Bungee cords and a cargo net. Done.

Use bungee cords for the heavy stuff—cooler, chairs, umbrella base—then throw a cargo net over everything loose (towels, bags, toys). That combination handles almost every beach-cart load.

Bungee cords stretch and hold tension well, even on bumpy sand. Hook them tight across the coolers and chairs so they can’t shift. Then the cargo net is a one-motion cover for the rest. Ratchet straps work but are overkill—more time fiddling than you want when you’re already sweating.

Biggest mistake: not keeping the center of gravity low. Put the heavy items at the bottom of the cart, then bungee them down. Lighter stuff on top under the net. If you just pile everything high and hope, a crosswind will teach you a lesson.

Your stuff stays put, and you don’t end up chasing a beach chair down the shoreline.