Thermal bags | The best of 2022
Read also: Mini Fridge | The best of 2022 Unlike mini fridges, thermal bags do not produce cold, but maintain it through special insulating materials, which are what distinguish these bags from those traditions, as they are aesthetically very similar. So let's talk about essential accessories for those who usually have lunch or dinner out bringing food from home, regardless of whether it is a matter of work or leisure.
Thermal bags can be purchased almost anywhere, but if you usually wander the web you will find dozens and dozens of different models that could make it more difficult to choose the right one for you, and that is why we strongly suggest you rely on our advice, since we have reported what are the models that manage to keep low temperatures for as long as possible. In addition, we have taken into account the soft, hard and electric coolers.
The best thermal bags
Guzzini On The Go | Lifewit Soft Cool Bag | Campingaz Isotherm Extrem soft cooler bag | Coleman Performance 6 Rigid Cooler Bag | Severin KB 2923 Rigid Cooler Bag | Electric coolerGuzzini On The Go | Soft cooler bag
Let's start by offering you one of the best reviewed coolers ever. We are talking about the Guzzini solution and its On The Go model, which manages to satisfy the needs not only of those who need to keep food in good condition for a good period of time, but also of those looking for an accessory of this kind. with an eye to fashion. This thermal bag, in fact, is made with a very pleasant shape and is available in different colors. It is also necessary to point out the presence of an airtight container included in the package, which you can store in the fridge or use for your snacks on mountain excursions.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
Lifewit | Soft cooler bag
The second product that we recommend also enjoys excellent reviews and could be the most suitable for those who need a lot of space, as it boasts a capacity of 30 liters. We are talking about the Lifewit proposal, which is a candidate to be your favorite cooler, as it is suitable for storing both hot and cold food during your outdoor picnics. Thermal resistance will be ensured by the 8 mm of EPE foam, while the outer part relies on 600D Oxford fabric to ensure durability over time. In addition to the main compartment of 30 liters, the structure of this cooler has 2 side pockets, great for storing smaller drinks. Despite being roomy, portability will not be affected, thanks to the padded handle and detachable shoulder strap.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
Campingaz Isotherm Extrem | Rigid cooler bag
More than a cooler bag, the Campingaz Isotherm Extrem can be considered a kind of mini fridge due to its rigid structure, made of hard plastic. The model proposed here has a capacity of 17 liters and is 40 x 25 x 34 cm large, dimensions that allow you to add a good amount of fresh food and load it into the car without major problems. The thermal resistance is excellent and could only be otherwise, since we are talking about a product made by an important and reliable brand. Campingaz Isotherm Extrem even boasts an antimicrobial effect, obtained from an additive that is melted into the plastic before being molded. This means that this cooler bag will not produce mold and block bad odors.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
Coleman Performance 6 | Rigid cooler bag
If you are looking for a compact solution, then we suggest purchasing the Coleman Performance 6, an excellent alternative to the Campingaz proposal. Being very compact and easily transportable, thanks also to the handle dedicated to transport, the capacity is only 4 liters, however enough to keep fresh, for example, 6 small cans. Furthermore, being a rigid thermal bag, the external material is very resistant to shocks, while the internal measures will allow the food to be kept for 9 hours, if the external temperature is 32 °. In short, an excellent product for those who need to keep food fresh after taking it with them during the hottest days.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
Severin KB 2923 | Electric cooler
The Severin KB 2923 is an electric cooler, therefore slightly different from the others, at least as far as the cooling method is concerned. The latter, in fact, takes place via current and a single USB power supply is enough to cool the 25-liter container. You can even use a normal powerbank, as long as it is at least 10,000 mAh, in order to ensure continuous cooling of the bag for about 5 hours. The food will be stored at a temperature up to 20 ° lower than room temperature, which is really great. Finally, it is worth noting the presence of the automatic shutdown, useful if the bag is powered by the car battery. In this case, the power will be cut off automatically so as not to completely drain the car battery.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
How to choose a cooler bag
When you buy a cooler bag you have to ask yourself how you will use the product and how much space you will need to store the food you intend to bring with you, which is why types and capacities are the masters . Our first advice, therefore, is to pay close attention to these factors, in order to avoid buying an item that is not suitable for your trip. There are also other elements to consider, but don't worry, as we will analyze them one by one in the next paragraphs.How are the thermal bags made?
