A mesh bag solves the beach sand problem.

You can’t keep all the sand out, but a mesh bag gets most of it. The trick is letting sand escape instead of trapping it. A tightly woven cotton tote holds sand like a sieve holds water — you just carry it home and find it in every crevice. A mesh beach bag (the kind with big holes) lets sand fall out as you walk, shake, or even just set it down. It’s not magic, but it’s the closest thing.

If you’re really anti-sand, layer up: keep your phone and keys in a ziplock inside the mesh bag. Or use a dedicated “wet stuff” mesh bag for towels and suits. But honestly, the cheap mesh bags from Amazon or the grocery store aisle work fine. Don’t overthink it.

You’re going to get sand somewhere. Just keep it out of your car.