This tote is perfect for when you need a cooler without looking like you are carrying a cooler. Indispensable for specialty grocery shopping in cities via public transport. Tall narrow profile keeps things nicely stacked together and is less awkward to carry, especially for petites.
What this tote has:
* Main section is lined in thick white waterproof plastic not foil.
* Main section has a drawstring closure, that leaves a small gap the circumference of a small french bread.
* Spacious top zippered-pocket inside of the handle safe for wallet and valuables.
* Large exterior zippered-pocket can hold magazines comfortably, or slide in a Tovolo Bamboo Outdoor Wine Table
* Short exterior pocket (no closure) perfect for shopping lists, cutting board, packet of wetwipes, packet of paper napkins.
* 2 short side-pockets with velcro closure for small items (calculator, Zelco Mangia 3 Piece Set, shopping lists, extra baggies Envirosax Reusable Bag - Flora #5, more napkins)
I have used this tote for grocery runs via the NYC subway, the Toronto subway, the Hong Kong MTR and even in Paris. For looks and ease of maneuvering, it beats regular coolers hands down. This gives you the freedom to stop and have a coffee, gelato or buy a bottle of wine without worrying that the meat and cheeses you just bought will spoil in the heat or be embarrassed by sitting in a cafe with a big cooler at your feet.
I have also used this tote as a Picnic Bag for four, holding Tovolo Bamboo Outdoor Wine Table, 4 tall round takeout containers, stick of french bread, 2 Cryopak Flexible Ice Blanket 16.5 x 11.66-Inch (6 Pack), 4 Zelco Mangia 3 Piece Set, Bambu Bamboo Veneerware Plate 9", Set of 8, cutting board, napkins, wetwipes, tablecloth. It is also an excellent Bento Box bag for the family. It can hold 2 Thermos Nissan 48 Ounce Wide Mouth Stainless Steel Lunch Tote comfortably along with space for additional snacks, utensils and tablecloth in the main compartment. I carry the wine bottle separately in another wine bag : Wine Sack Wine duffel with carry strap and corkscrew Olive Green-120, or I use this tote to carry 3 bottles of wine with Vacu Vin Rapid Ice Guy Buffet Café De Flore Wine Cooler
Cons:
* White plastic lining instead of foil. Foil insulates better.
* Heavy for a softsided cooler. However it is very sturdy, has durable hardware and holds a lot of weight. (Not that you would want to schlep heavy items via public transport)
* Drawstring closure doesn't close completely because the white plastic lining goes all the way up and is too thick to pull shut. Better to "un-draw" the string and simply fold over the top.
* The tote is tall and skinny so it obviously won't stand up by itself on uneven ground.
While this tote is not big enough to buy huge amounts of groceries [no Costco, no frozen pizzas], it is big enough for specialty shopping, European markets and a moderate 4 person picnic. I use it almost daily for a variety of activities and have bought extras for friends as gifts. Picnic Time Activo Insulated Tote with Waterproof Lining, Orange
I bought this for a friend who is basically living in a hospital ICU waiting room, and will be for quite some time. Hospital commissary food is fine, and in this hospital seems to be better than many, but for someone who is already looking at 6-figures of medical bills, paying for sustaining meals while sitting with a spouse is not feasible. This bag, filled with various sizes of Fit and Fresh food containers (the kind that are both microwavable and freezable, and each has a reusable ice pack that snaps inside the lid) makes a perfect "Provisions Bag" for those long stretches away from home on a budget Between the insullation of the tote bag and the freezer pack in the Fit and Fresh containers -- food stays fresh without a fridge for 15 hours, easily. -- And it still looks like a regular tote bag, without all the bulk and bother of a cooler chest, or the expense of paying for meals out.
I actually hate this bag, but in all fairness, it is not a terrible, so I gave it three stars. Here's my breakdown:
I bought it despite other reviews about the drawstring closure. I have other insulated bags with drawstring closures that work fine. However, this one completely frustrates me. It takes a lot of effort to achieve a closure that doesn't leave a gaping hole at the top. (I am a female with small hands and normal upper body strength.) The bag essentially has two strings coming out of each of two grommeted holes, for a total of four strings. I have to pull one at a time, alternating across the four strings, in order to achieve anything close to a tight closure. It drives me nuts, and even doing this, I am left with a gap that compromises the insulative properties of the bag.
The vinyl lining is sewn in only at the top, which I would normally consider a plus, because you can pull it out from the bottom and wipe it down. However, it is so hard to get back into position on this bag, that it is hardly worth the effort.
On the plus side, the size is definitely nice. On days where I can't make it home for lunch or dinner, I can easily fit two meals in it, plus beverages. It is nice for toting wine to a picnic (or wherever), and as another user has noted, it is a decent insulated grocery bag.
The bottom line is that it does have some good features, but I end up under-utilizing it because of the negatives. It gets a lot of closet time! I would not buy it again. - Cooler Bag - Lunch Bag - Picnic Basket - Picnic Time'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
