Need your ice to last over three days? Of course, you do! That feat is no match for OtterBox’s Trooper Cooler, which has some of the best ice retention of any cooler on the market. Though not technically geared toward grocery shopping, this design is a good option to have on your radar if you’re serious about preserving frozen items on the regular or are someone who will be out and about with a small selection of groceries over an extended period. Another feature that can make the best insulated grocery bag easier and more comfortable to carry is fasteners. Being able to zip or snap a bag shut keeps its contents secure, and gives the carrier peace of mind that groceries aren’t going to tumble out. Versatility One of the most important things to consider when purchasing an insulated grocery bag is how you plan to use it. The semi-hard shell frame keeps the interior contents safe, while various add-ons — like an adjustable padded shoulder strap, bottle opener, and accessory mounting system — help it stand out from the crowd. Cons: With an 18-liter capacity, this cooler is one of the smaller on our list and is therefore better suited to city living or smaller grocery runs.

The best insulated grocery bags will maintain the temperature of cold food and prevent it from spoiling. Top-quality grocery bags are durable, comfortable to carry, easy to clean, and can hold plenty of cargo. Measuring just 9.5 by 11.8 inches, these reusable bags from Public Goods are the perfect size for produce. They’re made from 100 percent organic muslin cotton and feature a convenient drawstring closure. The woven cotton is also sturdy enough to hold fine-grain items such as flour and quinoa. Since the bag is also breathable, you can dampen and refrigerate it to keep your greens fresher. While there are certainly some no-frills insulated grocery bags on the market, others have useful features that add to their functionality. These VENO Bag Insulated Reusable Grocery Bags are a steal. While they may be slightly smaller than the above Rachael Ray Jumbo ChillOut Thermal Tote Bag, each rectangular bag can manage 30 pounds of food. They also have dual tab zippered tops for convenience and fold flat when not in use. If they get dirty, you can simply wipe them clean.Unlike the other bags on this list, the CleverMade SnapBasket Thermo LUXE Tote features a long shoulder strap in addition to sturdy top handles. Plus, the bag's patented SnapHinges keep the tote upright when in use — when the bag is empty, just push in the side hinges to snap it down flat. Perhaps the most important consideration when shopping for an insulated grocery bag is the size and capacity. Your exact needs will come down to how much you typically buy at the store at any given time. Someone who makes several trips a week to the farmer’s market will need a bag that’s drastically smaller than the lead shopper for a family of four who makes bi-weekly Costco runs. Most of the insulated grocery bags that made our list hover around a 30-liter capacity, though plenty of them are available in multiple sizes to help cater to your exact needs. Bags that are machine washable are the most convenient. Most manufacturers recommend, however, that the bags be air-dried instead of tossed in the dryer because they can shrink. Bags that are not machine washable can usually be spot cleaned with a little soap and water or a disinfecting wipe.

In general, most readily available insulated grocery bags will have an interior capacity of 7 to 10 gallons and hold around 30 pounds. Single-use plastic grocery bags typically have a much smaller capacity, which means one reusable insulated bag can hold multiple plastic grocery bags’ worth of stuff. If you tend to buy lots of groceries at once, you may find that you need multiple insulated bags (or one extra-large insulated bag) to hold all your items. Nylon is a fairly breathable fabric, which means it helps maintain food temperature. Its breathability allows steam to escape, so warm meals won’t be soggy after being enclosed in a bag with a lot of condensation. Nylon bags are also very durable; they’re typically more expensive than their vinyl counterparts. If you’re not eating the food they contain for over two hours, then yes they need to be refrigerated. Q. How long do insulated bags keep food hot or cold? Cons: While the bag is self-standing in most instances, it doesn’t have a dedicated flat bottom, so its ability to stay upright may be compromised if overstuffed. Before purchasing an insulated grocery bag, there are a few important details to think about. A bag’s material, size, and how comfortable it is to carry have a lot to do with whether a bag is the right fit for you.

With heavy-duty, 9.75-inch-long shoulder straps, this tote is comfortable to carry on a large-scale grocery run. Since it doesn't have any compartments, heavier items can shift around if the bag isn’t perfectly balanced. It offers a collapsible, fold-flat design for easy storage, which is a nice plus. This Scout Errand Boy Tote Bag is pricier than other options, but it’s one of the largest and most attractive bags in our roundup. Ditch those plastic grocery bags with this cleverly designed tote, which is embroidered with phrases commonly found on plastic bags: “thank you” and “have a nice day.” It comes in an assortment of colors so you can really make a statement. In contrast to the single-use plastic options it replaces, the reusable bag is handmade with 100 percent recycled taffeta and can be machine washed—another major bonus, especially for the bright white versions. Just make sure to hang it up to dry to keep the embroidery in good condition. STRONG & DURABLE: Made of high-quality durable Oxford cloth – Extra strength no-tear Handles sewn down the length of the bag – Reinforced stitching – Make the insulation bag stronger.