Best alternatives to Thirty-One reusable snack bags
Thirty-One's washable, food-safe snack bags were one of the easiest ways into the brand, and one of the first things people go looking for once the original stock runs out. Here are seven reusable picks that cover the same ground: everyday snack carrying, personalization, gifting, and bulk classroom use.
There is no single closest match, since Thirty-One's snack bags covered everything from plain everyday pouches to fully personalized gift totes. For an everyday, food-themed reusable pick, the Blue Q Packin' Snacks Handy Tote is our overall pick. For the personalization angle Thirty-One was known for, a chenille varsity letter pouch with a glitter initial patch is the closest new option. For bulk or classroom use, the TOPDesign multi-pack canvas tote is the budget pick. Full comparison below.
What made the original snack bags worth replacing
Thirty-One Gifts closed its direct sales operations at the end of 2024. Its reusable snack bags were built around a simple idea: a wipeable, food-safe interior wrapped in a printed cotton exterior, meant to replace a drawer full of single-use plastic bags. They closed with either a zipper or a hook and loop top, came in seasonal prints, and could often be personalized with a monogram or initials, which was the detail that made them popular as teacher and classroom gifts as well as everyday snack carriers.
When we looked for alternatives, we weighted three things: an easy-clean or washable construction, a closure that actually stays shut in a lunch bag or backpack, and some route back to that personalized feel Thirty-One built its reputation on, even if it comes from a different kind of product entirely.
Find your match
Answer two questions and we will point you to the pick that fits, out of the seven compared on this page.
Size and capacity guide
Snack bag listings rarely use the same size language, so instead of comparing exact numbers that vary by listing, here is a general category guide based on how each style is typically used. Always check the individual listing's measurements before buying, since sizing can vary even within the same product line.
| Use case | Look for |
|---|---|
| Single sandwich or a handful of snacks | A compact zip or flat pouch, roughly 8 to 12 inches wide |
| A full packed lunch | A standard tote style bag, around 10 inches tall by 8 to 9 inches wide |
| Gifting, teacher appreciation, or carrying extras | A larger canvas tote with room beyond just food |
What switching to a reusable snack bag actually saves
The EPA notes that a child who brings a disposable bag lunch to school every day generates around 67 pounds of lunch waste a year, and that a single reusable bag can take the place of hundreds of single-use bags over its lifetime. Use the slider below for a rough estimate based on your own routine.
How the alternatives compare
| Feature | Original Thirty-One snack bag | Closest alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Printed cotton exterior, wipeable interior | Cotton canvas, recycled fabric, or coated nylon depending on style |
| Closure | Zipper or hook and loop | Zipper closures across most of our picks |
| Reusable and washable | Yes | Varies by product, check individual care instructions |
| Personalization | Monogram available, discontinued | Chenille glitter letter patches on select pouches |
| Sold individually or in packs | Individually | Both, some available as multi-packs for bulk use |
Top 7 alternatives, ranked
Seven reusable picks, each suited to a different reason people search for Thirty-One snack bags in the first place.
Blue Q Handy Tote, Packin' Snacks
Made from 95 percent recycled material and sized close to the original at 10 inches tall by 8.5 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep, this is the pick that lines up most closely with what people liked about the Thirty-One snack bag in the first place: an easy wipe-clean bag built specifically around food and snacks.
Pros
- Snack-themed design, not a repurposed tote
- Recycled material
- Close size match to the original
Cons
- No personalization option
- Single design, less variety than the original line
Best for: anyone replacing an everyday snack bag with something built for the job.
Check price on Amazon →
Chenille Varsity Letter Zipper Pouch with Glitter Patch
The clearest replacement for the monogramming Thirty-One was known for. This clear pouch takes a chenille varsity letter and a glitter patch initial, giving it the same personalized feel without needing an official monogram service.
Pros
- Personalized letter detail built in
- Clear body makes contents easy to see
- Doubles as a small cosmetic or travel pouch
Cons
- Smaller capacity than a full tote
- Not marketed specifically as food safe, check the listing
Best for: anyone who misses the monogrammed look more than any specific feature.
Check price on Amazon →
TOPDesign Cotton Canvas Tote, Multi-Pack
A 12oz cotton canvas tote sold in packs from a single bag up to 24, which makes it the practical choice for classrooms, PTA fundraisers, or teacher gifts where you need several bags at once rather than one at a time.
