Hunter Unisex Nylon Tote

Product Information

Durability is key. Don’t be the person who yard-sales halfway between the car and their spot in the sand. Or the one who turns buying a new beach bag into an annual Memorial Day tradition. Look for options ready to withstand the sun, saltwater, and sand—even if it means spending a little more money upfront. Indulge in a slice of British heritage with a pair of Hunter boots. The brand has been creating durable yet timeless footwear since 1856, with two Royal Warrants of Appointment making it a national treasure. The designs in our collection take inspiration from the rugged landscapes of England and Scotland, with a focus on innovative materials such as vulcanised rubber to protect against the elements. There aren’t many things better than waking up, seeing the sun beating down, and planning a trip to the beach. Although decisions like this can be made on a whim, it pays to be prepared when hitting the coast. If you’re making a day of it, you’re going to need a decent beach outfit as well as a sturdy and spacious bag that can house your towels, clothes, and a little bottle of something. Candice Thiele, the top salesperson at Ives Curated Gifts in Fort Myers, Florida, says she loves how products from Sea Bags are both durable and easy to clean. Plus, “they’re vintage,” she says. “They’ve been places.” Billings agrees, noting, “I really like a smaller interior bag that can hold your keys and sunscreen and smaller items–maybe a little waterproof bag with a zipper.”

In many ways, your stuff-hauler is the unspoken hero of any day in the sand. “Beach bags are essential to a day at the beach because they provide a way to transport, protect, and organize all of your necessary beach gear,” says Kristin Billings, a travel advisor specializing in beach vacations and Disney destinations. “A great bag can make your day easier and more organized, so you can have more fun at the shore.” At 60 liters (in other words, big enough for a toddler to curl up inside its semi-structured walls), Cotopaxi’s Allpa Gear Hauler definitely fits the “go big or go home” bill. But that’s not all this mega beach bag has going for it.

Best Beach Bag Brands

Our travel experts agree that when it comes to beach bags, bigger is better. “It needs to be oversized, so you never have to leave the beach once you get there,” says Hayley Hester. “You need to be able to fit your entire life inside of it.” My top recommendation for a beach bag is to choose something that allows the sand to filter through, so it doesn’t collect at the bottom of the bag,” Billings says. “That might be a straw bag or a mesh bag that can fit a good amount of stuff.”

Pros: Space for everything (and a small kitchen sink), heavy-duty durability, made with repurposed materials, easy to spot even on a busy beach Since its inception in 2007, Orlebar Brown has been setting the standard for high-quality, tailored swim shorts, which the fashion industry has widely copied since. Before OB it was all baggy, printed board shorts, but the brand is also a dab hand at designing equally stylish, and practical, beach bags. Look out for the printed totes with images from the Slim Aarons archive, or the waterproof coated-canvas shoulder bags. Match aesthetics to your personality and situation. The Hester sisters prefer neutral-colored bags because they accent the taupes and earth tones of a beach setting. Laura McGee, owner of Fort Myers-based boutique Ives Curated Gifts, on the other hand, looks for “bright and sunny” shades. Beyond color, Billings recommends considering the occasion. “Do you just need something for super casual, family days at a beach?” she asks. “Or are you looking for an accessory to compliment your resort wear?” Each of the brand’s products is made from sailcloth that formerly propelled a vessel along the waterfront of Portland, Maine. Most of these sails end up in a landfill when they get too tattered and worn to fulfill their purpose; Sea Bags ensures that at least some get a second life. To date, the woman-founded business has repurposed roughly 1.5 million pounds of sailcloth into duffels, diaper bags, and a variety of home decor items and accessories.