One other issue is that, compared with the standard Mac Sports wagons helicopter handle, the Heavy Dutys helicopter handle felt flimsy and didnt click into place while extended. The Veer has one-touch pedal foot brakes that are simpler to use (even when youre wearing flip-flops) than the Pivot Xplores smaller, stroller-like brakes. This roomy and well-built wagon is likely to last a very long time, and since it has many add-on accessories, it can be adapted for use with kids of various ages. It weighs 32 poundsa couple of pounds lighter than our other stroller-wagon pick, the Pivot Xplore. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. The Sekey Folding Wagon Cart feels like a durable tank, built solid. Unlike any of the other wagons we tested, the Veer has cupholders on the handlebar that kept drinks stable. Despite those minor difficulties, we still think its by far the best for beachgoers. So this model is easy to roll over large bumps and loose sand. Even if youre contemplating hiring movers next time, youll still need an easier way to move things from place to place. The Veer Cruiser has big knobby wheels that make for a smooth ride along various terrain. The Veer has a car-seat adapter (sold separately; check for compatibility with your seat), so this model can be used for infants, and the wagons size and weight limit make it comfortable for kids who weigh up to 55 pounds. Youre seeing this ad based on the products relevance to your search query. Learn more. My husband occasionally found the Veer hard to steer when he was pushing it compared with the Pivot Xplore, whose pushing mechanism is a handlebar. This wasnt too problematic when the wagon was carrying an average load (beach chairs, towels, drinks, and snacks). Our folding-wagon picks, the Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Wagon and the Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding Wagon, dont have brakes, but both stroller wagons we recommend, the Pivot Xplore and the Veer, do have them. I also took the non-stroller wagons to the beach, rolling them down the beach path and testing them on the sand. Over the past decade, more and more families have started to use wagons as a way to pull kids aroundand stroller companies have noticed. This Mac Sports wagon folds up to about the same size as the beach-wagon version of the Mac Sports. Personally, Im a science writer with more than a decade of experience interviewing experts in countless fields, including parenting, environmental science, and child development. The Pivot Xplore comes with sunshades and a tray to hold snacks and drinks. The Veer doesnt fold up from the center, as most wagons do. We looked for models with a large capacity, enough to tote several bags of groceries or beach gear. Thats why getting some sort of rolling storage unit will save you stress and time. These are the necessities that Wirecutter staffers wont hit the beach without. Like the Seina, our former pick for sand, the Mac Sports has a carrying capacity of up to 150 pounds. Disney theme parks have long had a ban on wagons, but it wasnt enforced as long as parents pushed (instead of pulled) the wagons through the parks front gates. The Pivot Xplore folds up into a small, compact shape, at 23 by 27 by 37 inches. It takes a shot glass worth of sunscreen to adequately cover a swimsuit-clad body. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. But the Seina offers just half the internal space, and its 4-inch wheels were more prone to tipping when packed with the same beach gear. Unlike our other picks, the Pivot Xplore has a swiveling handlebar that makes it move more like a stroller than a wagon. At 34.7 pounds, the Pivot Xplore is the heaviest of all our picks, though. Of all the folding wagons we tested, this Mac Sports wagon was the most adept at making sharp turns to navigate a small obstacle course on grass or concrete. Even though my smallish 5-year-old was under the metrics that a company spokesperson told me were the wagons limits39 inches or 55 pounds (PDF), whichever comes firstmy kids head was already hitting the sunshade, and he had to place his legs diagonally in the seat. Extra storage on the outside, like pockets, cupholders, and snack carriers, were considered a bonus. Plus, it was hard to turn and maneuver the wagon when it held two kids. 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We also like that this wagon has small, rivet-sized holes in its four internal corners that help let sand out (this is an unexpected-but-much-appreciated feature we didnt find in other models). 