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We’ve rounded up practical and stylish options that will help keep ice cream, drinks and fresh food cold longer.
Few people go to just one place to run errands on the weekend. If you’re like us, you’re probably running back and forth between the grocery store, the coffee shop, the home improvement store, and the coffee shop—you get the idea. So instead of worrying about planning your day just to get your carefully selected groceries home on time and into the fridge (or worse, risking your milk going bad or your veggies going soggy), invest in a few insulated shopping bags to take on your weekend market trip. Easy.
From roomy soft coolers to cute tote bags you can take from the farmers market to the park, these insulated options will come in handy time and time again. We’ve researched a variety of options to find the best insulated food bags that will not only keep your food perfectly chilled (a must!), but also make organizing and transporting your groceries a breeze.
Find out more from us below and breathe a sigh of relief that your favorite ice cream sandwich will never melt when you get home.
The outside of this insulated shopping bag is made of scratch-resistant canvas, so it still looks like new even after dozens of uses.
This bag does not have an extended shoulder strap and the straps may be tight depending on the capacity of the bag.
For a basic insulated shopping bag that works well and isn’t too expensive, you’ll have no trouble choosing the Nook Theory Insulated Shopping Bag. Available in a variety of chic shades, this roomy bag is made from durable, scratch-resistant canvas and holds up to 30 pounds of groceries while keeping items properly chilled for up to six hours when closed.
We love how durable this bag feels, and the interior insulation is surprisingly thick and soft. It’s also leak-proof, folds flat for easy storage, and has two side pockets for dry goods or other items that don’t require refrigeration.
These shopping bags come in different capacities, so you can make them larger or smaller depending on your typical shopping volume.
Food stays cold in these bags for just over an hour, so they’re not the best option if you’re only leaving the freezer for a short time.
If you’re a fan of Uber Eats, Seamless, or any other food delivery service, you’ll probably recognize the Bodaon bag. These bags are a popular choice these days because they’re inexpensive but functional, have foam insulation, an easy-to-clean foil lining, and despite being thin, they can keep your belongings cold for up to 1.5 hours. The exterior color choices are bold and bright (think: watermelon pink and lime green), so you’ll never find them in your trunk or hallway closet.
The zipper on this shopping bag is smaller than many others on our list, making it difficult to get groceries in and out of the bag.
LL Bean is a trusted, timeless brand, so it’s no surprise that their insulated grocery tote bag earned the title of “Best Luxury Goods” on our list. The quality of this product is evident, from the durable coated canvas exterior to the soft interior, which is made from a BPA- and PVC-free food-grade lining. There are even exterior pockets for storing dry goods, cutlery, and more.
Whether you’re packing your groceries at the farmers market or grabbing last-minute groceries before a picnic, this bag features convenient shoulder and crossbody straps to help you carry snacks and drinks with ease.
This bag folds completely flat and compact, making it a great option if you travel a lot and like to shop on the go.
While the bag is able to stand on its own in most cases, it does not have a special flat bottom, so its ability to stay upright may be compromised if overfilled.
Carrying a huge insulated shopping bag isn’t always practical, especially if you’re constantly on the go, picking up a box of eggs here or a quart of milk there. Stylish and trendy, the Hydro Flask serves as an everyday carry-on while keeping any fresh meat, dairy, or produce you have on hand cold for up to four hours. The soft exterior is durable and waterproof, while the fully lined interior makes it easy to wipe away any spills and stains.
Available in three different sizes (8L, 20L and 35L) and a variety of playful colours, you’ll find the perfect combination of form and functionality.
Bags from this collection are machine washable, so there is no need for a thorough cleaning in case of a spill or leak.
These bags do not have a zipper on the top, so items can easily spill if they are thrown in the trunk or fall out of a shopping cart.
If you want to make shopping less fussy, you need to add these bags from Lotus to your Amazon shopping cart ASAP. They’re designed to simplify the physical “add to cart” process and have long poles on top that allow them to sit neatly on your cart. Each bag in the range comes with an insulated lining, as well as a pouch to separate fragile items like eggs or bread from packaging.
While they lack airtightness and therefore cannot keep food cold for more than four hours, they solve a specific problem, making them a worthwhile investment.
This shopping bag does not have any interior pockets or dividers, making it difficult to organize due to its large size.
Shopping for a family of four? Instead of buying (and carrying) several different insulated shopping bags, simply add this tote to your gear. The 3X size is so large that it can easily fit a week’s worth of groceries—perfect if you’re a family that likes to stock up on frozen foods for the occasional trip to Trader Joe’s.
The handles of the design are reinforced with a cross-stitch to ensure that they remain strong and durable even with daily use, and the interior is made of three layers of easy-to-clean aluminum foil. The best part? The entire top flap unzips, so you can easily pack and unpack your luggage without much hassle.
Sturdy side handles give you another way to carry this insulated shopping bag and easily remove it from your shopping cart or car trunk.
