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?

I have a backpack that has an insulated lunchbox built in as I had the same issue. Not expensive, about £30 from amazon.

do you actually need an insulated bag to keep your lunch warm/cold? i put my lunch in a bag and put it in the fridge when i get to work and heat it up if needed.

i have a back pack and small cross body bag for my valuables (purse, keys, phone, oyster card), as i’m paranoid about pickpocketers. taking these items out leaves me much make space in my backpack.

I have a small insulated bag that can be squished into my backpack, but on occasions I have to carry something extra, I use one of those cotton shopping bags, as they fit nicely over my shoulder too (and I can tuck the strap under backpack strap too).

Which leads me to.... use one of those extra bag days to take a bunch of ambient snacks you can leave in a locker or drawer. May as well fill up the bag!

I have a leather backpack which isn't huge so once I have my laptop, notebook, charger, phone etc in there there's no room for lunch so I take a separate insulated lunch bag, but I drive or walk to work so it's not a problem

Get a bigger rucksack. One with a hip belt that has pockets on it for your wallet and phone. A separate lunch bag is just screaming to be left on the train.

And keep your lunch box with the lid upwards inside it.

I use this Sistema insulated bag - a fiver in Asda now. I have the bento box inside with travel cutlery. Plenty of space for water bottle. Much better than my tatty plastic bag.

Insulated lunch bag then attach it to the backpack with a carabiner clip .. hands free!

I take a separate bag for my lunch. I learned this the hard way after a beetroot salad leaked everywhere in my bag!

If I take lunch I need a separate bag. My main rucksack has laptop, charger, headphones, notebook, pens and wallet/phones/keys etc. feminine products and a bag for any shopping, plus shoes to change into and sometimes yoghurt/fruit for breakfast. I couldn’t fit lunch in there too.

I have this and it’s brilliant. Fits a laptop at the back too.

What are you taking to work?..!
I do 12hrs 6am - 6pm I have a drawstring see through bag, that's it, for lunch/ breakfast usually take protein shake like "this is food" a couple of sandwiches, water, anything else I'll go to the canteen, I'm ready for tea when I get in ay 7pm.

Used to have a Decathlon backpack with a built in insulated compartment at the base for lunch. Mine was stolen, but was very similar to the one in the link.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/nh500-arpenaz-20l-insulated-hiking-backpack-ice-grey/309210/c344c1m8844400

I remember the days when employers used to supply a computer that sat on a desk. When you finished work you switched the computer off and went home. In the morning the computer was still there, on the desk. The only things you had to bring to work were your purse and your lunch. Maybe a book, for (paid) lunchtime reading.

Of course, life is so different now, post technological revolution automating everything.

I'm guessing you'll get few first-hand experience answers, as I've never met anyone who lugged a back-pack to work. Do you really need it?

Comments like yours @MsAmerica could only possibly be true if you never leave the house .

Otherwise literally (tens, hundreds of?) millions of people do this several times a week. Way of the world for the hybrid office worker.

People take their laptop backwards and forwards and often also things like gym kit. Plus other bits and pieces and often, like the OP says, lunch (and sometimes breakfast too) because otherwise you have to buy food, which is some or all of expensive, unhealthy, not to your taste or inconveniently located.

Anyway, the OP has had plenty of useful replies.

OP I got a nice lunch bag from Fit & Fresh @ TK Maxx

I can just about squeeze in my lunch and water bottle, but it makes my already really heavy backpack even heavier. I have no idea how people are also fitting in gym stuff too to go to the gym after work, but some I work with do.

I have a Roka large canfield back pack. Side and front pockets can take a flask , small lunch box etc

If your work has a fridge you could just nip out on Monday to buy supplies and store it there.

But what you have got in it? I fit my lunch in no problem and it's not a big backpack

I am a huge Decathlon convert/fan. I used to be a bit snobby but I have never had anything from them that wasn't well designed, comfortable and reliable

My work backpack is fairly small (16l) but I easily fit my laptop a notebook a book and a tupperware for my lunch and a smaller one for the dog's lunch. I don't need anything more.

Are you taking in a roast chicken or something?

And why are you all taking your laptops home?

I once spotted a fellow delegate's rather smart and practical looking backpack at a conference and, thinking 'ooh, I might get one of those' made a sneaky note of the brand name so I could look it up, but thinking it would likely cost more than I wanted to pay. No, it was a Decathlon exclusive brand and probably about £40.

@awfulapril are you and MsAmerica being deliberately obtuse? Have neither of you heard of hybrid working?