Best Lunch Box Backpack For Adults - 11 Lunch Box Backpack Options
If you are looking for a great lunch box backpack that still makes you feel like a grown up than you aren’t alone! Ditch the small school backpack and cooler for a lunch box backpack for adults that features a built-in cooler compartment, padded laptop sleeve or even a phone charger!
In this buying guide we guide you through the types of lunch box backpacks that are currently available and recommend the best lunch box backpacks for work, campus or a fun day outdoors!
Types of Lunch Box Backpacks
When searching for a lunch box backpack you’ll usually find three varieties:
Backpack with a built in lunch box
Detachable lunch box backpack
Backpack lunch box cooler
Below we review these three options so you can determine which style is the best lunch box backpack one for your needs.
Backpack with built in lunchbox - Carhartt Insulated 2-in-1 backpack (Amazon)
Backpack with Built In Lunch box
Backpacks with a built in lunch box are regular daily carry backpacks with a special insulated cooler compartment for food and drinks. Unlike cooler backpacks, the rest of the backpack is non-insulated and can be used for your daily carry items like a laptop, change of clothes and other everyday essentials.
We recommend backpacks with a built in lunchbox to anyone who needs a versatile all-in-one carry solution for work or school. What a backpack with a built in lunchbox does best is eliminate the need for a lunch box and additional carry bag by combining the two into one convenient solution.
Backpack with detachable lunch box - King Kong ZONE25 backpack
Backpack with detachable lunch box
Just like backpacks with a built in lunchboxes, a backpack with a detachable lunch box is designed with a special compartment for food and drinks. But instead of a built-in insulated compartment, these backpacks offer a removable insulated lunch box.
These backpacks are great for anyone who wants to be able to just take their lunch on the go without having to lug around the rest of their backpack. And since the lunch box is removable, it makes it easy to clean, pack and leave in the fridge overnight.
We like backpacks with detachable lunch boxes because they usually have a lot of features that you would find in a regular backpack; laptop and tech compartments, large main compartments and smaller organizer pockets for your daily items.
Backpack lunch box cooler - Coleman Soft Cooler Backpack (Amazon)
Backpack Lunch Box Cooler
A lunch box cooler backpack is similar to a traditional cooler but designed in a backpack form. These backpacks feature large insulated main compartments where you can store a lunch, multiple beverages and larger items that need to be kept cold throughout the day.
Unlike regular hand-held lunch box coolers, a backpack lunch box cooler offers hands-free carry which is a huge advantage for those on the move. Ergonomic shoulder straps, additional non-insulated pockets and leak-proof interiors are common features.
We recommend backpack lunch box coolers to anyone who needs a lunch box backpack they can use for large lunches and snacks, multiple drinks and who would also like the additional versatility of using the backpack for picnics, beach days and hikes.
Best Lunch Box Backpacks for Adults
King Kong ZONE25 Backpack
King Kong offers a backpack with a detachable lunch box with the ZONE25. This backpack was designed with meal prepping in mind but we found it also makes a great lunch box backpack for work thanks to its tough as nails construction and clever laptop and daily carry compartments.
For those who want a bag that will last, the King Kong ZONE25 offers some of the best quality and construction out of all of the lunch box backpacks on this list. This is thanks to its Food Grade water resistant 1000D Nylon construction, heavy-duty metal hardware and neoprene water bottle pockets that keep your drinks insulated while on the move.
Carhartt 2-in-1 Insulated Cooler Backpack
The Carhartt 2-in-1 Insulated Cooler Backpack features a two tier design that allows you to carry your work items in the top compartment and fill the bottom insulated cooler with your lunch and drinks. The bottom cooler compartment is very roomy and allows you to hold up to 12 cans. And side mesh pockets give you great access to bottles of water or coffee travel mugs on the go. If you are looking for lunch box backpack from a brand you can trust then the Carhartt 2-in-1 Insulated Cooler Backpack is for you!
Slotra Laptop Backpack with built in lunch box
If you are looking for a reliable laptop backpack with a built in lunch box then you are going to want to take a closer look at the Slotra Laptop Backpack. Not only do you get a fully padded 17-inch laptop sleeve but the backpack also features an external USB charging port, plenty of organizer pockets and sneaky anti-theft pockets.
As a lunch box backpack, the Slotra Laptop backpack features a removable lunch box that is held in a bottom zipper compartment. The lunch box itself is insulated to keep your food cool and is large enough to fit a standard lunch and drinks.
AmazonBasics Campus Backpack
The AmazonBasics Campus Backpack is an affordable option for those looking for a feature-rich lunch box backpack for adults. In addition to a front cooler compartment for food and drinks, the AmazonBasics Campus also features a padded 15-inch laptop compartment, a large 33 liter main compartment and plenty of pockets for organizing items.
Coleman Soft Cooler Backpack
Perfect for anyone who needs a dedicated backpack lunch box cooler, the Coleman Soft Cooler Backpack features a large insulated main compartment that can hold up to 28 cans! This leakproof compartment is made possible thanks to Coleman’s heat-welded seams that allows the inside of the bag to stay insulated while preventing accidental spills.
As a lunch box backpack, you’ll find that the Coleman Soft Cooler Backpacks is one of the better quality backpacks for the price. Side pockets allow for easy access to items like a coffee travel mug, umbrella or even smaller items like a phone. The front elastic cord also allows for additional storage of larger items like a light jacker or towel.
