Compare beeswax bread bags and you will soon see they close in three ways: with a zip, with a string or with a clip. It sounds like a detail, but the closure is what you deal with every morning when you take out a slice. Here is what each closure does, and which one suits everyday life best.
First: the fabric does the work
A beeswax bread bag keeps bread fresh because the fabric breathes while the thin wax layer slows down drying out. Moisture from the bread escapes through the fabric instead of settling as condensation, and the crumb stays moist. That happens however the bag is closed.
The closure still has an important job. It keeps the opening together so the cut end is not left open to the air. That is where bread dries out first. All three closures can manage that. The difference is how easy they are to use, and how they cope with daily life.
Zip: neat, but fiddly over time
A zip closes the opening completely and looks neat. It suits you if you like everything tight and closed.
The downsides show up over time. Crumbs and wax can get stuck between the teeth, and then the zip runs stiffly. It needs two hands and a good grip on a small pull tab, which can be hard with cold or stiff fingers. And the bag is always the same size, whether the loaf is whole or almost finished.
String: classic and simple
Many people know the string from linen bread bags. You pull the string and the opening gathers. It is simple, and there are no small parts that can break.
On the other hand, the string has to be pulled tight and ideally tied every time, or the opening slides open again. The fabric bunches into folds, and there is often a small gap where air gets in. A string can also tangle and get grubby from crumbs and fingers.
Clip: one grip, and the bag fits the loaf
With a clip you fold the top of the bag down a couple of times and press the clip over the fold. That is all. If the loaf is whole, you fold a little. If only half is left, you fold more, so the bag sits closer around what remains.
The clip opens and closes with one grip, even for hands that are not as strong as they used to be. There are no teeth for crumbs to get stuck in, and no string to tie. The clip keeps the bag closed without making it airtight, so the fabric can still breathe.
| Zip | String | Clip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you close it | Pull the tab, often with two hands | Pull tight and tie the string | Fold the top and press on the clip |
| Half a loaf left | Same big bag | The fabric bunches into folds | Fold more and the bag gets smaller |
| Crumbs | Can get stuck in the teeth | Can get stuck in the string | No small parts to clean |
| Stiff fingers | Can be fiddly | Knots can be tricky | One grip |
How to choose
Think about how often the bag will be opened. If the bread comes out slice by slice through the week, the bag is opened many times a day. Then the closure is what you notice, and the one that takes a single grip wins.
Look at the fabric too: cotton and linen with beeswax on the inside breathe and slow down drying out. If you are unsure what separates the different types of bag, we have compared them in our guide to the best bread bag, and fabric bags without wax in the article on cotton, linen or beeswax bags.
Our bag closes with a clip
The Vokshus Bivoks™ bread bag is sewn from cotton and linen with natural beeswax on the inside, and it closes with a clip: one grip to open, one to close. The bag measures 30.5 × 43 cm, holds large sourdough loaves and wholegrain bread, and can be reused for 12 months or more.
Frequently asked questions
Does bread keep longer in a bag with a zip?
No. It is the fabric and the beeswax that keep bread fresh, not the closure. The clip keeps the opening together, and that is all it takes.
Does the clip make the bag airtight?
No, and it should not. The clip keeps the opening together while the fabric breathes. That way no condensation forms, and the crust stays as it should.
Can the bag with the clip go in the fridge?
Yes. Put the bread in the bag, fold the top and press on the clip, and put the whole bag in the fridge. The bag also handles the freezer, and it works just as well on the kitchen counter.
What do I do about crumbs in the bag?
Shake out the crumbs and rinse the bag in cold water with a little mild soap when it needs it. All the care is explained in the guide on how to wash your beeswax bread bag.
Want the full picture? Everything about bread storage lives in the big guide.
One grip to open, one to close
The Vokshus Bivoks™ bread bag is sewn from cotton and linen with natural beeswax on the inside and closes with a clip. With a 365-day money-back guarantee you can safely test it at home.
See the bread bag →- 365-day guarantee
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- Closes with a clip
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- Reusable for 12+ months