Pros
- Sold in bulk pack sizes
- Heavy 12oz canvas construction
- Blank canvas works for DIY decorating
Cons
- Not snack-specific, general purpose tote
- No built-in personalization
Best for: classrooms, group gifts, or anyone who wants to decorate the bags themselves.
Check price on Amazon →
Clear Chenille Varsity Letter Flat Pouch
A flat, waterproof clear nylon pouch at roughly 12.2 by 8.46 inches, with the same chenille letter patch detail. The larger flat shape suits packing a sandwich alongside a couple of sides rather than a single small snack.
Pros
- Larger flat capacity than a standard pouch
- Waterproof exterior
- Clear body for quick checks in transit
Cons
- Flat shape can bend softer snacks
- Not insulated
Best for: travel days and airport bags where a clear pouch is genuinely useful.
Check price on Amazon →
Clear Chenille Varsity Letter Flat Pouch, alternate style
Same dimensions and construction as the pick above, offered in a different colorway and patch style. Worth comparing directly against style A if you want a specific look or are buying more than one.
Pros
- Same practical size and waterproof build
- Different color and patch options
- Good for buying matching pairs
Cons
- Functionally identical to style A, so compare price before choosing
- Not insulated
Best for: matching a specific color scheme, or picking up a second one for a sibling or friend.
Check price on Amazon →
Blue Q "I'm Here to Steal Your Snacks" Handy Tote
Same 10 by 8.5 by 4.5 inch build and 95 percent recycled material as our top pick, with a playful graphic aimed squarely at gifting rather than blending in.
Pros
- Recycled material, sturdy canvas construction
- Distinct, giftable graphic
- Easy to wipe clean
Cons
- Loud design will not suit everyone
- No personalization option
Best for: a lunch bag or small gift bag for someone with a sense of humor.
Check price on Amazon →
Book Lovers Gifts Canvas Tote
A themed canvas tote built for gifting rather than daily snack duty. Sized like a general tote rather than a compact pouch, it works better as a reusable book bag that happens to also carry snacks than as a dedicated lunch bag.
Pros
- Distinct niche design for gifting
- Canvas construction, durable for repeat use
- Multi-purpose beyond just snacks
Cons
- Not designed specifically as a food bag
- No wipeable interior lining mentioned
Best for: a book club or reader gift where snack carrying is a bonus, not the main job.
Check price on Amazon →What to check before you buy
- Closure type. Zipper closures generally hold up better in a backpack than hook and loop, which can catch on other items over time.
- Care instructions. Do not assume a bag is machine washable just because it is reusable. Check the specific listing.
- Real dimensions. Compare listed measurements against your old Thirty-One bag rather than assuming a size label means the same thing across brands.
- Food contact claims. If food safety matters for your use case, look for bags that explicitly state a food-safe or food-grade lining rather than assuming it from general product photos.
- Pack size. If you need several at once, check whether the listing offers multi-packs, since per-bag cost usually drops significantly at higher pack counts.
Common questions about Thirty-One snack bags
Is Thirty-One Bags still in business?
No. Thirty-One Gifts closed its direct sales operations at the end of 2024 and is no longer producing new inventory, including the reusable snack bag line.
What were Thirty-One reusable snack bags made of?
They used a wipeable, food-safe lining over a printed cotton or canvas exterior, closed with a hook and loop or zipper top, and were designed to replace single-use plastic bags for snacks and sandwiches.
Are reusable snack bags actually washable?
Most are hand washable or wipeable, though this varies by product. Check the specific listing for washing instructions before assuming a bag is machine washable.
Can I still get a snack bag personalized like the original?
Not through Thirty-One directly, since the brand's personalization service is no longer available. Chenille letter patches and monogram style pouches are the closest new alternative for a custom look.
What size snack bag should I buy?
Compact zip pouches suit a single sandwich or a handful of snacks, while a standard tote style bag fits a full lunch, several snack portions, or doubles as a small gift bag.
Do reusable snack bags actually reduce waste?
Yes. The EPA notes that a single reusable bag can replace hundreds of single-use bags over its lifetime, and a child who brings a disposable bag lunch daily generates roughly 67 pounds of lunch waste a year.