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The Mac Sports Heavy Duty wagon beat out our former beach-friendly pick, the Seina, in its traction on sand, maneuverability, and capacity, but at a cost: Its $50 more than our original pick. Be stable and fun for kids of all sizes to ride in: Even if wagons arent meant explicitly for holding kids, they should still be stable, not tippy. For wagons that are designed specifically for toting kids, we looked at how difficult they were to climb into and out of, the comfort of the harnesses, the seat design, and the extra features that keep little ones happy and safe inside. Each seat on the Pivot Xplore can carry a kid weighing up to 55 pounds, and it has harnesses that are similar to those in stroller seats. We havent conducted new testing since spring 2021, but are confident in our existing picks. Even though the Veer and the Pivot Xplore both fold down to about the same size, the Pivot Xplore feels way more portable when folded, compared with the tank-like Veer. I checked how each strollers straps and seats fit my boys (then a 40-pound, 4-foot-6-inch 6-year-old and a 25-pound, 2-foot-9-inch 3-year-old), and I noted how content they were to stay in the seats for long periods of time. The Pivot Xplore comes with the shades included and ready to go (shades are an additional purchase on the Veer Cruiser). Additionally, I tested each wagon (filled with soccer equipment) on grass and bumpy, broken concrete surfaces, paying attention to how the suspension and wheels performed under different conditions. We then spent 15 hours testing these six finalists. We also looked at how easy each wagon was to fold and pick up, and to store in a small space. But after previously recommending a cheaper, less-sturdy beach wagonwhich broke after a yearwe think the Mac Sports All Terrains overall durability and maneuverability on sand make it worth the increased cost. Companies like Keenz, Veer, and Evenflo now make collapsible wagons that meet many of the same Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) safety standards as strollers. But even though it had nice wheels and construction, this wagon was a headache to fold and unfold. Its also not as widely available as our picks. If you intend to use your wagon primarily at the beach, we recommend the Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding All Terrain Utility Cart. The three-point harnesses offer the safety of a stroller, but in a fun ride that allows two kids to face each other. It was extremely hard to squeeze inward and still jutted outward if not squeezed into its cover: an impossible ordeal when wrangling two kids in a parking lot. With 6.7 cubic feet of internal volume, this wagon fit more stuff than any of the other beach wagons we testedwhile also clocking in at a middle-of-the-road 24.5 pounds. Like Evenflo, Veer does not list the capacity of the wagon in cubic feet. And we also considered the length and angle of the handle, which adults of different sizes would have to push or pull. The Radio Flyer 3-In-1 Off-Road EZ Fold Wagon gets good reviews and passes ASTM safety standards. We started looking for a better option than our original beach-friendly pick, the Seina Folding Utility Beach Wagon, after a nut fell off the wagon at a critical timewhen we were on the sand, about a quarter-mile from the parking lot. The Beau Jardin also makes storage easier because it stands while folded, which our beach-friendly pick, the Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding All Terrain Utility Cart, does not. We were able to fix the problem, but a year of use has also led to scratches on the wheels and the plastic looking pretty shorn. A cross between a folding wagon and a stroller, this model comes with sunshades and harnesses, and it can carry both kids and gear. Weve updated broken links in this guide. Wagons can be helpful for all kinds of jaunts, including trips to the beach and the farmers market. Its also one of the lowest-priced wagons we considered, but it performed as well as or better than wagons that cost twice as much. To determine which wagons are the most popular for families, I interviewed company representatives; read hundreds of reviews on retail sites like Amazon, L.L.Bean, and Target; and looked at existing stroller-wagon guides from Babylist, Lucies List, Car Seat Blog, and Wise Pick. It scored high marks for having an attractive price point, as well as having fabric that could be easily removed for washing (which the other wagons did not have). The Pivot Xplore weighs 34.7 pounds, so its much heavier than both Mac Sports wagons. We think the Mac Sports wagon is fine for occasional beach use, especially if your gear is more bulky than heavy and you dont have to travel too far to your spot. The Pivot Xplore has only a small amount of storage on the outside, compared with other stroller wagons, but it does include a clip-on basket that you can attach for some quick-access storage. The Veer and the Pivot Xplore both have similar dimensions when folded down, but because of their different shapes, the Veer feels a bit bulkier when folded. Although it does cost more than the standard Mac Sports wagon and the Seina (our former beach-friendly pick), the Mac Sports Heavy Duty wagons giant plastic wheels made it immune to tipping, even when it was full of beach gear, including two chairs, an umbrella, a boogie board, snacks, and a bag of sand toys. Inside, the Pivot Xplore is a bit smaller than the Veer. We independently review everything we recommend. