12 Best Beach Bags (original) (raw)
By ,a writer at the Strategist covering clothing basics and bath and body. She joined the Strategist as a junior writer in 2022 after interning at the site.
Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
Beach days (or weeks) can call for a long packing list: a swimsuit, a sun hat, sunscreen, and, of course, the bag you’ll use to transport everything. If you’re planning to use said bag all season long (and again next summer), it’ll have to stand up to some tough conditions — we’re talking triple-digit temperatures, greasy tanning-oil stains, and hauling a damp towel (or soggy swim diaper) — all while keeping your belongings safe along a crowded shoreline. But the ideal beach bag doesn’t need to be overly fancy. “It’s going to get sandy and potentially wet, so I don’t want anything too precious,” says brand consultant Aemilia Madden.
To uncover the best options on the market, I polled a range of beachgoers — including stand-up paddleboarders, surfers, and personal stylists — and our own writers and editors to get their recommendations. I also pulled celebrity-approved favorites from our archives and included a few that I’ve personally tested. Below, you’ll find beach bags at every price point, made of sturdy canvas, waterproof vinyl, woven straw, and more.
The material your beach bag is made out of will greatly determine if your belongings stay safe from the scorching sun and free of sand. Cotton canvas, especially waxed or coated, is the most common material used for beach bags because it’s durable and usually doesn’t hold on to sand. EVA has grown in popularity, too, largely for its rubberlike feel that’s waterproof and has good resistance to UV radiation. Nylon is a lightweight yet durable option that will repel some water and is easy to clean or shake sand off of.
I’ve listed any extra features that are worth noting for every beach bag on this list. If you’re heading to the beach for some casual sunbathing or an afternoon picnic, you’ll be fine with a carryall that only has a few extras, such as a small phone pocket or removable pouch. But if you’re surfing, fishing, or participating in some other beach-centered activity, you may need a more technical bag. In that case, you’ll want to look for options with a waterproof design or lash points on the exterior to hang shoes, water bottles, and other gear. I’ve also included one beach bag that comes with a lifetime warranty.
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Material: Cotton canvas | Key features: Four sizes, outside pocket, four interior pockets, key ring attachment, reinforced base
This tote has been on my mind ever since contributor Erika Veurink made a very convincing case for shopping at Lands’ End. “The brand flies under the radar. Which, to me, is exactly where I prefer to exist as a shopper,” says Veurink in her piece. I, too, am this type of shopper and recognize that Lands’ End totes aren’t as instantly recognizable as, say, L.L.Bean’s Boat and Totes — but in my opinion, they make even better beach bags. Similar to the Boat and Tote, the Lands’ End bag is made from 100 percent cotton canvas and is durable, washable, and extremely sturdy. Both are available as zipper tops or open tops (I tend to prefer the open version, especially if you’re an overpacker or plan to pile in towels or a cooler). But the main reason I picked the Lands’ End as our best beach bag overall is because it has additional features for organization and security: There’s an outside pocket plus four interior pockets and a key-ring attachment. Both bags have double-layered handles and bottoms, but the Lands’ End appears to be just slightly more slouchy and worn-in, which I prefer over a stiffer beach bag.
For over two decades, Gina Bradley, the founder of stand-up paddleboarding company Paddle Diva and a mom of two, has been a fan of Lands’ End bags. She says this is her top choice for schlepping the “many accessories that go along with taking care of kids when heading to the beach.” The durable canvas tote has a reinforced base**,** and the widely stitched seams give it a clean look and keep it upright even when it’s placed in the sand, Bradley says. But it’s also her go-to for everyday use — as she puts it, “It’s actually my handbag.” As I mentioned earlier, it has easy-access compartments, including an outside pocket to hold lip balm and four interior pockets for sunscreen, sunglasses, or business cards. (Bradley even uses the key-ring attachment to hold extra hair ties.) The Lands’ End bag can also be monogrammed for an additional $8. (Bradley’s is embroidered with “Paddle Diva.”)
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Material: Cotton canvas | Key features: Four sizes, monogrammable, double-layer base
Even though I gave the Lands’ End tote the top spot on this list, a beach-bag guide wouldn’t be complete without L.L.Bean’s Boat and Tote. It’s a perennial Strategist favorite and has appeared in past versions of the Strategist 100 — our senior editor Hilary Reid even called it the best thing she bought in the last decade in 2020. Reid has both open-top and zip-top Boat and Totes, but she especially loves the zip-top for the beach because it keeps sand and the sun out while keeping everything inside secure. She was first introduced to the practical and well-made L.L. Bean bags by her mom, who still uses the original Boat & Totes that her parents bought her before she went off to college. The Boat & Tote is exceptionally sturdy and Reid reports that “no amount of sand, sunscreen, sun, or schlepping will wear it down — and in fact it looks nice when it’s a little sunbaked.” It comes in a range of sizes, but Reid recommends the large size for the beach because it comfortably fits two towels, sunscreen, a book or two, and lunch. Another note: L.L.Bean Boat and Totes are still made in Maine, while the Lands’ End is imported, according to both product descriptions.
