How do you carry lunch to work alongside a full backpack?

[Homeiswherethedogsare]

I commute with a backpack but it's usually full so no space for a packed lunch.
Need to start bringing my own food to the office and just wondering whether I need an insulated lunch bag? Or just a tote to carry on my shoulder as well as my backpack? Or just find a way to chuck it in in a plastic bag to avoid leaking?
What does everyone do?

Get a bigger backpack

Empty some of the stuff out of the backpack or get a bigger one!

I suppose my question is what else are you taking? I have my laptop, charger, planner and sometimes a book and by no means a huge laptop bag but I can always fit a sandwich box in (although I tend to take Huel). I would look at what you're carrying/ bag as a first step.

As the others said, empty your rucksack out or get a bigger one - carrying multiple bags is an absolute ballache

I commute every day with rucksack and it’s not full so wondering if you’re carrying the necessary stuff? Time to be ruthless!

I commute with a rucksack and a separate sling bag for my phone. The rucksack has a lunch box, headphones, laptop, hairbrush and various toiletries in it. In winter it usually has to take a hat and neck buff too. It is on the large side, but not too bad. I would work out what your essentials are and get a rucksack that is big enough for that plus anything you can bring to work and keep there like toiletries or that you might ever buy near work and then need to carry home. That or keep a small extra bag in your rucksack for those occasions.

I keep my phone separate as it makes it easier to carry the phone at lunchtime.

It's a newish one and tall but narrow (the biker type). I guess I could squeeze a lunch box in it if I tried, but just about.

I usually take an insulated grab bag style lunch bag. I carry it in my hand. I don’t always take a rucksack, I often carry a handbag or just a cross body bag plus lunch bag. This is on the days I need to take breakfast and lunch and a water bottle so it’s just easier to have a bigger bag with it all in.

something like this: https://amzn.eu/d/07aX87KY but I just got mine in the supermarket.

I sometimes can just put all in my bag or rucksack, but I found I was compromising on what I packed, then getting peckish at work so giving in to the cakes and biscuits that are always in the kitchen. Being able to take a couple of extra pots with fruit or yoghurt when I just need that hit of something sweet is worth it for me for the inconvenience of having to walk with two bags.

I use one of these Cath Kidston bags
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su863660/h69572?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22747670846&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UVjraEpyhppHtOdXIJ9mnwij&gclid=CjwKCAjwnN3OBhA8EiwAfpTYekaKIPsJaDlohWeeFT1Ecs4Dc-WQ0dlTiv6mPe-KEFn6xbhbzR0cTRoC9XMQAvD_BwE
There are loads on Vinted, pretty cheap and they are the perfect size to hold my lunch.

What are you taking for lunch? If it's a salad pot or leftovers to reheat, you could look at a taller, narrower tub that may fit easier in your backpack?

i have an insulated lunch bag - i often take breakfast in a tub and then a soup mug and sandwich or salad/pasta tub, fruit and snacks, it's a full bag!!

I used to commute with a backpack. I bought a wide mouth thermos and used to stick it in the elasticated, side pocket on the outside of my backpack. Where you' normally stick a bottle of water. I have no idea what a biker backpack is but does it have side pockets?

I used to take lots of things in the thermos, not just soup. Crumbed chicken noodles, salads, stir fries curries etc.

I have a Thule backpack which is pretty big. Sometimes bring this: www.johnlewis.com/beau-elliot-hearts-insulated-convertible-lunch-cooler-tote-bag-7l-navy/p5679715

I always take my lunch in a separate carrier bag which I just carry in my hands.

It’s too risky that my lunch will spill and get all over my other things.
It’s also easier to remember to put it straight in the fridge when I get to work and not forget and leave it in my bag.

ooh this is lovely, i might treat myself to an upgrade!

I carry a small insulated lunch bag as well.

Could always use a carabina to clip your lunch onto your backpack. Can get lots of cheap funky insulated cube designs.

I have a work bag with laptop, files etc in it and then take a tote bag which has my lunch bag, drinks bottle, flask, umbrella, any other bits I need that day etc in it.
I couldn’t fit it all in one bag and I like to use an insulated lunch bag with ice packs in it because I take salads and fruit and yoghurt to work and don’t want it getting warm.

I can't be bothered carrying two bags so I have a thermos food flask like a PP that will fit in the side pocket of my rucksack. I don't need to carry a water bottle as we have glasses and cold water readily available in the office, so my food flask goes in the pocket where a water bottle usually would.

It's great actually as it keeps food warm or cold so I can take soups and hot pasta in the winter or salads in warmer weather.

I also keep a couple of tins of soup and one of those microwavable soup bowls in my desk drawer in case I've ever forgotten my lunch, it's come to my aid a few times!

I agree to check what you are carrying, I need to change at work( cycle) so I take all my work clothes at the start of the week and stash in my locker, keep snacks etc there
Also have toiletries, hair brush there as well.

I prefer a separate insulated lunch tote bag with sturdy handles as Im always afraid of leaks

Insulated lunch bag here.
I have my work bag crossbody one way and my lunch bag crossbody the other way!😁

I used to get asked "are you moving in" when I was office based 😆 laptop bag, handbag, insulated lunch bag, bag for life containing spare clothes/bits I bought in town, coat and waterproof! I'm probably an example of how not to do it, ppl probably take less stuff up Everest lol. I wfh now. If I went back to commuting I'd get a larger insulated lunch bag, probably a big one to accommodate 3 drinks and endless tupperware as due to OCD I like all my food separated, never mixed together!

This is available in more than one size I think
www.regatta.com/orla-kiely-12l-coolbag-giant-square-flower-mono/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaignname%7D_16108952393&utm_content=%7Badgroupname%7D_&utm_term=&utm_brand=regatta&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16097452002&gbraid=0AAAAADQdSE86NRJVd36sSHxnlLWqH3ccy&gclid=CjwKCAjwnN3OBhA8EiwAfpTYejgq2JNTwTuMwS0TEKJVKXk7mRjwGNJfjMKyRF1s-oBftzCLoBMaxRoC6vgQAvD_BwE

Fill half a bottle of water and put in the freezer, fill up with cold water and use instead of an ice pack and you will have cold fresh water all day.

I carry a separate lunch bag, more like a food bag, as it has my lunch, fruit, snacks, chocolate. I have a locker at work, which is convenient, so can leave my water bottle in there.

I have a little zip up lunch bag I carry. It fits quite a bit in, and I put the whole thing into the work fridge.

I have a back pack for my laptop, I can just fit in a squashy lunch bag (although good idea about a carabiner to attach one to the other) then a small cross body bag for stuff like purse, phone and glasses, things that I may need to hand, and this means I don’t need to lug my backpack along when I go on lunch break.

But I have seen very few elegant solutions for “everything except the kitchen sink”!