Some people travel light when they head to the beach, while others need to pack a lot more to enjoy a great day in the sun. No matter what type of beachgoer you are, you’ll want a functional bag that can hold essentials like sunscreen, towels, and portable speakers all in one place. Below, I’ve rounded up the most popular beach bags that the NBC Select staff loves, in a variety of styles, sizes, and prices.
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Below, I’ve rounded up a few beach bags worth checking out, some of which we at NBC Select use regularly and love. I’ve also rounded up a few highly rated products from NBC Select reader-favorite brands and big-name retailers like Amazon and Target.
Many NBC Select staffers recommend the LL Bean bag for both the beach and everyday use, including NBC Select Business Editor Lindsay Schneider. “It has incredible capacity and is incredibly durable,” Schneider said. “Even though it doesn’t have any pockets, I’m always surprised by how much space it has, so every time I go to the beach, I bring a small cosmetic bag to keep everything organized.”
This bag comes in small, medium, large, and extra large. You can also choose from two strap lengths: regular (5 to 10 inches) and extra long (14 inches). This bag has a double-layered base and a reinforced bottom for carrying heavier items. “I also like how the canvas softens over time,” says Schneider. Monograms or phrases can be added for an extra fee.
Yeti is a favorite brand of many NBC Select staffers. This 20-liter bag has over 600 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.8 stars. It has an interior divider (which folds out into one large compartment) and two zippered pockets. According to the brand, the bag can be carried using the shoulder strap or the handles on the bar, and it can also stand on its own. Plus, the brand says the bag also has a waterproof outer shell that effectively keeps out moisture.
Dimensions: 15″ x 7.75″ x 13.25″ | Materials: Thick Yeti leather upper and molded EVA bottom | Care: Spot clean
“I use a standard Baggu bag to carry snacks, cold drinks, sunscreen, etc. to the beach,” says Kelsey Fredricks, production coordinator for NBC Select. According to the brand, a standard Baggu bag can hold up to 50 pounds and can hold the contents of two to three plastic shopping bags.
According to Bugg, the bag is machine washable and made of durable nylon that prevents rips when carrying heavy items and groceries. “It’s very durable, and I can easily clean sand and dirt off of it,” says Mili Gaudio, news editor at NBC Select. Gaudio also says it folds into a 5-inch pouch for easy portability and storage.
“I also like the variety of prints and that the brand is constantly introducing new designs,” says Fredriks. The Baggu comes in a variety of prints, limited edition prints and solid colors. You can also buy the bag in two other sizes: Baby Baggu and Big Baggu.
“I love State Bags, and this one is no exception,” said Lauren Swanson, editorial director at NBC Select. “The main compartment is large but not cramped. I can usually fit a couple of towels, shoes, a book, and even some snacks in there.” The State bag features a removable zippered pocket for storing a phone, sunscreen, wallet, and more. Plus, it’s made of flexible plastic, making it easy to clean, Swanson said. “I once spilled salad dressing in this bag and just dumped it in the shower to wash it off,” she said.
According to the brand, the Original Bogg Bag (which has an average rating of 4.7 stars on Amazon from over 7,900 reviews) is similar to a mesh bag and has small holes that allow sand to escape. The bag can stand on its own and comes with two reusable plastic liners that can be inserted into any empty holes inside or outside the bag to easily store things like your phone, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. You can also get the smaller Baby Bogg Bag and Bitty Bogg Bag, as well as a variety of clip-on charms to create your own style.
“My parents bought me this beach set before my sister-in-law and I went to the Bahamas last Christmas,” said Christina Colizza, former editor of NBC Select. “The bag comes with a 10-inch leather shoulder strap for easy, comfortable carrying. There’s also a small pocket inside the bag for your wallet and keys. The canvas outer layer and nylon inner layer are designed to be easy to wipe clean or shake off sand.” This tote is filled with photographs by photographer Gray Marin, including Lake Michigan and beach umbrellas.
The BJ Bag from Scout features four exterior pockets and an interior zippered compartment, giving you plenty of room to organize everything you bring. According to the brand, the bag can stand on its own, zips up, and folds flat when not in use. This bag is also highly rated, with an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 1,400 reviews on Amazon.
“I usually prefer to use a mesh bag when I go to the beach, but this Rothy’s bag works for me because it’s washable,” says Swanson. “I can easily throw a towel, a book, and sunglasses in there and throw it in the washing machine at the end of the day. It’s also great for picnics.” The bag has a built-in carabiner to keep keys and other accessories secure, and is available in 19 colors and three reversible patterns.