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Material: EVA| Key features: Two removable clear pouches
Consider the structured Original Bogg Bag if your beach bag always blows over (or away). The Bogg is made from sturdy EVA and has a grippy base that keeps it in place. Our senior writer Lauren Ro owns the Original Bogg bag and loves that it stands up. “I hate a floppy beach bag,” Ro told me. “It has holes on the side so wet stuff can breathe, but it’s closed at the bottom, which means sand doesn’t seep in.” Ro owns this beachy red shade and appreciates that it comes with two clear pouches for stashing cash and other valuables. These pouches and many other Bogg accesories — charms, dividers, phone holders, and more — can be snapped on and off of the bag’s gridlike interior and exterior.
Another Bogg fan is our senior editor Jen Trolio, who uses it as a beach bag and her “sideline bag” when coaching soccer. “The fact that it stands on its own and is very structured is its greatest asset,” Trolio says, adding that she never worries about setting it down on wet grass or sand since it’s waterproof, making it very easy to wipe down or hose off. “I have spilled a tumbler of coffee inside it before, and it drains and cleans up so easily,” Trolio told me. The handles are long enough to fit easily over Trolio’s shoulder, but she notes that this bag can get rather heavy when overloaded. (Trolio also told me that it’s boxy but squishy enough that it broke her fall perfectly when she slipped on ice while walking out to the car this winter.)
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Material: 840D TPU-coated nylon, PE foam base | Key features: Roll-top, compression strap, multiple lash points, lifetime warranty
If you’re looking for a bag that’s hard-wearing and seriously waterproof, I recommend this bag from RUX. From a style perspective, it’s rather technical-looking, but if that’s not something you mind and your goal is keeping your items dry and protected, the RUX is your best bet. It’s made with 840-denier nylon fabric coated with TPU (also known as thermoplastic polyurethane), which is essentially a thick waterproof and dustproof material. I’ve been testing this bag for over a year, and it certainly stands up to wet conditions. It comes with a removable shoulder strap and shorter carrying handles (I mainly use the latter to carry this bag). It can hold roughly the same amount as my large Lands’ End but has the fold-out roll-top so you can keep your items covered.
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Material: Vinyl-coated nylon | Key features: Three sizes, interior pocket
Mark & Graham — maker of all things monogrammed — offers this tote, which has vinyl-coated nylon for all kinds of beach-day conditions. Liz Parry, a veteran ocean lifeguard and the founder of Hamptons Swim, owns this water- and tear-resistant bag, which a client gifted to her over a year ago. Parry gives the carryall high marks for durability (it can transport her saltwater- or chlorine-soaked items) and comfort (its supportive straps can sustain loads packed to the brim), she says. Small brass grommets along the base are a clever addition, as they help filter out sand or pebbles, Parry says. She describes the style as timeless with a “quality coastal vibe” perfect for those, herself included, who summer in the Hamptons. It’s available in three sizes and 12 colors, and a monogram can be added for an additional $13.
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Material: Recycled nylon with PU, TPU coating | Key features: Hydrophobic back panel, net scabbard, multiple lash points
Unlike the other bags on this list, this is a true backpack. It comes recommended by Catherine Bruhwiler, Canada’s first professional female surfer, because it’s extremely durable and versatile. “I can go straight from work at the surf shop with my laptop to the boat and on a remote beach adventure or an evening salmon fish,” she says. A Tofino, British Columbia, local, Bruhwiler says weather on Canada’s west coast can range from rain and cold fog to super-sunny, but this all-day pack, which has a 29-liter capacity, can handle the elements. That’s because it’s completely submersible and has corrosionproof zippers, meaning the hardware won’t rust after repeated exposure to saltwater; plus, the wide top-zipper closure is ideal for loading surfing gear into the main compartment. Bruhwiler also praises Patagonia’s return policy, which ensures the company will repair or replace the item if it rips or snags. “I hope to have this bag until the end of my days,” she says.
