Lunch Bags and Bottle Insulators

[Heidi Jill]

Saw a mention of a lunch bag in another topic, so I thought I'd start a new thread. I would love a TB lunch bag. I'd like to see something not too big - I'd like to use it in my Lux or Utility as an accessory, so I wouldn't want one of those huge ones that hold a construction worker's meal! LOL! Seems like there are plenty of choices available for larger bags, but not many (or any) for smaller insulated bags. Maybe I am thinking more of a snack bag than a lunch bag.

I would also love an insulated sleeve for my Sigg bottle! Yeah, I suppose I could buy one from Sigg, but I'd much prefer at TB sleeve that would clip to an o-ring and would be made in Seattle!

[lpotr4]

RE: Lunch Bags and Bottle Insulators

I second the motion for a Tom Bihn lunch bag (prolly insulated?) in a not-too-big size, perhaps about the size of a mickey-d's to-go bag holding a big mac and fries combo? I have enough room in the Super Ego to hold lunch, but still opt to carry my lunch separately in some no name brand lunch pack (I won from a casino giveaway) since I don't want my laptop and the rest of my stuff smelling like food.

[timarelay]

Just throwing my opinion in here (I was the one who brought this up in a different thread). I would love either a lunch bag that fits into another bag, or one that functions as a bag on its own.

I work in a lab with bio hazardous materials and therefore my food sits outside the lab on a cabinet. Which is also why it needs to be insulated and just roomy enough for small ice packs, because I don't have access to a fridge that's safe for food. I think I'd prefer to be able to fit my lunch and my drink in the same bag, but I can settle for packing them separately if I like the bag enough =) If it's a stand-alone bag, I'd love there to be a pocket of some sort where I can stick my chapstick, phone, and hand lotion.

I think my ideals would be either a really small bag like described above, or a nice stylish bag that's like an insulated over the shoulder tote bag. That'd be really handy for taking food on a small picnic and such too

[Guest]

I second the suggestion above!!

[bnett]

Yes, please!

A TB lunch bag would be great!

[flitcraft]

An insulated lunch bag would also be super for bringing food onto planes, now that meal service is a thing of the past on domestic flights.

[backpack]

I love the idea as well.

Do you think that a design modeled on the Stuff Sack or a modified Clear Quarter Cube or a modified Convertible Packing Cube/Shoulder Bag would work?


I propose a taller Convertible Packing Cube more square with clear zippered dividers, a la Clear Quarter Cube (it would be the size of two Clear Quarter Cube, laying on their clear side, on top of the other) and would have a (detachable or not) tall and slim Stuff Sack for a bottle.

How does that sound?

The Convertible Packing Cube has the outside zipper pocket and the rings for a Strap, (it would be great if we could get the Thin Absolute Strap), The Clear Quarter Cube has the dividers, and we know the Stuff Sack to be strong.

By using already existing products with their design tweaked, I find it easier to visualize.

I thought something made of Dyneema made sense, if it can hold a whole lot of groceries, it can hold a small lunch and it is featherweight.


I love the idea of taking one a plane but if it is packed with food, one would have to place it inside a grocery plastic bag.

However, at security, they could decide, upon seeing the bag via x-ray, that it is a third/non allowed carry on then force one to cram it into one's, already full bags. They will object to the cold pack added to keep food fresh.

Or one can take it folded in one's carry on and use it to transport food bought after security.

But, that is no guarantee, unless it is inside a plastic bag, a particularly feisty flight attendant/gate agent, arguing that it is a third bag, can force one to check one of your other bag, especially if the flight is full.

What do you think?


PS:
I think the nebulous rules about carrying food at security is designed to prevent us from bringing anything more substantial than candy bars and force us to buy expensive food and drink at the airport or on the airplane of the particularly stingy airlines.

[maverick]

i would like to see a TB lunch bag!

the first thing i pictured when i read this thread was a thicker soft cell that this sized to hold a sandwich. then i thought, no, it should be bigger than a sandwich. you may carry more than a sandwich, or something altogether different.

maybe you'd have a sandwich and a couple of fruits - like a banana and an apple.

i think i would like the lunch bag to be shaped like a rectangular box, made like a soft cell.

this design would also hold a pyrex dish or plastic container if you were having pasta, rice and vegetables, etc.

this design would lend itself to be carried inside of another bag.