Dimensions: 12.8 x 6.7 x 13.6 inches | Material: Ocean plastic fabric | Care: Machine washable
Calpak is an NBC Travel Choice Award winner and one of our favorite travel brands. This bag is made from ripstop nylon fabric that is waterproof and tear-resistant, making it durable and, according to the manufacturer, will not rip. There is a zippered pocket inside for small items like keys and a wallet. When you are done using it, you can fold it up and zip it up. This tote bag has 183 reviews on Calpak’s site, with an average rating of 4.9 stars.
Orvis is an NBC Travel Choice Award winner. The brand’s Adventure Tote has an average rating of 4.9 stars based on more than 500 Orvis reviews. According to the brand, it’s made of durable polyester and is easy to clean. The tote has three interior pockets and a zippered pouch to keep your belongings safe. For an extra fee, you can even have your initials engraved.
This Paravel travel bag is perfect for everyday use and travel. According to the brand, it can hold any size laptop, three to five days of clothing, and one to two pairs of shoes. The waterproof nylon material and lightweight design make it ideal for trips to the beach.
“I haven’t used it on the beach yet, but I think it’s perfect,” said Schneider, who received a travel bag from the brand to try out. “It’s super lightweight, so when you’re carrying a bunch of stuff on a hot beach, it doesn’t weigh you down.”
In addition to the main storage compartment, this travel bag also has a deep interior pocket and an exterior slip pocket. You can fold it, zip it up, and put it in a small square pouch for easy storage. “I love that it folds up really small, so if you’re going on a beach vacation, it won’t take up much room in your suitcase,” Schneider said. “Plus, the colors and customization options are great.”
Dimensions: Unfolded 18×11.5×11 inches, Folded 8×9.75×2.75 inches | Material: Waterproof nylon negative film made from recycled plastic bottles | Care: Spot clean
NBC Select photo editor Vivian Le prefers the Baggu bag over a fanny pack — she says it’s roomier than most other bags and can be worn cross-body or over the shoulder. This bag features an adjustable shoulder strap and two interior pockets to keep your belongings organized. Le says the main compartment is large enough to hold most books, even a Kindle if you like to read on the beach.
Dimensions: 13.75 x 4 x 8 inches | Materials: Recycled heavyweight nylon with recycled ripstop nylon lining | Care: Machine washable
I grew up walking on the beach, so portability has always been a top priority for me when choosing a bag to carry my essentials. My favorite is the Luka Belt Bag from Calpak, which can be worn as a waist bag or over the shoulder. I use it as an everyday bag, but it’s also great for small to medium beach essentials. There’s a roomy zippered pocket inside and outside the main compartment, and the shoulder straps are adjustable. I keep my phone case, wallet, headphones, keys, and sunscreen in the main compartment, and I usually use the zippered pocket for headbands and other small items.
“Pool and beach vacations require a lot of packing, especially for a large family like mine,” said NBC Select assistant reporter Bianca Alvarez. “So with a big bag like the Yeti, I can use it as a cooler and carry all the drinks and food we need, as well as essentials like sunscreen.”
According to the brand, this cooler backpack can hold up to 36 cans of your favorite drinks and features a magnetic seal on top to prevent leaks. Alvarez says the backpack not only meets all of her family’s beach vacation needs, but it’s also incredibly comfortable to carry, as the straps provide the necessary cushioning and support.
“It does a brilliant job of keeping drinks and food fresh for hours, and because the fabric is puncture and UV resistant, it protects my other belongings from damage,” she says. The bag also has an internal pocket for your phone, keys, and other valuables.
I roll up a towel or blanket and secure it to the bottom of the pack with the adjustable straps, then stuff the main compartment with a water bottle, snacks, portable speaker, sunglasses, and more before heading to the beach. This pack is lightweight and has a front zippered pocket that can hold an e-reader or phone.
Béis makes work bags and luggage sets that we love. This backpack has a built-in cooler, so you can store drinks and keep them cool while you’re on the beach. You can take the cooler apart and use it separately, as it has its own carry handle. This backpack has a zipped pocket on the outside, another zipped pocket on the inside, two water bottle holders, two patch pockets with elastic closures, and a keychain.
I’m the deputy editor of NBC Select’s updates. I’ve been covering apparel and accessories for NBC Select for over a year, and have written guides to waterproof sneakers, kids’ backpacks, and more. For this article, I researched dozens of beach bags on the market, including styles recommended by NBC Select staffers and reader-reviewed options from favorite brands and retailers.
Check out NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, health and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
Zoe Malin is a reporter for NBC Select, covering big sales events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday.
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