So many of us are constantly searching for the perfect lunchbox. Something practical, insulated, easily transported, and attractive to look at. If you type in lunchbox into a search engine, you will be bombarded with products. All of these different brands of lunch boxes can be so overwhelming. Which one is best? What do you need to look out for in a lunch box?
Lucky for you, we have searched high and low to review some of the most popular products on the market. You may have already seen some of our other lunch box reviews. However, if this is the first one you are reading, we do have other branded lunch boxes reviewed on our site!
Brand Story: RTIC
RTIC was launched in 2014 and offers a wide range of outdoor accessories. If you’re someone who enjoys the outdoors such as camping or hiking, this brand is one to check out. RTIC currently provides coolers, drinkware, bags, camp and cookout, and other miscellaneous accessories.
RTIC has become a huge success over the past years due to one of the best factors about their company. They are so affordable. Of course, affordability is subjective but when you compare the RTIC lunch box to other brands, you will be shocked at the price difference.
Later on, we will be taking a look at one of the competitor lunch boxes and we need to warn you to be prepared to be blown away.
The reason you have clicked on this article is to hear more about the lunch box. If you go directly to RTIC’s website you will struggle to find the lunch box as it is called the Day Cooler. The Day Cooler is marketed as a soft cooler box and is available in several different capacities. Today, we will be looking at the 8 Can capacity model.
This lunch box is a fantastic option for any person who is looking for a durable and portable bag. The bag comes with a carry handle and an adjustable shoulder strap for ease of transportation.
The lunch box is big enough to hold a decent amount of food and drinks so you will be able to pack accordingly. This lunch box is also a great option for picnics. An outdoor picnic sounds perfect when you own a lunch box like this.
Key Features
- Up to four sizes available
- Lots of colors to choose from
- Keeps food and drinks cool for up to 24 hours
- Adjustable shoulder strap included in the purchase
- Heavily insulated to ensure the contents keep fresh
- Leak Proof zipper
- Antimicrobial liner to fight off mildew
- Made from a durable material
- External pocket for dry items
- Affordable price when compared to others
- Front compartment to store dry items
- Ice packs can be used to keep contents extra cool
- FDA approved material so it’s suitable for food and drinks
- Easy to clean
- Traveling with your lunch box never got easier
- Great size for an adult lunch
- Storage suitable for water bottles
Specifications
- Product dimensions: 10.5 X 8 X 8.5 inches
- Product weight: 34.1 ounces
- Capacity: 8 cans
Run Through of Features
There are many features of this lunch box that make it one of the best on the market. If you’re still undecided on whether this product is the one for you, then keep reading to find out about the things that set it apart from the rest.
Leakproof
There is nothing more annoying than taking a lunch break on your walk or hike and finding your lunch box is damp. This is usually down to poor manufacturing and a lack of thought when in the design stage.
We have seen other lunch box bags secured with velcro which is all well and good if you are keeping it upright. However, when you’re out on a hike, your lunch box does move around a lot.
The RTIC lunch box has been produced with a leak-proof zipper. This ensures that no moisture leaves your lunch box. It also keeps your food and drinks better insulated throughout the day.
Due to its leak-proof zipper, you can add ice packs to your lunch box without the worry of it melting and escaping the bag. This means you will get the freshest food even when you’re out and about.
Durable Design
Another top feature of this lunch box is that it is highly durable. You will notice how RTIC hasn’t scrimped on quality when producing this lunch box. Its outer material is made from heavy-duty polyester.
This material is suitable for any activity. If you are going on a difficult hike, you will be able to take this lunch box with you. It is puncture resistant so you do not need to worry about damaging the bag.
It is also designed with an antimicrobial liner. This makes the bag suitable for food and drinks by keeping away any mildew that could appear otherwise due to the moisture build up.
Thick Insulation
If you live in one of the warmer states, then you will know the struggle of finding a cooler lunch box that does what it says on the tin. When you’re on your hike, you want your lunch to stay cool and fresh.
A cold drink will go a long way when you have the sun beaming down on you. The RTIC lunch box has thick insulation that doesn’t weigh you down on your travels. This ensures your food and drink stays cool for up to 24 hours.
If you have any items which don’t require refrigeration, then you can easily store these in the other compartments. There are two netted side pockets and one front zipper compartment. These are perfect for snacks such as chips, nuts, and other dry food.
Portable Design
Some lunch boxes on the market need to be placed into another bag to make them portable. This is where the RTIC brand has succeeded. This Day Cooler is ideal for day trips, hikes, or picnics.
Its durable outer design allows it to stay in a good condition even after years of use. Not only does this lunch box come with a carry handle right at the top of the bag, but it also comes with an adjustable shoulder strap.
The shoulder strap allows you to carry your lunch box easier on your travels. The shoulder strap will distribute the weight of your lunch more evenly. Less tension on your body means a better workout on your walk.
Cost
At the time of writing this review, the RTIC Day Cooler is priced at $34.99. This is almost an unbeatable price for the quality of the product. When you look at other similar products available, you will see how quickly the prices can spike.
RTIC is all about not overpricing any of their products. A lot of thought has gone into how this product should be sold for. This pricing point allows most people to be able to try out the brand. Lots of people do swear by this brand and wouldn’t look anywhere else.
Compare to Competitors
You may be thinking about what other products are available to buy similar to the RTIC Lunch Box. The top product which is regularly compared to this product is the YETI Hopper Flip.
Design-wise, they look quite similar when compared side by side. Looking at the features of the YETI Hopper Flip, we can see that they also have an 8 can capacity. They have a leak proof zipper closure and are also resistant to mildew and punctures.
Sounds familiar, right? You may be tempted to try out the YETI brand too. Then we took a look at the cost and were almost gobsmacked. The price difference is just unbelievable. The YETI Hopper Flip currently retails for around $329.
If this is within your budget, why not give it a go! If you’d like to try out a more budget-friendly product, we recommend trying the RTIC lunch box first. It will save you around $294 in doing so!
Cost
A much more budget-friendly product when compared to other similar products on the market. If you have just decided to get into hiking, this is a great way to get started on your longer routes.
Durability
Not only is the outside of the lunch box puncture resistant and easy to clean but the inside also offers a durable quality. The 2-inch thick closed-cell foam insulates your food and drinks for up to 24 hours. It is also protected against mildew.
Ease of Travel
This lunch box is not heavy and comes with a handy adjustable shoulder strap. This makes it so much easier to carry around on your outdoor adventures.
Does Not Keep Food Warm
We did notice a few comments about other customers complaining that the RTIC lunch box does not keep your food warm. If this is something that you are looking for then this product is not the one for you.
This lunch box aims to keep food cool, not warm. Therefore, only store food items inside that require cooling. For example, it’s great to keep fruit and sandwiches fresh whilst on your hike.
Final Verdict
To wrap up this product review, we must say how impressed we are with the RTIC lunch box. It is great value for money and has so many positive design features. If you are looking for a new lunch box to take around with you, then this product could definitely be the one need in your life.