8 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Tote Bag

The average US consumer spent over $61,000 on products and services in 2018.

With all of that spending going on and the consequential hauling of merchandise, several people are choosing to ditch single-use plastic bags and instead are opting to do their shopping with a reusable tote bag.

Tote bags are sturdy, foldable bags that you'd see used at supermarkets and in other shopping environments. Many people have a handful of tote bags they keep in their cars so they can have easy access to them during impromptu shopping runs.

But which type of tote bag should you invest in? After all, there are several styles out there.

In this post, we share a few tote considerations that should help you choose your perfect bag.

1. Strength

One of the most important tote bag factors you'll want to think through when making your buy is the strength of your bag.

Tote bags are rated to manage different weights. In some cases, you'll find a tote bag's papery material starts to buckle under 5 pounds. In other cases, tote bags that are made out of strong, synthetic materials and have double-stitched handles can easily manage 20+ pounds

Think about how much weight you'll likely subject your tote bag to. When in doubt, try to go with a bag that's stronger than you think you'll need.

2. Shape

Niche tote bags can be specially shaped to manage a particular task. For example, we've seen beautiful wine totes on the market that are customized and compartmentalized to accommodate bottles.

Are you looking for a custom shape for a custom job or do you want a general square or rectangle tote? Taking a moment to think about what use you'd like to get out of your totes will help you determine if a particular shape is preferred.

3. Cost

Most people don't consider cost too much when buying tote bags because most casual totes are cheap. Cheap totes, however, are rarely top of the line and may not last you very long.

The number one factor that affects tote cost is the material your bag is made out of which we'll talk about in a moment. Bags can be made out of canvas, nylon, cotton, PVC, polyurethane, and more.

All of that to say that if you see a high-priced bag, it may be made out of a sturdier, more environmentally friendly material that's worth the money being asked for.

4. Style

Who wants to roll into a shopping center with a bad looking tote? Not us! Therein lies the value of assessing your tote bag's style when making a purchase.

For most, the process of considering style comes naturally. You'll want a tote that is designed in a way that's aesthetically pleasing and is sporting colors that match your sensibilities.

Heck, several fashionistas shop with different styles of totes depending on their outfits!

The sky is the limit when it comes to tote bag styles as there are many bag variations out there. Have fun browsing to find the perfect look.

5. Physical Weigh

Believe it or not, some tote bags have a noticeable weight to them. You might imagine that the weight of an empty tote wouldn't be noticeable enough to consider bag weight as a factor when tote shopping. Believe us when we say though that certain bags are uncomfortably heavy.

For example, canvas and certain cotton bags can weigh in the vicinity of 2+ pounds without having anything in them. If you find yourself uncomfortable carrying grocery-filled bags already, those 2 extra pounds could make the difference between you being able to get a job done and having to ask for help.

Polypropylene bags are often noted as being the easiest to carry.

6. Flexibility

Is your tote bag going to be sat in your car's trunk until you need it or is your plan to have a tote bag folded up tight in your purse so you can whip it out while you're on the town? Knowing the answer to those questions will help you determine how flexible your tote bag should be.

A thin nylon bag will fold up small and could fit inconspicuously in a purse while a heavier canvas bag would be too bulky.

7. Composition

We've touched a little bit on how different materials used in bags can affect their usability and cost. While we won't go over every bag type that's on the market, we will say that materials fall into either synthetic or organic categories.

Synthetic bags tend to be flexible and are resistant to weather. Natural bags are strong and biodegradable.

Consider which qualities are most important to you and pick up a bag that suits your needs.

8. Availability

At the end of the day, if you can't find the tote bag you're looking for, you can't buy it. So, a large factor in picking your bag will be what kinds of bags your local store has available.

Fortunately, if you shop here or with other online retailers, there's a great chance you can get the exact tote you're looking for!

The Right Tote Bag Can Make a Difference in Your Day

We just spent the last couple of minutes talking about the considerations that go into buying a tote bag. While that might seem like an odd topic to expound on, it's actually impactful.

Armed with the right tote bag, you'll be able to avoid things like spilled groceries and environmental damage. Those are wins that we feel are worth fighting for.

If you'd like more information on other relevant lifestyle topics, browse more of the content in our blog!