Unloaded your kayak from your car and set it up… CHECK!
Got all the gear you need from the trunk/boot… CHECK!
Its a beautiful day with lots of people, kids, and other kayakers between your vehicle and the kayak launching area… OH SH…
You may think a kayak cart is an unnecessary expense and only for the lazy, but after lugging your kayak and gear between the shore and your vehicle a few times, you'll realize that a kayak dolly is an integral piece of kit.
Don’t stress! In this article we set out the best kayak carts for any situation.
Read next: Check out our review of the best kayak paddles, kayak seats and kayak roof racks.
Please note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full disclosure for further information.
Kayak Carts & Dollys (Comparison Table)
Best Overall 
Best Budget
Brand & Model
RailBlaza C-Tug
Suspenz Smart DLX
Malone Express
Bonnio Kayak Cart
TMS Kayak Canoe Jon
Type
Strap
Strap
Scupper
Strap
Strap
Capacity
136 kg (300 lbs)
56.5 kg (125 lbs)
90 kg (200 lbs)
75kg (165 lbs)
68 kg (150 lbs)
Materials
High-density polymer and stainless steel
A mixture of aluminium and stainless steel
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium pipes
Wheels
Puncture-free airless tyres
Airless 25 cm (10 inches)
Airless 25 cm (10 inches)
25 cm (10 inches) with solid rubber tyres
25 cm (10 inches)
Terrain
Beach / rough and smooth
Beach / rough and smooth
Beach / rough and smooth
Smooth ground
Smooth ground
Best Overall
Brand & Model
RailBlaza C-Tug
Type
Strap
Capacity
136 kg (300 lbs)
Materials
High-density polymer and stainless steel
Wheels
Puncture-free airless tyres
Terrain
Beach / rough and smooth
Brand & Model
Suspenz Smart DLX
Type
Strap
Capacity
56.5 kg (125 lbs)
Materials
A mixture of aluminium and stainless steel
Wheels
Airless 25 cm (10 inches)
Terrain
Beach / rough and smooth
Best Budget
Brand & Model
Malone Express
Type
Scupper
Capacity
90 kg (200 lbs)
Materials
Aluminium
Wheels
Airless 25 cm (10 inches)
Terrain
Beach / rough and smooth
Brand & Model
Bonnio Kayak Cart
Type
Strap
Capacity
75kg (165 lbs)
Materials
Aluminium
Wheels
25 cm (10 inches) with solid rubber tyres
Terrain
Smooth ground
Brand & Model
TMS Kayak Canoe Jon
Type
Strap
Capacity
68 kg (150 lbs)
Materials
Aluminium pipes
Wheels
25 cm (10 inches)
Terrain
Smooth ground
Quick Navigation
Top Kayak Carts
Best Overall Kayak Cart
RailBlaza C-Tug Dolly
This kayak cart is exceptionally versatile as it can carry kayaks, surfboards, and canoes with equal ease. It is doesn’t need tools for assembling. Once your yak is in the water, disassembling the C-Tug is quick.
Its small size allows it to be stowed in almost any kayak compartment. This feature means there is no need to return to the car once you have launched your yak. It has a large carry capacity, more than capable of carrying any yak with gear included.
It has puncture free tyres that don’t get bogged down in the sand and can be manoeuvred over rougher ground.
- Type: Strap Style
- Carrying Capacity: 136 kg (300 lbs)
- Material: High-density polymer and stainless steel
- Wheels: Wide, puncture-free airless tyres
- Terrain: Suitable for all types of terrain
What we like
What we don't like
Best Strap Style Kayak Dolly
Suspenz Smart Airless DLX
This cart is straightforward to assemble and capable of transporting heavy loads, so no need to worry about coming back to the car to fetch the rest of your gear.
The cart fits most types of yaks and has a durable strap system to keep it in place. The wide wheels make it easy to manoeuvre your craft over almost any terrain.
The dolly also comes with a mesh storage bag.
- Type: Strap Style Carrying
- Capacity: 56.5 kg (125 lbs)
- Material: Mixture of aluminium and stainless steel
- Wheels: Airless 25 cm (10 inches)
- Terrain: All types of terrain
What we like
What we don't like
Best Scupper Kayak Cart
Malone Xpress Scupper
This dolly is an excellent choice for those with sit on top kayaks! The frame is fully adjustable to fit any hull.
