what do you use for reuseable grocery bags?

[canuckgal]

I currently have some canvas grocery bags and generally prefer these over the "plasticky" bags one can get from our big grocery stores here. I wanted some new bags so I just purchased some bags from http://www.reuseablebags.com and they arrived yesterday. I am a teeeeeny bit disappointed in the ACME workhorse bag (the one that folds into it's own pouch, simular to a Chicobag I guess) and in the hemp tote (I purchased a shopper sampler set) as I didn't expect them to be so, well, lightweight. I am putting the ACME bag in the car to have it for those few items you get a drugstore for example, but for holding things like some cans, I don't know if I would trust it! The nylon is OK (kind of parachute-like) but the seams don't look as if they would stand up well to heavier loads. In the reviews, I did catch 2 or 3 that stated they tore, but this was among a few hundred reviews so I decided to chance it.

Is there a foldable compact bag like the Chicobag for example that is DURABLE, or a "stiffer" nylon?

I am not sending them back as it is such a hassle to get to the post office and return things from here in Canada :

Anyone know of a source of HEAVY cotton canvas bags? Like a 10 or 14 oz wt? From what I can tell alot of them I see on line are pretty thin. Any good Canadian sources? I have 2 that I purchased years ago, one was frrom Atlantic Bag Manufacturing (in NS) but they only have bulk orders. I do tend to use plastic bins if I have alot of canned stuff, but it would be nice to have some heavier bags.

Thanks!

Tina

[hubris]

Have you looked at the hemp bags that ReusableBags carries? I have the XL heavy duty tote and it's really, really sturdy. It's a bit too XL for every shopping job but I like it for containing all of my other shopping bags and for carrying most of the lightweight groceries (it's too big to fill with heavy items but great for light items). There are smaller hemp totes on the site, too.

The rest of my canvas shoping bags, I found at a yard sale. Maybe search thrift stores? They're not gorgeous but they get the job done.

[Shantimama]

I have some No Frills canvas bags that I bought a few years ago that are great. I don't like the "Our Compliments" reusable bags - and I am on the fence with the new "President's Choice" bags.

My dp goes to a lot of conferences and for the past couple of years, he always comes home with a canvas bag, which we wind up using for groceries.

[chrissy]

i don't have any recommendations for what you're looking for, but i really love our chico bags.

[Ecstatic]

I've knitted some market bags. Which are good as they stretch to hold a lot of stuff, and fold up very small. I've also made some which fold up into a pocket. Otherwise, I've used free canvas totes from various conferences my mom got, but didn't want.

I've never actually gone out to buy reusable grocery bags. I do have links to patterns, though, if anyone is interested.

[Purple*Lotus]

I just ordered 10 from ecobags *I think that is the name, if you want to know for sure, I suppose I could go downstairs and find the label *

I love them! They are very heavy canvas and I can not wait to take them to work so I can start a trend

[suzyfakename]

i just saw an idea for making bags out of old t-shirts that are too cool for school.
just sew up the bottom and cut the neck into a larger opening. voila. the arms become the handles and they fold up in your purse beautifully.

[mk12]

Hmm, I've had two ACME workhorse bags for a while. I sometimes only have one with me when I go grocery shopping and stuff it full with super heavy stuff. It's held up well, and the clerks are always shocked at how much it holds.

Many years ago, I used to have canvas bags, but they were so bulky that I didn't use them very much. That's why I love the the ACME workhorse bags - they're so tiny when they're folded, so they're easy to throw in your purse and actually use.

[ilikethedesert]

I'm not sure of the weight, but my favorites are those I buy for a couple bucks at Trader Joes. Do you have Trader Joes there? They are easy to carry and I can fit about a million cans in them without worry of them breaking.

[ediesmom]

Originally Posted by suzyfakename

i just saw an idea for making bags out of old t-shirts that are too cool for school.
just sew up the bottom and cut the neck into a larger opening. voila. the arms become the handles and they fold up in your purse beautifully.

ummm, that's really cute!

I know what dd1 is getting for christmas......

really,,, that's fun.

a gf of mine spent some time in northern ireland recently and brought back a bunch of really neat bags from sainsbury's.....they ARE the plasticky ones, but they've held up and have moved to the top of my favorites list. Really colorful, too.

[wonderwahine]

i got most of my bags at the thrift store, library book totes, advertising canvas bags, a huge macys rectangular tote etc.

[ediesmom]

also, I like the plasticky ones for the farmers market, and CSA shares.....cuz you can rinse them

[CarrieMF]

I have some hemp ones from Ecobags that I like. They hold about 3 plastic bags worth of groceries.

I usually use my Co-op or Superstore PC ones though. The PC ones are made from almost all recycled material. The only part that is not recycled is the thread. the co-op ones feel very similar. I like them because they stand on their own good to fill them. They don't hold as much though, only 2 plastic bags worth.

[quelindo]

Wow, I have four of the ACME bags and I LOVE them! I think they're totally durable and heavy-weight. The cashiers at my food co-op are always asking where I got them. I love that they seem super strong and stand up on their own.

[snitker79]

I really like the ACME bags. How many plastic type bags would one workhorse bag take the place of? I may have to get some of these for myself and others for xmas.

[nascarbebe]

There's a SAHM who makes really cute grocery bags and sells them herself on Etsy.com She's a really sweet girl. Her Etsy store is called Quirky Bags

[mk12]

Originally Posted by snitker79

I really like the ACME bags. How many plastic type bags would one workhorse bag take the place of? I may have to get some of these for myself and others for xmas.

I'd say, at least two. Maybe more. They hold up to 25 pounds, and I tend to pack them really full. It's so nice to not have to worry about bags breaking, and they are much more comfortable on my hands.

[quelindo]

Originally Posted by mk12

I'd say, at least two. Maybe more. They hold up to 25 pounds, and I tend to pack them really full. It's so nice to not have to worry about bags breaking, and they are much more comfortable on my hands.

I agree. I actually bought four but generally only use three at the most for my big shopping trips.

[snitker79]

Thanks for the info. I found that my LHF store carries Chico bags that see like they are the same as the ACME workhorse ones as they roll into its own attached bag and I can get them for $5 here versus $7 plus shipping. So I want to make sure there's a difference if I want to buy the ACME ones.

[Twinklefae]

Just noticed that you are in Canada, do you have a Loblaws/Superstore near you? They sell them for 99 cents at the checkout, and they are great quality. They also sell plastic reusable bins which are great as I use them for moving and such too.