Ok, let me just be honest and say I’m not that crazy about picnics. They’re usually a summer activity, so it’s hot out. You have food outside, which just attracts bugs. Food that’s supposed to be cool ends up being warm, and that includes beverages. Do I sound like a party pooper? Whatever. Sure, there are exceptions. A picnic on the beach is nice because you have the water nearby, so when you get too hot, you can just pop into the water to cool off. That is, if it’s not sullied with oil, sewage, or any of the other crap humans dump into the ocean. It also adds another level of difficulty in eating. Not only do you still have to contend with bugs, you also have to try to keep the sand out of your food. Good luck with that. A picnic by a pool can be nice, but for some reason, that doesn’t really seem like a picnic to me. I’m not sure why. Anyway, if the temperature is right, if the food is well chosen to stand up to the heat, and if there’s a bottle of Off! nearby, I can kind of enjoy a picnic. Maybe. Anyway, since I’m not one to plan or attend picnics, I didn’t even know anyone made insulated fabric coolers or bags! I know a lot of you will probably go on picnics this summer, or at least go someplace where it would be convenient to carry food and keep it cool (or warm), so I decided to write about a few. You’re welcome. Hmm…I wonder if they make any small ones that I could use when I go to the movies. For now, let’s look at this Picnic at Ascot Aegean Picnic Basket Tote for Four.
This tote has everything, and I mean everything. Well, except the food. It has two bottle holders for water, soda, or whatever you decide to drink, and the interior is completely insulated to keep everything at the right temperature. The fabric on the exterior is denim, so it’s sturdy, and is in a nice blue and white striped pattern. The Aegean tote is 21 inches wide and 12 inches high, so there’s plenty of room in there whether you pack a picnic for four, two, or just one. But don’t go on a picnic by yourself. That’s just sad. You won’t have to buy any paper plates or plastic cups, either. The tote comes with four of each: acrylic glasses, melamine plates, polycotton blend napkins, and stainless flatware sets. There’s also one salt & pepper set, and a hardwood cutting board, a wood handle cheese knife, and a wood corkscrew with foilcutter, all of which would be perfect for a wine and cheese picnic. Now that, I might enjoy. It’s on sale right now, too. The tote with everything in it usually costs $85.50, but you can get it for $72.49 at Picnic World. With everything it includes, I think that’s a bargain.
Budget Saving Alternatives
If you’re not really into the whole picnic thing either, there’s the Murval Ibiza Cooler Tote. It’s a little more stylish with its leopard-print fabric exterior, trimmed with synthetic leather in bright, summery orange. The inside lining is fully insulated to keep drinks and food cold or warm, depending on what the season is and what you’re planning to eat. The top zips closed to keep everything secure, and to maintain the correct temperature. You may not want to carry it as a handbag because it’s pretty big at 23 inches wide by 17.5 inches high. It will definitely do the job for a day at the beach or pool, though. It’s just $49 at Endless.com.
Look who got smart and added something to their lineup besides cute beach clothes and shoes? The Roxy To The Beach Insulated Cooler is, as the name says, perfect for the beach, but you could take it anywhere. The entire bag body, inside and out, is made from polyester, so it can get wet without ruining, and will dry quickly, too. The inside is fully insulated for temperature control. A single nylon handle is sturdy to hold the bag even if it gets a little heavy with food and drinks inside. The bag itself only weighs 12 ounces, though. On the sides are two mesh pockets, and there’s a front exterior pocket too for small items. It’s a little smaller than the other bags, at just 10.5 inches wide, and 7 inches high. Sounds like it would hold a six pack and a few snacks, maybe. It comes in this white with an allover print, as well as black with the same print. Get it for $40 at Zappos.com.