With the airless 25 cm (10 inches) tyres, pulling your craft across sand or negotiating rockier terrain will be easy.
The main limitation of this trolley is, it’s only suitable for those yaks with scupper holes. If your kayak doesn’t have scuppers this trolley will be unusable.
- Type: Scupper Style
- Carrying Capacity: 90 kg (200 lbs)
- Material: Aluminium
- Wheels: Airless 25 cm (10 inches)
- Terrain: Beach or rougher paths
What we like
What we don't like
Best Value Kayak Dolly
Bonnlo Boat Kayak
This is a fantastic trolley with solid tyres, so no chance of getting punctures on your way down to the water.
Unlike some other puncture less tyres, the Bonnio does not have any chemical smells, and won’t cause you to hesitate before putting it into your trunk or boot.
- Type: Strap Style
- Carrying Capacity: 75 kg (165 lbs)
- Material: Aluminium
- Wheels: 25 cm (10 inches) with solid rubber tyres
- Terrain: Solid and flat ground
What we like
What we don't like
Best Budget Kayak Cart
TMS Kayak Canoe Jon
This kayak dolly has very mixed reviews from a variety of users.
One thing everyone is in agreement on is the smell.
This unit does stink and is best-opened out of doors.
HOWEVER! This trolley is not unique in its foul odour.
Most of the trolleys towards the cheaper side of the range have durable, but cheaply made tyres, which is the source of the smell.
This kayak dolly is a bit like the skunk, Peti Le Pew. Quite smelly but very lovable.
It is not suitable for the heavier types of yaks and aimed more at the recreational kayaker, who just needs a bit of assistance getting the craft from the car to the shore.
- Type: Strap Style
- Carrying Capacity: 68 kg (150 lbs)
- Material: Aluminium pipes
- Wheels: 25 cm (10 inches)
- Terrain: Solid and flat ground
What we like
What we don't like
Buyer's Guide for Kayak Trolleys
Choosing the right kayak cart is reasonably straightforward. Certainly, in comparison to choosing the right kayak.
Basically, there are two types of kayak carts to consider. The one you choose will depend on the type of kayak you have. Different kayak hulls work better with different carts.
Strap on style kayak carts
Please don’t laugh at the name, this is serious business!
This style of kayak cart, is suited best to the heavier and longer type of yaks, such as a sea, or sit-in kayaks The weight of these types of craft, is generally toward the center, meaning the cart is placed in the middle, with the weight of the yak helping to keep it in place.
By evenly distributing the weight of the kayak, pushing or pulling it along is easy.
Plugin kayak carts
As the name suggests, these types of kayak carts are designed to have the yak plug into the kayak dolly using the scupper holes. (A bit like fitting Lego blocks together)
Unfortunately, if your yak does not have scupper holes, these carts are not for you, and it would be best to consider the strap variety.
The plugin type of kayak cart is generally more appropriate for the, sit on top kind of kayaks, as most varieties have supper holes.
It’s a good idea to know the dimensions of your scupper holes so you can ensure you buy a compatible cart.
Wheels
As choosing the type of kayak cart is determined by the kind of kayak you have, so the type of the wheels is determined by the terrain you want to use it on.
Taking a kayak cart with narrow wheels to the beach is a SERIOUS mistake. You will be fine on the tarmac, but as soon as you hit the sand you will become bogged down, and you will have to drag your kayak to the water's edge, rather than simply push it.
If you only kayak in one spot, then choosing a wheel best suited for that terrain is acceptable.
However, if you want a kayak cart that is capable of adapting to any type of terrain, pay attention to it's wheels.
Kayak cart frame and construction
As with the wheels, choosing the right type of frame is integral to having a good experience when using your kayak cart.
Selecting a material such as stainless steel, aluminium, or galvanised steel is a good idea as these metals are rust-resistant and are capable of handling heavy loads.
Plastic is an option, it is not susceptible to rust, but it is not as strong as other types of materials, and, in the cases of poor quality plastics, prone to crack.
It is a good idea to choose a frame that can be adjusted to fit your kayak. Not all yak hulls are created equal, and if you upgrade, you won’t have to change your kayak cart.
