Shopping trolley bag on wheels: folding, frame, frameless

Suitcases and travel bags on wheels will not surprise anyone. But we don’t go on trips so often, but for groceries every day. For those who have a car, it is easier to bring groceries from the supermarket using a “local” cart. But there is nothing like it on the market. We have to drag in the hands of numerous heavy packages. And not everyone has a car. Those who do not have an iron horse have to cut off their hands more often. The way out is a shopping bag trolley on wheels. These are far from those clumsy carts of the end of the last century. Modern models are quite attractive and able to make life easier and maintain health. 

Back in trend

“Kravchuchki” – old-style trolleys – are not very pleasant to use, although convenient. They can still be seen in the hands of the elderly. Beautiful or not, they can’t pull the load in their hands. However, more and more interesting shopping bags on trolleys began to come across. And they look good, and they seem more comfortable than old bags fastened with belts and rubber bands. And they are used by far from old and very good-looking people. Gradually, this ceases to be surprising. After all, health from heavy packages does not increase, and the sight of those pulling packages with provisions in their hands is appropriate – a person puffing from exertion does not look more attractive than someone who simply rolls a cart.

This fashion – for trolley bags – came to us from the West. Despite the fact that almost everyone has a car, every family has a bag on wheels. And they are used not only by the elderly, but also by the young. Carrying a bunch of packages around the same shopping center is not very convenient. Putting all the purchases in the cart is much more convenient. Yes, and hands and back, it’s better to keep it – the treatment is expensive. In general, the shopping bag-trolley is gaining more and more popularity.

Frame and its features

Here, it seems, well, what can be so complicated in a shopping bag? Take any and you will be happy. And here it is not. There are many features that determine how convenient it is to use. And the point is not at all in the colors, but in the boring, but important details. Let’s begin to consider the possible designs of a trolley bag. They can be:

• with frame
  • aluminum alloy;
  • steel (painted or metallized);
• frameless.
  

A trolley bag – with and without a frame – really reduces the load on the arms and back. And which one is better? For each purpose. If you go for groceries only purposefully and only from home, the best choice is a frame one. If you travel by public transport, a folding one is more suitable. When folded, it takes up little space. If you walk, then a stationary one is also suitable – it is more reliable and durable, since there are fewer connections.

If you go for provisions after work, then few will want to carry a cart with a bag to work. In this case, a bag on wheels without a trolley is more suitable. When folded, it takes up little space – like a medium-sized cosmetic bag.

Frameless shopping bags on wheels

Wheels are attached to the bottom of the frameless trolley bag. They can be on a single platform, they can be each separately. As a rule, there are two or four wheels. If there are two wheels, there are additional stops that give the cart stability. The wheels have a small diameter and width of the “tire”. You can load 10-15 kilograms of products into the bag.

The advantage of this type of trolley bags is compactness when folded and light weight. But they ride well only on a flat surface and with a small load. When carrying a significant load, a significant load is placed on the arms and back. In general, this is a good option if you need to reach the load a couple of hundred meters. Before the car, for example.

When choosing, make sure that the trolley bag has reliable stops. In cheap versions, these are two thin twigs. Firstly, they may not hold the load, and secondly, they will stand unstable. The width of the handles and the height of the entire structure are also important.

Frame types

Household frame trolley bags have a greater carrying capacity. The frame can be made of steel or aluminum alloy. Those with an aluminum trolley weigh less (from 1 kg to 1,5 kg) and can carry loads with a total weight of up to 30 kg. Most often they are not painted – aluminum itself looks quite normal.

The steel frame is more durable, which allows you to carry up to 50 kilograms of products. But the trolley bag itself weighs more than two kilograms. Since steel rusts, it is covered with paint or a layer of corrosion-resistant metal.

You should also pay attention to the following parameters:

• Trolley bag height. They are for short and tall people. The minimum height is 86 cm, the maximum height is 106 cm.
• Handle type:
  • Stationary. Handle height is fixed. If one person will use it, or several, but not too different in height, then a fixed height is even good. Less chance of breakage.
  • Telescopic (retractable). Made like the handles of suitcases on wheels. There are several height options.
    

• Handle shape. The handle has a plastic or rubber grip. It should be rounded, without sharp edges, it should fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.

In fact, the height of the trolley bag is one of the most important parameters. If it is too low, you will need to bend over, strain the body when moving. If it is too high, the hand will have a large burden.

