Stasher Bags Review (2021): Are These Silicone Reusable Bags Worth It?

Mid-day snackers, leftover lunchers, prepared parents, and frequent flyers, rejoice. The days of toiling over rippable, wasteful, spill-prone single use plastic bags are over. Stasher bags, the delightful silicone bags of your future, are here.

We’ve put these handy reusable storage bags through every test imaginable. They’ve excelled through backpacking trips, freezer storage, boiling water baths, and even the dishwasher. Food-safe, eco-friendly, and (best of all!) a smart purchase as a 1% for the Planet member, they’ve changed the storage bag game. Forever.

Prepare to meet the world’s favorite reusable silicone bag.

Our Buy Ensemble Review: Stasher Bags

The Ziploc bags of lunch boxes past are hard to leave behind. They’re inexpensive, convenient to a fault,  and so ingrained in our consumer habits that the brand has literally become a generic term. 

But reusing them is really tough. I suppose that’s not so surprising—they’re purposely built as single-use plastic bags after all. There’s just one problem…. you know, that thing about our oceans. And our landfills. Oh, and our planet. 

Wait! Don’t be sad! Thanks to Stasher bags, you no longer have to carry around the weight of your Ziploc love. (Your hands are too full of colorful pockets of pure platinum silicone for that anyway.) 

I mean it, guys. Stashers have changed my world. The to-do list formerly relegated to my Ziploc bags has been entirely taken over by Stashers. 

I’ve got pocket-sized Stashers storing my mountain biking snacks. Mid-size Stashers housing a half-used onion in my fridge. And a gallon size Stasher marinating tonight’s chicken dinner.

And like the mighty little helpers they are, they’ll be ready and eager to go to work again once I eat all the snacks or finally retrieve that leftover onion half. 

I don’t even have to hand wash them. A smug laugh escapes every time I pull a clean, ready-for-more-snacks Stasher out of the dishwasher. I just can’t help but remember all of the time I spent trying to sanitize and dry out an old Ziploc bag, only to have it rip down the side half way through. 

Simple practicality aside, Stashers is a B-Corp and 1% for the Planet member. Their products are sustainably made with non-toxic materials, pass all food-safety standards, and are a daily reminder that even the small choices can make a big impact. 

Considering Stashers? Here’s some things to think about…

1. Are Stasher bags safe?

You know what, I like you. You ask good questions. And you’re right to wonder if putting silicone food bags in the dishwasher, heating them in the microwave, or using them to cook sous vide puts you and your family at risk.

I’m pleased to be the one to tell you—Stashers are so freakin’ safe! 

Their bags are made with pure platinum silicone (the best of its kind) and are completely free of BPA, BPS, lead, latex, and phthalates. In the microwave, in the freezer, in a pot of boiling water, Stashers are completely and entirely safe. 

Materials and dyes meet all of the food-safety standards in the US and Canada. Even the European Union approves of Stashers, and they don’t mess around.

2. Are Stasher bags worth it?

It’s not just your health that benefits from all of those top-of-the-line materials. 

Built to last, the premium silicone design is the gift that keeps on giving. A dishwasher safe material makes them simple to clean and reuse, and the innovative pinch-loc “zipper” is basically immortal. In its lifetime, just one can do the job of a gazillion Ziploc bags.  

Plus, while I personally am a snacker above all else, Stashers are fantastic for purposes beyond cheese slices and pistachios. The durable silicone build is temperature resistant, making Stasher bags excellent for sous vide cooking, plus they’re entirely microwave safe, freezer safe and even oven safe.

Beyond the kitchen, Stashers can happily replace any plastic baggies you use for travel. Airtight, leakproof, and clear enough even for TSA’s standards, they make an ideal home for your travel essentials. (Or snacks. Mine would be full of snacks.) 

In fewer words, they’re absolutely worth it. There’s nothing a Stasher can’t stash, and it’ll stay that way for years to come. While the price tag might cause some initial sticker shock, we bet the final cost per use will end up being pennies. We’ll have to revisit that a few years down the line.

3. Are Stasher bags eco-friendly?

Well, they were a must-have on our list of eco-friendly gifts. But creating products that support a plastic-free world is just the start for Stasher. 

On a business level, the Stashers team works hard to do things the right way. They are both a B-Corporation, dedicated to socially and environmentally responsible business practices, and a 1% for the Planet member. 

They use their platform to spread awareness for close-to-the-heart nonprofits and the big ideas that matter to them. Their website is an amalgam of eco-friendly tips, plastic-free inspiration, do-good calls-to-action, and support for friends of ocean preservation like Surfrider and 5 Gyers. I mtean, even their packaging is eco-friendly. 

An ally in the sustainability crusade, these guys reinforce the notion that we, at Grow Ensemble, live by: every decision and every action matters. (And their product rocks.)

Complete Stashers Review: The Plastic-Free Product That Does It All

Now that I’ve waxed poetic on my life A.S. (after Stasher), it’s time to take a deep dive into the in’s and out’s of the brand. 

The lightbulb went off for Stasher CEO, Kat Nouri, in 2016 while packing her kids’ lunches. Much like the day before, and the day before that, Kat was stashing healthy treats for her kids in plastic snack bags. “There’s gotta be a better way,” she thought. 

