I Tested 11 Reusable Grocery Bags—My Favorites Made Hauling Groceries Less of a Chore

Four years ago, as an environmental reporter in Rhode Island, I lived and breathed the beat of single-use plastics. I even interviewed a woman known as “the founding mother” of a town’s plastic bag ban.

Fast forward to today and bag bans (of the plastic varietal) are more ubiquitous; many grocery stores either don’t carry bags or have flimsy paper ones that don’t hold up from the store to the car to the kitchen counter. 

Enter the reusable grocery bag: A practical way to lug groceries without throwing a bag away every time. But what’s the point if the handle breaks or the bag rips? That’s just one more bag in a landfill. To find a durable option that’ll last you a long time (and many grocery trips), I tested 11 bags of various materials, shapes, and sizes by packing, unpacking, and lugging loads of groceries for over a month. 

The Winners, at a Glance

While this looks like a paper bag, it’s made of beeswax-coated canvas, so it’s easy to prop open and fill. It’s spacious, sturdy, and a pleasure to carry thanks to its wide handles. 

This rectangular, boxy bag is super easy to open and fill; it’s also quite spacious and lightly insulated, making it great for toting chilled goods.

If you want heavy-duty insulation, you can tuck this bag into the freezer before your grocery run (it has a built-in ice pack on the bottom). The zipper opened smoothly, and the bag stood tall and was easy to fill. 

While I wasn’t a huge fan of floppy bags, this set sported flat-ish bottoms, which made them easy to prop open and fill. The bags were also roomy and comfy to carry. 

If you’d rather tote smaller bags than lug a big one, this set comes with 10 sturdy bags. 

While it might not seem all that different from the BeeGreen and BagPodz bags, the Baggu features reinforced stitching, which bodes well for its durability. It also comes in a dazzling array of fun colors and patterns.

The Tests

• Filling and Emptying Test: I filled each bag with a variety of goods, including heavy items like canned seltzer, and fragile things like avocados and tomatoes. I noted how big the bags were and how easy they were to fill and empty. I also toted them around to see if they were comfortable to carry when full. 
• Durability Test: I used the winning bags during grocery trips for over a month, noting how easy they were to fill and carry, and if they held up over time. 
• Cleaning Test: I cleaned the bags per manufacturer instructions (spot-cleaning for some and using the washing machine for others). 

What We Learned

You know the dream: sashaying through a farmer’s market on a sunny Saturday morning, French net bags filled with juicy tomatoes, a bunch of organic beets, and a sourdough baguette peaking perkily out of the bag—bliss!

Except it’s all a lie—okay, well, just the bags are. The truth is, floppy, collapsible bags, like the ones from Junes, are a pain for your average grocery run. They sit in a puddle when you try to fill them, sag in all the wrong places, squish food, and dig into your shoulders or hands. Net bags are especially awful; I bought a bunch when they became trendy a few years ago, but the netting broke in spots and I once left a trail of plums in my wake (kidding, but also, not kidding). 

The best bag is a well-structured, sturdy one, like the gorgeous waxed canvas offering from Colony Co or the rectangular option from Veno—both stood tall and straight in the bagging area and were easy to fill with no flopping or sagging. This style of bag is oftentimes more spacious, too: I easily fit an 8-pack of seltzer, three 28-ounce cans of whole tomatoes, a large bag of brown sugar, a bag of grapes, two Roma tomatoes, and two avocados. Because of their tall, rigid shape, nothing shifted or squished. Plus, the small sturdy handles kept my soft writer’s hands in pristine condition; no ripstop nylon digging into my palms.  

All that said, I do have a few collapsible bag picks since they're admittedly great in a pinch; you can easily crumple one up and tuck it in your purse, or keep one in your car’s glove compartment for an impromptu grocery run (they also double nicely as gym bags). They’re just not great for hauling loads of groceries, and if you do spring for one, avoid nets at all costs. 

The bags I preferred (like the Colony Co and Veno) had semi-stiff, rectangular bottoms that didn’t sag; I could pick up the bag and not worry about items slipping toward the center or ending up in a jumbled heap. This was not the case with some of the collapsible bags, which sagged, causing items to shift around when carried. That said, if you want a set of collapsible bags to have on hand, some, like the BeeGreen bags, did have a somewhat flat, rectangular base which was better at keeping items in place.  

Beyond sturdiness, which helped with filling and emptying a bag, I also liked bags that had wide openings that weren’t impeded by handles or pockets. The Capabunga bag was cute and sturdy, but it featured lots of pockets (with the theory being you could slot a carton of eggs, a bottle, or a baguette into them). While a nice idea, they got in the way; plus, if you have anything poking out of the pockets, like a celery bunch or a baguette, it impedes handle access. Speaking of handles, wide, stiff ones were best; the thin ripstop nylon and polyester bag handles dug into my palms and shoulder when loaded up. 

