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The words “beach bag” bring a standard image to mind: a canvas tote, likely beige, as Cape Cod-coded as the day is long. But just like every shoreline isn’t sandy, not every beach bag comes from a Land’s End catalog. Below you’ll find our favorite offerings in every subgenre, from classically woven raffia to sculptural statement pieces. All are exceedingly affordable – except one high fashion moment we had to give a shoutout to – making them no-brainer purchases for ushering in summer.
There’s nothing worse than a beach day that’s cut short by poor packing. With these bags in your arsenal, you’ll have everything you need to slip seamlessly into vacation mode.
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Best Overall Beach Bag
Yes, PTC's La Jolla bag cuts the expected silhouette, but sometimes the classics are classic for a reason. From the eye-popping colorways to the Goldilocks size of 15"x10", this bag excels in all the little details. The stitching is both beautifully done and full of reinforcement, allowing this bag to hold much more than it might appear. The hidden magnet closure keeps everything secure, but with easier access than a zippered alternative. Yet mostly it's the chic simplicity that makes this one our favorite, the casual ease that lets it transition from sandy days to summery nights out.
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Best Straw Beach Bag
While straw is the more recognizable label for this very beachy material, 99% of "straw bags" are made from raffia – a much more natural, and more durable, dupe. This AOTA tote is no exception, and the raffia is beautifully utilized, tightly woven in two-toned stripes that aren't prone to fraying. We love the contrast with the vegan leather trim and straps, which give even more personality with the playful palm leaf detail. Though the vibe is breezy and carefree, the brand is motivated by sustainability, recycling materials as an antidote to the excesses of fast fashion.
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Best Foldable/Packable Beach Bag
When you're at capacity for carry-on luggage, you need a beach bag that can stow away instead of stand alone. Turn to Dock and Bay for their fantastic (and fantastically cheap) solution. Their Whitsunday tote is big enough for a full day out, yet it folds down easily for super convenient storage. Though it can be shoved into any suitcase or duffle, it's still remarkably sturdy, able to carry whatever books or bevvies you're lugging out to the share. And though we opted for classic blue stripes, it comes in twelve different patterns for a wide array of mixing and matching.
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Best Mesh Beach Bag
As we noted in our glowing review of Baboon to the Moon's travel line, all of their products meet the brands three standards: 1) They have to be sustainable; 2) They have to be technical; and 3) They have to be colorful. Their Mesh Tote passes all three tests with flying colors, between the recycled poly ripstop, the high-performance mesh, and unforgettable colors like Electric Purple and Hyper Pink. While the see-through design works great for streetwear, it allows sand to shake out and prevents moisture buildup in wet towels or toys. It also couldn't be easier to wash and dry after a beach trip, and if you've ever had a permanently stained canvas bag, you know that's no small perk.
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Best Waterproof Beach Bag
You might think all beach bags are built to withstand the waves, but think again. Waterproof liners are few and far between, but The Somewhere Co. uses theirs to great effect. The whole interior is reinforced, and if that wasn't enough, there's a separate water-resistant pocket for your phone and keys. Yet unlike REI's legion of dry bags, this tote also looks gorgeous, with a rose-and-mauve checkerboard pattern that looks killer against blue skies. Nothing better than form that disguises some seriously thoughtful function.
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Best Designer Beach Bag
Another raffia iteration here, but what a difference a shape makes. This square tote with its circular handle has the bold geometry that has become Jacquemus' signature -- the kind you need if your beach days skew more resortwear than rustic. It's lively, it's fun, it's sophisticated, from the deep black weaving to the gold-tone charms. This is accessorizing that feels fashion-forward and timeless all at once.
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Best Structured Beach Bag
Had one too many flimsy bags blow away in the wind? No such danger with a Bogg bag, the sturdy, structured option that weights itself down even when it's empty. That said, it can carry up to 40 pounds, whether that's in the form of towels, beach paddles, or your go-to six pack. The two included insert bags are our favorite feature here, made for easy organization and protection against the elements. Plus we've found the Medium size to be plenty big -- with the Large almost comically so -- and with plenty of room to customize from their collection of charms, chains and pins. By the time you add on a tabletop cover complete with snack and drink holders, you'll be sold on Bogg as the true masters of modular design.