She was right. After months of deliberating over the perfect design, Kat introduced the ultimate single-use plastic bag alternative—a reusable food storage bag made of 100% food-grade silicone. Hell yeah, Kat. 

Engineering a practical and reliable zipper out of silicone proved the biggest challenge. (What’s the point of a storage-container that allows spillage?) When they introduced a self-sealing, pinch-loc top, it was game on. 

As a Shark Tank alum and a part of the Mark Cuban portfolio, Stasher became the reusable silicone bag that no one really knew they needed. Now, it’s making waves—and making waves clean—as the most practical and reliable single-use plastic bag alternative on the market. 

These bags have all the components to make it a perfect opportunity to vote with your dollar for a product that is worth every penny.

The Good & Bad of Choosing Stasher Bags

Getting into the Nitty Gritty of Stasher Bags

Look, I’m not a scientist, but I’m pretty sure that there are an infinite amount of benefits associated with pure platinum silicone. Like, so many that I could never list each and every one of them.

But I’ll fill you in on a few of the best.

Non-Toxic 

And we’re talking non-toxic no matter what the heck you do to it. Forget it in your car on a hot day. Run it through the dishwasher. Boil veggies in it. Microwave last night’s leftovers in it. Use it to bake a potato in the oven. All of the above, safe. 

No BPA, BPS, lead, latex, or phthalates. No bad stuff, period. That’s pretty rad. 

Easy to clean 

A reusable product is nothing if it’s not easy to clean. Luckily, these silicone bags can be hand washed or popped in the dishwasher with ease. 

Yet, reviewers admit—flawless long-term care of your reusable bags does require a few tricks:

• Don’t turn the bags inside out 
• Use bottle brushes for the occasional deep clean 
• Soak your bags in a 50/50 blend of warm water and vinegar
• Let your Stasher bags dry in the sun 
• Towel-drying or using a bottle drying rack 

Variety of sizes 

Stasher made sure that they have the perfect bag for just about anything. With five convenient sizes, and a bundle pack that includes a little taste of everything, there’s literally no limits to what you can stash. 

• Pocket Stasher bag: Cute as a button and compact enough for your back pocket. Perfect for dog treats, single-portion snacks, or tiny valuables.
• Snack Stasher bag: The perfect bag to stash away in your backpack or purse. Fits half an avocado, a healthy portion of trail mix, and even your cell phone! 
• Sandwich size Stasher bag: A TSA-approved, standard sized sandwich bag. Perfect for lunches and travel essentials.
• Standup Stasher bag: A creative take on the classic plastic baggie. Provides tons of extra space, plus a convenient standup shape that can handle heavier orders like soups or more delicate items like salads. 
• Half gallon Stasher bag: The king of reusable bags. Perfect for marinating meats, sous vide cooking, and freezing leftovers. 

You can start with any one size, but let’s be honest—everyone needs at least a few of each. Opt for the Bundle Starter Kit. Or, a few Bundle Starter Kits. I’m pretty sure you can never have enough. 

Durability 

In addition to the whole 3,000 uses thing, Stasher bags are durable in a way that the single-use plastic bags they’re replacing never even dreamed of. The thick, pliable silicone material provides extra protection for the things you’re stashing.

Your snacks won’t turn to mush in your purse. Your salad mix won’t wilt and sag. But also, the bags don’t rip or tear easily. (Or really ever.) And, you can write on and wash off the silicone exterior to make note of dates for freezer bags or leftovers.

What are the People Saying About Stashers?…💬

I don’t know where they buried the bad product reviews, but I can’t find any. The world loves you, Stasher bags.

Still Not Convinced? Other Options to Explore…🤔

Stasher bags are pretty freaking cool. But if you’re not quite sold on the product, or still looking to broaden your plastic-free kitchen arsenal, here’s a few Stasher bag alternatives:

Bee’s Wrap

Think plastic-wrap minus the plastic. That’s Bee’s Wrap. An organic cotton wrap, made pliable and protective with the help of beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. Use it to cover bowls and dishes, wrap fresh fruit and veggies, or lock in freshness for baked goods or cheeses. 

This B-Corp makes their ethically-sourced, sustainable products in Vermont, and all wraps are fully washable, reusable, and biodegradable. That’s, like, all of my favorite words. 

(re)zip

There’s a lot of budget-friendly alternatives to Stasher bags on the market, but only a few are doing it right. As a part of the BlueAvocado family of products, (re)zip is one of them. 

A certified B-Corp with a similarly food-safe, lead-free, and BPA-free product, (re)zip is significantly cheaper than Stasher. Their products are about a third of the price of Stasher bags—but the lifespan is shorter as well. 

They combat this by working with TerraCycle on a take-back program that recycles old products. Overall, they’re a great option if you’re looking to dodge that high price point.  

What Plastic-Free Dreams are Made Of

Listen, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not easy to break away from the single-use plastic bag game. 

Ziploc bags were a staple snack carrier in my childhood lunch box. There were baggies full of almonds and trail mix in my backpack during college. The convenience is ridiculous—but the impact is scary. 

I knew Stasher bags would be a responsible alternative, but never imagined they’d be such an upgrade. One small step towards a plastic-free kitchen. One giant leap for my snacking habits.