How to select the right Picnic Backpack

Let’s face it; sometimes picnic baskets can be old-fashioned. Voluminous as they might be, picnic baskets are often cumbersome and unwieldy. Their intricate hand-woven handles can really weigh down on your arms when you’re carrying supplies for an entire family. If you’re looking for convenience and portability for your picnics, then you’re in the market for some swanky picnic backpacks.

What are some of the more common models of picnic backpacks? A picnic backpack in its most stripped down, essential form, is an insulated backpack with straps. It will keep your food well-insulated with its light-weight thermal-regulating fabric. Further up the backpack chain are the thermoelectric insulating models that will cool your food and beverages. These are bulkier but will keep meat from spoiling easily. Both types of coolers are insulated enough to keep your fruits and vegetables from wilting. Keep in mind that the thermoelectric models will have to be amply charged before usage.

Other picnic backpack models are manufactured with the cooler compartment as an aside to the main storage compartments that will hold your picnic accessories. These will keep your fragile plates and wine glasses safely, as well as silverware, cups and a picnic blanket. Generally, picnic backpacks like these have just enough storage space for up to a picnic for 4, so you might want to consider bringing an additional picnic basket to accommodate more. Keep in mind that these are also more expensive since plates and silverware are usually included.

Next are the specialty picnic backpack models that include the wine/coffee backpack models. They come with compartments that stow plates, glasses, napkins, silverware, cutting board, cheese container, corkscrew and stopper. Also, these are spill-resistant because they come equipped with a removable water proof inner lining. These backpack models are suited for carrying these specialty items only and another container is required for other meal items (if planned).

Picnic backpacks can make excellent gifts because of their versatility. Regardless of use, a picnic backpack is one item you’ll want to seriously consider acquiring if you value portability and functionality.