Costco’s $48 Hulken Bag Dupe Is Finally Back in Stock

One of my favorite things about living in NYC is how I don’t need a car to get around. If I want to go to a chain store like Trader Joe’s, it’s a reasonable subway or bus ride away. But whether I’m walking or using transit, I have to carry everything I buy home with me. I’ve spent more than my fair share of shopping trips having an existential crisis in the canned goods aisle because I want to buy something but fear it’ll take my bag from “heavy” to “too heavy.” 

I’ve had my eye on a Hulken bag, a reusable tote on wheels, for a spell, but they’re a big financial investment. However, a near-identical dupe from Costco that’s finally back in stock is a fraction of the price and could be the solution I need.

In a post about the newest items at Costco, Instagram user @costco_empties revealed that the Hulken-inspired CleverMade foldable tote bag on wheels is back at the warehouse chain. Per @costco_empties’ post, the bag comes in shiny black and costs $39.99 in-store, though you can also find it online for $47.99. This isn’t the first time the CleverMade tote on wheels has graced Costco shelves. The Hulken bag dupe was also sold last April, which likely means it’s a seasonal offering.

With a 90-liter, 75-pound capacity, this bag is far roomier than your average tote bag, measuring 14 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches tall. It has a side pocket, three sizable straps, a zipper closure, and the ability to fold up when not in use. It almost looks like a stylish purse-hamper hybrid on wheels. Costco’s site suggests using this wheeled bag for laundry, shopping, and “hauling sports gear,” but I could also see it being good for moving, taking a big package back to the post office, bringing clothes to a swap or thrift shop, or spending a day at the park or beach. 

It’s important to note that Costco’s dupe falls somewhere between a medium and a large Hulken. A medium Hulken, which goes for $110, is 12 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 22 inches tall, and the large, which goes for $125, is 16 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 26 inches tall.

If this tote bag has caught your eye but you don’t actually live by a Costco or have a Costco membership, your best alternative is the actual Hulken bag the Costco dupe is inspired by. You can buy a Hulken bag from their “signature collection” on Amazon or their website. They sell large zip-up tote bags on swivel wheels that offer plenty of variety, including a fun range of colors. (Of note: The medium goes for $121 and the large $138, and it’s offered in fewer colorways on Amazon.) 

On the Hulken site, there’s a similar shiny black as the CleverMade tote, as well as matte black, metallic lavender, silver, and “cosmic red,” just to name a few. No matter which size you choose or from what retailer, the Hulken tote is pricier than the Costco version by a significant margin.