When I started out on my little bento packing adventure some time ago, I remember stalking other bento blogs spending lots of time online trying to figure out which bento box to buy, which lunchbox it would fit into, and how it compared in size to other boxes.
It was exhausting.
All the manufacturers gave dimensions which is great, but what I soon learned early on when I first started packing lunch this way, is that you also need to account for a drink, utensils, napkins, and an ice pack.
And… manufacturer’s dimensions can be wrong.
I’m talking to you Toys R’ Us.
10x8x8 does not equal 10x5x8.
If you pack a juice pouch every day then you should be all set. Those things pretty much fit anywhere.
But, if you’re like me and you need to pack a thermos or other resealable drink container, you need a little bit more info to go on.
I also think it’s helpful to actually see how everything compares in size and how it all fits together so I put together a little visual that I hope will be helpful to anyone who may be setting off on this lunch packing adventure for the first time this school year.
Last school year we packed lunches in a lunch bag from L.L. Bean for my son, and a “lunch pack” from Garnet Hill for my daughter.
I took a few pics of each lunch bag with our larger bento boxes in them so you can see how everything fit.
But first, let’s size up those boxes!
From top to bottom:
Lunchbots Trio
Good Lunch Box by Sugarbooger
Spencer Bento Box by PBK
Laptop Lunchbox
Easy Lunchbox
Goodbyn Bynto
As you can see, the Bynto wins out in the length category due to it’s handle. Width goes to the Laptop Lunchbox.
Here they are packed in my son’s L.L. Bean lunch bag:
The only box that would not fit is the Laptop Lunchbox which wasn’t an issue for us because he carried an Easy Lunchbox exclusively in his bag last year.
He would also put a small water bottle or juice box (when we had them), an ice pack, and a napkin in his lunch bag every day and they all fit. There was a little bulging in the front of the bag but it zipped just fine.
This bag has a handle on top and is meant to be carried upright so keep that in mind if you’re looking for something to carry your kiddos’ lunches flat.
This lunch bag is pretty average in size to most other lunch bags I’ve seen and trust me, I have seen them all.
Now, onto Cam’s lunch box.
Everything fit with room to spare for a drink, an ice pack, a napkin, and utensils when she needed them.
The Spencer Bento box and the Laptop Lunchbox fit snugly but still left room for a small juice box.
And there were even some days when I just put her water bottle or thermos in the pocket of her backpack if I couldn’t get them to fit.
I feel that I should also tell you that I LOVE this lunch bag! It’s extremely well made and worth every penny and the pattern on it is adorable. It still looks brand new after a year of abuse use!
Right now Garnet Hill is offering a free lunch pack with the purchase of a matching backpack which is a great deal. Their backpacks are a little on the pricey side at around $34 for the smaller one but they are extremely durable and come in some adorable patterns this year.
I hope this helps some of you who may be starting your back to school shopping. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section below.
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