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7 Best Beach Bags for Families (Our Favorites for 2024)

7 Best Beach Bags for Families (Our Favorites for 2024)

Enjoying a beach to the fullest often involves bringing a lot of stuff down to it, but only the best beach bags make this easy. Here are the best beach bags for families in 2022, what we love about each, and their best features.

The Best Beach Bags: A Summary

There are plenty of great beach bags on the market, so it took us some time to narrow them down. We’ll discuss the reasons for these choices and what makes a good beach bag later. For now, here are our top picks.

Our Picks For The 7 Best Beach Bags:
  1. F-color Oversized Mesh Beach Bag (Best Overall)
  2. Lucazzi Utility Tote Bag (Best for Families)
  3. YETI Camino Carryall (Best for Durability)
  4. Beach Breeze Mesh Bag (Best Budget Option)
  5. Oscaurt Beach Bag (Best for Women)
  6. Bogg Bag (Best Small Bag)
  7. Esvan Large Tote Bag (Best Casual Bag)

Each of these bags has a factor or quality that sets it apart from general bags. Here’s what you should know about why this matters.

Why You Need a Beach Bag

Various items sitting on a beach that could be put away in the best beach bags

Nikolay Antonov/Shutterstock

Beach bags are a must-have if you want to enjoy the beach to the fullest. Between towels, sunscreen, snacks, water, books, sandals, hats, swimwear, and everything else, even large bags tend to fill up fast.

The problem gets even worse if you’re going with a family instead of by yourself. Unfortunately, size alone doesn’t make for a great beach bag.

You also need to consider the environment, including exposure to water and sand that could quickly destroy a regular tote. It’s always better to get something specifically made for the beach, and that’s what we did when sorting through the best products.

Outside of being durable enough for a beach, the best bags also have additional features like watertight compartments for sensitive items.

Getting the wrong bag can lead to ruining expensive devices, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Here’s what you should know about the seven bags that made the cut.

The 7 Best Beach Bags in 2024

People look for different things in bags, so no option is perfect for everyone. However, these seven bags work great for most families.

1. F-color Mesh Beach Bag (Best Overall)

Best Overall
Mesh Beach Bag, F-color Oversize Beach Tote


Pros:
  • Holds up to 160 pounds
  • Eight outside pockets
  • Ripstop mesh improves durability
Cons:
  • Not waterproof
  • Mesh bottom
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F-color’s mesh bag is an excellent choice for most families because of its generous sizing, numerous pockets, and impressive durability. Holding up to 160 pounds comfortably is more than most people ever need to pack, so realistically, it can hold as much as you can fit into it.

Every good beach bag has a lot of pockets, and this one has several types that hold different things. The inner pocket is especially helpful and great for storing things like cards.

F-color’s bag also has extra-long handles, making it much easier to put on your shoulders. Overall, this is an outstanding choice for many people. The main downside is the mesh around the bottom, which won’t stop sand from getting in.

The obvious solution is putting a towel down and the bag on top of it, and at the end of the day, you can shake sand back out of the bag. However, some people will prefer bags that stop sand from getting in at all, so keep that in mind when you’re making your choice.

2. Lucazzi Utility Tote Bag (Best For Families)

Best For Families
Extra Large Utility Tote Bag
Pros:
  • Collapses for compact storage
  • Numerous patterns and designs
  • Well-designed for beach use
Cons:
  • Fewer outside pockets than other bags
  • Handles are a little short
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Lucazzi’s utility tote is a roomy, foldable bag that collapses for easy storage. When open, it’s more wide than tall, which means it’s easy to pack in a way that keeps everything in reach.

That’s a great design choice for beach totes because it makes it easier to put everything back in the right spot. The metal perimeters and joints are a nice touch, giving this bag more durability than many competing products.

Luzazzi sells this bag with many prints and patterns, too, so it’s easy to find a design that suits your preferences. This is a nice bag overall, but it isn’t as good for heavier items thanks to the relatively thin bottom.

You can carry towels and bottles with no problem, but consider getting another product if you expect to bring many heavy things on your trip.

3. YETI Camino Carryall (Best for Durability)

Best for Durability
YETI Camino Carryall 35


Pros:
  • Waterproof bottom and sides
  • Nearly indestructible
  • Multiple slots for attaching things
Cons:
  • Significantly more expensive than other bags
  • Not waterproof on top
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YETI’s Camino Carryall is easily one of the most durable options on the market, starting with an EVA molded base and a thick external shell that resists both puncture and abrasion.