The thermal bags, as anticipated in the first part of this article, they can be soft, hard or electric. The former are the most popular, as the other types are very close to the characteristics of a mini fridge, and this is why it is often difficult to distinguish the two products. That said, each type has its own peculiarities, which make them suitable or not depending on how the accessory will be used.Soft thermal bags
They are easily recognizable by the very structure similar to that of a backpack. Being soft and compact, these models are very suitable for transport, even if carried by hand or by shoulder as they are very light, but they are not the best in terms of capacity. Of course, there are 30-liter soft bags, but it is worth pointing out that the latter are very few, prompting those who need a lot of space to almost always buy a hard bag. The soft thermal bags are excellent for short excursions and, in general, for those who do not need to store a large amount of food.Rigid thermal bags
As already mentioned in part, they are preferable for those who usually go on long hikes, since they often boast a large container. These models are also distinguished by the presence of a lid with hermetic closure, which keeps the internal temperature low for a long time. Cooling takes place by adding ice blocks, so they can also be used as real iceboxes. However, the rigid material and the almost always large capacity make them very bulky, therefore they are not very suitable to transport, as long as you do not put them in the car. Also in this case there are exceptions, with very compact but resistant proposals, such as the Coleman Performance 6.Electric thermal bags
Both aesthetically and functionally, they are almost in all respects of the mini fridge and have the characteristic of being powered by electricity. Cooling is optimal, but obviously you need a place where there is power to make them work. If you know in advance that there is no possibility of recovering power in the place where you are going, we suggest buying a model equipped with a USB port, so that you can power it through a simple power bank or, if the connection allows it, with the electricity of your car. .What materials are the thermal bags made of?
The materials are in close correlation with the type, since the soft thermal bags are made with a certain material, as well as those rigid and electric. In the first case, we find an internal coating in aluminum sheets, which is what keeps food at a lower temperature than the ambient one, sometimes aided by an EPE foam padding. Although they are designed to keep food fresh, it is worth mentioning that soft bags can also be good to keep food warm, which rigid and electric models cannot.The outside of the cooler bags soft is instead made of oxford, nylon or neoprene, materials quite resistant and durable over time. Regardless of what the external coating is, we can say that all models of this type enjoy excellent resistance and the same applies to rigid models, since they are usually made with hard plastic. In this case, the differences lie on the inside, since the latter do not have aluminum foil, but they need one or more blocks of ice to keep the food fresh. Finally, we mention that, although the electric models are based on a different cooling method, they are made with the same hard materials as the rigid bags.
How long do the coolers keep cold?
Most thermal bags allow you to keep food at low temperatures throughout the day, guaranteeing a minimum of 10 hours of freshness. More sophisticated models can go up to 20 hours. This is especially true for the soft and rigid types, since the electric ones tend to last less but, as you will have understood, they have the advantage of being powered by current, so potentially the cooling is infinite. In the absence of power, you can resort to ice briquettes, as you would do with models belonging to the rigid type.Although rare, some manufacturers divide coolers into classifications. Even if there is no official thing in this sense, you may come across the following classifications: Ultimate Insulation, Performance Insulation and Good Insulation.
The Ultimate is the one that guarantees the best performance, intended as maximum cooling period, with a maintenance of food up to a maximum of 20 hours. The Performance is positioned in the center and is the one that guarantees a freshness up to 14 hours. The Good, on the other hand, stops at about 10 hours, which is still enough to cover most of the day.
How do cooler bags cool down?
Cooler bags, especially rigid ones , they need ice to keep food temperatures low. To do this, classic ice blocks with a plastic structure and a mix of water and glycol are used. These must obviously first be placed in the freezer for the time necessary, and then put them inside the cooler bag only when traveling, so that the cold can be released more slowly, allowing the food to last longer. This also applies to electric coolers which, despite having the ability to cool down differently, may require this method in the absence of a power outlet.Ice briquettes should then be added in the right amount and this depends clearly from the size of the cooler. If the latter is small, a block of ice will be more than enough, but over 20 liters it may be necessary to add another, in order to be sure that the temperature does not precipitate after a few hours.
What capacity is recommended for the thermal bags?
The capacity should correspond to your needs, otherwise you will carry unnecessary weight or vice versa. Much also depends on where you want to use it. For example, if you want to take it to the office or university, a compact model of less than 20 liters will be more than enough. If, on the other hand, you are a group of people heading to the beach or the mountains, then it is clear that opting for a larger bag is the most logical choice, even if in this case it will increase the load on the shoulders or in the car.Increase the efficiency of coolers
By implementing a number of practical measures, it is possible to improve the cooling performance of coolers. We have reported these precautions at the bottom and we are sure that they will help keep food in good condition for a longer time than that reported by the manufacturer.Cool the bag before using it: it is perhaps the most effective method for making sure that the food stays fresh for as long as possible. Just add a bag or the ice briquettes mentioned above to the inside of the bag even before you set off; Fill the bag: leaving empty space in the bag makes the air in abundance melt the ice faster, so if you carry a few foods with you, we suggest filling the empty spaces with crumpled towels or newspapers; Stacking Objects: Strategically placing objects and food is another trick that allows the cooler to cool for longer. All you have to do is put your things at the bottom of the container if there are more compartments, filling the free layers with ice as explained in the previous point.
