An insulated lunch box is a great way to keep your food and drinks ready to enjoy when lunchtime comes. But choosing can be difficult, and there are a few considerations you should make before making a purchase. So, now that we’ve looked at some of the highest-quality insulated lunch boxes you can order online, here’s everything you need to know to shortlist your hunt down to the perfect one!
Size
Insulated cooler bags come in all sizes, and you don’t want to pay for a bag that’s any bigger or smaller than you need. For instance, if you like to go on solo hikes, then a smaller bag with just enough storage to accommodate a couple of water bottles and a snack is sufficient. But you might need a larger size for family trips and picnics where you’d likely be packing for more than one person. Make sure you don’t go overboard in this department — there’s no point carrying around a huge and heavy bag if you don’t need all the extra storage space it offers.
Material
Insulated lunch boxes can be made of many different materials, including PVC, Oxford fabric, and even polyester with an internal lining of foam or foil for better insulation. Each material has its pros and cons in terms of cleaning ease, weight, durability, and temperature insulation. We’d recommend going for an Oxford fabric lunchbox as it’s the safest for your food without any BPA, phthalate, or other risky toxins.
Internal and external design
By design, we’re not talking about the aesthetic side of things. Sure, it needs some visual appeal and it should be something you’re proud to carry around, but what really matters is practicality and efficiency. For that aspect, check if the cooler bag has well-placed dividers on the inside for organized food storage and large mesh pockets on the outside. These features can make or break your entire lunch box experience.
Leak-proofing and water-resistance
Ideally, the outside of your insulated lunch bag should be waterproof to make sure wind, dust, and water stay out. Similarly, the bag should be completely impermeable to make sure that the condensed moisture from chilled drinks stays locked inside — otherwise, all your clothes would get soaked. Impermeability also plays a role in thermal retention by keeping your food locked away from the hot or cold air on the outside.
