From one photo to the next, jelly firkin bags look very alike. In the hand, the difference comes down to material, structure, finishing and service. Here are the checks to run before you buy, and what you will find at La Firkin — Jelly Firkin, the official lafirkin.com shop.
The one check that decides everything: TPU or PVC
Before the colours, before the price, there is the material. Two plastics share the jelly bag market, and they do not age the same way.
PVC is the cheapest to produce. It is stiffer and hardens in the cold: a PVC bag left in a car over winter can split along a fold.
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) costs more. It stays supple in cold weather, stands up better to everyday abrasion and takes folds without whitening. It is the material of the Jelly Firkin: a frosted, translucent TPU.
A serious product page states the material in plain words. When it stays vague (“plastic”, “jelly material”, “vegan” and nothing more), it is most often PVC. The full TPU / PVC comparison is here.
The other points to check
Thickness and structure
A good jelly bag keeps its shape when set down empty, without sagging or buckling. A wall that is too thin marks quickly and loses its shape as soon as you fill it. In photos, see whether the bag stands up on its own; in the hand, press the wall lightly: it should spring back into place.
Finishing
Look at the stitching on the handles, the edges and the joins in the material. Even topstitching and clean edges, with no rough spots: that is where a carefully made bag shows.
The clasp
The padlock-style clasp gives a jelly firkin its look. It should open and close without forcing and hold the flap firmly shut. Check too that the key charm is securely attached.
Size
A brand that knows its product publishes all three dimensions. The Jelly Firkin measures 35 × 27 × 24 cm (width × height × depth): it takes a 13-inch laptop or an A4 sheet. All our dimensions are here, model by model.
Colours
The Jelly Firkin comes in 12 colours, from Onyx to Cherry Blush, by way of Sky, Mint, Butter and Lavender. Our colour guide will help you find yours.
The final price and the service
The displayed price is not always the price you pay: add shipping, check delivery times and read the returns policy before ordering. At La Firkin, the Jelly Firkin is €64.90. Tracked delivery is free with no minimum in 30 countries (for other destinations, the terms are shown before payment), stated delivery is 4 to 9 working days, and you have 30 days to change your mind.
Which jelly firkin for which use?
For every day. A size that carries the essentials without bulk: at 35 × 27 × 24 cm, the Jelly Firkin takes a 13-inch laptop or A4 documents, plus everything you need for the day.
For discretion. A deep colour such as Onyx shows less of what is inside than a light colour.
For summer. TPU copes with splashes and cleans with a simple damp cloth: a bag that goes to the beach as easily as into town.
Why choose La Firkin — Jelly Firkin
La Firkin is a Swiss maison based in Lausanne. The Jelly Firkin is our signature silhouette: frosted, translucent TPU, round topstitched handles, a padlock-style clasp and its key charm. Every bag is handmade and checked, from clasp to stitching, then shipped with tracking.
The whole range, from TPU jelly to full-grain leather, is gathered in the La Firkin bag collection.
Ordering from us: check the website address
The name “jelly firkin” is used by many shops. To be sure you are ordering from La Firkin, check that the address shown in your browser is lafirkin.com: that is our official shop.
In short: the checklist before you buy
- Material: TPU, stated in black and white on the product page.
- Structure: a bag that keeps its shape, empty or full.
- Finishing: even stitching, clean edges.
- Clasp: opens without forcing and holds the flap.
- Dimensions: width, height and depth published.
- Final price: shipping, delivery times and returns read before paying.
- Website address: lafirkin.com, to order from us.
A guide by La Firkin — Jelly Firkin, a Swiss maison in Lausanne.
