Bringing in a packed lunch while on a long, winding commute can incite a fear like no other.
With backpacks firmly on our backs, we can only hope and pray that the delicate spaghetti bolognese and a side salad that we’ve lovingly packed into size-appropriate Tupperware containers haven’t somehow unlatched themselves and spilt their delicious contents into the bottom of our bags.
What’s more, when we take a cooled packed lunch out of the fridge and pop it straight into our uninsulated bags, which go on to rapidly heat up in the sardine-packed tube carriages that normally characterise our daily commutes, condensation quickly forms – threatening to turn our precious lunch into one big soggy mess. It’s an unappetising thought, to say the least.
Far from just a fun and decorative school accessory for children, insulated lunch bags should be considered an office essential for adults on their money-saving gastronomical grind. If you’ve gone through the effort to cook and prep meals to enjoy for lunch the following day, don’t sully your efforts by hastily wrapping it in a fragile supermarket shopping bag from circa 2012.
What to consider before investing in an insulated lunch bag for work
- Size: Are you willing to carry your lunch bag separately from your work bag, or would you prefer it to fit inside a backpack? Some XL-insulated lunch bags require a little bit more space but can be worth it if you’re bringing in breakfast as well as lunch.
- Insulating material: Look for materials like durable nylon or polyester for the outer layer, an insulating middle layer such as polyurethane, or polyethylene, as well as a water-resistant inner layer crafted from vinyl or plastic.
- Waterproofing: The laws of probability dictate that once in a blue moon, your lunch is likely to spill. This makes investing in a durable, waterproof lunch bag design essential if you’re looking to prevent the rest of the contents of your bag from becoming damaged.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best insulated lunch bags for adults on the market. Keep scrolling for fresh, temperature-controlled meals.
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Bellroy Lite Cooler Caddy
Could Bellroy’s Cooler Caddy be any chicer? Whether transporting lunch to and from the office or bringing a few bevvies to the park while the sun is shining, the 10-litre capacity of this stylish and practical accessory will provide ample room for all your refreshment needs.
It can fit an entire bento box alongside snacks and drinks, or a six-pack of bottles stored upright. It’s also equipped with a waterproof lining and an adjustable grab handle for clipping to your backpack.
Buy now £65.00, Amazon
Yeti Daytrip Lunch Box
Though relatively expensive for a lunch box, the Yeti Daytrip is an investment in durability and impressive insulating power. Crafted from entirely food-safe materials, it’s equipped with lightweight coldcell flex insulation, which offers superior temperature-holding power. It has a water-resistant exterior, a wipe-clean leak-proof interior lining and magnetic snap closure for added ease.
Buy now £78.00, Amazon
Monbento - The Insulated Cabas Bag
Trendy, easy to sling over the shoulder, and entirely insulated, we’re big fans of this tote lunch bag by Monbento. It has an impressive seven-litre capacity, an insulating inner lining and an extra-large carry handle for easy breezy commutes.
Buy now £33.90, Amazon
Rains Soft Cooler Lunch Bag Large
Made with Rains’ signature PU fabric, the soft cooler bag is also lined with isothermic aluminium for added insulation – keeping hot drinks hot, or cold drinks cold. The internal pocket has a 1-litre capacity and can fit a six-pack of beer, or up to two wine bottles laid horizontally. It also features an additional exterior bottle pocket and zipper pocket.
Buy now £39.00, Rains
Sistema Lunch Bag
A durable, insulated cool bag designed to fit the Sistema bento box, the inner lining is food-safe and wipe-clean. The ends of the bag also clip together to create a convenient carry handle while also ensuring a secure fit. It’s also freezer-safe for grab-and-go ease.
Buy now £9.00, Amazon
Cotopaxi Botana 6L Lunch Bag - Del Día
Consisting of bright and cheerful blue, purple, pink, and orange hues, the Cotopaxi 6L lunch bag is made with a 100 per cent food-safe liner and allows quick access to those all-important snacks thanks to the aluminium hook closure. The eco-friendly lunch bag is also made entirely from remnant fabrics.
Buy now £35.00, Cotopaxi
Valir Isothermic Lunch Bag
Gingham print simply never goes out of style. This caramel check lunch bag has hard-wearing canvas handles and an insulated inner lining.
Buy now £16.20, La Redoute
Baggu Hotel Stripe Lunch Box
Baggu is known for producing wonderfully kitschy, functional designs suitable for adults and kids. This stripey lunch box is made with 100 per cent nylon and has a lined, insulated interior to keep hot food hot, and cold food cold.
Buy now £34.00, UO
