The Best Picnic Backpacks

Buying Guide for Picnic Backpacks

Why buy a picnic backpack?

Many associate wicker picnic baskets with romance and whimsy, not to mention being attractively rustic. However, they can be challenging to carry in one hand or the arm, especially if there’s a bottle of wine, utensils, flatware, blanket, not to mention the food. However, a picnic backpack offers an ergonomic alternative and an upgrade in terms of portability and organization. With a picnic backpack, you can hike to an idyllic spot, carrying a meal and the equipment you need to cut, spoon, and uncork.

What should you look for in a picnic backpack?

• Storage: The number of compartments and their arrangement is key in a good picnic backpack. If you’re planning a picnic with perishable food or beverages that should remain cold, look for a backpack that has a large bottom section for ice. If you want a full-scale meal with silverware, look for a backpack that offers a practical design, with straps to keep all the pieces secure.
• Extras: If you’re looking for a picnic backpack that comes with wine glasses and cheese cutters, there are plenty of options to choose from, but you have to look for those features. Several picnic backpack options come with a water-resistant fleece blanket, which is handy whether it be a romantic occasion or family s’mores around a campfire.
• Fit: It’s a bit difficult to gauge, but proper fit is essential, so you might want to practice at home. You want a backpack that will distribute the weight of your picnic items comfortably. It must be a practical design, say if you’re going on a hike. You want a picnic backpack that won’t cut into your shoulders or shift back and forth, rubbing your back.

What is the best way to maintain a clean picnic backpack? 

Unless the picnic backpack is machine washable, taking care of inside spills and stains by hand is simple. You can use simple soap and warm water to fill the inside and use a nonabrasive sponge to wipe the areas down. Once done washing, lay it down flat to let the water drain and the backpack fully dry. For heavy-duty cleaning, you’ll want to check the instructions to see what the manufacturer suggests.

Our Picks for the Best Picnic Backpacks

Pros: It comes with a large food compartment at the top, a front compartment with a secure strap that holds a complete cutlery set, from wine glasses to salt and pepper shakers, and a cutting board and knife. This smartly designed picnic backpack has built-in side compartments with buckled straps for a fleece blanket and wine cooler.

Cons: Not enough space for food.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking forward to a two-person gourmet mtraveltraveeal outdoors, you might want to check out this picnic backpack. It has just about everything you could need except a bouquet of flowers.

 

Pros: This premium picnic backpack goes above and beyond your picnic needs. It has a large-capacity functional cooler compartment with enough space for picnic supplies for four people. It keeps fresh food, beer, and wine cold for hours. You get four sets of dishwasher-safe stainless-steel flatware, hard melamine plates, four TPE wine glasses, a bamboo cutting board, a cheese knife, a wine opener, and metal salt and pepper shakers. On either side of the backpack is an insulated wine holder and blanket with waterproof backing.

Cons: The accessories are not high-quality.

Bottom Line: This party-of-four picnic backpack is quite a catch with its extensive array of picnic supplies ready to go.  It’s attractive and comes in various blue tones, black, and beige.

 

Pros: This cooler bag has an appealingly simple design. It’s made with heavyweight PEVA Nylon and a 1-inch thick thermal shield, so it’s leakproof and weatherproof. The two high-quality Nylon back straps have 1-inch insulating foam and are adjustable, as is the air valve. The single inner chamber holds ice, drinks, food, and zippers up. The roll-top design will prevent any leaking of melted ice. In short, this cooler backpack keeps out everything that might threaten your cold beer and seals up completely, allowing zero water or heat. It is available in 20 or 30 liters (or 18, 24 for can capacity) and comes in blue and red.

Cons: The material is not durable.

Bottom Line: Hit the beach or mountains with this portable cooler backpack. It comes with top features that will help keep your food and drinks cool and satisfy you.

 

Pros: A great backpack for a large family picnic at the beach or park, this double-decker picnic backpack keeps everything in its place—the dry stuff dry and the cold stuff cold. The interior, thickened foam, and high-quality, heat-sealed lining combination is the strength behind this effective cooler. Use the top-level compartment for dry things like a box of granola bars and stash glasses or medication in the three large zipper pockets in front. The bottom level holds more than 24 cans of your favorite beverages and ice. Plus, there are mesh pockets on either side large enough for two bottles of wine.

Cons: The overall quality of this backpack is not long-lasting.

Bottom Line: It’s a backpack made to be worn like one with adjustable shoulder straps and padded sections on the back for comfortable wear. It has dual compartments made for your food in one and drinks in the other, giving you plenty of options for use.

 

Pros: This supersized picnic backpack has three compartments: a 25-liter chamber for drinks and ice, 6.5 liters for dry foods or items, and, finally, a wine holder. It’s made of strong polyester material with waterproof PU coating and designed for optimal ergonomic comfort. If you’re short on kitchen supplies, you may be pleased to know that this backpack comes with cutlery set for four: stainless-steel knives, forks, spoons, dinner plates, cotton napkins, wine glasses, a cheese cutter knife, a bottle opener, salt and pepper shakers, and a chopping board. If that’s not enough, you also get a water-resistant fleece blanket for hanging out on the beach or a wet log.

Cons: The utensils are not durable.

Bottom Line: This extra-large, great picnic backpack is great for your next hiking journey. You’ll be set with the three spacious compartments along with plenty of cutlery for your group of friends.

Final Thoughts

The last thing you want to worry about for your next hiking or beach trip is how to pack your essentials in one place to keep them organized. Minimize your stress by getting a picnic backpack to store your food and drinks in a simple, efficient way so that you can spend more time enjoying the trip with your friends or family.