 lbs, making it a real workhorse when it comes to pulling all your outdoor gear, and due to the durable nature of the wheels, with thick treads, it should negotiate most challenging surfaces. The front wheels also rotate, adding better steering capability, and the material is durable polyester, meaning that keeping it clean and stain-free should be simple. To keep it looking its best, the fabric is entirely removable.
The handle folds in two to aid storage, and the steel frame feels sturdy and well made. It comes with a carry bag to make storing it neat, and it also protects the wagon when it’s in the back of the car.
On the downside, the handle has a lot of play and can make the steering feel loose and uncontrolled, especially when laden and turning a corner.
Pros
- 225 lbs of load capacity
- Folding handle for easy storage
- Thick treads on the wheels
- Rotating front wheels
- Removable fabric
Cons
- Steering feels loose and hard to control
Comparison Chart
| FEATURES | Mac Sports Utility Wagon | Beau Jardin Folding Push Wagon | TCP Global Wide Wheel Wagon | Timber Ridge Folding Camping Wagon | Impact Canopy Folding Wagon | Portal Collapsible Utility Wagon |
| Folds Flat | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Maximum Load | 150 lbs | 300 lbs | 265 lbs | 150 lbs | 155 lbs | 225 lbs |
| Fabric | Polyester | Polyester | Polyester | Polyester | Polyester | Polyester |
| Size Inches | 35.5 x 20.2 x 22.5 | 31.8 x 22.2 x 8.8 | 32.8 x 22.5 x 9 | 35.5 x 18.4 x 39 | 37.31 x 21 x 26 | 35.6 x 19.1 x 21.7 |
| Weight Lbs | 22.5 lbs | 30.8 lbs | 31 lbs | 24.91 lbs | 20.5 lbs | 23.8 lbs |
| Rotating Wheels | Yes x 2 | Yes x 4 | Yes x 2 | Yes x 2 | Yes x 2 | Yes x 2 |
| Warranty | 1-year | 1-year | 1-year | 1-year | 6-month | 1-year |
Buyer’s Guide:
Folding Wagon for all Types of Terrain
Folding wagons are really useful tools for many different occasions, especially when you need to transport a lot of stuff quickly. Folding carts are great to keep in the back of the car for when you are doing a shopping run and then need to get all that produce into the house. They are also great for days at the park, when you are camping, as well as if you are a keen angler or you are attending an open-air event that requires you to bring your own refreshment. Let’s look at some of the key aspects to consider.
Final Thoughts
Most people use a folding wagon when they are going on a trip to the park or the beach, but these carts are also great for weekends away camping by the lake or a trip to the supermarket to stock up on provisions. They are also handy for carting materials for that DIY project.
Folding carts are becoming increasingly popular because they help share the burden of moving more significant quantities of items with the minimum of effort, so you don’t arrive at your destination feeling like you’ve had a workout at the gym.