It’s functionally waterproof (and sandproof) on the sides and bottom, so as long as you don’t submerge it, anything you put inside should be fine.

This isn’t the biggest beach bag around, but it’s worth considering if you’re looking for something tough enough to take on hikes or other parts of a trip. The grid on the outside serves as a place to attach carabiners and accessories, too, adding an extra level of utility.

The downside here is that YETI products are significantly more expensive than their competitors. The bag itself can stand up to practically any realistic use situation, and it’s easy to clean on top of that, but expect to pay a premium for this kind of quality.

4. Beach Breeze Mesh Bag (Best Budget Option)

Best Budget Option
Beach Breeze Mesh Bag


Pros:
  • Comfortably large interior
  • Multiple external pockets
  • Dries quickly
Cons:
  • Short handles
  • No main zipper
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YETI may sell at premium prices, but Beach Breeze goes the opposite with this budget-friendly mesh bag. It’s comfortably large, with room for multiple towels and other supplies on the inside.

Numerous external pockets make it even more practical, while zippered pouches on the inside give added security. The external pockets are notably deep, too, with most of the compartments easily tall enough to completely fit bottles and other common items.

That noticeably reduces the risk of things falling out or getting lost while you’re moving around, which is a strong point in this bag’s favor. The primary downside of this bag is the same as most mesh bags.

Specifically, it’s easy to shake sand out through the holes, but the bag itself doesn’t do anything to stop sand from getting in. The handles are also a little short, so expect to carry this by hand instead of slinging it over your shoulder.

5. Oscaurt Beach Bag (Best for Women)

Best for Women
Oscaurt Beach Bag
Pros:
  • Unusually high capacity
  • Made with a premium PVC mesh
  • Highly affordable pricing
Cons:
  • Limited color options
  • It sags a bit unless filled
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Oscaurt’s competitively-priced beach bag is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something with mesh. Although only available in limited colors, its impressively roomy interior, multiple external pockets, and high handles make it easy to carry over the shoulder.

Women may prefer this mesh option thanks to the solid base, which significantly reduces the amount of sand and water that can get inside it.

With nine pockets, it also has more distinct areas than many of its competitors, making it easier to sort your things and ensure the most important items remain accessible. This bag doesn’t have any major flaws, although it doesn’t stand too well until you fill it with things.

It also has fewer colors available than many beach bags, which can make it a miss if you prefer something that matches your aesthetics better.

6. Bogg Bag (Best Small Bag)

Best Small Bag
Bogg Beach Bag/Tote


Pros:
  • Impressively durable
  • Easy to clean
  • Nearly tip-proof
Cons:
  • Comparatively expensive
  • Customization requires separate purchases
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This product is the smaller version of the original Bogg Bag, although the only real difference between the two is their sizes.

Unlike most beach bags, which consist of some form of nylon mesh, this bag uses EVA (like the YETI bag) to produce a noticeably more durable product. A treaded, solid bottom helps make this bag practically tip-proof, while it’s easy to clean with just a few squirts of water.

The manufacturer also sells accessories that you can attach to the holes on the sides, giving some added utility to the bag. The Bogg Bag is more expensive than many competitors, so it isn’t a good choice for budget-conscious buyers.

However, its durability and easy-clean design ensure it isn’t a hassle, either. This is a good bag for a single person, while families should get something with more volume.

7. Esvan Large Tote Bag (Best Casual Bag)

Best Casual Bag
Esvan Large Tote Bag
Pros:
  • Numerous patterns and colors
  • Large enough to hold several towels
  • It comes with a zipper closure
Cons:
  • Straps can be a bit slippery
  • Fewer pockets than other bags
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Esvan’s tote bag is a comfortably large tote. Although simpler than many other beach bags, it comes with a waterproof interior lining that protects the contents. The outside is only water-resistant and may stay damp for a bit.

But it keeps water out better than most other bags on this list. Esvan also sells this bag in a variety of colors and patterns, making it easier to find a design that you like.

The interior pockets are all zippered, and the general design means this bag is also suitable for non-beach activities. All of these are great features, but Esvan sells this bag at a competitive price point, so it’s affordable for budget buyers.

There are two downsides, though. The first is that this bag doesn’t have quite as many pockets, which can be an issue for organization. The straps are also a bit slippery, though they’re long enough to let you comfortably carry this bag on a shoulder.

