Insulated bags on Réunion Island: how to choose the right one

To choose an insulated bag on Réunion Island, start with how you will use it: a large XL for shopping and beach days, a lunch bag for your midday meal, a bottle bag to keep water cool on a walk. Tropical Factory makes all three, each one made from recycled plastic bottles and illustrated with island designs.

Here is how to find your way.

Why an insulated bag is almost a must on Réunion Island

On the island, people eat outdoors a lot: Sunday picnics, trips to the lagoon, afternoons by a river, the morning market. Between a car parked in the sun and the time spent on site, keeping drinks and fresh food cool quickly becomes a real question.

A soft insulated bag has several advantages over a rigid cool box:

• it is lighter and goes over your shoulder;
• it takes up less space when empty, in the boot or the cupboard;
• it doubles as a shopping bag for frozen and fresh food;
• it is nicer to look at, especially when it is illustrated.

Tropical Factory’s three insulated formats

The XL insulated bag, for shopping and the beach

This is the largest size in the range, priced at €42 in the shop. It is made for the weekly shop, beach days with family or friends, and anything that means carrying several bottles and dishes.

It comes in several designs, according to the product pages: Nguzi and its tiger shark, Kori and its cowrie shell, Pink Monstera and its pink leaves, as well as Paille-en-queue, Case créole, Bora, Baliste and India.

The insulated lunch bag, for midday

There are two sizes: the insulated lunch bag S (€24) and the insulated lunch bag M (€27). The S comes in Bora and Kori, the M in Paille-en-queue and Pink Monstera. It is the right size for lunch at the office, a children’s snack or a short outing for two. We cover it in detail in how to choose an insulated lunch bag.

The insulated bottle bag 1.5 L

Priced at €16, this sleeve holds a 1.5 litre bottle. It comes in Kori and Pink Monstera. Handy for hiking, in the car or at the beach, it saves you carrying a bare bottle that heats up in the sun.

How to pick the right size

Ask yourself three simple questions.

1. For how many people? For one or two people and a single meal, a lunch bag is enough. For a family or a group, the XL insulated bag makes more sense.
2. For what kind of trip? If you will walk for a long time, a smaller bag plus a bottle bag is more comfortable than one big, heavy bag.
3. For what main use? If the bag will also be your shopping bag, go for the XL: it replaces both the tote and the cool box.

Many families combine two formats: one XL insulated bag as the group cool box and one bottle bag per person.

Tips to keep things cool for longer

An insulated bag slows down warming; it does not create cold. A few habits make all the difference:

• add ice packs or frozen bottles at the bottom and along the sides;
• pack food that is already cold, straight from the fridge;
• fill the bag: the less air inside, the better the cold holds;
• keep it closed and open it as little as possible;
• leave it in the shade, never in full sun or a hot boot.

For a full day by the water, see our post on beach picnics on Réunion Island.

An insulated bag made from recycled bottles

All our insulated bags are made from recycled plastic bottles. It is a simple way to give waste a second life while replacing throwaway bags.

The designs tell the island’s story: the tiger shark for Nguzi, the cowrie for Kori, island plants for Pink Monstera, the white cliff bird for Paille-en-queue. The whole range is on the Insulated bags page.

Where to buy an insulated bag on Réunion Island

• Online, with Colissimo delivery to Réunion Island and Europe, shipped within 5 business days.
• At the Saint-Paul street market, at the Tropical Factory stall, on Fridays from 8 am to 2 pm and Saturdays from 8 am to noon.
• At our stockists, listed on the Our retailers page.

FAQ

How long does an insulated bag keep things cool?

It depends on the outside temperature, sun exposure, how often you open it and how many ice packs you use. We would rather not give a figure that may not match your situation: following the tips above is what works best.

Can an insulated bag be used for grocery shopping?

Yes, it is one of its best uses: it keeps dairy, meat and frozen food cool on the way home.

What is the difference between a classic bag and an insulated bag?

A classic bag is a simple tote. An insulated bag is designed to limit heat transfer and keep your food and drinks cool for longer.