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Material: 100 percent recyclable LDPE| Key features: Three sizes, collapsible
To carry pool or sand toys for her kids, Trolio likes the Sun Jellies bag, which has large open spaces where sand and water can drain out. Trolio says she had a very similar basket growing up and that the Sun Jellies “just feel very ’90s nostalgia to me.” (Sun Jellies was founded in 2012, so this isn’t the exact bag Trolio owned as a kid, but she says it’s the same exact shape.) You can also pop it apart and fold it flat if desired, which makes storing it or packing this bag a breeze.
[_Editor’s note: Sun Jellies lists its prices in pounds, so this is an approximation in U.S. dollars._]
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Material: Recycled plastic | Extra features: Strap closure
Personal stylist Joy Asibey-Gabriel came across this bag (in a slightly different color combination) two years ago in Accra, Ghana, at a boutique inside the Kempinski Hotel. Handmade from colorful recycled plastic, which makes it water-resistant and “indestructible,” the tote is roomy enough to fit towels, snacks, sunglasses, and books, Asibey-Gabriel says. Describing this carryall as a “maximalist’s dream,” she also praises the boxy, structured shape, which gives it an elevated look, and says strangers regularly stop her to compliment the tote and ask where she purchased it.
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Material: Nylon | Extra features: Internal pocket
I’ve owned my Longchamp bag for nearly a decade, and in recent years, I’ve taken to using it as a travel bag that becomes my beach bag when I arrive at a tropical destination. The large Le Pilage is the perfect size for hauling the essentials like a Ziploc of sunscreen, a thick beach read, sunglasses, a coverup, and my Owala water bottle. It can also hold wet beach clothes or snacks thanks to the water-resistant lining on the inside. I use the open internal pocket for my iPhone 15 Pro Max, keys, and lip balm. On a recent trip to Grand Cayman, it was incredibly easy to shake out sand after each long beach day, and the exterior did a nice job of keeping everything dry during a few sudden downpours.
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Material: Seagrass | Extra features: Internal pocket
This bag from Monday Swimwear comes recommended by Vanessa Rivers, a surfer, travel writer, and co-founder of We Are Travel Girls, who says it’s lightweight and highly versatile. As someone who’s constantly visiting new beach destinations, Rivers says she likes that she can rely on the look of the natural seagrass material and its just-right size to pair with any outfit. “I recently spent a week in Bodrum, Turkey, and I used this bag every day at beach clubs and every night for going out to dinner and drinks,” Rivers says. And the tightly-woven seagrass still looks brand new after almost two years of constant travel, she adds. Seagrass is known for being flexible yet strong, and according to the product description, this bag is hand crocheted.
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Material: Waxed cotton canvas | Extra features: Water-repellent nylon lining, customizable straps
Whitney Bickers, owner of the online boutique Myrtle, discovered this line through stylist Erica Kim and says she became “hooked” when she learned of the brand’s accessibility-friendly designs. “Disability visibility has become increasingly important to me as a disabled designer and parent,” Bickers says. She owns this tote and says features like the D-loops, which help clip the bag onto a wheelchair, and the customizable strap lengths, which the brand offers free of charge, make this beach bag a universal option. It’s also sturdy and stain-resistant thanks to the wipeable waxed cotton and the water-repellent nylon interior. A small pocket on the inside keeps her phone secure, and Bickers says once the summer ends, the Market Tote is neat-looking enough to use on everyday outings with her kids.
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Material: 52 percent PVC, 48 percent polyamide | Extra features: Zipper closure,inside pocket
If you’re looking for a beach bag with some extra room, this French nylon tote is beloved by graphic artist Geoff McFetridge, who began using it in the ’90s on surf trips. McFetridge describes the brand’s two-toned bags as simple, but says the largest size is heavy-duty enough to hold four wet suits. He adds that they’re easy to wash because “you can basically just hose them out and throw ’em on the beach” (though the tote does have an interior zip pocket to keep your belongings dry prewash). New York deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff, who owned a similar style in middle school, repurchased the medium size and has used it as her work bag. The Hervé Chapelier bags range from a tiny, palm-size style to this giant weekender version that we think is a nice larger alternative for the Lands’ End or Boat and Tote above.
Editor’s note: Hervé Chapelier lists its prices in euros, so this is an approximation in U.S. dollars.
• Joy Asibey-Gabriel, founder of the styling company Black Lady of Leisure
• Whitney Bickers, owner of the online boutique Myrtle
• Gina Bradley, founder of stand-up paddleboarding company Paddle Diva
• Catherine Bruhwiler, owner of Tofino Paddle Surf
• Liz Parry, founder of Hamptons Swim
• Hilary Reid, senior editor
• Vanessa Rivers, travel writer and co-founder of We Are Travel Girls
• Jen Trolio, senior editor
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