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. One staffer who also owns the Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding All Terrain Utility Cart has also noticed scratches on the wheels. To start, we assessed the initial assembly of each wagon, noting any particular frustrations, as well as any extra tools that were required. *At the time of publishing, the price was $125. Unlike most wagons, the Veer doesnt fold up from the center accordion-style; instead it folds flat from the sides. The foot brake is activated below the handle, along the center of the wagon. Whether its just a small cart to go to the grocery store with or a library style cart to bring along when youre doing laundry, having something on wheels is never a bad thing. The wagon can hold up to 150 pounds. Be comfortable and convenient to operate: We tested the wagons turning radiuses on sand, dirt, and concrete to see how easy it was to navigate cones when a wagon was filled with gear. So its easy to pull beach gear and little beachgoers across bumpy sand. Im also the mom of two small guys, now ages 5 and 7, who have enjoyed many wagon rides since I began working on this guide two years ago. The interior of the Veer is very roomy and the wagon has a unique foot well that makes riding inside extra-comfortable. If you want a beach wagon with brakes: The Beau Jardin Folding Wagon Cart was the only beach wagon we tested with brakes on the front wheels, and with wheels that could be adjusted to be wider or narrower for different surfaces (which was helpful when parking on packed sand sloping down to the water). At 30 pounds, the L.L.Bean Collapsible Wagon was the largest and heaviest of the folding wagons we tested. Overall, we thought this was a useful option for those who might value having brakes more than interior capacity or maneuverability on sand: The Beau Jardin allows for only 4.1 cubic feet of beach gear. My kids enjoyed the Pivot Xplores sunshades and snack bar, as well as how easily the wagon glided over many types of terrain. The Mac Sports Wagon weighs 22 pounds and can hold up to 150 pounds of gear. Though you certainly dont need to be a parent to potentially find a collapsible wagon useful, a lot of the growth in this product category recently has been focused on kids. They are handy for lugging a load of groceries home from the store, hauling equipment to playing fields, and even commuting with kids to and from school. And it comes with the same durable build of the standard Mac Sports wagon, but with twice the internal volume. This model is for those who are willing to pay significantly more for a wagon that will provide many years of transportationas well as fun. Weve seen people using these wagons around the neighborhood and at the beach, as well as for gardening, outdoor concerts and movies, and sporting events. Like the Pivot Xplore, the Veer wagon can be pushed or pulled, though we found the steering to be a bit more wiggly in the push mode than on the Pivot Xplore. Here are 25 useful things for a summer beach vacation. This wagon has wider wheels that can traverse sandy terrain with ease. Load Capacity, Black, ECR4Kids - ELR-0550B-BL MemoryStor Universal Rolling Cart and Organizer Bag Set, Blue, Earthwise Reusable Grocery Shopping Bags Extremely Durable Multi Use Large Stylish Fun Foldable Water-Resistant Totes Design - Spring Flowers (Pack of 6), Safco Products Stow Away Crate 4054BL, Black, 50lbs. And many of them also have other stroller-like features, including five-point harnesses, sunshades, snack bars, and brakes. When folded flat, the Mac Sports wagon is relatively compact and easy to tote around. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). The brakes on the Pivot Xplore are activated by a small pedal near the wheel, and we found them to be fairly easy to use. Time at the beach, lake, or pool is more fun for everyone with kids outfitted in comfortable, protective rash guards, swimsuits, sun hats, and more. We evaluated the wagons in several scenarios and conditions. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. The Veer is the priciest wagon we tested, and the accessories (car seat adapter, toddler seat, sunshade) are all add-ons. The material is easy to wipe clean, and during our testing it didnt grow any mildew when stored damp. Evenflo says the Pivot Xplore is good for kids up to 5 years old, but we found it works best for younger kids, between the ages of about 6 months and 4 years. And Veer sells various add-on accessories that make the wagon adaptable for babies and bigger kids, including a car seat for infants and a hammock seat for toddlers. The Mac Sports wagons skinny rubber wheels, compared with larger-wheeled models we tested in 2021, sunk into the sand a bit during testing. Store without too much hassle: We assessed the wagons on their ease of folding, as well as their overall collapsed size once folded.