[Women's Edition] 5 Bags for the Beach, Pool, and River: Waterproof, Cute, and Smart Organization
On the morning of a beach day, I spend so much time deciding what to put in my bag.
Sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes, sunglasses, a wallet, and a smartphone. If I try to pack everything, the bag becomes huge, and it gets hard to find things because my valuables are mixed in with my gear. If I try to be compact and use a small bag, I end up without enough room for my change of clothes, and I eventually end up laying all my stuff out on a picnic mat.
I feel like I often end up compromising somewhere when choosing a beach bag.
In this article, I will introduce five bags I've selected based on their waterproof quality, cuteness, and storage capacity. I hope you can find the one that feels just right for your needs and the amount of gear you carry.
Common mistakes when choosing a beach bag
Prioritizing cuteness too much, making the trip home difficult
Cotton basket bags or drawstring beach bags look great, so I want to choose them, but if you put wet swimsuits or towels in them on the way home, the inside becomes a disaster. A bag that is 'fine on the way there, but a nightmare on the way back' is one you won't want to use by the end of summer. Choosing materials with the trip home in mind is the key to a beach bag that lasts.
Trying to fit everything into one large bag
If you put your valuables and your gear in the same bag, sand gets inside every time you open it at the beach. Just by carrying a 'small bag for valuables' and a 'main bag for gear' separately, your stress at the beach will be significantly reduced.
Points for choosing a bag for the beach, pool, or river
Check the waterproof quality of the material
Nylon, polyester, and PVC materials are highly water-repellent, and even if they get wet or sandy, they can be wiped clean. Cotton canvas is durable, but it gets heavy when wet and is hard to dry. If you need complete waterproofing (such as for frequent water activities or if you absolutely don't want your valuables to get wet), choosing a bag with waterproof zippers or a sealed design is the right move.
Whether sand is easy to remove
Choosing a material or structure that prevents sand from getting trapped in the fibers even when placed on the beach makes post-trip care much easier. Mesh materials and smooth nylon materials allow sand to fall off easily. This prevents the regret of not being able to get the sand out on your way home.
Choosing a size that fits the amount of gear
The size of your beach bag should change depending on how much you are bringing. A shoulder bag is enough for one person's change of clothes and a towel. If you are packing for the whole family or bringing meal supplies like you're going on a day camp, you will need a large capacity. It is easier to choose if you list your 'items for today' first before deciding on the size.
5 Recommended Bags for the Beach, Pool, and River
1. Kipling Eldorado Shoulder Bag (Lightweight, water-repellent, and a waterproof shoulder bag for valuables)
The Kipling Eldorado is a shoulder bag made of lightweight nylon material. It is designed to close completely with a zipper and has small outer pockets for your smartphone and IC card. Since it has a waterproof coating, the contents are protected from sea spray and sudden rain.
I especially recommend using it as a 'dedicated bag for valuables' at the beach. Put only your wallet, smartphone, keys, and sunscreen in it and keep it slung across your body. By carrying it separately from your large gear bag, you make it much easier to take things in and out on the beach. The brand offers a wide variety of cute designs, so you can choose a color that matches your beach outfit.
If you want a lightweight, cute, waterproof shoulder bag for your valuables, or if you love Kipling's designs, this is the one for you.
2. L.L.Bean Beach Tote (A classic, large-capacity, durable, and washable bag for your gear)
The L.L.Bean Beach Tote is a large-capacity tote bag made of cotton canvas. Its wide-opening design makes it easy to load and unload items on the sandy beach. With enough space to hold towels, a change of clothes, sandals, sunscreen, and a water bottle, it has long been a classic choice as a "beach gear bag."
The fact that it is fully machine-washable is truly convenient; even if it gets dirty with sand or sunscreen, you can just toss it in the wash. There is a wide variety of colors and sizes, and with new colors released every year, many people use them by saying, "I'm buying a new tote for this year's beach trip." It is especially recommended to use it as a gear bag paired with a Kipling shoulder bag.
If you want a sturdy tote to carry all your beach gear, or if you want to try out the L.L.Bean Beach Tote, this is the one for you.
3. THE NORTH FACE Zephyr Pocket Tote (Water-repellent, foldable, combining function and style)
THE NORTH FACE's Zephyr Pocket Tote is a tote bag made of water-repellent ripstop nylon. Because it can be folded and stored compactly, it is perfect for tucking into your travel luggage and unfolding for use once you arrive at your destination.
It has a zippered pocket on the inside, allowing you to separate your valuables from your towels. Since it is water-repellent, the inside won't get stuffy even if you put wet swimsuits or towels in it on the way home. The design, featuring a simple North Face logo, doesn't look "too technical" even when paired with beach outfits. After all, using outdoor brands at the beach is standard practice these days.
If you want a water-repellent tote that can be folded and carried, or if you want to try using a North Face beach tote, this is the one for you.
4. Osprey Daylite Tote Pack (Converts to a backpack; for those who prioritize functionality and mobility when at the beach alone)
The Osprey Daylite Tote Pack is a 2-way bag that can be used as both a tote and a backpack. It is designed to accommodate times at the beach when you want to carry your gear by hand and times when you want to keep both hands free. Made of water-repellent nylon, it offers basic resistance to sea spray and rain.
It features an internal divider, making it easy to separate wet items from dry ones. It is often chosen for situations where you want to balance carrying a lot of gear with staying mobile when going to the beach alone. Using a bag from Osprey, a brand geared toward trail running and mountaineering, at the beach is the answer for those who choose based on functionality.
If you want a tote bag that can also be used as a backpack at the beach, or if you want to move around with both hands free, this is the one for you.
5. [Unique Choice] anello Beach Bag (Mesh material; sand falls right through; for use as a dedicated gear bag)
You might think, "Isn't anello a brand for business-casual backpacks?" Anello also offers a line of beach bags, and their mesh beach tote is a great example of balancing a cute look with functionality.
Because it is made of mesh, sand doesn't get stuck in the fibers and falls right out with a quick shake. If you put wet towels or swimsuits in it on the way home, the water drains through the mesh, so the inside of the bag doesn't get soggy. There is a wide variety of colors, so you can enjoy choosing one that matches your beach outfit.
I recommend using it as a secondary bag dedicated to gear, while using a Kipling shoulder bag or a North Face tote as your main bag. Carrying two bags will instantly reduce your stress at the beach.
If you want to use it as a gear bag that lets sand fall through, or if you want to use a mesh beach bag in a cute way, this is the one for you.
Things to do besides choosing a bag
To use your beach bag smoothly, I recommend organizing your belongings in advance. By separating items into "things that must never get sandy" and "things that are okay if they get sandy," and placing the former in internal pockets or zippered compartments, you will find it much easier to retrieve items on the beach.
Another tip is to have a waterproof pouch on hand. If you keep your cosmetics (sunscreen, lip balm, concealer) together in a waterproof pouch, you can prevent the tragedy of sunscreen leaking into your bag. A zipper bag from a 100-yen shop works perfectly well as a substitute.
Summary
For trips to the beach, pool, or river, the simplest way to solve the problem of sand and water is to carry two separate bags: a compact bag for valuables and a main bag for your gear.
If you want a cute, water-repellent shoulder bag for your valuables, try the Kipling Eldorado; for a classic, high-capacity gear bag, go with the L.L.Bean Beach Tote; for a foldable, water-repellent tote, choose The North Face Zephyr Pocket Tote; for a functional choice if you're hitting the beach solo, try the Osprey Daylite Tote Pack; and for a unique option specifically for gear that lets sand fall through, use the anello Beach Bag.
Let's start this summer off right, beginning with choosing the perfect bag.