While it’s tempting to buy the biggest bag you can find, there’s a catch to all this space: you end up overstuffing the bag, making it heavy, bulky, and difficult to carry. This is exactly what happened with the Rachael Ray Jumbo Chillout Thermal Tote; I filled the massive 1.75 cubic foot bag to the brim, zipped it up, and then basically had to do a deadlift to hoist the thing out of my car’s trunk. This is not ideal. In the end, I preferred bags that yes, were capacious, but not SO big they were impossible to carry without throwing out your back. I also liked some more petite bags, like the BagPodz; they’re about the same size as a standard plastic grocery bag and are easy to carry since they don’t hold too much. That said, it does mean making multiple trips to the car to bring groceries inside.  

I didn’t have any issues with bags ripping or fraying in my tests, but upon further inspection, some were better constructed than others—and this was especially true of the nylon and polyester bags. While these materials are known for being durable (ripstop nylon is often what companies use to make hiking backpacks since it’s tough and fairly waterproof), if the stitching is poor, there’s more of a chance that one day you’ll unfurl your bag and find a ripped seam. While I did like the cheaper bags from BagPodz and BeeGreen, they only had single or double stitching holding them together. The Baggu had a single stitch AND a complex row of stitches underneath. All of these bags sailed through my durability tests, but I’m curious to see how they hold up over long-term testing. 

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Reusable Grocery Bag 

A good reusable grocery bag should be durable and last a long time. It should also be easy to fill and unpack and have handles that don’t dig into your palms or shoulders when the bag’s loaded up. While I prefer stiffer, structured bags, if you like to have a few collapsible bags on hand for unexpected grocery runs, look for bags with a flat piece of material on the bottom (to keep items sorted), and solid, reinforced stitching. 

Our Favorite Reusable Grocery Bags

What we liked: I thought it was gimmicky at first glance (a reusable bag shaped like a paper bag?), but when I got my hands on it and my groceries in it, I had a large slice of humble pie. This is an excellent bag: It’s durable and spacious without being too big, and the stiff canvas keeps the bag standing upright and open when it’s time to checkout. The handles don’t dig into your hands, everything inside stays put, and it’s easy to carry—what more could you ask for? (I've also gotten multiple compliments from grocery store cashiers when I use it— just sayin'!)

What we didn’t like: If you want to buy multiples of this bag, it’s pricey. It’s also bulky when folded up. 

• Stated capacity: NA
• Open dimensions: 17 x 12 x 7 inches
• Weight limit: NA
• Materials: Beeswax, canvas
• Cleaning and care: Spot clean with a damp cloth

What we liked: This spacious bag is lightweight and easy to stow, but sturdy and spacious when filled. I liked the flip-top zippered lid and wide opening, as well as the spacious rectangular shape; it was easy to add and layer goods without worrying about items shifting. The handles are wide and soft, too. Plus, this bag comes in packs of two. 

What we didn’t like: The insulation isn’t very thick, so it’s not great for storing cold items for a long time. While the bottom is structured and rectangular, it isn’t super stiff and does sag when filled with heavier items.

• Stated capacity: 7.8 gallons
• Open dimensions: 15.8 x 13 x 8.7 inches
• Weight limit: 30 lbs
• Materials: Recycled polypropylene polymer fabric
• Cleaning and care: NA

What we liked: This bag is great if you have a long drive to the grocery store and want to keep perishables cool since it has an ice pack built into it—just fold the bag up and tuck it in the freezer a few hours before you head out. The bag is also quite spacious and pretty easy to fill, with a zipper that divides the opening. 

What we didn’t like: While the bag stood upright at the checkout, I would have liked it if the opening had been designed differently. As it is, you have to hold the opening apart to fill the bag.  

• Stated capacity: NA
• Open dimensions: 14 x 12 x 7 inches
• Weight limit: NA
• Materials: Polyester canvas
• Cleaning and care: Wipe the cooler grocery bag thoroughly or hand wash the interior and spot clean the exterior; allow the bag to dry completely before freezing. Not machine washable.

What we liked: While I generally didn’t love floppy, collapsible bags, the bags in this set had a somewhat structured rectangular bottom, which made them easier to open and fill. The ripstop nylon is tough, too; I loaded the bags up with heavy items, like seltzer and sports drinks, without any wear or tear. Plus, you get 10 (colorful!) bags for a mere $1.75 each—which is a great deal considering a single Baggu bag (which is made of the same material and has a similar shape) costs $14.

