Best alternatives to Thirty-One insulated lunch bags
The Thirty-One thermal tote was one of the brand's most searched products, built around real insulation, a structured shape, and a monogram option that made it feel personal. Here are five insulated lunch bags that match the job, tested against capacity, insulation, and everyday durability.
The closest overall match to the original Thirty-One thermal tote is the Steel Mill & Co. Insulated Lunch Tote, which keeps the same structured, everyday shape. If capacity matters most, the Lifewit Medium Lunch Bag is the only pick on this list with a stated volume, at 9 liters or 12 cans. For a waterproof, unisex option, the Lunch Bag for Women/Men Thermal Cooler is the pick. Full comparison, sizing guide, and picks below.
What made the original lunch tote worth replacing
Thirty-One Gifts closed its direct sales operations at the end of 2024. Its thermal lunch tote was built around three things that mattered more than the printed exterior: an actual insulated lining rather than plain fabric, a structured shape that kept containers upright instead of collapsing, and a monogram option that made it feel like a personal item rather than a generic cooler bag.
When we looked for alternatives, we weighted insulation and structure first, since those are the features a thin, unlined tote cannot fake. Stated capacity, a genuine wipeable liner, and a zipper closure that holds up to daily use came next. Personalization is harder to replace one to one, since Thirty-One's monogram service is gone, but a few of the picks below get close through pattern or a distinct design instead.
Find your match
Answer two questions and we will point you to the pick that fits, out of the seven compared on this page.
Size and capacity guide
Insulated lunch bags rarely list capacity in the same units. Some give liters or a can count, others just say small, medium, or large. Of our five picks, the Lifewit is the only one with a stated volume, at 9 liters or 12 cans, so we are using that as the anchor point for the general categories below. Always check the individual listing's measurements before buying.
| Use case | Look for |
|---|---|
| A sandwich and a couple of sides | A compact insulated bag, roughly 4 to 6 liters |
| A full meal plus a drink and snacks | A medium bag, around 9 liters or a stated 12-can capacity |
| Meal prep containers or a full day of food | A larger insulated tote, 12 liters or more |
How long insulation actually protects food
An insulated lining slows how fast a lunch bag warms up, but it does not stop the clock. The FDA and the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service both define 40°F to 140°F as the "danger zone," the range where bacteria can double in as little as 20 minutes. Perishable food should not sit in that range for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the surrounding temperature is above 90°F. Use the tool below as a reminder based on how you packed your lunch.
How the alternatives compare
| Feature | Original Thirty-One lunch tote | Closest alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation | Thermal lining, wipeable interior | Insulated lining across all five picks, materials vary by brand |
| Structure | Structured shape, stands upright | Structured tote shape on most picks, softer sided on a couple |
| Capacity | Roughly one meal plus a drink | Ranges from compact to 9 liters or 12-can stated capacity |
| Closure | Zipper | Zipper closures across all five picks |
| Personalization | Monogram available, discontinued | Not available directly, pattern or color choice is the closest substitute |
Top 5 alternatives, ranked
Five insulated picks, each suited to a different reason people search for a Thirty-One lunch bag replacement.
Steel Mill & Co. Insulated Lunch Tote Bag, Book Nook Brown
A structured insulated tote with a muted, non-juvenile print, closest in spirit to the everyday shape and material quality people liked about the original Thirty-One tote. It reads more like a grown-up work bag than a lunch box, which is exactly the gap most alternatives fail to fill.
Pros
- Structured shape holds containers upright
- Insulated lining built for daily use
- Understated print, works for an office setting
Cons
- No personalization option
- Stated capacity not listed, compare dimensions before buying
Best for: anyone replacing a daily work lunch tote with something built to last.
Check price on Amazon →
Lifewit Medium Lunch Bag, Insulated Soft Cooler, 12-Can (9L)
The only pick on this list with a stated volume, at 9 liters or a 12-can capacity, which makes it the easiest to compare directly against your old Thirty-One tote by the numbers instead of guessing from photos.
