# Recommend a lunch bag? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 16, 2013, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503 "2013-05-16T12:46:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503/1 "2013-05-16T12:46:51Z")
I need a lunch bag that will keep my calories cool for 6 hours or so. Anyone have one they are particularly fond of? It must be roomy and sturdily built. And not look all girly. Thanks! mmm ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503/2 "2013-05-16T14:22:56Z")
How about a [mini-cooler](http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-5-Quart-Personal-Chest-Cooler/dp/B002Q78HSW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1368714079&sr=8-6&keywords=cooler+lunch+box)? ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503/3 "2013-05-16T14:55:36Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > How about a [mini-cooler](http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-5-Quart-Personal-Chest-Cooler/dp/B002Q78HSW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1368714079&sr=8-6&keywords=cooler+lunch+box)? That’s what I used - a Lil Polar I think it’s called - by Coleman. Had a shoulder strap and stuff. Kept my lunch cold with an ice pack in it. ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503/4 "2013-05-16T15:48:47Z")
I like the [Built](http://www.builtny.com/gourmet-getaway-lunch-tote-prod.html) lunch bag. Various patterns available, and while it is rated for four hours you could always put a cool pack in it for longer. I like it because it is flexible (neoprene), and I can overstuff it when I need to. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503/5 "2013-05-16T19:23:28Z")
Second the Built bag. I have one, and while mine _is_ a girly blue plaid print, you can choose something manlier. While we have a fridge here at work to stash it in, I’m always surprised at how cool it keeps things on the off chance I don’t put it in the fridge right away (for whatever reason). Especially if you’ve got something cold in there to begin with, like a can of pop or cool pack. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503/6 "2013-05-17T02:44:12Z")
I need a new lunch bag too. I’d love to find something in a backpack or other soft material with one insulated compartment for my lunch/snack, and other compartments to carry papers, an umbrella, and other stuff for the office. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503/7 "2013-05-17T14:14:51Z")
The Built bag is not really what I had in mind. I’ll probably go with [this](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Q6C5V2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER#productDetails). mmm ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503/8 "2013-05-17T15:51:19Z")
I have a [Mr. Bento](http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SL-JAE14SA-Bento-Stainless-Silver/dp/B000246GSE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368805794&sr=8-1&keywords=mr+bento) that I liked a lot when I worked. The only stupid thing about it is that the vacuum canister goes into a fabric carrying bag, instead of just having a handle. Still, it was versatile and everything inside stays the same temperature for a long time. If you want to drop less money and can get by with three containers there is a [Ms. Bento](http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SL-NCE09-Bento-Stainless-Steel-Vacuum/dp/B0016S7MJM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368805794&sr=8-2&keywords=mr+bento) that is not at all girly. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-lunch-bag/658503/9 "2013-05-17T15:58:16Z")
This [Just Bento](http://www.amazon.com/The-Just-Bento-Cookbook-Everyday/dp/1568363931/ref=pd_bxgy_k_text_z) cookbook on the same page as the Ms. Bento looks really good.