What's a good, rugged shopping cart?

August 12, 2008 8:10 AM

What's a good, rugged shopping cart?

Since I now live ~1 mile from my grocery store of choice, I need a kick-ass shopping cart. Not one of those rickety jobs they sell at all the hardware stores- I want something built to last.

I'm mostly concerned about the wheels- does anyone make them with the rubberized wheels like rollerblades have? Good wheeled luggage has them, but I have yet to find a cart that does. If it's collapsible, that's a *huge* plus!

posted by mkultra to shopping (9 comments total)

I think this would be your best bet, looks like it has sturdy wheels, is collapsible and if you get tired on your 1 mile journey it has a seat.
posted by DOUBLE A SIDE at 8:18 AM on August 12, 2008

We use the VersaCart and are quite happy with it. My only complaint is that there is not a little zippered pocket on the interior (minor, but an annoyance). We use it for groceries, laundry and a variety of other things. It's retractable and is pretty rugged, but we have never used another cart so we have nothing to compare it to. The canvas is relatively waterproof and can cover the top of the cart - my groceries stayed dry even when I was soaked in a downpour once.
posted by ml98tu at 8:39 AM on August 12, 2008

This isn't a direct answer to your question, but have you considered (and if you have, could you explain your reasons for deciding against) getting a bike with a rear rack and putting two grocery bag panniers on it? Lugging any kind of loaded wheeled cart along for a mile sounds time-consuming and miserable to me, plus it seems like it'd be tough to get frozen products home before they started to thaw.

(Re-reading your question, you seem to be concerned about space. Maybe the bike could be a cheap Craigslist find that you don't mind locking up outside? Most grocery panniers detach almost instantly, and can be carried up to your apartment and folded flat when not in use.)
posted by contraption at 9:19 AM on August 12, 2008

I've used a VersaCart to move fairly heavy loads (at least 100lb), so they're pretty sturdy.
posted by aramaic at 9:30 AM on August 12, 2008

You can get these folding style hand carts from assorted suppliers. The 125lb rated unit has 7" tires and I've seen them other places with semi-pneumatics. The larger the tire the easier time you'll have going over curbs and debris. All you need to add is a couple milk crates (you don't have to steal them) and a strap you'd be good to go.
posted by Mitheral at 9:37 AM on August 12, 2008

The VersaCart looks fantastic, thanks!
posted by mkultra at 10:30 AM on August 12, 2008

I work at a nursing college, and the grad students carry their materials (A lot of materials...) on carts similar to Mitherials.

If you shop with one of these, what do you do with it while you're shopping? Just stow it in the cart? Is there a hand cart corral?
posted by boo_radley at 10:43 AM on August 12, 2008

The Hook & Go takes a different approach, but may fit your needs.
posted by sad_otter at 11:24 AM on August 12, 2008 [1 favorite]

@contraption Bike is out of the question these days due to lingering mobility issues. Grocery store is only five blocks away, so frozen isn't too big an issue.

I truly truly love our Kolcraft Jeep Cherokee stroller in terms of street-worthiness, cargo pockets (2 plus the little container on top), 4 cup holders, plus when kids aren't sitting in it, you can fit 4 good sized bags of groceries between the top area and the bottom, plus a few extra little things like jackets.

Unfortunately, none of the suggestions so far here or on the other thread really have that wow and convenience factor, although they're all terrific choices.

I was really hoping that urban moms had pioneered their way into Jeep Granny Cart territory...
posted by moof at 6:12 PM on October 19, 2008