I'm looking for a quality insulated lunch box / bag.

USAF385

USAF385

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Hello forum.

A few months ago I made a job change. I wasn't looking to but the opportunity presented itself and I couldn't pass it up.

Anyway, I work from a van and these past few weeks with 90 degree plus days have been pushing my lunchbox to the limit. I have a personal size Coleman with a removeable lid. I pack it in the morning around 7 with two ice packs and one of my water bottles that I fill half way and freeze before adding more water. On days when I run late getting to lunch, things are starting to get warm. I COULD get more ice packs, but would rather a better box without a removable lid. I'd prefer if I could last 8 hours in the heat without going crazy with ice packs.

Any recommendations?
 
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No matter what you get you need more than 2 ice packs, assuming they are the typical refreeze bags? I put 3 in an Igloo lunch cooler and they last till about 3 pm in the Florida heat.
 
Model63 said:
No matter what you get you need more than 2 ice packs, assuming they are the typical refreeze bags? I put 3 in an Igloo lunch cooler and they last till about 3 pm in the Florida heat.
Click to expand...

They're actually the brick sort. One is large enough to fill up the entire bottom of the box, about 1" thick. My current box pretty much has no more room once I add my two water bottles and food.
 
I use pre-cooled drinks and food/snacks and three ice packs to keep my cooler bag cold during the day I too work out of a truck. I also use Kleen Kanteen insulated bottles to keep water and my sweet tea in.

I need to replace my igloo soft sided cooler bag soon so I have been looking. Here are some that interested me.

ebags crew cooler 2 the one I think I'm getting.

Polar Bear Coolers.
 
Yeti. Pricey, but hands down the best cooler for actually keeping food cold. (hot too, if that's ever needed.

They don't make any small one's anymore, but the smallest they do make would work well or what you describe. It'll hold a good sized flat ice pack on the bottom, all the food dishes you'd need and several full size water bottles as well. I use mine every day at work. Like you, I work out of my vehicle so I'm not having to tote that heavy beast around anymore than to and from the vehicle each day.

They also make two sizes of a soft side cooler that work very well, but the current model has a middle opening/zipper that's difficult to work with. They are coming out with a cube style with a lid that actually lifts open. Haven't seen it yet.
 
I have had a Coleman Oscar for who knows how many years. Boat, beach,, work lunch box you name it, Best heavy duty cooler ever!, Don't think they make them anymore but it kept cold all day!. Maybe on Flea Bay!

$T2eC16ZHJHwE9n8ii1i%28BP6U3utJJw%7E%7E60_12.JPG
 
Yeti coolers are great.

They are made in the Philippines and sell the factory seconds at really low cost. One of the friends is still a contractor at Cherry Point and people will put in orders when a C-130 is headed that way.

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The Yeti drinking cups are virtually identical to the Ozark Trail cups you can get at Walmart for about 1/4th the price and they every bit as well.

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I use a soft sided cooler but I augmented the insulation with reflective insulation (basically bubble wrap with aluminum foil on each side). I took a piece and cut it as needed to form a box with a lid, taped the corners with aluminized duct tape and put it in the soft side cooler. I added an extra square on the bottom as well.

With three half pound (1"x2"x3") freeze packs it will keep my supper cold from 4:30am when I leave my apt in Alexandria VA until I'm done in DC and on the train back home to NC at 8pm.
 
Rule3 said:
I have had a Coleman Oscar for who knows how many years. Boat, beach,, work lunch box you name it, Best heavy duty cooler ever!, Don't think they make them anymore but it kept cold all day!. Maybe on Flea Bay!

$T2eC16ZHJHwE9n8ii1i%28BP6U3utJJw%7E%7E60_12.JPG
Click to expand...

I used one of these for years. Carry your lunch and double as your chair. I also used to see a 12 v cooler that may be your best bet.
 
The Coleman Oscar 16 quart is a nice cooler and the one I use the most.

The next size is the 28 quart that Walmart carries. But if you are opening the cooler a lot to get your water, maybe you need two small coolers with one for the drinks and one for the food.
 
There are a lot of 12 volt travel coolers for 40/100$ and up! They work well. I had a Coleman in my Work truck for years till my son borrowed it to go camping a few years ago :O
 
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