Number of wheels

The degree of load on the hands when moving goods depends on the number and size of wheels in the trolley bag. To make it convenient for you to transport goods, the diameter of the wheel should be 15-20 cm. No less. At the same time, pay attention to the width and material of the “tire”. The width should be at least a centimeter, but it is better if there is more. Narrow wheels often fail somewhere and get stuck, which makes it difficult to move. The tire must be made of elastic rubber. Round or corrugated – this is how you like it, but hard-elastic.

Next, consider how many wheels a shopping bag trolley can have. The stability and load that falls on the arms and back when moving depends on this.

• Two wheels. The bag on two wheels has stops without fail. They let you put it on. The stops can be stationary or folding, metal or plastic. It is clear that folding ones are more convenient, but they can break off. In terms of reliability, metal ones are better, and so that they do not make unnecessary sounds, they can be equipped with plastic overlays. The pads also “slow down” the bag, making it more stable.
• Four wheels. The first pair of wheels, most often, is stationary, the second – extends or reclines. Both the front and rear pair can be put forward. This design is even more stable. You can simply push it with minimal effort.
  

• Six wheels. The six-wheel shopping trolley is characterized by the fact that three wheels are assembled into one structure resembling a triangle. When moving on a flat surface, two pairs of wheels are “in operation”. This means that it is easier to carry than a two-wheeled one. A third pair is required when climbing stairs. When you pull the trolley, a free pair of wheels rolls onto the next step, taking the weight on itself.

So how many wheels should a trolley bag have? If you need to lift the load up the stairs (Khrushchev and Stalinka), the best choice is six wheels. They really work and make things easy. If an elderly person will use the cart, it is better to choose a four-wheeled one. She, in fact, “she’s lucky.” It just needs to be pushed a little. While on a two-wheeler, some of the weight is still transferred to the hand.

The quality of the material of the bag itself

The bag itself should be made of dense durable material. It is desirable that it be water-repellent, so it will be possible not to be afraid of rain and snow. The best option is synthetic fabrics, they are also easy to clean. For example, polyester fabric has good performance properties. At the moment it is considered the best.

There are also materials with thermostatic properties. Such properties are useful in the summer – so that the products do not heat up in the heat. But it’s more like a bonus, if there are funds for it. Pay attention to additional pockets, bottle holders. These simple and inexpensive features make the thing really easy to use.

Bag volume and clasp

What you should pay attention to is the size of the bag. But it must match the load capacity of the trolley. The volume is usually indicated in liters:

• 35-45 liters – medium-sized trolley bag. It will include about the same amount of products as in one and a half to two average packages from the supermarket.
• 50-55 liters. This is already a good size bag that can hold 40-50 kg of food. This is one and a half to two large packages.
  

There are options in which the neck can be laid out. These can be reduced or enlarged at will (the upper part turns inward). There are two types of fasteners – a tie with a drawstring and a flap with Velcro or a magnetic clip. Often there can be two types of fasteners – so that precipitation does not get inside the bag during transportation, and so that everything remains safe.

Method of fastening to the frame

Also pay attention to how the bag is attached to the frame. There are models in which the bag is removed. In this case, the trolley can be used to transport goods in its own container. If you are interested in this option, see that the cover is easy to remove and put on, but at the same time, that it is securely fixed. There are two options:

• Strips sewn to the back wall, which are put on the frame. Good in terms of reliability – it will not fall off the trolley, but it is inconvenient to remove / install.
  

•  Velcro (textile fastener). In this case, additional fasteners with Velcro are sewn on. It is important here that these are not two thin strips with pieces of “linden”. A loaded bag can break off during an unsuccessful turn. The width of the strip should be at least 15 centimeters. And it is better to have two fixation points: one for the racks, the second for the crossbars.

In general, Velcro fastening is secure and comfortable. It is only necessary that the Velcro area be sufficient – the weight will have to be held considerable.

Special Models

A shopping bag-trolley on wheels can be with a folding seat. This option is good for those who travel to the country and who have to wait a long time for transport. A very good option. A chair, of course, is not a chair, but sitting is better than standing. Especially for children or older people.

The second special type of trolley bag is for bicycles. They differ in a more massive frame, large volume and load capacity. More reliable and wider wheels. To avoid problems with transportation, the wheels must be at least 20 cm in diameter, and must also be on rolling bearings.