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I’ve tried just about every type of grocery tote under the sun, and at the end of the day, the best grocery tote bags are the ones you’ll actually remember to use. While I grew up in households that always had a bag full of used plastic grocery bags hiding in a kitchen cupboard, I've also spent the last two decades living in states where plastic bags are either taxed or banned altogether. So now I have a bursting storage bench filled with reusable bags: branded canvas totes, foldable bags I forgot to put back in my purse, and cheap bags from the grocery store that seem to spawn every time I host a house party.
It’s very possible that my (seemingly) growing pile of reusable bags indicates a minor hoarding problem, but it’s helped me identify the features I value most in a great grocery tote. Features like strong straps are crucial for trips when I’m walking to and from a store or farmer’s market. And when I need to throw my groceries into my car or bring them with me on a camping trip, I appreciate structured bags with a sturdy, flat bottom or insulated lining.
A Giant Bag for Huge Hauls
There are days when you just need a little bag for a few cans of beans or a bunch of spinach, and there are days when you need a few grocery tote bags so you can buy enough ingredients to make a four-course meal for a dozen friends. In the latter scenario, you should reach for this very capacious bag that can fit a week’s worth of groceries. This bag has lots of deep interior pockets for holding wine bottles or tall bunches of chard upright, and the exterior pockets are great for keeping your phone or grocery list accessible. I also like that the thick straps are comfortable for both hand-carrying and slinging the bag over your shoulder.
An All-in-One Bag for Impromptu Farmers Market Runs
If you’re looking for a simple tote bag that can handle just about anything shopping scenario, this tote set folds into a compact pouch with a carabiner, as well as three mesh produce bags that are labeled with their tare weight. The fabric feels luxe and addresses my two most common tote bag complaints; the handles are long enough to fit over my shoulder, and it has small exterior pockets for separating delicate greens on your way home from the store or market. The super portable set is also a lot easier to clip onto a backpack or purse than your typical reusable bag, so you won’t ever be caught without it.
A Baggu for Every Bag You Own
I have an entire chest drawer filled with reusable bags, but I still occasionally end up at the store empty handed. I find that having multiple totes to keep inside each of my work bags and purses makes it easier to make sure I always have a bag when I need one. I might be a bit biased, but I love the brightly colored BA x Baggu bags because their pouches are easy to spot in an already crowded canvas tote bag or backpack.
A Bike-Friendly Grocery Bag
Almost nothing is more embarrassing than trying to shove a week’s worth of groceries into your backpack before biking home from the store. After years carrying my groceries on my back or precariously riding with tote bags hanging from my wrists, I finally got a rear rack and a pannier bag for longer rides and trips to the store.This pannier tote easily clips onto a rear rack, and the collapsible design is low-profile enough that you’ll end up taking it just about anywhere just in case you need the storage. The waterproof material keeps rain out if you get caught in a shower, and the interiors are easy to clean if a tub of soup spills on your way home.
A Chic Net Tote
Is a net bag the most practical way to carry your groceries home? Probably not, but it is the most fun. This net bag is surprisingly functional; the cotton netting has plenty of room for large bundles of produce, and the stuff pouch converts into an interior pocket for smaller items like keys or cards. The breathable design is great for produce—more air flow slows down ripening processes—and it’s easy to visually spot of all of your ingredients as you shop.
The Classic Boat & Tote
L.L. Bean’s classic tote had an It Girl revival last year, and it’s one of the few everyday bags I consistently reach for when making quick trips to the store. The sturdy canvas and flat bottom give the bag plenty of structure to stand on its own—it’s easy to straddle it between your feet on a crowded subway train or throw it into your car without worrying about the contents spilling out. Plus you can get it monogrammed with your favorite ingredient or catchphrase.
A Collapsible Tote to Keep in the Car
My mom is a bit granola, so I was using reusable grocery bags long before they were required in our home state of California. We didn’t exactly have a storage system for the bags, and they’d often be shoved in seat pockets or thrown into the trunk of our car. Thankfully, reusable bags have come a long way since then. This collapsible canvas pops up when you need to haul groceries, and folds down flat for easy storage. The zippered interior pocket also makes sure that your keys or wallet don’t get lost amongst your produce and deli items.
A Rolling Bag for Big Trips
Big grocery trips require big bags, but it can be a pain to haul everything on your shoulders if you’re walking home from the store. I used a rolling cart for a while after moving to New York City, but found it difficult to carry it to my walk-up apartment. Enter: the Hulken roller bag. The bag has four small wheels that make it easy to roll around, and large reinforced handles for carrying. The medium size carries the volume of up to 3 regular grocery bags, and the shiny fabric is easy to wipe clean and keeps rain from turning your cardboard egg cartons into a soggy mess.
A Road Trip-Ready Insulated Bag
Whether you need to keep frozen items cold during your commute home from the store or are transporting hot food for a family function, it helps to have an insulated grocery bag in your arsenal. The flat bottom of this bag makes it easy to stack casserole dishes or boxes of frozen items, and there are two side pockets that can easily store a water bottle. The thermal foam is great for insulating your groceries, but I like how the strong canvas material is cute without sacrificing functionality.
A Fun Recycled Bag
The best grocery store tote is one you’ll actually remember to bring. If a bag’s silly fish print is what it takes to jog your memory, then it’s worth the investment. These bags are made from recycled feed and rice bags, so they’re super easy to wipe clean if anything spills inside. There’s a zippered pocket for your keys while you shop, and it comes in three colorful fish prints that will appeal to any ocean lover.
A Canvas Tote for the Ultra-Organized
Dagne Dover is known for making obsession-worthy bags, and their Vida tote is one you'll want to add to your collection. It's made from 100% organic cotton canvas, and features four exterior slip pockets as well as two additional slip pockets, a zippered pocket, a space for your laptop, and a neoprene water bottle holder so you can stay super organized when you stop by the grocery store on your way home from work. There's also a key leash so you don't have to go digging through your produce when it's time to open the door.
