Bogg Original Bogg Bag Review

The Original Bogg Bag looks like the ideal beach bag. It’s big, open like a basket, and comes in a lot of colorways to match your swimwear. It gets even better once you’re past initial impressions. Its EVA foam construction doesn’t attract sand like flies to a flytrap, and the included detachable organizers better sort your gear.

However, beware that a very open bag like this has its tradeoffs. The EVA foam may be easy to clean, but that still leaves the rest of your gear exposed to the elements. It’s also quite bulky, as you can probably already tell from the photos. That said, photos alone won’t tell the whole story, so let’s jump in and discuss this bag in more detail.

External Components

The main material making up the Original Bogg Bag is EVA foam, which may sound familiar to many of you. If it does, you probably have a pair of BIRKENSTOCK Arizonas on your shoe rack made of the same material. You’re probably aware of how comfy they are (hence why they earned their spot in your wardrobe), though they’re not the softest foam, either. EVA has a good balance of softness and rigidity, which makes sense for a pair of shoes you’ll be wearing and standing on all day, and it makes even more sense for a large bag meant to be filled with bulky gear.

But what does this mean for the Original Bogg Bag’s practicality? Simply put, EVA foam has the right resilience and texture for outdoor use—specifically the beach. The material stands on its own when you set it down on the sand, and any leftover grains can simply be hosed away at the end of the day. There are no gaps in the material for the grains to lodge themselves in, nor is the material too delicate for a good scrubbing. The rubbery texture is a cause for some apprehension for those thinking it will inevitably crack after continued exposure to sunlight. However, EVA foam is specifically designed to be resistant to heat and cold. As a result, our sample here still looks quite pristine after a few trips to the beach (the pair of Arizonas we have are doing quite well, too, in case you need further assurance).

As for the bag’s design, what can we say? The molded foam, holes, handles, and vibrant color are all but guaranteed to remind anyone of a pair of Crocs. In fact, the tread pattern underneath looks a lot like what you’d find underneath basic footwear, though comparisons to actual tire treads wouldn’t be uncalled for. The brand itself doubles down on the aesthetic, even offering decorative bits you can stick to the holes, just like you can with a pair of Crocs and their Jibbitz.

Do we like it? Let’s just say we understand the appeal, as a lot of people do. If you’re not into it, you may find some reprieve in the fact that the holes aren’t just for aesthetics. There are other accessories, such as the Bogg Bevy, which add more practical features, and we see no reason why Bogg couldn’t offer future add-ons that offer more functionality (though we’re speculating at this point).

The large handles stay upright most of the time but are anchored on swivels, so they also have a fair degree of movement. Push their respective apexes past the anchor points, and they’ll stay down and out of the way, leaving you with unobstructed access to the bag’s interior.

The handles themselves don’t have any additional padding, so comfort is quite limited. Yes, the EVA foam’s inherent softness does factor in, but remember that it’s also fairly rigid, and the bag’s overall large size and heft effectively nullifies that.

Fit Notes

The biggest challenge in finding a comfortable carrying position is the Original Bogg Bag’s size; it’s simply very large. More specifically, its sheer width makes it tricky for the outer strap to stay in place, and it falls off your shoulder most of the time. We have to do two things to make it stay: first, anchor the outer strap onto the inner strap, though the bag doesn’t come with a way to do this, so you’ll have to DIY it. Second—and quite inconveniently—hold the straps together to make sure they stay on the shoulder. And if this sounds familiar to you, then you’ve probably done the same technique with an IKEA FRAKTA shopping bag.

It is worth noting that the Original Bogg Bag we’re testing is the largest size, but there are smaller options if you want something easier to carry. There’s the Baby Bogg Bag and Bitty Bogg Bag, though we can’t say how comfortable they are to carry since their respective handles are also scaled down to their sizes (plus the fact we don’t have them on hand to test at the time of writing).

Inside The Tote

Fortunately, the Original Bogg Bag’s bulky size pays dividends when it comes to roominess. There’s a lot of space to work with when we’re trying to put as much beach gear as possible inside, from beach towels to packed lunches and an insulated water bottle, plus two or three organizers worth of toiletries and personal items. All in all, the Original Bogg Bag comfortably accommodates two people’s worth of gear that we’d like to take near the shore.

As for organization, the Original Bogg Bag has no direct built-in pockets. Instead, it relies solely on the two included inserts that attach via the holes we mentioned earlier. Small and large ones are included, and they’re quite similar to the TSA-friendly 3-1-1 bags we love using when we travel, such as the TOM BIHN 3D Organizer Cube. In other words, we use both for storing toiletries, and the inserts are even better suited for it since you can attach them to the highest attachment holes, elevating them to very reachable heights. You can technically stack them on one side, but putting them on opposite sides is more convenient.

So, there’s more than enough space for two people’s gear, and the included inserts are a neat and modular way to organize personal items—what’s not to like? Well, not everything’s sunshine and rainbows once you’re actually at the beach.

For one thing, the very open nature of the design means seawater and beach sand can just come and go as they happen to pass by. Of particular worry are the holes since it’s quite easy to kick sand into them. Sure, the EVA foam is very easy to clean, but we’d rather not have to clean the bag at all once it’s time to pack up and go home.

Furthermore, we have to take extra care when we put smartphones atop the rest of our gear. Yes, it’s a quick and instinctive way to stash your phone when it’s finally time to go and play in the water. However, your phone can bake in the sun since the top is completely exposed. Of course, you should place the bag underneath a shaded area. But, as anyone who’s spent too much time getting competitive at beach volleyball knows, the sun moves, and so does the shade. The solution? Bring an extra towel or something to cover the bag if you plan on leaving electronics inside.