Finding the Best Beach Bags for You

A brown woven beach bag sits on the sand next to flip flops

Chadawan Heemsuhree/Shutterstock

Here are some things to consider when you’re deciding between beach bags:

Material

Companies can make beach bags from many materials. Vinyl and nylon are common choices, offering reasonable durability and a competitively low price point. Many companies also use cotton, which dries well after exposure to saltwater.

The toughest bags often use EVA, which is a rubber-like plastic that holds up well under beach temperatures and is easy to clean. EVA is waterproof and has great resistance to cracking from stress, but it’s usually thicker and stiffer than other bag materials.

Bag Design

Most beach bags come in one of two primary designs. The first is the mesh design, where the sides (and often the bottom) have numerous holes.

This doesn’t stop water or sand from entering the bag, but it also means it’s easy to shake the bag and let sand fall out of it. Other bags use a closed-side design with no holes in them.

These offer better protection from sand and water, but they can be a little harder to clean. Note that most beach bags don’t have waterproof tops.

Capacity

More capacity is usually better when you’re going to the beach. In most cases, families want one towel per person, plus an additional extra-large towel to sit on.

Most people also bring numerous other items to the beach, including various bottles, sunglasses, valuables, entertainment, and food. A secondary consideration here is how a bag uses its capacity.

Broadly, beach bags that are wider are better than taller ones, as long as they’re at least tall enough to hold things without items tipping over.

Broad bags let you pack things side-by-side, rather than on top of each other, making them considerably easier to find and use. Beach bags also tend to come with internal and external pockets.

More pockets are often better because that makes it easier to organize things and find what you need. Deep pockets are better than shallow pockets, though it’s good to have a few shallow ones for smaller items.

Carrying Strength

Carrying strength covers how much weight you can fit into a bag without damaging it. This is partially a function of material, but modern beach bags can be deceptively strong or weak.

For example, F-color’s mesh bag doesn’t look particularly strong, but the manufacturer rates it for over 160 pounds. YETI’s bag is similarly durable, with the manufacturer citing they’ve tested the main handles up to 300 pounds.

YETI doesn’t expect or recommend that anybody carry that much weight in their bag. But it’s functionally as strong as you could ever need it to be. Other bags have noticeably lower carrying strength.

Lucazzi’s bag is a good example of this because it can’t hold too many heavier items like books. That isn’t an issue if you only plan to carry towels and bottles, but it’s important to check the toughness of a bag before you buy it.

Handle Height

One attribute people often forget about when looking at bags is the length of the handles on top. Shorter handles mean you can only hold the bag in hand, which can be inconvenient if you’re also trying to hold things like an umbrella or car keys.

Longer handles mean you can also sling a bag over your shoulder, freeing up your hands and allowing you to hold other things while carrying the bag. 11-12 inches of handle height is ideal for most adults, although that may be a bit too large for young children.

Some handles come with extra flaps or wide areas that make them more comfortable to carry on the shoulders. Backpack-style beach bags are rare and not particularly effective, so you won’t see many of them on the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the best beach bags sitting on an upholstered chair

Vera Petrunina/Shutterstock

Here are some of the most common questions people have about the best beach bags:

Are mesh bags good for the beach?

Mesh bags are breathable and make it easy to find things, so many people like them. They don’t stop sand or water from getting in, but they’re also easy to shake clean and dry quickly away from water.

What is a good size for a beach bag?

Size needs vary based on how much you plan to bring, but a good beach bag will be at least 15x15x5. Bigger is usually better, and some beach bags have several times this volume.

What does tote mean for bags?

A tote bag is an open bag primarily made for holding packages or multiple small items. They tend to have wider and flatter bottoms than other types of bags, making them a popular choice for beachgoers.

Are beach bags waterproof?

Some beach bags are waterproof on their sides and bottoms, but this varies by product. Most beach bags aren’t waterproof on top, so they won’t protect anything inside from high waves or splashing water.

How do you carry a beach bag?

If the bag has long handles, the best way to carry the bag is over one shoulder. This leaves your hands free for other tasks. If the handles are too short for this, carry the bag in one or both hands.

Our Overall Favorite Beach Bag

In short, we think that the best beach bag is F-color’s mesh bag, which has an outstanding balance of price, volume, durability, and other features.

Best Overall
Mesh Beach Bag, F-color Oversize Beach Tote


Pros:
  • Holds up to 160 pounds
  • Eight outside pockets
  • Ripstop mesh improves durability
Cons:
  • Not waterproof
  • Mesh bottom
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However, other bags do better in specific areas, so anything on this list is worth considering as an alternative. Happy travels!