Spring, winter, fall, summer – you name it, it’s a good time for a picnic. For those who love a good picnic, you will know it requires so much preparation. Getting all the food cut and sealed in containers, finding a picnic blanket, drinks, utensils, (and anything else you can think of) can take a while. The next step is to actually get the food to your destination. Whether you have bottles of wine, wine glasses, a fleece blanket, or anything else, you need a proper picnic basket to get it all there to your destination.
The best picnic baskets may even have the capability to be worn as a backpack and can come fully insulated. Who knew picnic baskets could be so advanced? Let’s take a look at what else they can do!
View The Best Picnic Basket Below
1. ALLCAMP Large Size Picnic Basket
Resembling the shape of a traditional picnic basket but with more trim, this is one of those fully insulated picnic baskets we talked about. Picnics are associated with cold finger foods, but now you can bring heated food and still have it piping hot out of the basket.
Getting to the park and finding out your juice box leaked all over the sandwiches doesn’t make for a pleasant afternoon. However, the leakproof lining on this picnic basket is easy to clean. It’s a foldable design that collapses in a matter of seconds and stores easily under the seat of your car.
Pros:
+ Fully insulated picnic basket
+ Leakproof lining
+ Foldable design
+ Aluminum frame
Why We Like It – Food can get messy, but the easy-to-clean leakproof lining makes cleanup after a day at the park a much quicker job.
2. Nature Gear XL Picnic Backpack
This picnic backpack carries everything but your kitchen sink. Carry enough for four people with holders for utensils, cotton napkins, wine glasses, and the wine, plus a cheese knife while you’re at it. For the amazing price, your new backpack comes with matching red and white napkins, glasses, a bottle opener, and more!
Keep everything at the desired temperature with the insulated lining. Your drinks will come out cold, and your hot food with still be warm when you reach your destination. With all these bells and whistles, it’s unlikely that you will need the 100% satisfaction guarantee promised to you.
Pros:
+ Comes complete with dinnerware for four people
+ Insulated lining
+ 100% satisfaction guarantee
+ Easy to carry
Why We Like It – Grabbing enough food for four people on a picnic can weigh heavily on your arm, but with a backpack design, picnic time will be a breeze.
3. California Natural Woven Woodchip Picnic Basket
If you want the feeling of a traditional picnic with a wicker basket or a sustainable choice, a woven woodchip basket can simulate that experience. The red and white gingham liner also throws back to simpler times. The two foldable handles can be pushed down when you reach your picnic spot, to make it easier to get in and out of the basket.
Don’t leave your trash, always pick up after yourselves at the park, and this picnic basket is an eco-friendly option as well to reduce your carbon footprint. The beautiful picnic basket comes with a lifetime warranty because that’s just how confident the manufacturer is in the quality of the product.
Pros:
+ Lifetime warranty
+ Sustainable option
+ Red and white gingham liner
+ Foldable handles
Why We Like It – Many people choose to shop responsibly, and finding a natural woven basket option will reduce your carbon footprint.
4. Tirrinia Large Insulated Picnic Basket
Bigger families need larger baskets, so if you were looking for one with a large capacity, look no further. This picnic hamper comes with 26L of space that can hold enough for three to four people. The aluminum alloy frame is sturdy enough to carry wine, a picnic blanket, wine glasses, and anything else you need to have a good time. The basket is protected by a leakproof lining that’s fully insulated and easy to clean. Not only can you take these picnic hampers to the park, but they can double as shopping baskets as well!
Pros:
+ Satisfaction guarantee
+ Multi-purpose
+ Lots of space
+ Aluminum alloy frame
Why We Like It – The basket is large enough to carry full meals and drinks for 3-4 people!
5. apollo walker Picnic Backpack
This picnic backpack for two almost looks like a tool kit with all the slots for utensils. It also comes in a wide variety of colors and designs. Padded straps, and everything else you need., are already built inside. With your purchase, you get stainless steel utensils, wine glasses, a cheese knife, a bottle opener, a fleece picnic basket, and more! It has a larger capacity than most of the other picnic backpacks and has a detachable drink insulator that keeps your wine or thermos at the right temperature.
