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As a resident of Manhattan, I am no stranger to the schlep. I unfortunately have what most professionals would diagnose as an online shopping problem, which is all fine and dandy until the returns start piling up in my closet. Usually you’ll find me, boxes piled high in my arms or tumbling out of a tote bag, stumbling around the city trying to make my returns. There have been some instances where things have not ended well – a comically timed avalanche of boxes in the middle of the street, to name one.
An oversized tote seemed to be the obvious solution to carrying around my stuff, but as a certified weakling, sometimes carrying the load of boxes is a lot for my shoulders to bear. Not to mention everyone on the subway and streets seemed to be wishing for my demise as I bump into them with the bulky bag on my journey. Thankfully, I recently got my hands on a Hulken® bag and let's just say my life has been changed – no more awkward hauls and accidental injuries, just a smooth, easy roll to UPS.
What Is a Hulken Bag?
The Hulken® bag is an extremely durable lightweight trolley with a foldable design for easy storage and industrial-grade wheels and handles. It’s designed to make carrying heavy loads – like groceries, laundry, or work supplies – effortless, especially if you’re commuting in a big city.
The Original Rolling Tote from Hulken® currently comes in ten colors: black, silver, midnight blue, rose gold, cosmic red, ultraviolet, forest green, black matte, plum matte and lilac. Along with choosing from fun color options, there are also three sizes to choose from based on your needs.
The bags, which are designed in Switzerland and handmade in Hungary and India, use the same industrial grade materials trusted by companies like Nestlé and L’Oréal. The water resistant design features a zippered cover to keep all your goodies safe in transit. They're strong, lightweight and made to glide no matter what you’re schlepping.
The foresight to make the bag easily collapsable and compact when stored makes the bag a fan favorite among many, especially city dwellers with limited space. Mine is currently folded up tight and shoved in a tiny corner of my hall closet, barely taking up any space.
What's the Story Behind the Brand?
Co-founders Alex Schinasi and her husband Yoni Sheleg think of Hulken® as more than a bag to carry your stuff. The Hulken® was originally created for musicians on the go: as a working musician in Brooklyn, Sheleg needed a way to get his drum kit – cymbals, snare drums, drumsticks and sometimes groceries – around the city. To help him get his haul through the subway and up walkups, his father-in-law created the original Hulken prototype – a heavy duty bag with wheels, which although a bit rough around the edges, rolled like a dream.
After realizing the problem they were trying to solve was universal, Yoni and Alex set to work creating the Hulken® so creatives, parents, teachers, and anyone hauling their day from A to B could benefit from it. Born in 2020 when the world was at a standstill, and while Yoni was on a break from touring, the bag was packed and shipped from the couples’ New York apartment. Their hard work paid off and after a review published in The Strategist: orders came pouring in, and ever since Hulken’s reputation has continued to grow.
The Hulken® brand is not a one hit wonder, though. The team has big plans to expand their lineup in the years to come, starting with an addition of The Rolling Carry-On Tote which is an ultra-lightweight version of the original Hulken, designed to fit in most major airlines overhead bins.
The Hulken® team hopes to continue to build a brand that grows with their audience, products that adapt to your life and show up when you need them.
Is It Worth It?
The Hulken® Original Rolling Tote Bag runs from $99 to $125 depending on what size you choose. This may evoke sticker shock for a lot of potential customers, especially since when it comes down to it you are just buying a waterproof tote bag with wheels. However, when compared to some other brands attempts at duping the rolling tote, the Hulken wins by a large margin.
At first glance, Hulken® looks like a heavy-duty tote, but the secret lies in the details. The bag has reinforced handles, wheels for effortless transport, and a collapsible structure that makes it easy to store when not in use. The standout feature is how sturdy this bag is. The construction feels premium, with tough materials that can handle heavy loads without losing shape. Unlike flimsy reusable totes that fall apart after a few trips, Hulken genuinely feels like a long-term investment in convenience.
Despite being built for utility, Hulken® doesn’t compromise on looks. The metallic finishes (especially the rose gold and silver) give it a surprisingly sleek, modern vibe – proof that functional design can also look good.
If you’ve ever struggled with hauling groceries, laundry, or office supplies from one place to another, Hulken® might just be your new favorite life upgrade. This brand redefines what a reusable bag can be, combining practicality, durability, and style into one clever design.
