As a mom of four kids past the diapering stage but still very much in the "hold this for me" phase, any old tote simply won't do. I need a bag that has plenty of room, is durable enough for a heavy load and is easy to wipe clean. Style matters too, because — yes — this mom wants to look good while schlepping.
Last summer, the Bogg Bag caught my attention as a potential be-all and end-all tote when I noticed it was the bag du jour at the pool. Friends raved about the design, particularly the roomy interior and the perforated holes that help keep sand and other debris. like snack crumbs, out.
My interest was piqued. So, I decided not to let another season go by without investigating.
What is a Bogg Bag?
Dimensions: 19" L x 9" W x 14" H | Colors and patterns: 78 | Material: EVA
A Bogg Bag is a popular tote that comes in a variety of sizes, including The Original (large: 19" x 9" x 14"), which is the most popular, as well as The Baby (medium: 15" x 13" x 5.25"), and The Bitty (small: 11" x 4.5" x8.5"). All are made of a durable and waterproof EVA material that makes the bags suitable for a variety of uses, but especially for beach or pool days as well as other outdoor activities.
Why is the Bogg Bag so popular?
Though Bogg Bag first launched in 2008, the company's bags sales soared during the pandemic when healthcare workers, in particular, sought them out for the brand's claims of water-resistant material with antimicrobial properties. Years later, the popularity persists, and Bogg Bags are loved for their unique design, functionality and style.
Design
The Bogg Bag is made from a flexible EVA material that makes it both waterproof and incredibly sturdy. The design is simple too. The bag stands on its own and features two thick straps and a single wide opening that provides easy access to whatever's inside. But if you crave more organization than that, there are a number of accessories you can buy from the brand or other retailers, including a divider, pouches, an insulated cooler, a phone holder and more. Many of these accessories attach to the bag by snapping into its perforated holes.
Functionality
The Original Bogg Bag, which measures 19 inches long, 9 inches wide and 14 inches high, is an exceptionally spacious tote that offers plenty of room for pool- or beach-day essentials (towels, sunscreen, snacks and more), grocery-store hauls, parenting adventures (playground outings or day trips to the zoo, for example) and picnics. The brand says it can hold up to 40 pounds worth of stuff, and I got a good laugh when my four-year-old twins hopped inside without a squeeze.
Its perforated design and EVA material makes it easy to clean too. Sand and debris easily shakes out, and you simply wipe the interior and exterior down with water as needed. For a deeper clean, use mild soap and water or an antibacterial or baby wipe.
Style
This bag may look and feel a lot like a pair of Crocs, but it's actually quite stylish. It comes in a rainbow of colors — from more muted shades, like Coconut, Mushroom and Silver Shimmer, to vibrant Watermelon and Aquamarine and even patterns like leopard print and stripes. You can also add any number of charms, keychains and accessories to personalize the bag.
What accessories are available?
Each tote comes with two zip-up pouches — one small and one large in matching colors — that snap to the inside of your bag. But there are plenty of other Bogg Bag accessories available via the brand itself as well as other retailers on Amazon. Some of the most popular options include:
- Bogg Bits: Think of these as Croc flair. They're cute charms you can pop into the holes of your Bogg Bag to give it a personal touch. They come in various shapes and designs, everything from letters, food and animals to sports and professional themes (e.g. "Nurse Life").
- Phone and beverage holders: These also snap right into the holes of the bag to keep your phone and drink separate and easily accessible. They can be placed on either the interior or exterior of the tote.
- Inserts: You can buy removable inserts to help organize your bag. These include clear cosmetic bags for keeping smaller items separated and dividers to compartmentalize.
- Hooks: On Amazon, you can also get all kinds of clips and hooks to keep small items like sunglasses and keys more handy.
- Insulated cooler: Bogg makes a cooler insert that fits perfectly inside the bag — great for keeping drinks and snacks cool during picnics or a trip to the beach.
- Shoulder straps: For easier crossbody carrying (especially when fully loaded!), you can buy an adjustable canvas or nylon shoulder strap.
- Toppers: You can transform your bag into a table for picnicking. Made of the same durable EVA material, these trays feature cup holders and a spot for snacks, bowls and even small plates.
Are Bogg Bags worth the hype?
After using the Original Bogg Bag for a few weeks, I understand the hype but am not ready to declare it the perfect bag.
The standout feature of the bag is how tough it is. I really like how durable the EVA material is — it emerged from a muddy soccer field unscathed and survived a ground beef leak during a recent shopping trip. The bag is huge too. I can easily fit pool-day essentials (towels, snacks, sunscreen and toys) inside, but my favorite use for the bag is as a grocery tote. It fits really nicely inside of a shopping cart and stands up on its own, so you can fill it as you go without everything flopping over. It's also much easier to clean than a traditional sports bag or reusable shopping bag, since you simply wipe it down.
As far as style goes, it's not the most beautiful bag on the market — but it's not unattractive either. And the charms are a fun way to add some flair and make the bag feel more personal.
My biggest complaint is the heft. While this spacious design is part of the draw, it makes the bag hard to store. I plan to bring it on an upcoming vacation, but I'm not sure how I plan to fly with it, since you certainly can't collapse it for packing. The bag, which weighs five pounds, is also extremely heavy — even when empty. Though the straps are flat and don't necessarily dig into your shoulder, I did find it cumbersome to lift out of my shopping cart and into my car. I think a shoulder strap could help, but no matter which way you cut it, a five-pound bag is relatively heavy, particularly for anyone who might have physical limitations.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