Pros
- Exact stated capacity, easy to compare
- Soft cooler build, packs flat when not full
- Neutral black works for any household member
Cons
- Softer sides than a fully structured tote
- No personalization option
Best for: anyone who wants an exact size match instead of an approximate one.
Check price on Amazon →
Lunch Bag for Women/Men, Waterproof Thermal Cooler (Light Black)
A neutral, waterproof thermal tote built for anyone in the house rather than one specific style. The waterproof exterior is a genuine upgrade over the original's printed cotton, useful for anyone tossing the bag in a car or on wet ground.
Pros
- Waterproof exterior
- Gender-neutral design works for shared use
- Thermal lining suited to hot or cold food
Cons
- No personalization or pattern options
- Stated capacity not listed
Best for: a shared household lunch bag, or anyone who wants weatherproofing over decoration.
Check price on Amazon →
Lunch Bag for Women, Small Cooler Tote (Beige-Brown Plaid)
The compact size in a plaid pattern that leans closer to the printed look Thirty-One built its reputation on than the plainer options on this list. A good fit for a single meal without extra bulk.
Pros
- Patterned exterior closer to the original's printed look
- Compact, easy to carry daily
- Insulated lining
Cons
- Limited room for meal prep containers
- No personalization option
Best for: a single meal, light packing, or a smaller bag preference.
Check price on Amazon →
Lunch Bag for Women, Larger Cooler Tote (Beige-Brown Plaid)
Same plaid design as the pick above in a larger build, for anyone who needs room for a full meal plus extras rather than a single compact portion.
Pros
- Same patterned look, more interior room
- Insulated lining
- Good fit for a full meal plus a drink
Cons
- Bulkier to carry than the compact version
- No personalization option
Best for: anyone who liked the compact plaid pick above but needs more room.
Check price on Amazon →What to check before you buy
- Actual insulation, not just a lined look. Look for a listing that specifically says insulated or thermal, not just "lunch bag," since some totes use plain fabric with no lining at all.
- Stated capacity. A liter or can count, like the Lifewit's 9L/12-can rating, is far easier to compare than a vague small, medium, or large label.
- Zipper quality. A lunch bag gets opened and closed daily, so a sturdy zipper pull matters more than it seems like it would at first glance.
- Wipeable or washable liner. Confirm the interior lining is easy to clean, since spills are inevitable with daily use.
- Ice pack habits. An insulated bag slows temperature change, it does not stop it. Pair it with an ice pack for anything that needs to stay cold past the USDA's 2-hour window.
Common questions about Thirty-One lunch bags
Is Thirty-One Bags still in business?
No. Thirty-One Gifts closed its direct sales operations at the end of 2024 and is no longer producing new inventory, including its insulated lunch bag and thermal tote lines.
What made the Thirty-One thermal lunch tote different from a basic lunch bag?
It used an insulated, wipeable lining rather than plain fabric, along with a structured shape that held food containers upright, plus the option to personalize it with a monogram.
How long does an insulated lunch bag actually keep food safe?
Insulation slows temperature change but does not stop it indefinitely. The USDA and FDA both recommend not leaving perishable food in the 40 to 140 degree Fahrenheit danger zone for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the surrounding temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I still get a lunch bag personalized like the original?
Not through Thirty-One directly, since the brand's personalization service is no longer available. Third-party embroidery or a bag with a distinct printed pattern is the closest new alternative for a personal touch.
What size insulated lunch bag should I buy?
A compact bag suits a sandwich and a couple of sides, a medium bag around 9 liters or 12 cans fits a full meal plus drinks, and a larger bag suits meal prep containers or a full day of food.
Do ice packs still matter with an insulated lunch bag?
Yes. Insulation slows heat transfer, but an ice pack is still the main thing keeping cold food inside the safe temperature range for several hours, according to USDA food safety guidance.