FlatBox ORIGINAL Kids LUNCH BAG PLACEMAT, MACHINE WASHABLE Cooler Tote Bag, Unzips to a Placemat to Eat Clean anywhere, TRIPLE Insulated Neoprene HEAVY DUTY zippers, stitched handle

I went back and forth with my sons current lu ch box trying to figure out how big this really was. While I like how it flattens out into the mat, this is MUCH smaller than portrayed in the pictures and hardly anything fit in it. I’m including pictures because it shows the scale better and also how it’s not as tall as it looks in the main product picture. Hopefully others will get a better idea before ordering. But mine is going back.

We went through several lunchboxes (including a couple from Costco) in early elementary school before discovering these. The problem with the old ones is that they inevitably get thrashed on the inside—the liners start to split or scratch, gross stuff gets caught in the seams (sometimes remaining undetected for days or weeks), and inevitably they take on that unmistakeable, slightly ripe cafeteria aroma.This "flatbox" solves all those problems. It's made of tough wetsuit material, which means both that it's insulated and that you can throw it in the wash, and because the sides all zip down, nothing seeps into or gets caught in the seams. My son is slightly germophobic (um, don't know where he got that), so he also loves the fact that it zips out into a "placemat" he can eat on.We wash it every couple weeks or so, and just zip it open to hang up on a hook and air out each night. This is the second one that we've bought, near the end of fourth grade. The first one wore out after almost three years (one of the zippers eventually split), but that's a pretty good track record for year-round daily kid use, including summer camps.[I hate that so many Amazon reviews have become fake or compensated, so I feel obligated to say I have no connection with this company. This is just an honest parent opinion, which I'm inspired to give because I'm so happy with the product.]

I bought two of these: Purple for an elementary school student, and Blue for a middle schooler in 2015. Now they are in high school and college, and the bags are still going strong. I remember the days of replacing lunch boxes every year. These are worth every single penny, and I don't have to feel guilty throwing away a plastic & foam mess at the end of the school year. The seams have all held up. The place mat function is a comfort if you've ever seen how gross cafeteria tables can be. I almost expected a zipper to poop out, or stitches to need repairing, but it has never happened! It's so convenient to be able to unzip and wash in the laundry.Regarding the size that it seems other reviewers have an issue with, these do hold a full lunch, and not for a toddler, for adults too. In the early days of use, I would squeeze a .6L Sigg bottle into the bag, but now that the kids play sports regularly (which means they eat and drink more) I pack a big lunch and after school snack and they carry a large water bottle in the side pocket of their backpacks. The lunch is consistently: an entree, fruit, veg, chip bag, large granola bar or two. It easily holds a 10 oz thermos, or nesting containers, plus all the side and utensils. There is often room left over, and even if I want to load it up, the fabric stretches. Understand that this probably doesn't fit anything super sized or large bulky containers, but I have never had a problem packing a full, healthy sized and satisfying lunch. Highly recommend!

It is a nice idea, but not as practical to use in real life as I expected. I got it for my kid, but he can't zip it up. It is too bulky to throw in his backpack. It doesn't zip all the way shut, so food could spill into his backpack. Also, not insulated as well as normal lunch bags. Stitching was also cheap looking, so I suspect it would not last long. Even though I really like the concept of a washable placemat bag, this won't cut the mustard

I was attracted to the idea of this lunch box, but was concerned over some of the reviews/price. I buy cheap lunchboxes as my son trashes them. He always forgets to empty the garbage out and I'm left with sticky, yogurt-y mess inside. So. Gross. I'm glad I made the leap and purchased it.As for size, I would recommend the regular size, or even the smaller one, for a kids backpack. It does take up considerably more room than a normal lunchbox as it's taller.The zippers do not meet up fully. Some folks mentioned a gap in the top, but it is not an open hole where things can come out. There is enough material, etc, that it's covered. I've put a cooler pack in his lunch every day and nothing has been too warm or has fallen out.My 9-year-old has no trouble zipping/unzipping it into a flat surface. This is another reason I recommend the smaller sizes, when he's at school it makes a nice mat for him to eat off of, anything larger would intrude on his neighbors' spaces.As for cleanup... oh how nice it is to be able to lay it out flat and wipe it down! He hasn't made any major messes yet, so I haven't tried tossing it in the laundry, but I love the fact I have the option to do so!

This is a neat idea. For school lunches opening this into a full place mat is not practical because it's pretty huge. This was not a big deal for us but may be for others.My positives:Machine washableHolds quite a bitKeeps food coldNegatives:Only one... For my son the zippers are a little difficult but I think with a little practice it will no longer be and issueMaybe this is just me but I also like that in carrying this lunch box the food remains upright and not on its side. For some reason most kids lunchboxes seem to put the handle on the side so when you carry it everything tips over and gets jumbled up and leaking is more of a concern.All in all I do really like this lunchbox and I think it will hold up for a long time.

This seems like such a good idea when I ordered it. However it's on the small side for a lunch bag, even at child's lunch bag. But the biggest issue I have is what a pain in the neck it is to open and use. Four zippers! And if they're not all perfectly secured stuff is falling out unlike a regular neoprene bag with a zip closure at the top what you can just hold from the handles and toad around even when it's open.

This lunch box is fantastic! My daughter (12) loves it and it’s still “super cool”, even in middle school. Fully washable!! It also holds much more than you’d expect. She often takes her thermos with a hot lunch as well as fruit, veggies, dip, and a couple of other snacks. She can easily fit her thermos and 3-4 other containers for snacks. A++

A little smaller than I thought once zipped, but great size when spread open at meal time

My son won't go anywhere without his 'backpack' he loves it. Its easy to use hes only 2.5yrs old and dan unzip it himself

Great bag! I got the kids one for myself! Love it!

Used daily ... hold us well