IKEA Tote Bags for Kayakers
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IKEA tote bags revolutionized (if revolution is simply change) the way I carry gear to and from my kayak. In the past, I’d grab a couple or three dry bags, carry them up the beach to the tent, drop, and repeat, but since my trip to Norway last year, where I discovered IKEA tote bags being used by the folks we kayaked with, I’ve been using these lightweight and compact bags to store my gear, carry my gear from the car to the beach, and to carry from the kayak to camp. At IKEA stores, they cost $0.59, but without a nearby IKEA, Amazon
About Ikea Bags
These bags weigh under three ounces, light for something that carries 19 gallons, and easily carry over 20 pounds. They come with two sets of handles: one for carrying by hand and a longer one for carrying over the shoulder. The blue polypropylene material takes a beating and keeps on going. It doesn’t soak up water and is easy to clean. When folded, the bags easily fit up into the ends of the boats where nothing else fits, or to keep one handy, little room is lost when keeping one in the day hatch. They’re so handy that we’ve been using them around our house for shopping.
A downside: In early 2009, Danish, kayak blogger, and tote userHelge Helligsøe (translated to English) wrote about how prevalent the totes are becoming. After the first day of a kayaking course, he reached into his bag looking for a change of clothing and out came an unexpected piece of women’s clothing. Apparently, the women instructors also used IKEA totes for gear, and the blue bag that he thought was his was actually one of the instructors.
Bryan Hansel
Bryan Hansel is a freelance writer, award-winning photographer and a former American Canoe Association L4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor. His home port is on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, Minnesota. He also teaches photography workshops.
8 Comments
Susan
I’ve used mine as a personal changing area and tent doormat when camping in sandy areas – keeps the grit off the drysuit feet and out of the tent!
emanoht
I second the usefullness of these Ikea bags. I’ve been using them as my kayak camping gear haulers for the last couple of years. Also great for hauling wet gear home.
Abduk
here here!
Everyone in our club have been using em for a long time now.Either those or some of the new shopping bags work great as well.
I think we should re market them as Kayak Internal Compartment Kitbag (Or KICK’s) and sell them for 80 bucks a piece.
Bryan Hansel
These things are so handy, but someone beat you to the reselling idea here.
I imagine that you could sell three for $10.
Abduk
they missed the marketing! Labeled as KICK’s and having you using them to kart your kit down to next years great lakes trip…
We would be golden. lol
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troy n
Wanted to throw out a 2019 update, Ikea now makes a bag that’s like the tote but it zips up. Zipper isn’t waterproof, but at the campsite, it keeps out most of the rain and all of the bugs. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90149148/
Bryan Hansel
Thanks!