Has anyone ever used PackIt or similar freeze-able lunch bags? Do they actually prolong the amount of time food stays safe to eat(as opposed to a typical SkipHop/PBKids lunch bag with an ice pack)?
My kids are at day amp, and their lunches sit outside in the heat for 3-4 hours - our typical lunch boxes really won’t keep much of anything cold enough (yogurt, deli meats, cheeses), and it is really limiting their lunch options! Thanks.
nectarine / 2431 posts
@PinkElephant: We just got one and the matching bento boxes...I'll let you know how we like them!
cantaloupe / 6086 posts
I love mine! Well, dd uses it (2 years of daily lunch and still looks fine!) I do think it works better than an ice pack because it’s basically an ice pack on each side and the bottom. But in the heat outside (we have really only used it inside a locker at school) I’m not sure if it would be significantly better. Maybe you could find it mentioned on an amazon review or q&a section?
clementine / 830 posts
Caveat that we haven't used the other kinds you mention, but absolutely love the Packit! We have the square zipper one and I find it works great. I actually would use a Packit inside another Packit to keep my breast milk frozen when traveling for work and I found they could go at least 12 hours absolutely ice cold. I was really impressed.
grapefruit / 4584 posts
@bhbee: Thanks, and glad to hear it! I feel like the Amazon reviews were a little mixed, and many people were using them for indoor lunch, or even more to carry breast milk bottles, and I got sick of sifting through reviews since my intended use is kind of specific 
I realize that outdoor cooling on hot days is a big ask - I might try some of the insulated bags Amazon uses for Whole Foods delivery cut down and sewn into sleeves for their bentos INSIDE a PackIt (or similar bag).
@nwm: Thanks! I'm definitely considering layering various types of insulated bags/coolers for lunches that will be kept outdoors. As you can imagine, and just barely 5 & 7, they're not fantastic about putting their bags in a shady spot, nor are they terribly reliable about reporting back to me on the temperature of their lunch.
@crazydoglady: Oooh, yes please! I'll be curious to hear how you like them. My current bentos are SugarBooger, which are cute and serve their purpose, but not at all insulated, so maybe i need to consider upgrading those for camp as well.
pear / 1930 posts
I use a Packit for my lunch. I think it does a better job at keeping things cold because it is surrounded by cold instead of just next to an icepack. If you don't feel like spending the money on a Packit for something short term, you could always fill two quart or gallon size freezer bags half way, freeze them laying down, and then sandwich their lunches between the two bags. Won't be as good because it doesn't have the chemicals inside that make melting slower, but it will work better than an icefe pack in a regular lunch bag.
honeydew / 7463 posts
I think they work considerably better. I’ve flown all day with it to hold snacks for my older son (cheese, fruit, yogurt) and it lasts a very long time. I do think that over time though mine is not as good as it was when I first got it. I’ve had it almost 5 years. Seems to melt faster.
If camp starts at like 9am and lunch is noon-ish I would be very comfortable sending a packit for 3 hours - even in the sun. Maybe don’t get a black one.
persimmon / 1367 posts
We started using a Pack-It for LO's daycare lunch and snacks a few months ago and really like it. It definitely keeps things significantly cooler than a regular insulated bag with ice pack. Unfortunately she keeps it indoors during the day so I can't speak to whether it would stay cold until lunch in an outdoor camp situation.
grapefruit / 4584 posts
@Ms. RV: @SweetiePie: @Rocker2014: thanks!
I found two of the classic lunchbox shape on sale for $9.99 through Staples (bonus - they were pink with unicorns!), so we are trying them out.
kiwi / 745 posts
I have been pretty disappointed in mine actually. I feel like they only stay cold for an hour or so. BUT I feel like if I put a regular ice pack in it, it stays cold forever (like I left my breast milk in mine overnight and it was fine). So if you aren’t impressed, try adding a hard ice pack as well.
pear / 1992 posts
@PinkElephant: I have this exact one on my Amazon list for LO and I am bummed we have no Staples in my city!! Great find 
Also I have used the zip/fold-over style PackIt for LO for two years now and it keeps things nice and cold. We also use it for road trips or trips to the park or places we'd like to keep snacks and drinks cold. The only thing I don't like about that style is that the velcro wore out quick, and the way the top carry handle is sewn makes it pull on the flap/velcro and so that never stays fastened. This is why we're going to go with the 'classic' square shape box for next year (the style you chose).
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