For a direct swap on a general grocery run, the BALEINE 2-Pack Insulated Grocery Bags are the closest overall match, sized at 16 by 9 by 13 inches and collapsible for storage. For catering or hot food delivery, the Bodaon 5-Pack Insulated Food Delivery Bag is built specifically to hold heat, not just cold. For a stated capacity to compare against your old tote, the MIYCOO 15L Double Deck Cooler is the easiest to size against. Full breakdown below.
Why the original insulated tote mattered
Thirty-One Gifts closed its direct sales operations at the end of 2024. Its larger insulated bags were a step up from the personal lunch tote: built to hold a full grocery run, a stack of meal prep containers, or food for a group, with a thermal lining that did more work than a basic tote's printed fabric ever could.
How insulation actually keeps temperature
Every bag on this page uses roughly the same wall structure: an outer shell, a middle insulating layer, and an inner liner facing the food. The thickness and quality of that middle layer, not the printed pattern on the outside, is what determines how long the bag actually holds temperature.
Danger zone gauge
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and the FDA define 40°F to 140°F as the danger zone, where bacteria can double in as little as 20 minutes. This applies no matter how well insulated the bag is. Drag the slider to see how the clock changes with the surrounding temperature.
How long is your food actually safe
Move the slider to your surrounding temperature today.
Capacity compared
Only three of the six picks list an exact volume or measured dimensions. Where a bag does not state capacity, we sized it into a general category instead of guessing at a number, so the chart below mixes real figures with honest estimates, each labeled.
Find your match
Answer two questions and we will point you to the pick that fits, out of the six compared on this page.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Original Thirty-One insulated tote | Closest alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation | Thermal lining, single layer | Foam or padded insulation across all six picks, thickness varies |
| Structure | Semi-structured, printed exterior | Collapsible on most picks, rigid base on a few |
| Capacity | Roughly one grocery run | Ranges from a personal 15L cooler to an XXX-Large 5-pack |
| Hot food rated | Not specifically | One pick built specifically for hot and cold catering use |
| Personalization | Monogram available, discontinued | Not available, color or pattern is the closest substitute |
Top 6 alternatives, ranked
Six insulated picks, sized and rated for different jobs, from a single family grocery run to catering for a crowd.
No. 01
BALEINE 2PK Insulated Reusable Grocery Bags
Two heavy duty insulated totes sized at 16 by 9 by 13 inches each, built to collapse flat for storage between grocery runs. The closest general purpose match to what the original Thirty-One insulated tote was used for.
Pros
- Stated dimensions
- Sold as a pair
- Collapsible for storage
Cons
- Not rated for hot food specifically
- No personalization
Best for: weekly grocery runs and general everyday insulated hauling.
Check price on Amazon →
No. 02
Bodaon 5-Pack Insulated Food Delivery Bag
Built specifically to hold heat above the danger zone as well as cold below it, which is a step beyond what most grocery totes are rated for. The 5-pack makes sense for catering, a pizza warmer setup, or feeding a group.
Pros
- Rated for hot and cold use
- Bulk 5-pack
- Suits catering and delivery
Cons
- More bags than a single household typically needs
- Utilitarian look, not decorative
Best for: catering, food delivery, or hosting where hot food needs to stay hot.
Check price on Amazon →
No. 03
MIYCOO Double Deck Insulated Cooler, 15L
The only pick on this list with an exact liter rating, at 15L, which makes it the easiest to size directly against your old Thirty-One tote. The double deck layout adds organization that a single open compartment does not.
Pros
- Exact stated capacity
- Double deck organization
- Leakproof lining
Cons
- Softer sides than a rigid cooler
- No personalization
Best for: camping, beach trips, or anyone who wants an exact size match.
Check price on Amazon →
No. 04
Jumbo Insulated Cooler Bag, Charcoal
A premium collapsible soft cooler with a thicker insulation build than a basic grocery tote, meant to double as a travel, beach, or delivery bag rather than a single-purpose grocery carrier.
Pros
- Heavier duty insulation build
- Multi-purpose, travel and grocery
- Collapses for storage
Cons
- Exact dimensions not stated
- No personalization
Best for: anyone who wants one bag that covers groceries, beach days, and travel.
Check price on Amazon →
No. 05
EASYA Large Insulated Lunch Bag for Work
A step down in size from the grocery-scale picks above, built for a full work day's worth of food rather than a whole shopping trip. The added storage pocket is useful for keeping utensils or an ice pack separate.
Pros
- Leakproof nylon lining
- Extra storage pocket
- Sized for full-day work meals
Cons
- Smaller than the grocery-scale picks
- Exact liter capacity not stated
Best for: a work lunch bag that fits more than a single sandwich.
Check price on Amazon →
No. 06
MIYCOO Leakproof Insulated Lunch Cooler, Purple
The most compact pick on this list, closer to a personal insulated tote than a grocery hauler. The purple colorway is one of the few picks here that leans decorative rather than strictly utilitarian.
Pros
- Leakproof lining
- Distinct color option
- Compact and easy to carry
Cons
- Smallest capacity of the six picks
- Exact liter capacity not stated
Best for: everyday errands or a lunch bag with a bit more personality than plain black.
Check price on Amazon →
What to check before you buy
- Hot versus cold rating. Most insulated bags are marketed around keeping things cold. If you need hot food to stay hot, look for a listing that explicitly says so, like a catering or delivery style bag.
- Stated capacity. A liter count or exact dimensions, like the MIYCOO's 15L or the BALEINE's 16x9x13 inch listing, is far easier to compare than a vague size label.
- Leakproof lining. Confirm the interior is described as leakproof or wipeable if you plan to carry anything with condensation or liquid.
- Collapsible versus rigid. A collapsible bag stores flat but offers less structure. A rigid base holds shape better under a full load.
- Ice pack or hot pack habits. Insulation slows temperature change, it does not stop it. Pair the bag with the right pack for anything that needs to stay outside the USDA's danger zone for more than 2 hours.
Common questions about Thirty-One insulated 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 larger insulated totes.
What is the difference between an insulated bag and a lunch bag?
A lunch bag is sized for one meal. A larger insulated bag or grocery tote is built to hold multiple items, groceries, or several meals at once, often with a wider opening and a collapsible or reinforced structure.
How long do insulated grocery bags actually keep food cold or hot?
Insulation slows temperature change but does not stop it. The FDA and USDA recommend keeping perishable food out of the 40 to 140 degree Fahrenheit danger zone for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of how insulated the bag is.
Can insulated bags keep hot food hot as well as cold food cold?
Yes, insulation works both directions by slowing heat transfer. Bags marketed for food delivery or catering, like a pizza warmer style bag, are built specifically to hold heat above the 140 degree Fahrenheit safe threshold.
Are collapsible insulated bags as durable as rigid coolers?
A well built collapsible bag with reinforced seams and a heavy duty liner can hold up to regular grocery and travel use, though a hard sided cooler will generally outlast a soft bag under heavy daily loads.
What size insulated bag replaces the original Thirty-One tote?
It depends on use. A 15 liter double deck cooler is closer to a personal or small family size, while a multi-pack of large grocery totes or an XXX-Large delivery bag suits grocery runs, catering, or meal prep in bulk.