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Also known as collapsible market totes they are the latest European summer fashion. Why is easy to see. Not only are they looking great in your hand or over your forearm, they are also light and comfortable to carry and come in a nearly infinite range of colors and patterns. And when not in use they fold flat together and can be easily stored in your car, bike basket or wherever you want really. The are environment friendly as they help you to reduce your use of plastic bags. Go to your local farmers market and pack your purchases directly in them instead of using a lot of different plastic bags that are not only bad for the environment but also uncomfortable to carry.
A few points to consider when choosing a model
A market basket, collapsible or not, should be big enough to carry your average shopping but not so big that you are tempted to fill it with more than you can carry. A good average size would be a 25 liter basket. Make also sure that basket is either waterproof or at least water resistant to avoid that accidents become catastrophes when transporting fragile things like eggs or liquids like milk. Additionally the material should be easy to clean. Most models will come with some sort of quick folding mechanism that allows you to get the basket ready with a few clicks. If the model has also some sort of stabilization for the sites and a fixed bottom, the better. The handle should be thick and comfortable and covered with a soft material that is agreeable to the touch. Another plus are little feet for your basket, allowing you to set it on the floor without that the whole basket bottom touches the dirty ground.
Packing your collapsible market basket
When loading your collapsible market basket make first sure that everything has snapped in place and the basket is prevented from folding together suddenly. Place heavy items in the bottom and take care to distribute weight evenly to avoid that the basket leans to one site. After use, wipe basket clean, dry out well and fold together to store away until your next excursion to the farmers market.
