For most people the right soft cooler bag for work is the Fridgy® 8L CribMate ($200.00): it holds up to 10 cans plus ice and is a lighter swap for a hard esky. Doing long shifts or packing for two? Go up to the 14L CribMate Plus ($250.00). Just lunch? The 6L Mini Chill ($140.00) is the small one.
We make Fridgy, so these are our own picks from our own range, sorted by what you need.
What makes a good soft cooler bag for work
- It is the right size. Too small and lunch, drinks and ice will not all fit. Too big and you are carrying empty space. Count cans: our sizes are rated by how many cans fit with ice.
- It is lighter than a hard esky. You carry it from the car or ute every day, so a soft cooler you can sling over a shoulder beats a hard box.
- It keeps lunch cold all day. You want lunch still cold at crib, not just at smoko. Pack it with ice or an ice brick.
- It takes daily knocks. A work cooler lives in a tray, a site shed or under a desk. Pick one built for that, not a thin lunch bag.
Our soft cooler bag picks from the Fridgy range, by size
Fridgy® 8L CribMate
Built for work, commuting and everyday use. Holds up to 10 cans plus ice and keeps lunch cold all day without the weight of a hard esky.
Shop the 8L CribMate
Fridgy® 14L CribMate Plus
More room than the 8L for bigger lunches, more drinks and more ice. Holds up to 14 cans plus ice.
Shop the 14L CribMate Plus
Fridgy® Mini Chill
A 6L personal cooler that sits between a lunch bag and an esky. A fold-out opening gives extra height when you need it, and there is a waterproof inside pocket for your phone and keys.
Shop the Mini Chill
Fridgy® 20L Weekender
The biggest in the range. Holds up to 20 cans plus ice, for long days, trips away or feeding more than one.
Shop the 20L WeekenderThe picks side by side
| Best for | Pick | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-round cooler bag for work | Fridgy® 8L CribMate | 8L | $200.00 |
| Long shifts | Fridgy® 14L CribMate Plus | 14L | $250.00 |
| Lunch cooler | Fridgy® Mini Chill | 6L | $140.00 |
| Weekends and the crew | Fridgy® 20L Weekender | 20L | $350.00 |
What size cooler bag do I need for work?
How to pack a cooler bag so it stays cold all shift
- Chill the bag first. Leave an ice brick in it overnight, or keep it somewhere cool, so your ice is not used up cooling the bag down in the morning.
- Freeze what you can. Frozen water bottles and ice bricks do the job of ice, and you can drink the bottles as they thaw.
- Ice on the bottom and on top. Cold air sinks, so a layer on top cools everything underneath it.
- Pack it full. Empty space warms up fastest. Fill the gaps with ice, drinks or a small towel.
- Pack cold food, straight from the fridge. Anything warm going in uses up your ice.
- Keep it shut and in the shade. Every time it is opened in the sun, warm air gets in. Keep it out of a hot cab or tray where you can.
How long does ice last in a cooler bag?
It depends on how much ice you pack, how hot the day is, whether the bag sits in the sun or a hot ute, and how often it is opened. A soft cooler bag is made for the workday. For trips of several days with lots of ice, a hard esky is still the better tool. For a shift, a full bag with ice on the bottom and top, kept shut and in the shade, gives you the longest run.
Is Fridgy an Australian brand?
Yes. Fridgy is Australian owned and Australian designed, and our designs are protected by registered designs with IP Australia. We built the range for Australian conditions: hot utes, work sites and long days outside.
FAQs
Is a soft cooler better than a hard esky for work?
For carrying lunch and drinks to work every day, usually yes: a soft cooler is lighter and easier to carry. A hard esky still makes sense for multi-day trips with lots of ice.
What size cooler bag do I need for a 10-hour shift?
For one person, the 8L CribMate holds lunch and up to 10 cans plus ice. If it is hot or you drink a lot, go to the 14L CribMate Plus.
How many cans fit in a Fridgy soft cooler?
Up to 10 cans plus ice in the 8L, 14 in the 14L and 20 in the 20L Weekender.
What is the smallest Fridgy cooler?
The 6L Mini Chill, made for lunch for one.
Where can I see all the soft coolers?
The full range is in our soft coolers collection.
How long does ice last in a soft cooler bag?
It depends on how much ice you pack, the heat, and whether the bag sits in the sun or is opened a lot. Packed full with ice on the bottom and top and kept in the shade, a soft cooler is built to get you through a workday. For several days, use a hard esky.
How do I keep my lunch cold at work without a fridge?
Chill the cooler bag first, pack food straight from the fridge, put ice bricks or frozen water bottles on the bottom and top, fill the gaps, and keep the bag shut and out of the sun.
