It is not uncommon to have to take your own meal for the lunch bag or simply to go picnicking with family or friends. But in this case, it is necessary to transport it easily and above all to store it properly when it is hot. For this, there is a very practical accessory: the insulated lunch bag .
However, it is not easy to find your way around when looking for a good insulated bag for meals: there are thousands of models , in different sizes, materials and budgets. We have therefore screened this accessory in order to give you our advice for choosing it and that it is adapted to your needs: capacity, compartmentalized pockets, quality of the isothermal lining, shoulder strap…
What is the best insulated lunch bag?
Here is a list of different models that might interest you if you are looking for an insulated lunch bag. They have different characteristics so that everyone can find the one that suits them: dimensions, materials used for the coverings, number of compartments, with or without shoulder strap, etc. Do not hesitate to browse them!
It is not easy to answer this question because not all bags are equal : some will have a thick insulating layer and with quality materials, which will extend the duration as much as possible. But others may also have a very thin coat and it will be difficult to keep warm or cold for too long. That’s why we invite you to read our guide further down this page because you will find tips for choosing an effective model.
Another element to take into account is the outside temperature . It makes sense, but the colder it is outside, the longer the meal can stay fresh. And vice versa.
Overall, you should expect 4 to 6 hours on most models and up to 8 hours for those with excellent insulation. Obviously, to keep cool during this time, the addition of a block of ice is essential.
It works like an ice pack since you just have to put the bag in the freezer for a few hours for the gel to harden and keep the meal cold for as long as possible. The insulated bag with integrated ice pack is very practical, even if it is not found everywhere.
How to choose your lunch bag?
Whether it’s for practicality in order to transport a meal by avoiding the use of disposable bags or to keep it cool for several hours, there are many criteria to take into account when choosing an insulated bag.
In this section, we have compiled everything you need to pay attention to in order to buy a lunch cooler bag that corresponds to the use you will have of it . Follow the leader ! 🙂
The price of an insulated lunch bag
This is usually the first thing we look at before buying an accessory like the insulated lunch bag. And indeed, it is an essential criterion because we do not always want to devote huge sums to it.
Good news: the insulated lunch bag is an inexpensive object ! It is possible to get one for a few euros, but be careful not to fall into the “cheap at all costs trap” because you risk being disappointed by its ability to keep hot/cold or regarding its strength.
Better to agree to increase your budget a little and opt for a model made with quality materials and a real insulating layer.
Our advice: allow at least 10 euros for a very simple bag with a single pocket and excellent insulation. If you zant a model with additional pockets or a shoulder strap, count between 15 and 30 euros.
In our opinion, the ideal capacity and suitable for most uses is 6 to 8 liters minimum. This allows you to store a box with a portion large enough for any appetite, as well as accessories such as cutlery or a small bottle of water.
Of course it is always possible to opt for a smaller or larger format, but in this case it will be to meet a specific need on your part. We especially recommend that you carefully check the actual dimensions in centimeters as well as the capacity in liters because it is sometimes difficult to get an idea of its actual size with photos (if you buy it on the internet).
The different compartments or pockets
While many lunch bags have only one main compartment, there are still models with multiple pockets.
It’s up to you what you need, but having different pockets can be handy for storing cutlery, a water bottle, etc.
Also note that a compartment for storing the ice pack is quite useful and avoids being in direct contact with your meal (which could freeze it).
The material of the outer covering
In this section, we will focus on the outer part of the insulated lunch bag . And this is a very important criterion because it will affect the durability of the accessory.
It must be designed with a qualitative material , this is the first thing to check. The material used depends a lot on the models, but it is not uncommon for it to be fabric or polyester. If you can pick up the bag, feel free to feel it to get an idea of the thickness.
Just keep in mind that this is the part that may be exposed to the most sun or rain. We therefore recommend that you opt for a fabric that is both waterproof and tear-resistant.