Good looking Lunchboxes for Men – The Search

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Bank Customer – “Should I just put my money in the bag now?”
Me – “What?”
Bank Customer – “Looks like you’re about to rob this place.  Fair to assume you’re not?”

I guess I’ll take that as a compliment on how I choose to carry my lunch.  I didn’t intend to walk up to a bank that day looking like a cast member from Heat, but I was wearing a dark suit, sunglasses, a black briefcase in one hand and my preferred lunch transportation device in the other:  A black vinyl bowling bag I got at the thrift store for $5 (bowing ball included.)

I pack my lunch almost every day, and along with the various other things that have to make it in to work, it suits my needs perfectly.  But not everyone wants to risk looking like they might be headed to their weekly league-night after work, so here’s five more options that’ll look more grown up than your old Ewoks lunch bucket:
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The Modern: Mr. Bento Lunch Jar – $44.88 – $52.88

If Mi6 issued a mess kit similar to the Boy Scout model, this is what it’d look like.  Vacuum insulated with four microwaveable bowls inside.  Ten inches tall.  Models available on Amazon come in the cheaper, lighter color, or the “gun metallic” seen here is $55.  The gun metallic was also available on Gilt last week, and keep an eye out for more there.  They might come back or be featured in the “Gifts” section.  They were priced at $39.

 

The bags: Artifact Bags Waxed Canvas – $65.00 | Overlap Buckle Waxed Canvas – $48.00

Plenty of small, independent shops are making these things now.  First saw the Artifact Bag over here on Art of Manliness, who caught it first from Cool Material.  So that one has made the rounds.  13.5″ x 8.5″ x 5″ when open.  The brass buckle competitor measures 12″ x 7.5″ x 5.5″.  And if you’re the do-it-yourself type, there’s always the leather route.

 

The Minimalist: Stanley Nineteen13 Lunchcase – $19.99

The link above goes to Amazon where the black option ships fast and free with prime.  All five, not just three, color options available direct through Stanley.  The “camo” option is really just the stainless with green and beige locking pieces and hinges.  Lean and mean.  Can be broken down completely to recycle if you don’t need it anymore.  Sidenote:  They made a web video about a lunch case?  The internet has now officially done everything.

 

The Cadillac:  Saddleback Classic Travel Case – $164.00

But won’t it look like a purse?!?  Not if you take the shoulder strap off.  And even if you don’t, it’s a beast.  100 year warranty, thick boot leather, marine-grade thread.  If someone tries to snatch this purse, you can actual wind up, hit the punk, and kill him with it.

 

The Vintage: Thermos Lunchbox – $40.00 via Etsy (thrifting = much cheaper options)

Forty is steep.  Way steep.  Just go to the thrift store, and start looking around.  Don’t look for a lunch box.  Look for a container that’s the size of a lunch box that you can clean or at least isn’t rotting inside.  Go bigger if you haul more extras into work each day, and make sure it has a good handle.  Small metal file box?  Sure.  Old film projector case?  Absolutely.  Ammo box? …  Actually no, that’s not a good idea at all.

Poll time guys.  How do you transport your lunch?  Leave your personal picks and other options in the comments section below.  Top Photo Credit.