Pros:
+ Larger capacity
+ Comes with the full package
+ Detachable drink compartment
+ Padded straps
Why We Like It – There are sizes for two to four people available in different colors and patterns, each complete with all you need.
6. Sunflora Picnic Backpack
This insulated backpack can keep food at the right temperature for hours. Equipped with enough space for a four-person meal, it comes with stainless steel utensils, plates, wine glasses, and even a cutting board! What’s best about this picnic basket is there is a detachable ice pouch that won’t get the inside wet. It comes with a soft fleece picnic basket on one side, and another removable insulated wine bottle and drink holder. All you need to do is find your perfect destination, and the picnic backpack will take care of the rest.
Pros:
+ Come with stainless steel utensils
+ Fully insulated
+ Removable ice pouch
+ Detachable drink compartment
Why We Like It – What we like best about this carrier is the detachable ice pouch! It’s a thoughtful addition that will keep the interior dry.
7. Picnic Time Piccadilly Willow Picnic Basket
Take a throwback design, add a little twist, and you’re left with the Piccadilly Willow picnic basket. It’s meant for two and is constructed of weaved willow with leatherette straps to keep everything in place. This basket set makes picnic time preparation easy with all the utensils already included! It’s lined with red and white plaid. The double lid lifts to present plates and flatware and to reveal the food and snacks within your new picnic basket.
Pros:
+ Leatherette straps to secure flatware
+ Two foldable covers for easy access
+ Large enough for two
+ Fully lined
Why We Like It – The basket is a more traditional design. but with slightly fancier capabilities, such as the double-lid design.
8. summerease 4 Person Wicker Picnic Basket
The size of this wicker picnic basket is larger than most, with a vintage and antique style unbeatable by competitors. It comes with a leatherette handle and straps to keep all the contents tucked away in an orderly fashion. Inside you’ll find stainless steel utensils enough for four people, making it a wonderful companion for group outings. Even a traditional design can have an insulated compartment! The insulated storage bag is perfect for storing meats and fruits that need a certain temperature.
Pros:
+ Extra-large capacity
I+ nsulated storage bag
+ Utensils and flatware included
+ Beautiful vintage style
Why We Like It – We love how a traditional picnic basket design can be modernized too! The insulated storage bag allows you to carry more food options.
9. Picnic Time Country Picnic Basket
This storybook-like design looks like it manifested right out of Little Red Riding Hood! The lightweight basket won’t add any weight to your already heavy contents, and the split lid design gives you easy access. The removable cotton blend liner is machine washable.
The grab-and-go handle is made out of sturdy wicker and sits comfortably on the crook of your arm, whether you’re shopping at the farmer’s market or heading out to a picnic. It looks simple, but the attention to detail that went into the construction is what boasts a lifetime guarantee of quality.
Pros:
+ Split lid design
+ Machine washable lining
+ Sturdy handle
+ Lifetime guarantee
Why We Like It – A lot of designs are uncomfortable to carry, but this easy and thick handle won’t pinch or cut into your arm.
10. Picnic at Ascot Insulated Folding Picnic Basket
Picnic at Ascot offers multiple polyester canvas patterns to spice up their aluminum picnic basket frames. Each product comes with a lifetime warranty and a leakproof lining. If you accidentally spill liquids on the lining, just throw it into the washing machine, and it will come out as good as new. This basket is easy to carry and collapsible for easy storage. It’s great for any outdoor event.
Pros:
+ Lifetime warranty
+ Leakproof machine washable lining
+ Collapsible for storage
+ Easy to carry
Why We Like It – We love simple designs but also ones that are no-fuss when it comes to cleaning. The leakproof liner is machine washable.
Picnic Basket Buyer’s Guide
Picnic baskets nowadays are a far cry from their woven wicker ancestors of decades ago. They now feature high-tech insulation, storage units, detachable parts and come with basic picnic essentials. However, it’s not just the rustic antique style we look for; it’s also the functionality of our purchase. There are certain features you need to look out for to make sure that your new picnic basket will live up to your expectations.
Material
Material is everything when it comes to the construction of a picnic basket. The best ones are high-quality and sturdy. The ones with polyester canvas are the easiest to clean, so if you find yourself often spilling and dirtying things (guilty as charged), then this machine washable material might be your best choice.
