Customer Reviews

4Rplanetbag **5-PACK** Penguin Large Reusable Insulated Grocery Tote. Zipper improved!

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, to clear up confusion from a previous review, this is five bags, not one. The price would be excessive for a single bag; it is almost excessive for five. If you only got one bag, you need to contact the seller.

The good: The bags are good size, and they open to have a flat stable base so that they will stand on their own and pack nicely into the car. They then fold flat for ease of storage and carrying. The bags and handles are reasonably sturdy. There's no problem packing a gallon of milk plus other groceries in a bag. Brought ice cream home last night when the real feel temperature was in the 90s, and the chocolate chips in the grocery store (apparently loaded the same day on the shelves) had turned into solid chocolate blocks. Ice cream still solid when I got it home 25 minutes later; milk still cold.

The bad: Like other reviewers, I found that the zippers were extremely fussy and difficult to close. This means that if you are in the grocery store, you will need to finish your purchases, put things in open bags, then wheel your cart off somewhere so that you are not blocking the line and struggle with the zippers. The zippers, I realized belatedly, are important -- because if the bag isn't closed, then your groceries are not insulated, the whole purpose is defeated. If this bag had functional zippers, I would definitely bump the number of stars up.

The funny: This plastic bag is stamped all over with the message "no plastic." The website of 4Rplanet doesn't discuss this, but does have a FAQ that explains that cotton bags aren't as good for the environment as you think because of the fertilizer needed to grow cotton. My principal purpose in buying the bag was to get the ice cream home without meltage, so I don't care that much. And arguably, since you are using the same plastic bags when you shop you are in fact reducing demand for disposable plastic bags, so you are still doing something good . . .

This grocery tote holds about two to three plastic bags worth of groceries. It's insulated, but not the best insulated tote out there. I would give it four stars except for the zipper. The zipper, in all five totes, sticks. I have a feeling that even with the care I take, the zippers are going to give out relatively soon.
UPDATE July 27, 2010 I originally gave this product 3 stars because of the zipper. I've continued to use these bags and I have had no issue with the zippers breaking. I really love these bags. I don't believe the zippers have become easier to use, but I have learned their idiosyncrasies. I have arthritis in both thumbs and I can easily zip these bags without pain. Five bags at this price, for this quality, deserves a new rating of five stars.

these bags work really well. easy to carry, holds alot, insulation feature works. much better than the smaller reusable bags you get at the grocery store that don't hold that much, especially for costco size purchases. 1 of the 5 had a defective zipper but that one has been relegated to the toy room for my little one to use for transporting toys around. they seem very durable and I anticipate getting alot of years of use out of them making them a good deal.

These bags are great! Love the side bottle holders, great for keeping frozen items cold while sitting in my trunk during a not day.
However, the only reason I couldn't give 5 stars is the zipper, it's not the easiest of things to close up.

I definitely recommend these!!! They are so cute and made really well. I was annoyed I had to buy 5 of them, but glad once I got them because I give them out as gifts now! Everyone loves them!

I have been using my own grocery bags for years and was so delighted to find these Penguin bags. They keep frozen and cold items safe from ruining in the heat of summer months. This is a great investment for saving the environment.

Nice grocery bag sized insulated tote. Folds compactly and I keep it in my car at all times. Makes a nice little gift or use it as a gift bag that's useful too!

Since I live 30 miles from the nearest large grocery store, these bags work remarkably well keeping cold foods cold in a hot car. I've purchased ice cream and it is normally 1/4 thawed by the time I get home - with the Penguin bag, it is still nice and frozen.

Zippers are a little tough to close at the corners, but get easier over time.

I bought these over a year ago and they have been great! I bought them primarily because I'm a penguin fan, but also because the recyclable bags you buy at the store wear out over time and I wanted something more durable. I get many compliments at the grocery store and they are very sturdy. The zippered top is not a problem, it's just a zipper and you don't have to use it if you don't want to. I usually don't bother and they close nicely without.

The zipper is a bit tricky but nothing you can't figure out and get the hang of it. The first time I use it at the store, I had trouble with it. When I got home, I sat down and took a closer look at the zipper. No big whoop. Just need to get the hang of it. I don't have issues with the zipper now.