Insulated lunch bag: how to choose your lunch bag

A good insulated lunch bag is just big enough for your midday meal, easy to carry and simple to clean. At Tropical Factory it comes in two sizes: the insulated lunch bag S, listed at €24, and the insulated lunch bag M, listed at €27, both made from recycled plastic bottles.

Here is how to choose yours and use it well.

What is an insulated lunch bag for?

A lunch bag is a small insulated bag designed for one meal. It keeps your lunch cool between leaving home and sitting down to eat, and it replaces the plastic bag people often use to carry a lunch box.

It is handy:

• at the office, when there is no fridge or it is always full;
• at school, for snacks and a water bottle;
• on outings, for a picnic for two, a hike or an afternoon by the water;
• in the car, on long drives.

Size S or size M?

| Size | Listed price | Designs available | Best for |

|---|---|---|---|

| Insulated lunch bag S | €24 | Bora, Kori | A light meal, a snack, one person |

| Insulated lunch bag M | €27 | Pink Monstera, Paille-en-queue | A full meal, or a small picnic for two |

Availability is as shown on the product pages at the time of writing.

Choose the S if...

• you take a single lunch box and a piece of fruit;
• you want a discreet bag that slips into a backpack;
• it is for a child.

Choose the M if...

• you take several boxes, a drink and a dessert;
• you sometimes share your meal;
• you also want to use it for short outings.

How to pack your lunch bag

• Add a small ice pack at the bottom or against the most delicate box.
• Prepare your meal the night before and keep it in the fridge: it will leave home cold.
• Put tightly closed boxes at the bottom, fruit and cutlery on top.
• Add a cloth napkin: it replaces disposable paper towels and keeps the boxes in place.
• Keep the bag closed and in the shade until lunchtime.

A lunch bag that beats the plastic bag

An illustrated lunch bag is also a small everyday pleasure. The designs on our lunch bags tell the island’s story:

• Bora brings large white frangipani flowers with yellow hearts into bloom;
• Kori draws on the cowrie, the shell of tropical shores once used as currency;
• Pink Monstera features monstera leaves in shades of pink;
• Paille-en-queue shows the white cliff bird.

All the insulated sizes, from lunch bag to large XL, are in the Insulated bags range. To compare with the other sizes, read our guide to insulated bags on Réunion Island.

Care: good habits

A lunch bag is used every day, so it deserves a little regular care:

• empty it every evening, crumbs and wrappers included;
• wipe the inside with a damp cloth and a little soap if needed, then wipe again with a clean cloth;
• let it dry open, to avoid smells;
• wipe up any spilled drink or sauce straight away.

A lunch bag makes a good gift

At €24 or €27, an insulated lunch bag is a useful gift for a colleague, a student leaving home, a child starting school or a friend who eats at the office every day. More ideas in the same price range are gathered in our gift ideas under 30 euros.

FAQ

What is the difference between a lunch bag and an XL insulated bag?

Size and use: the lunch bag is designed for one meal, the XL insulated bag for fresh food shopping, the beach or a group picnic.

How long does a lunch bag keep food cool?

It depends on the temperature, sun exposure and whether you use an ice pack. A meal packed cold, an ice pack and a bag kept in the shade remain the best combination.

Can I put a hot dish in an insulated lunch bag?

Our insulated bags are presented as keeping things cool. For a hot dish, use a container designed for that purpose, tightly closed.