What we didn’t like: The nylon handles do dig into your palms a bit, and the bags are floppy and more difficult to fill than a very structured bag. The stitching looks less durable than other similar bags tested. 

• Bags in set: 10
• Stated capacity: NA
• Open dimensions: 17.75 x 15 x 8.5 inches
• Weight limit: 50 lbs
• Materials: Ripstop nylon
• Cleaning and care: Machine-washable

What we liked: This is a great set if you like toting smaller bags; while they’re still spacious and can hold a good amount, they aren’t as big as, say, the BeeGreen, which makes them easier to carry when full. They also have a rectangular bottom, which gives the floppy bags some structure when you’re filling them. They’re affordable, too, clocking in at $3.80 per bag. 

What we didn’t like: The handles are small (you can’t slip them over your shoulder) and dig into your palms, and goods are more likely to shift around. The bags in this set are also more petite than other options in this review, so keep that in mind. 

• Bags in set: 10
• Stated capacity: 2 to 3 grocery bags worth 
• Open dimensions: 15 x 15.8 x 4.7 inches
• Weight limit: 50 lbs
• Materials: Polyester
• Cleaning and care: Machine-washable

What we liked: While this is a pricier bag (at $14 a pop), it had better engineering than some of the other nylon/polyester bags I tested, with multiple reinforced rows of stitching holding the fabric together. The Baggu is also spacious and is available in loads of fun patterns and colors. 

What we didn’t like: As with other collapsible bags, filling the Baggu could be irritating; the handles slumped over and it was hard to keep the bag flat and open. The handles were also a bit smaller than the other collapsible bags, and I had more difficulty slipping them over my shoulder to carry. It’s also kind of expensive for a single bag, though I do think the quality is better.

• Stated capacity: 2 to 3 grocery bags worth 
• Open dimensions: 25.5 × 15.5 × 6 inches
• Weight limit: 50 lbs
• Materials: Ripstop nylon
• Cleaning and care: Machine-washable 

The Competition

• Junes the Market Tote: While this is a pretty bag, the slinky, itchy material was unpleasant to hold, and it was really hard to fill since it’s so floppy. The bag also sags quite a bit when full, which meant avocados and tomatoes got bashed up when packed with other ingredients. 
• Rachael Ray Jumbo Chillout Thermal Tote: This bag was just way too big! When packed to the gills, it was almost impossible to hoist and carry. That said, they do sell a smaller version (the Rachel Ray Chillout Thermal Tote, minus the jumbo), which I have and quite like; it’s easy to fill, sports a solid zipper, and is insulated. If you want a heavy-duty insulated bag, I’d recommend the smaller version. 
• CapaBunga Multi-Pocket Canvas Market Tote: This is a cute and sturdy bag, but the numerous pockets limited the overall interior space and made it more difficult to fill. That said, it was a great bag for toting wine and snacks to a party.
• Wrapables Durable and Large Nylon Reusable Shopping Bag: The handles were small and dug into my shoulders, and the bag was cramped when full. 
• Full Circle Tote-Ally Reusable Grocery Tote: What a saggy bag! It was difficult to load and everything sunk towards the center when carried. The included produce bags were a nice addition, but not enough to make it a winner. 

FAQs

Our favorite bag from Colony Co is made of waxed canvas, which is durable and makes it easy to keep the bag propped open at the checkout. We also liked ripstop nylon and polyester bags, two other hardy materials, though they are floppier and more difficult to fill. 

While you might think a larger bag is better, it’s really difficult to carry a bag bursting at the seams with stuff; instead, consider buying smaller bags (we liked bags that held two to three plastic grocery bags worth of stuff) or not filling them up completely, since they will be easier (and lighter) to tote.  

It depends on the bag, but most options we tested held between 30 to 55 pounds. While you might think the ability to hold more weight is better, for the good of your shoulder or wrist/hand, you probably don’t want to tote 55 pounds of groceries in a single bag. 

Our favorite bags can be folded up (or hastily scrunched, in the case of polyester and nylon options) for easy storage. Some, like the Baggu, BagPodz, and BeeGreen, have small carrying pouches. 

Most of the bags we tested can either be spot-cleaned or machine-washed (often with cold water), so just check the manufacturers instructions prior to cleaning. 

Reusable bags are sanitary, just make sure to clean the bags if there is a spill (especially if it’s meat juice or dairy). 

Why We’re the Experts

• Grace Kelly is a commerce editor for Serious Eats, where she’s been reviewing gear for almost two years. 
• She has a background in environmental journalism and was a bartender and prep cook. 
• Grace tested 11 reusable grocery bags for over a month, examining how easy they were to fill and empty, and testing their durability. She loves grocery shopping (truly!), so rest assured that the bags in this review will be well-worn throughout long-term testing.
  

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