With the start of summer comes the holiday season, and with it, the question: what all should you take with you to the beach or swimming pool to make a day spent by the sea or pool truly carefree? The biggest win is to have a beach bag that meets your needs. In this article, we will advise you on how to choose one that holds all the essentials while also being a stylish accessory to your outfit.
Contents
- Why It's Important to Have a Beach Bag
- Beach Bag Size
- Materials Used for Beach Bags
- Style and Design of Beach Bags
- Alternatives to Beach Bags
- Practical Accessories in a Beach Bag
- How to Care for Your Beach Bag
- FAQ
- Summary and Recommendations
Why It's Important to Have a Beach Bag
A beach bag is an essential companion that allows you to pack and comfortably carry what you need to have with you during your leisure time on the beach by the sea, at the swimming pool, in a wellness centre, spa, or during a trip with children to an aqua park. Having the right beach bag means you can spend more time relaxing and less time searching for things and going back for them to the car, home, hotel, or apartment.
Beach Bag Size
You can choose either by volume or with the help of the given dimensions; it's up to you which is more suitable for your orientation. When choosing the size, primarily think about your needs.
Do you prefer a minimalist approach? For a few hours spent sunbathing or swimming by the sea or at the pool, a smaller beach bag with a volume of about 20 litres will be sufficient for individuals and couples. For family trips, a large beach bag with a volume of 30 to 40 litres will be more suitable, ensuring enough space for all the gear, including towels and snacks for all family members.
TIP: If you plan to use sun loungers, you'll make things much easier for yourself because you won't have to bring a blanket or a large towel for lying on, which is usually the bulkiest item in the bag.
Materials Used for Beach Bags
The durability and appearance of a beach bag depend on the material used. Each material has its specific properties, so we recommend considering where, how often, and in what way you will use the bag to choose the most suitable one.
- Polyester – a wrinkle-resistant, colourfast, quick-drying synthetic material, highly resistant to wear, light, moisture, wind, and sand, low-maintenance
- Canvas – a fabric made of pure cotton, possibly with an admixture of polyester or other artificial fibre, can have various patterns and colours, less resistant to moisture compared to 100% polyester, pure cotton canvas has higher shrinkage
- Raffia – a soft and flexible natural fibre (cellulose) from the leaves of the Raphia palm, it is an extra light, ecological, and biodegradable material that is pliable and pleasant to the touch, used for making hats and bags, more suitable for dry and warm conditions, cannot be washed
- Rattan – a strong and flexible natural material obtained from climbing palms growing in tropical regions, used to make baskets, bags, and furniture, more ideal for dry and warm conditions, it is not advisable to expose it to high temperatures and high humidity for long periods, you can also find artificial rattan, which is synthetically made from plastic
Thanks to technological development and fabric modifications during production, some beach bags can also boast a water-repellent surface that prevents the material from getting wet.
Style and Design of Beach Bags
There is a wide variety of beach bags and their alternatives on the market that will meet even demanding requirements and captivate with their appearance. Before you decide on a specific model, think about whether you are looking for a simple, elegant, or multifunctional beach bag that you can also use for other activities not only in summer but throughout the year.
- Classic fabric beach bags made of light, easily packable material are ideal for those looking for a quick, simple, and functional solution without worries.
- Multifunctional beach bags emphasize better organization. They have external and internal pockets, or compartments, which allow for a clear arrangement of all items. They are ideal for those who want to have everything in its place, and also for families with children. Outside the holiday season, you can use them without hesitation as a family shopping bag or a larger handbag.
- Eco-friendly beach bags are an ideal choice for those who support sustainability and reducing emissions during production. The bags are made either directly from natural fibres or from recycled synthetic materials (most often polyester or r-PET), which can be repeatedly processed (reuse, reduce, recycle). Cotton, straw, linen, and hemp bags, as well as bags made of raffia and rattan, are biodegradable, stylish, and have a relaxed feel.
The design of a women's beach bag can be a distinctive element that enhances your style. If you want to look elegant, the bag should match your outfit. Striped bags (nautical style) or those with geometric patterns and floral motifs are very popular. Solid-coloured models are more timeless and versatile.
Bags with more pockets are more practical because they allow you to have your organization down to a tee. Various sizes of external and internal pockets will store small items and valuables. A detachable or hidden pocket is also an advantage, thanks to which you can keep your keys, mobile phone, and wallet safe, handy, and separate from the rest of your gear.
Another important parameter is the fastening. If the bag can be closed, less dust and sand will get inside in windy weather. A zip or drawstring closure will also help prevent items from accidentally falling out of the bag and can also deter unwanted visitors like flying insects.
If you have longer walks to the beach ahead of you, it is also advisable to consider what carrying style is comfortable for you. Bags usually have two extended handles so they can be carried on the shoulder or in the hand.
