LIVE IN STYLE Foldable Utility Tote (Crane Foldable Utility Tote)

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EDITOR’S NOTE: We bought and reviewed this tote in 2022. Aldi regularly brings these utility totes back for limited times. Aldi sold it again for $9.99 in January of 2026, August of 2025, August of 2024, May of 2024, and May of 2023. See our update at the end of this post about how the tote we bought has held up to use. 

We can all use a hand carrying our stuff sometimes. Whether you’re packing food for a picnic, towels and swimsuits for the pool or beach, or just bringing groceries home, a utility tote can be a multipurpose workhorse to help you get the job done.

I’ve bought a few totes from Aldi over the years, including a small heavy-duty collapsible picnic basket with thick fabric sides and a stainless steel frame and handles that goes on all of our camping trips. For something a little simpler, Aldi also occasionally sells more basic — but large — totes at budget prices. Most recently, I picked up this one.

The Crane Foldable Utility Tote cost $8.99 when I bought it in 2022. As of 2025 and 2026, it costs $9.99. This is a pretty simple tote, but it costs a lot less than utility totes you might purchase on Amazon.

This is an Aldi Find, so it’s only in stores for a short time. Each store should get one shipment, and after that sells out, it’s gone until whenever Aldi decides to sell totes again. Aldi does not offer online ordering for products that aren’t in stock at your local store.

The tote’s features include:

• Available in various designs and colors (These are different every time Aldi sells totes, as Aldi does not tend to bring back previous designs.)
• Collapsible for simple storage
• Measures approximately 11″ deep x 21.5″ long x 10″ wide
• Lightweight frame to hold shape
• Padded handle with Velcro wrap
• Long handles for easy carrying
• Reinforced handles
• Interior pocket with Velcro flap
• Made in China

This tote has a fabric exterior with an interior that has a plastic-like surface, so if something spills inside the tote, cleanup is as easy as wiping it down. The packaging doesn’t say anything about washing the tote, but I’m assuming it can be spot cleaned.

The material isn’t the thickest, but it will do for carrying food on a picnic or camping trip (chips/cookies/snacks, bread for sandwiches, or fixings for s’mores) or for packing gear to take to the beach or pool (towels, swim suits, goggles, water/sand toys, sunscreen, etc.). It would also work for bringing your Aldi haul home from the store, or any other time you need to carry a lot.

It also collapses easily so you can store it in a cabinet, a vehicle trunk, or a closet when not in use.

I’m looking forward to using this utility tote during our upcoming summer adventures. If you need some inexpensive bags or totes, this is worth a look.

The Verdict:

The Crane Foldable Utility Tote measures approximately 11″ deep x 21.5″ long x 10″ wide. It comes in several fun summer designs and features padded handles and an interior pocket with a Velcro flap. If you need a hand hauling stuff, this tote might be just the thing.

UPDATE (1/21/2026) — I’ve owned this tote for almost four years now, and it gets regular use on camping trips, road trips, picnics, and beach or pool outings. It’s stored food and disposable dinnerware for camping and picnics, and it’s also held swim towels and water toys. Despite the thin material, it has held up well without ripping, wipes clean easily, and still looks as good as new. I highly recommend these totes if you need something inexpensive to haul your stuff around in. They come in so many nice prints that you may be tempted to buy more than one.