A dry bag is the best beach bag.

Yep. Anything labeled “beach bag” is either a tote that will let sand in or a dry bag that costs twice as much for a cute print. Get a plain dry bag—the kind kayakers use. Roll-top closure, truly waterproof, big enough for towels and snacks, and sand shakes right off.

They start at like $15 for a 20-liter, which is plenty for a family trip. No zippers to clog, no mesh to tear. If you need pockets, throw a small packing cube inside. That’s it.

The only downside is style. If you want to look cute on the beach, buy a $5 dry bag and wrap a sarong around it. Your chips will stay crunchy either way.