[nikonnut]

So a bit bigger than a Clear Quarter Cube( same thickness sans the divider) but insulated? That would be awesome!

[miguelmarc]

Lunch kits!

Interesting topic, lunch kits.

There's a Catalonian company called Valira that makes great lunch kits both functionally and design-wise. These are designed to carry Tupperware-like containers though they now have a model that sports a thermos-like container, too. The advantage to this is the ability to carry non-solid food (soups, stews) and protect soft foods from being damaged. They're not flexible in terms of volume being rigid.

Click on Nomad below.

http://www.valira.com/eng/index.html

The other masters of the lunch kit are the Japanese though their designs are oriented towards Japanese cuisine such as soup/white rice/fish-meat-vegetable dish. There's Mr. Bento, for example:

http://www.zojirushi.com/ourproducts/lunchjars/sl_ja.html

I have both a Nomad and a Mr. Bento. I find the Nomad more useful as I don't often cook Japanese style.

The traditional bento box is a single container that is subdivided. There are some blogs that feature bento boxes for kids that are prepared in as cute or funny a manner as possible:

http://bentomama.livejournal.com/

http://community.livejournal.com/bentolunch/

[timarelay]

Currently, the format for how I pack lunch is one larger tupperware, usually square, that contains my main food which needs to be microwaved, and at least one side, which is generally cut up fruit in a smaller tupperware. Sometimes there's another container with an extra food. I currently don't pack a drink too, but when I did, I packed just a small 8oz or 12oz bottle. The lunch bag I'm using this year is a $3 "insulated" bag. It works fine right now but I would like something of a higher quality eventually.

I'm a big fan of the Built NY products. Those Nomad products look pretty cool too. I would like a Mr. Bento or one of the knock-off products someday but I have to admit that I kind of like packing my food cold and microwaving it at my destination. Which I guess I could do with a Mr. Bento too as some (all?) of the dishes are microwavable, aren't they?

Speaking of lunch, I should go pack mine, eat breakfast and head to work!

[miguelmarc]

Mr. Bento bowls

The stacking bowls in the Mr. Bento are microwaveable.

[maverick]

i understand that microwaving food can be a desirable feature. i personally have stopped using a microwave for some years, and have tried to avoid the use of plastics wherever possible.

pyrex is one choice that allows you to put your container into the microwave. another option, while not microwavable, is stainless steel. stainless steel is about the safest material you can use to hold your food without concerns about any side effects.

hot food placed inside a stainless steel container which is then placed inside an insulated carrier should keep your food hot from morning until lunch time. granted, it won't be piping hot, but it won't have gone cold either.

a quick google search found this provider of stainless steel lunch containers.

[backpack]

i understand that microwaving food can be a desirable feature. i personally have stopped using a microwave for some years, and have tried to avoid the use of plastics wherever possible.

pyrex is one choice that allows you to put your container into the microwave. another option, while not microwavable, is stainless steel. stainless steel is about the safest material you can use to hold your food without concerns about any side effects.

hot food placed inside a stainless steel container which is then placed inside an insulated carrier should keep your food hot from morning until lunch time. granted, it won't be piping hot, but it won't have gone cold either.

a quick google search found this provider of stainless steel lunch containers.

Do you know what is says in their website?

If you know someone who would be interested to develop a bag to carry it, (Asian Lunch Boxes (2-tier and 3-tier), 14 cm and 10 cm diameter), we would be happy to offer it for sale on our website.

Yup! Another bag design opportunity


Thanks for the link Maverick!

I saw a documentary that showed how, in India, lunch boxes just like this ones are picked up from places preparing meals then delivered to workers in the workplace using an extraordinary complex network of messengers and code.
One box was followed from the hot meal poured into the containers to the worker enjoying his meal.
Of course I lost track of the box the minute it changed hand the first time.

[MagicTiki]

I enjoy lunch. I enjoy Tom Bihn products. A Tom Bihn Lunch Bag sounds like a win-win scenario! ;-)

With this and the field notebook, my lunches will be 300% more productive!