Charlie has to walk a couple of blocks to his after school program, and with his school stuff, lunch bag, and swimming gear, his backpack was getting way too heavy. I’ve tried a lot of lunch boxes over the years and though I’m still a fan of Yumbox and Planetbox, I really needed something much more lightweight for him. I think I’ve researched pretty much every lunch box and lunch bag there is out there, and this is what we’re currently using.
1) Sunsella Buddy Box – This is pretty much exactly like the popular Easy Lunchbox; they’re the same dimensions, the same price ($13.95), and come in a set of four with different colored lids. It has three compartments for food, but because I don’t pack sandwiches my ideal would be 1 larger compartment and 3 smaller ones if I could design my perfect lunchbox. I use silicon baking cups to create more compartments, and recently ordered these larger cups to divide the largest compartment in half. These containers are not leak-proof, but because we pack them upright it hasn’t been an issue. Easy Lunchbox has an insulated lunch bag that fits this box perfectly and keeps the box upright. I like that these boxes are very easy – just two pieces to wash, they’re dishwasher safe, I have extras, and they stack so they don’t take up much storage space.
2) Built Neoprene Lunch Tote – Insulated lunchbags get pretty gross on the inside and the outside, but you can only wipe them down. These Built lunchbags are made of neoprene and can be put in the washer. They’re also super lightweight compared to insulated lunch bags, and they really stretch out; the Sunsella Buddy Box fits perfectly flat in it, and I can fit in an ice pack and water bottle too. It also takes up virtually no storage space when not in use since it lays flat.
3) Nalgene OTF Water Bottle – I’m still a big fan of Thermos’ Funtainer Water bottles, which we use daily for Olive. But the insulating feature on the Thermos bottles also adds a lot of weight. Charlie is old enough that he no longer needs a straw, which are a huge hassle to clean anyway. This Nalgene On the Fly bottle is leakproof, there is an opening where Charlie can drink from it directly, and there are only two parts — no valves or straws to clean!
4) Ice Pack
5) Fork – When the kids toss their used forks into their lunch bags, it gets the inside dirty so having a case for their forks helps keep the bag clean.
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Charlie’s backpack is much, much lighter now! And I loved the Built lunch bag so much, I got one for Olive too.
clementine / 750 posts
I use a built lunch bag and love it. I’ve had at least 4 years and its held up well.
grapefruit / 4997 posts
I’ve had my eyes on a built lunchbag for a while now. Great review!
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
We had a built bag that started retaining milk smells despite frequent washes…I had to toss it when lo’s teachers complained!
grapefruit / 4584 posts
I use lots of built products, including a lunchbag and wine totes. I agree they can absorb odors though – it took a few washes to get the overripe banana stench out of mine!
guest
I’ve been using a built bag for my lunch for about 6 years. And it does, unfortunately smell like the communal work fridge. But I live with it- I feel like anything would pick up that scent.
kiwi / 511 posts
Try washing the bags with white vinegar, it removes odors and doesn’t smell like vinegar, plus it is a fabric softener. I just use my old Downey ball and fill it 3/4 of the way with vinegar.
That and hanging it in the sun over the weekends should help too. The sun can deodorize a lot of things.
clementine / 806 posts
can you put the lunch box in upright or do you have to put it on it’s side to fit the built bag? I’m in search of something that will hold her lunch box without having to turn it on it’s side.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
@aegie: i can put it in upright. it’s so lightweight. i’ve seriously shaved a couple pounds off charlie’s backpack!
blogger / apricot / 310 posts
You may have convinced me to get two built bags: one for Will’s milk for daycare and one for me! I had just begun to notice the icky smell of my current lunch bag (no matter how often I wiped it down!) thanks!