Many natural wood and plant-based options, such as willow, wicker, and rattan, are malleable, won’t break easily. They also look very chic. The tough stuff is made from aluminum alloy. If we had to choose, we’d want one made of aluminum alloy with washable lining.
Design
Basket or backpack? Basket designs are more traditional, and backpacks are more modern. Not to mention, a backpack design is easier to carry, and it keeps your hands free for other activities, especially when you’re out on a hike. Basket designs are usually carried by handles and can be a bit cumbersome, especially if you intend to bring food for two or more people. Picnic baskets can also add to the weight of the contents unless you choose one that’s lightweight.
For those who don’t want to forgo the experience of traditional picnic time with a more modern picnic backpack design, then the basket option does add a touch of novelty.
Handle and Strap
If you opted for a backpack, then keep in mind that you will be carrying the weight of the contents on your shoulders. Padded shoulder straps can greatly decease the tension and strain. For a picnic basket, the handle should be thick, or in terms of double handles, extra padding would help.
Also, collapsible handles on your picnic basket will allow you to rummage through the contents more easily. Whatever style you choose, just make sure the handle or strap is comfortable enough for you to lug around.
Lining
The lining not only protects the interior of the basket, but it also protects the exterior from any of the leakages. Cute patterns can also add a touch of style to a picnic basket. More modern designed baskets or backpacks have insulated compartments or pockets to retain temperatures. The liner should also be easy to clean, just in case spills do happen. Finding a removable one that’s machine washable will save you a lot of headaches.
Thicker and padded lining is recommended if you often carry a lot of fragile items such as bottles of wine, glasses. Even a cheese knife can poke its way out.
Durability
The best picnic basket should exceed expectations in the durability department. Although these baskets are rather affordable, you would still want your initial investment to last for many years to come. Make sure that the best picnic baskets you choose from are made from sturdy materials and are semi-resistant to spills and stains.
Basket Set
A lot of the options we’ve listed above come with flatware, utensils, and accessories. Some important ones you should look for include a fleece blanket, insulated wine section (or for any drink), glasses, utensils, plates, cutting board, and maybe even cotton napkins. Having all these additions is nice, but make sure you can safely place them inside their individual storage area to keep them from creating a massacre inside your basket.
The best backpack and basket designs have a place for everything and even come with a detachable and insulated drink compartment or an ice pouch!
Capacity
The size is also a big consideration for the best picnic basket. You need to make sure it can fit everything you need, and then some! How many people do you go on picnics with? If you often find yourself responsible for packing for the group, maybe one designed for four people would be more practical.
If you reserve picnics as a romantic activity between you and your significant other, then a quaint basket with just enough room for two would be enough. 2-4 people are the standard sizes, but you can even find ones large enough to cater to 6!
Storage
The backpacks are usually made of soft and sturdy material, such as oxford cloth, which makes them easily manipulated into smaller shapes for storage. Picnic baskets, on the other hand, can be a bit tougher to store. The best options are the ones that can fold or collapse flat and can slip into small spaces for storage.
What Should I Put in My Picnic Basket?
Luckily, most manufacturers have you covered and include almost everything you need in the basket set save for the actual food and drink. Just keep everything inside, and you should have all you need for a sunny day outing. Things that you might want to place in your basket might be an ice pouch (if your purchase doesn’t come with one), drinks and food enough for however many are coming on this outing. You may also want to invest in a picnic blanket (if yours doesn’t come with one) unless you don’t mind sitting on the grass.
Conclusion
A picnic basket is imperative in moving necessary utensils, food, and everything else you need to your picnic spot. A lot of them come with organized compartments to keep everything neat and tidy. The best ones also keep your food warm or cold as if they arrived fresh out of the fridge or oven. Pick yourself up one of these indispensable carriers that can also double as shopping baskets and backpacks on your next grocery run. Follow our tips and you’re sure to have a perfect picnic time!
Did You Know?
Even if there are no stains or spills, transporting your food and drinks can leave odors in the lining. Remember to wash the lining even if it looks clean regularly. Bacteria and germs can also buildup on the surface of the cloth from crumbs and specks of food that are invisible to the eye.
Expert Tip
If you find yourself carrying food that needs to be preserved, we would suggest definitely looking into a basket or backpack with an insulated compartment, or a fully insulated lining.
