NYC’s going head-over-wheels for this yr’s must-have bag — and its $30 dupe.
Ariana Rodriguez by no means leaves her Higher West Facet residence with out her cellphone, her keys and considered one of her 4 Hulken totes. It’s a $125 foldable, rolling accessory designed to cart the whole lot from groceries to fitness center gear, from soiled laundry to designer buying hauls.
And it usurps the throne of the previously viral Trader Joe’s tote, rising because the “It” accent of 2026.
“I actually bring my Hulken everywhere,” Rodriguez, 36, a married mother of three {and professional} classic procurer, advised The Submit. “In New York, you at all times find yourself shopping for a bunch of random stuff. So it’s simply, like, so useful to have a giant, sturdy bag on wheels that’s each helpful and trendy.”
The millennial’s Hulken assortment — made full by a combination of two medium ($110 every) and two giant metallic-colored baggage — is valued at roughly $470.
However buying addicts and fanatics on a funds, each within the Large Apple and past, are dashing to their nearest Aldi supermarkets for the chain’s $29.99 “Foldable Rolling Tote,” that includes a Hulken-like look, pull and fab end.
Representatives for Hulken didn’t instantly reply to The Submit’s request for a remark.
However Chantel Hailer, director of company shopping for at Aldi, completely advised The Submit that the shop’s cut-rate reproduction is supposed to provide patrons a style of economical class.
“You shouldn’t want a luxurious funds to hold your groceries,” stated Hailer. “Our staff retains an eye fixed on what’s trending after which works to create luxe merchandise for much less.”
“This bag delivers on each worth and design,” she added, “giving Aldi consumers what they need and deserve within the Finds aisle, with out that luxurious markup.”
“Over $100? Nah,” Aldi teased in an Instagram post, promoting their wallet-friendly replica, which formally hit cabinets Wednesday in colours black, silver and rose gold.
And bougie bag buffs are going nuts over the knockoff.
“Anybody who’s aware of Hulken baggage — run, don’t stroll. Aldi is promoting a dupe for $29.99,” raved Amanda, a married New York mother, in a trending video. “I simply went to 2 totally different areas … the second retailer solely had 4 [bags] left. They’re excellent.”
Janelle, a baker primarily based in Philadelphia, additionally praised the copycat carryall for almost matching the designer sack’s attract.
“It’s truly the very same dimensions because the medium Hulken. It appears similar to it. It’s transferring fairly good,” said an impressed Janelle after filling the Aldi bag with groceries and testing its wheels on digital camera. “This dupe is legit.”
Mandy, a separate fan of the fake finery, lauded the on a regular basis baggage in a clip of her own, saying, “I don’t have a Hulken beat as a result of I refuse to pay that worth for a bag — I simply refuse it. However that is equivalent.”
“I purchased the final two at my native Aldi,” continued the blond. “I’m so pumped.”
The Hulken — and its extra reasonably priced doppelgänger — is merely the newest service to be anointed the most popular commodity in latest occasions.
Earlier than the Dealer Joe’s tote craze reached a fever pitch in summer season 2025, T.J. Maxx’s $35 “Lobster” purse shone as the most haute standing image amongst Gen Z glamour gals — some even prepared to “promote a kidney” for the crustacean-inspired add-on — final April.
Right here’s hoping trend fiends don’t resort to hawking organs for this yr’s buzziest bagging gear.
