Paddle boarding requires some traveling, especially if you’re the adventurous type. These long distances from the car to the water make it a bit of a hassle to cart around your SUP, and that’s where carts and trailers come in handy. When you’ve got a heavy board, a SUP cart or trailer just makes it all the more convenient to get you where you need to go quicker.

I will break it all down for you to ensure you know what to look for when purchasing a SUP cart! I’ll even share some of what I think are the best paddle board carts and trailers on the market right now. So let’s get into it.

What is a SUP Cart?

You know how carrying a board gets super annoying the further you have to take it? Well, with a SUP cart, you’ve got a handy small two-wheeled contraption that makes taking a board from the car to the water far easier! You get single or multi-carts, so whether you’re going solo or in a group, you’ve got options. SUP carts just make paddle boarding more convenient, allowing you to save your energy for the water, not the trip to the water.

How Do You Use a SUP Cart?

To use a SUP cart, you simply need to place the back half of your sup down in the cart and take the other half under your arm. Then, you’ll walk and pull the board along as it rolls on the wheels. The board is usually on its side to allow for the underarm transportation method, but there are examples where that’s not the case, especially with multi-board carts.

Benefits of a SUP Cart

The benefits of a SUP cart are purely a matter of convenience and energy saving so that you don’t tire yourself out from the car to the water having to cart a massive SUP around. It also means you can go further distances to better SUP spots without having to dread the journey because of your board’s immense weight. Even lightweight boards get annoying to cart long stretches without a cart, so don’t think you can escape this feeling!

Top 3 SUP Carts

Here are four of the best paddle board carts and trailers!

SUP Wheels Evolution

If you want your cart to do most of the heavy lifting, you need to get the SUP Wheels Evolution. This SUP cart is one of the few instances of horizontal stacking of boards instead of the vertical approach. This means that all the weight really is put onto the SUP Wheels Evolution, which makes your life a bit easier.

You’ll find that this SUP cart has some of the best wheels for sand which can be other carts’ downfall. They’re made of plastic like most carts, but they can traverse the soft surfaces with just as much ease as the harder ones.

The construction of this cart is durable and even has Marine Grade parts used for hard salt and UV environments. So hook up your bike, or walk with your cart to the water and know that your boards aren’t going to weigh you down or tire you out.

However, one unfortunate note is that there are no included straps, which is a bit of an oversight and an inconvenience but not an impossible fix.

Key Features

• Includes strap handle for a walk or connecting to a bike
• Marine-grade parts

Pros

• Carries most of the weight
• Lightweight
• Small and compact

Cons

• No provided strap to secure the boards in place

COR Surf Adjustable Stand Up Paddleboard Cart

The COR Surf Adjustable Stand Up Paddle board Cart is a phenomenal product on the market. Thanks to its plastic wheels, which never need air, this light, compact contraption will help get you from car to water in no time and won’t experience a flat tire!

Made with durable, high-strength aluminum, you’ll have a cart that withstands endless journeys across various terrains. Sadly one major downside to this otherwise brilliant product is the fact that sand has been reported as a problem. Some customers have admitted that the coarse sand on beaches can sometimes cause the dolly to stop working after getting caught in the axel.

If you’re planning on spending most of your SUP time at the beach, then maybe don’t get this cart unless you’re willing to overlook this flaw and take a chance. I think this would be perfect for going to the lake or somewhere where the terrain is more solid.

Key Features

• Adjustable grip to accommodate any size board.
• Plastic tires so you never experience a flat
• Foam bumpers for added protection for your SUP

Pros

• Lightweight
• Compact
• Good Build
• Durable

Cons

• Coarse sand might be its biggest enemy

Suspenz Double SUP Airless Cart

Double trouble coming through! The Suspenz Double SUP Airless Cart is another great addition to this list as it’s great for paddlers looking to travel in pairs.

This is a sturdy cart to transport the boards on all types of terrains and weather conditions. Thanks to the premium airless tires, you’ll never worry about a flat tire. Also, unlike the COR Surf dolly, you likely won’t experience the issue with coarse sand and axel failure.

The build of this cart is made using sturdy and durable aluminum, which has been powder coated for extra protection. The cart also features neoprene foam pads for just that extra little bit of protection for your SUPs.

Suppose you’re planning on going to intensive locations with some trickier terrain. In that case, the Suspenz Double SUP Airless Cart might just be the cart you need to bring along for the journey.

Key Features

• Premium airless tires
• Sleek design
• Durable epoxy powder-coated aluminum frame

Pros

• Lightweight frame
• Neoprene foam pads for SUP board protection.

Cons

• Pricey

Personal Pick

The SUP Wheels Evolution is my personal favorite because I enjoy the idea of being able to ride a bike to get to my paddle boarding spot faster. Considering it takes up a bulk of the weight, it makes it really easy to travel from the car to the water. The price tag is a little hefty but considering its materials used for the construction of the Wheels Evolution, you know, you’re getting something that will last a long time and serve many SUP trips.

Buyers Guide

There are things you need to consider before ultimately purchasing a SUP cart and trailer to ensure you make the best decision for you and your board.

Weight

Don’t assume every cart or trailer is universal. Carts and trailers have their own weight limits that you need to note to get the right one for your board. Also, consider planning ahead if you intend to get a bigger board in the future and give yourself one that can handle the weight you plan to get in a new board.

Capacity

Do you need it for one board or multiple boards? Be sure to check how many boards the trailer can hold so you don’t purchase something that can’t support the number of SUPs you intend to transport.

Strapping In

Does the cart and trailer have straps? Alternatively, is it easy to secure the boards in place to ensure they don’t move around or fall off? What are the materials used to secure the SUPs? If you do need to add in your own straps, does it look easy enough to DIY? Carts and trailers are meant to be convenient, so if you feel like adding straps is going to be a mission, move on and find another product to fit your needs.

Durability

You’re going out into the wilderness, the beaches, the lakes, white water rapids; you need a cart and trailer that’s up for the challenges of various terrains and conditions. Is your choice for a trailer made using rust-free metal? Can it handle being used continuously and in extreme weather and terrain conditions?

Portability

You don’t want a cart or trailer that will be challenging to store in your car and be a nightmare to move around in general. Additionally, you want to consider the wheels and what material they’re made of and be prepared for situations where you need more air in the tires. Finally, make sure the tires are durable and can withstand rough terrain. The last thing you want is to have a flat tire while nowhere near the end of your journey to the SUP spot.

Final Thoughts

SUP carts and trailers are a great addition to your gear as they will help you save time, energy, and effort in taking your board to the best, most remote SUP locations. You want to save your energy for the water.

While they say it’s all about the journey and not the destination, I’d argue that a cart for your SUP will make the journey a hell of a lot better. Besides, when you’re finished paddle boarding and you’re tired, the last thing you want to think about is taking the board back without easy transportation to help you out!

Let us know in the comments what SUP trailer you ended up going with and check out my full list of things to pack for your next sup adventure.. If you know a friend who might be interested in learning more about these great SUP gear items, send them this article! Good luck, and happy travels.