This design has a patented SnapHinge interior that makes it very durable, but that means you won’t be able to fit as much stuff into this style as other designs on our list.
When space is at a premium (whether in your car or at home), the last thing you need is a bulky shopping bag that takes up even more space. Ideal for on-the-go shopping, the CleverMade Collapsible Shopping Bag is less than 3 inches thick when folded and springs back into shape when propped up, thanks to its patented SnapHinge internal frame. Plus, it has three layers of leak-proof lining that’s perfect for storing liquids or sauces, and you can even pack it in ice cube bags without leaking.
Lots of extra features like an external bottle opener and hanging rack add value and functionality to your purchase.
This cooler bag is the most expensive option on our list, and not everyone can afford to overpay for such a useful product.
This portable soft cooler has a roomy interior, ergonomic straps, and above-average insulation to keep your belongings cool for hours—whether you want to grab a few bottles of your favorite beer to sip on the course or a few cans of cocktails for a picnic in the park, this soft cooler is perfect for you. Like many other YETI products, it has a DryHide body that’s puncture, UV, and leak-resistant.
Translation: If you decide to use this product for occasional grocery shopping, it will definitely meet your needs.
This fridge’s outer shell is one of the most durable on our list, making it a good choice if you often buy more fragile items like baked goods.
At 18 liters, this refrigerator is one of the smallest on our list, making it more suitable for city living or small grocery shopping trips.
Does it need to be kept on ice for more than three days? Of course! That feat can’t be compared to the Trooper Cooler from OtterBox, which has one of the best ice retention rates of any cooler on the market. While it’s not technically meant for grocery store purchases, this design is a good choice if you really want to store frozen meals regularly or if you only carry a small amount of food with you when you’re out and about for long periods of time.
The semi-monocoque frame keeps items securely inside, while various extras such as adjustable padded shoulder straps, bottle openers and accessory mounting systems make it stand out.
The telescopic handle of this cart folds neatly, providing extra space in the trunk of a car or public transport.
This stroller’s wheels don’t have the 360-degree swivel capability we know and love in many pieces of luggage, making it difficult to maneuver on crowded sidewalks.
There’s no denying that pushing groceries up the subway stairs or climbing to the fifth floor can be hard work. This insulated shopping bag with wheels reduces the strain on your back and shoulders. It has no straps or handles and mimics the look of a carry-on, making it easy to transport peaches, pork, and pasta from point A to point B.
And best of all, unlike bulky metal-framed shopping carts, this (mostly) soft-sided design folds nearly flat when not in use for compact storage.
This backpack does not have rigid walls or a base, so any food or groceries inside can be easily damaged.
Whether you’re a backpacker who wants to wander through French farmers’ markets or a city dweller who prefers to keep your hands free, this lightweight backpack is unmatched in its comfort and functionality. With a high-density insulated lining, it’s leak-proof and keeps food cold (or hot!) for up to 16 hours.
If you’re a foodie and enjoy walking or cycling from market to market, the soft straps and sleek shape make this backpack a comfortable and stylish choice.
The first thing to consider when buying an insulated shopping bag is the type of material you want it to be made of. Look for a wipe-down interior (or even exterior!), as there’s likely to be a lot of spillage when moving products back and forth. You should also consider personal preferences, such as whether the insulated shopping bag you choose has hard edges to protect your products from bumps and drops.
Finally, consider how durable your bag needs to be. Are you just going from the store to the trunk of your car? If so, you probably don’t need anything too thick or heavy. But if your average shopping trip involves six subway stops and several city blocks, you might want a bag made of a more durable material, like coated canvas. If you’re using bags with your own shopping cart, you’ll also need to consider these factors.
Perhaps the most important factors when buying an insulated shopping bag are size and capacity. Your exact needs will depend on how much you typically buy at the store. Someone who goes to the farmers market several times a week will need a much smaller bag than the primary shopper for a family of four who goes to Costco every two weeks. Most of the insulated shopping bags we list have a capacity of around 30 quarts, but many are available in a variety of sizes to suit your needs.
If you need to carry groceries over long distances, the comfort of a thermal shopping bag is very important to you. Look for extra amenities, such as padded shoulder straps, to help make carrying more comfortable. You should also pay attention to the wearing style of each bag: some people prefer to wear it over their shoulder, while others are better suited to a backpack-style bag.
When it comes to insulated shopping bags, there are plenty of options on the market, meaning you can find a great design that suits your purposes exactly. When choosing the award-winning products featured above, consider your intended use. If you don’t plan on leaving the fridge in for long periods of time (maybe an hour or two while you’re shopping), then you probably don’t need to buy a cooler bag that claims to have a 16-hour cooling time.
Likewise, if you don’t want to fill your freezer with ice, a design that focuses on liquid retention may not be necessary. Buying only the features you need, rather than the ones you don’t, is a great way to save money and find a design that works for you.
Post time: Dec-20-2024