Mesh bags are your best bet for sand

No bag is truly sand-proof, but mesh bags let sand fall through so you’re not bringing the beach home.

Canvas totes and thick woven bags trap sand in the fabric. You shake them and sand still sneaks out in the car, on your floor, everywhere. Mesh bags — the ones with large holes or that nylon netting — let sand fall right through while you’re still at the beach. Shake once, done.

Some bags claim to be “sand-proof” with tight weaves or coated fabrics. In theory they block sand, but in practice sand gets stuck in the seams or zippers. Mesh is simpler and dries faster too.

I’d skip anything advertised as sand-proof and just get a mesh bag. The beach is messy, but a mesh bag makes cleanup easier.