AmHoo Insulated Lunch Backpack
Amhoo offers the perfect women’s lunch box backpack in a stylish design with their Insulated Cooler Backpack. The lower partition of the bag is lined with a leakproof insulation that allows for food and drinks to stay cold throughout your day. The roomy insulated compartment can fit up to six Poland Spring water bottles so you are sure to have enough room for a lunch and multiple drinks with room to spare.
One feature we like about this backpack is the soft padded ergonomic back panel that is designed for a comfortable fit even when the cooler is fully loaded. If you plan on using this as a women’s backpack for work, you’ll love the thoughtful fit especially made for a shorter torso.
Forich Double Decker Cooler Backpack
The Forich Double Decker features a two-tier design that allows you to store your lunch and drinks in the large lower cooler compartment and an open top main compartment for extra snacks or your daily carry items. This design allows for a two-in-one daily and lunch backpack solution that you can bring with you to work or outdoor activities.
The bottom cooler compartment is insulated and completely leakproof so you can use it as a true cooler filled with ice. This compartment is also large enough to hold up to 24 cans so you can fill it up for a full day without worry.
Matein Lunch Backpack with built in Cooler
Matein offers a versatile lunch box backpack for adults for those who need a reliable backpack to conquer their day. In addition to an insulated lunch compartment in the front of the bag, the Matein Lunch Backpack also includes a large open main compartment, 17-inch padded laptop sleeve and plenty of organizer pockets for smaller items. This backpack also makes a great charging backpack thanks to its external USB port that allows you to charge a phone or other electronic device while on the move.
Gardrit Cooler Backpack
The Gardrit Cooler Backpack is perfect for anyone looking for a dedicated lunch backpack with plenty of room for meals and multiple drinks. The large insulated main compartment can fit up to 35 cans! And its entire construction is leak proof thanks to its insulated foam lining that keeps things cool for up to 12 hours.
In addition to the Gardrit’s large cooler compartment, the bag also features a non-insulated front pocket for snacks, cutlery or personal items you want to keep separate. There are also two zippered side pockets that can hold drinks for quick-access.
Mier Insulated Lunch Backpack
Mier offers a lunch box backpack that’s perfect for long days at work or weekend adventures. This backpack is a soft cooler with an insulated and leakproof main compartment that can fit up to 24 cans! The inside of the Mier Lunch backpack is tall enough for larger water bottles and even wine bottles. An inside mesh pocket also allows you to store things like napkins and cutlery for easy access.
Dakine Campus Backpack
The Dakine Campus is a backpack designed for life on the move. Made for long days on campus, you’ll find everything from a padded 15” laptop sleeve, fleece lined glasses pocket and a large main compartment in either 25-liter or 33-liter sizes. One of its most innovative features is the insulated cooler compartment that is found in the front of the backpack. This pocket allows you to use the Dakine Campus as a lunch box backpack without compromising on important daily carry features.
How to pick the best lunch box backpack
Picking the right lunch box backpack is easy once you know which features you need!
King Kong ZONE25 backpack with removable lunch box
Lunch Box Compartment Size
A common measuring tool for cooler compartments is by determining how many beverage cans can fit on the inside. Beverage cans are easy to visualize since they are a common item that most people are familiar with.
When searching for a backpack lunch box make sure to find out how many beverage cans can fit on the inside for a better idea of how large the cooler compartment is.
For those who need a lot of room for multiple meals and drinks, we recommend going with a cooler backpack since they dedicate an entire main compartment for storing food and drinks. This not only allows you to pack a large lunch but you’ll also be able to fill the cooler compartment with ice for cold drink storage.
If you just need to pack a small lunch and a single drink then a backpack with a built in lunch box is perfect. These cooler compartments are usually smaller and out of the way so you can use the rest of the backpack to pack your daily items such as a laptop, a change of clothes and other daily essentials.
Cooler Insulation
The key to a good lunch box backpack is finding one with good insulation. Brands like Coleman and Mier already have a great reputation for good soft coolers and their backpack lunch box coolers are built to the same standard.
Whichever brand you choose, make sure that the lunch box compartment is fully insulated to keep cold items cold throughout the day. These compartments should also be leakproof with good seams to prevent moisture and condensation from escaping the cooler compartment.
Matein laptop backpack with built in lunch box (Amazon)
Daily Carry Features
The big difference between a lunch box cooler backpack and a backpack with a lunch box compartment is versatility. Do you need a backpack just to hold your lunch? Then a small lunch box cooler backpack may be your best option.
If you need to carry additional daily items like clothing, a laptop and your personal items then going with a multi-functional backpack with a lunch box compartment is the better option. This allows you to ditch a second bag for an all-in-one daily backpack and lunch box solution.
Alternative Solution: Packable Lunch Box
If you already own a backpack that you love and don’t want to spend the extra cash on a new one then purchasing a small lunch box that fits in a backpack is the best solution.
You can usually find a packable lunch box that is great quality and reasonably priced online. We recommend the PackIt and Simply Modern brand of lunch boxes since they come in a variety of sizes and have great insulation. These lunch boxes are often designed to be freezable so that your lunch stays cold throughout the day.
To make sure the lunch box fits inside your backpack, measure the inside of your backpack’s main compartment and purchase the best lunch box size that fits.
