Focus on tire width, not just diameter.

You want balloon tires – wide and low-pressure – and a frame that sits low to the ground.

Big diameter helps (think 10–12 inches), but narrow wheels just dig in. The real trick is tire width. Look for tires at least 3–4 inches wide, preferably with a soft rubber compound or low PSI rating. These “float” over soft sand instead of plowing through it.

Tipping is a geometry problem. A tall, narrow cart with a high handle will tip the moment you load a cooler on one side. Look for a wide wheelbase (the space between the two wheels) and a low deck. If the bed is close to the axle height, the center of gravity stays low. Avoid carts with elevated handles that make you lean back – that pulls the rear wheels up.

If you find a cart with fat tires and a low, wide frame, you’re set. Everything else is marketing.

You can spend $300 on a fancy folding cart, but the cheap aluminum ones with balloon tires work just as well. Just make sure the tires are inflated, not solid plastic.