For the men and women who build America, lunch is a sacred occasion, occurring every day some time around noon. In cities across the country, one may spot these workhorses taking much deserved breaks, lining walls, claiming benches, or even posted up on the sidewalk around the construction zones they operate.
The best? Go with this top rated option: the Klein Tools Work Cooler.
Splayed out on sidewalks and scaffolding in every big city, the lunch box represents precious, fleeting freedom from the sweaty, dusty labor tackled by construction workers everywhere.
| Best Lunchboxes for Construction Workers | Best Features |
|---|---|
| 1. Klein Tools 55600 Work Cooler | 17-quart capacity; keeps contents cool for up to 30 hours |
| 2. Wildkin Kids Insulated Lunch Box Bag | Comes in 12 colors; great for those on a budget |
| 3. Stanley Heritage Cooler | 7-quart capacity; comes with 1.1 quart vacuum bottle |
Not just for schoolchildren
While the lunchbox is famously associated with young schoolchildren, decorated with the current superhero or cartoon goofball, it can certainly have lifelong usage. Although if you’re looking for lunchboxes for kids, I have you covered.
Working moms, office dads, and construction workers alike all use lunchboxes in their daily life. Find some perfectly suitable work lunch containers.
Function over fashion
Most lunchboxes essentially seek to do the same thing—provide compartmentalized storage for food. Designs that can hold liquids are a plus, as is insulation. The rest is essentially just aesthetic details and unnecessary gimmicks.
With that said, what separates a viable lunchbox for a construction worker from the rest? Well, let’s look at the function and fashion of the construction worker himself. Generally, a construction worker’s taste lies in the simple, rugged, and durable. These workers are outside in all elements, so this should be considered in their lunchboxes. They often have large appetites, so their lunchboxes should be able to hold a good amount of food. With these guiding principles, let’s check out some of the best options for packing a construction worker’s lunch.
Klein Tools Work Cooler
The Klein Tools 17 Quart Lunch Box offers an affordable, rugged design that will last through many seasons and the elements that they bring. The 18 can capacity will provide ample room for even the largest lunches. The hard top lid opens a full 180 degrees, because the last thing you want when hungry is to wrestle with a stupid zipper top.
The powerful insulation keeps the cold in for up to 30 hours without the assistance of an ice pack. The lid will stay open at 90 degrees. The shoulder strap converts to a handle for carrying. Find this cooler at Amazon.
Wildkin Bengal Orange Lunch Box
The Wildkin Bengal Orange Lunch Box features a bright orange color, which gives it great visibility. You’ll never have to wonder where you put this lunchbox – it will stand out amid a sea of lumber, tools, and other coolers.
The flip-top zipper front provides easy access to your enclosed lunch. Its durable construction will make it last through several years of daily use. Sturdy foam insulation keeps the cold stuff cold and the warm stuff warm. This model is available in numerous colors, though many choose the orange for its increased visibility. Find this cooler at Amazon.
Stanley 7QT Heritage Cooler
The Stanley 7QT Heritage Cooler is near industry-standard level of quality. Made by the reputable engineers of Stanley, a name trusted by construction workers for decades, this large toolbox style lunch box features a hard shell design, protecting your lunch from the most crushing circumstances. Find it at Amazon.
It includes a 1.1-quart vacuum thermos, to provide hot coffee, tea, or chocolate all day long. The plastic lined insulation will keep cold food cold for up to 24 hours and warm food warm for up to 12 hours. Additionally, the removable lid works wonderfully as a lunch tray, for mess-free lunching.
The best in packed lunches
For most construction workers, lunch is the most hallowed moment of the workday. Reward yourself or the construction workers close to you by investing in one of these rugged, simple lunchbox designs. Looking for large coolers instead? See my picks
David learned to cook at an early age after his mother told him that he couldn't live on pizza forever, Dave uses his modest kitchen skills to recreate sorely-missed recipes from home and to occasionally make new favorite ones from places he is visiting.