All over the US, cities are banning the use of plastic bags, and others are imposing charges for every bag you take.
This has forced people to look for an alternative plastic, and let’s face it; it’s not a bad thing.
This is where reusable tote bags can come in handy, they provide a stronger and longer-lasting alternative to plastic.
In this article, I’m going to show you all of the very best tote bags, I’m even going to give you some tips on how to pick one up for free.
Sound good?
Contents
What To Look For When Buying Reusable Tote Bags
Reusable totes come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for various activities. But there are some features that set apart the good from the bad:
Material
Chances are at some point you’ll be carrying something heavy, whether it’s groceries or beach equipment the material needs to be strong.
Size
You need to think about what you’re planning to carry in the bag, it will help you determine how big you need the bag, but remember bigger isn’t always better.
Quantity
Instead of getting one big bag sometimes, it’s more suitable to have more, it means you can split the weight down. Keep an eye out on how many they offer.
Colors
If you plan to spit the down between the family getting different colors is a great way of telling them apart, or maybe you just want it to match your style?
Hard Bottom
Reusable grocery bags need to have a strong bottom, without it there’s a chance your food can fall out of the bottom, I’d highly recommended looking out for this feature.
Thermal Bag
If you taking refrigerated products to the beach you need to keep them cool, which is why a tote bag with a thermal lining can come in beneficial.
The Best Reusable Tote Bags
Now you know what you’re looking for it’s time to take a look at the best reusable tote bags the market has to offer. Below I’ve broken down the shopping totes so you know exactly what to expect:
Tuff King
The Tuff King reusable bags are designed to make shopping easier.
They come in two styles, Black which comes with two bags, and Grey which adds a thermal bag.
The bags look stylish and could easily be used for everyday activities or the beach.
The bags are made with Polyester fabric which is strong and can easily be cleaned.
The sides of the bag are reinforced as well as the bottom. This gives you more reassurance when carrying heavy items. Tuff King is so confident you’ll like them they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Key Features
- Comes with an Insulated bag
- Reinforced bottom
- Collapsible
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
I really like these totes they provided plenty of options for shopping, but were also fantastic to go to the beach with. My favorite feature was the insulated bag that came with the grey pack, it meant my dairy products didn’t get to warm on the way back from the shop.
Pros
- Foldable
- Strong bottom
- Includes an insulated bag
Cons
- Expensive
Foraineam Reusable Bags
Foraineam comes in a pack of three, each tote is red with floral patterns around the side.
Their totes are 14.5” x 10” x 10” and can hold around four gallons per bag.
The bags are made with a premium non-woven material and have sturdy cardboard instead of the fabric.
It also features a reinforced bottom, and when combined with the side it can self stand making it easier to pack your bag.
The shopping bag can also fold flat making it easier to store away when you’re not using it, and the long straps make it easier to carry.
Key Features
- Foldable
- Size: 14.5” x 10” x 10”
- Pack of three
- Reinforced
They are very high-quality bags, but they were a little bit smaller than expected. The sides felt very sturdy and helped stop the shopping from flopping around in the car. Another great feature was the side carrying handles which made it a bit easy to when the groceries were heavy.
Pros
- Strong
- Holds a lot
- Long handle
Cons
- Smaller then expected
Earthwise Totes
All sides of the canvas tote bags are reinforced including the bottom, this made the tote stand up by itself.
The totes are made with 80 grams of non-woven polypropylene and recycled cardboard for the reinforcement.
You can collapse the totes easily and open them as you please with little effort.
This design also features the side carrying handles which can make life a little easier.
Key Features
- Side carrying handle
- Four hard sides
- Size: 10” x 14.5” x 10”
- Uses recycled cardboard
The totes are really great and have lots of interesting colors and designs for you to pick from. They felt lightweight even though they remained strong. It was also nice to see them using some recyclable materials to make the reusable grocery bag.
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Folds flat
- Large size
Cons
- Could only fit one in the
Household Essentials
This extra-large grocery shopping tote comes with nine color designs, including Geometric, Chevron, Grey with pockets, and much more.
The tote is made with a water-resistant vinyl lining which makes it perfect for days out or shopping for groceries.
The tote comes with two mid-length carrying handles big enough to loop around your shoulder.
The tote is self-standing and collapses down to make it easier to store away.
Household Essentials offer a one year warranty with their product, if you’re no happy you can easily return it.
Key Features
- Collapses
- Size: 13” x 22″ x 11″
- One year warranty
- Nine colors
This is a great tote bag if you’re looking for a large tote bag, it works fantastically for beach/gym equipment and can even be used as storage at home. Although it claims to self stand, I found the sides to be a little flimsy and not how th picture suggested.
Pros
- Durable
- Large
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Doesn’t stand up very well
Lucky Treyvon
These reusable totes come in a pack of six; each tote has it’s own unique design which makes it easier to tell them apart.
They can fold up small and can easily fit in a handbag or large pocket.
They’re made using a ripstop Polyester for greater durability.
The bags have a large capacity, each one can save you using two plastic bags.
They’re also very strong and have the ability to carry 35 lbs. Lucky Treyvon also offers a 100% customer satisfaction to give you more reassurance their product is legit.
Key Features
- Pack of six
- Holds 3 lbs
- Waterproof
- Made with ripstop polyester
These totes are very nice, I was a fan of the small size and the material looked strong. the biggest disappointment for me was it not having a reinforced bottom, but that was part of the reason that made them fold up so small. It was also a shame that they came individually wrapped in plastic.
Pros
- Very sturdy
- Plenty in the pack
- Great colors
Cons
- Individually wrapped in plastic
How Can I Get Free Reusable Grocery Bags?
If you’re not sure whether you want to buy your own totes just yet, don’t worry there’s plenty of ways to pick up free reusable grocery bags. Check out some of these top tips:
- Check online, some companies offer them out free with giveaway promotions
- Get shopping, some stores will offer you a free reusable bag when you spend x amount
- Make one, If you’re a little crafty you easily make you own
Like I said you have plenty of options, but if you want to check out some more take a look here!
Conclusion
Reusable totes are a great way of reducing the amount of plastic while out shopping. With plastic becoming banned in cities all over the world, now is the time to start thinking of an alternative.
For more ways of reducing plastic while shopping, check out this round-up review of the best reusable produce bags.