Alternatives to Beach Bags and Their Advantages
- Heavy-Duty Shopping Bag – holds its shape, stands on its own when filled
- Foldable Fabric Bag – saves space, can be easily folded into a small package
- Cooler Bag – ensures the optimal temperature for snacks and drinks you have with you
- Shopping Basket – has multifunctional use, stands stably even on uneven terrain
Practical Accessories in a Beach Bag
The basic equipment of a beach bag should include:
- Towel, beach towel – Don't rely on one universal one; it's better to always have one large towel for lying on and one smaller towel made of quick-drying material for drying off, which doesn't trap as much sand.
- Sunscreen – Sun protection in summer is essential not only at the sea but also at the pool, so don't forget to pack a quality sunscreen with a high UVA/UVB protection factor.
- Hat/cap and sunglasses – Head covering is the only effective prevention against sunstroke when in direct sunlight. Sunglasses protect the eyes from harmful UV radiation.
- Drinking bottle – When in the heat, our drinking regime helps to cool the body, thus preventing heatstroke. A bottle of water should always be at hand for both adults and children, preferably in a thermos bottle, to stay fresh longer.
- Snack and small refreshments – Fruit, nuts, long-life pastries, or energy bars will provide energy and quickly satisfy hunger. They take up minimal space in the bag.
- Book or magazine – Time at the beach is an ideal opportunity for relaxation with a favourite book or magazine.
- Mini first-aid kit – A pouch with disinfectant spray, plasters, a bandage, and an insect bite remedy will provide quick help for minor injuries.
How to Care for Your Beach Bag
To ensure your beach bag lasts a long time, it is advisable to keep it clean. Regular care will help keep the bag in good condition all summer and extend its lifespan. When maintaining it, it is always necessary to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
After each use, we recommend cleaning the bag of dust, sand, and salt water if it has been exposed to them. This will ensure that the material is not damaged. Foldable fabric bags (whether cotton or polyester) can usually be hand-washed or machine-washed at a low temperature. After washing or soaking, we recommend letting the bag air dry completely out of direct sunlight to prevent the colours from fading. If the bag is waterproof, it is sufficient to lightly wipe away dirt with a damp cloth. In contrast, models made of raffia or rattan require more gentle care. Raffia material cannot be washed, while the surface of a rattan bag can be gently wiped with a damp soft cloth. After drying, the bag should be stored in a dry place where it will not be exposed to moisture, temperature fluctuations, or extreme loads.
FAQ
- What is the best beach bag for a family trip?
A durable bag with a volume of 30–40 litres equipped with many compartments will be suitable even for a multi-member family. - How big of a beach bag should I get?
The size of the bag is primarily determined by the amount of things you most often take with you to the beach or pool. For individuals, a smaller bag with a volume of up to 20 litres will suffice. - What is the most commonly used material for beach bags?
Strong and durable polyester fabric. - What all belongs in a well-equipped beach bag?
A blanket, towel or beach towel, sunscreen or tanning oil, a bottle of water, a snack (crackers, fruit, etc. that won't spoil in the heat), wet wipes, tissues, personal items like keys, mobile phone, wallet. A book, magazine, or crossword puzzles will also come in handy. - Can a beach bag be used for purposes other than just the beach?
Yes, a bag with a large volume can also be suitable for shopping or when travelling with children. Occasionally, it can also be used as a large sports bag. - Can I use a beach bag as carry-on luggage on a plane?
Yes, if the beach bag's dimensions meet the cabin luggage standards of the airline you are flying with. - What functional features can beach bags have?
A separate detachable pouch, an integrated organizer, a carabiner for keys, a hidden pocket for valuables, a waterproof bottom. - Are beach bags suitable for picnics?
For a picnic, a cooler bag or a basket with a thermal-insulating lining made of high-quality aluminium foil is more suitable. Both options will keep the stored food and drinks cool for longer than an ordinary beach bag. - Which brand produces bags and backpacks from recycled rPET material?
Reisenthel. - Can I use a beach bag for festivals too?
Yes, thanks to their capacity and comfortable carrying, beach bags are also suitable as luggage for a day spent at a festival or a picnic in nature.
Summary and Recommendations
A beach bag is a handy helper for trips and holidays, as well as a fashion accessory that you can use all summer long. When choosing a summer beach bag, you should consider not only its dimensions and volume, but also the material from which it is made, especially its resistance to sun, sand, and salt water, the type of fastening, and the design that best suits your style and needs.
A well-designed beach bag should be large enough to hold the basics – a blanket, beach towel, towel, sunscreen, a bottle of drink, a snack, a change of clothes, and toys for children, and at the same time be lightweight and easy to carry. To be well-organized, it should also have pockets where you can put small items. The easiest possible maintenance also plays a big role. If you support sustainability, you can opt for a beach bag made from recycled material, which allows for the reuse and reprocessing of part of the sorted plastic waste, and is thus a more environmentally friendly option.
