Our cool boxes can keep food and drinks cold for 12 to 24 hours under typical UK summer conditions, and even longer if packed correctly. Insulation thickness is the key factor - thicker walls mean better cold retention. To get the most of your cool box, pre-chill it before use by adding a bag of ice or a cold pack for 30 minutes before loading your food.

The right size depends on how many people you're catering for and how long your trip is. As a general guide: a 15-20 liter cool box is ideal for 1-2 people on a day trip, comfortably holding a few drinks, sandwiches, and snacks. A 25-40 liter cool box suits a family of four for a full day out or a short camping trip. For longer stays or larger groups, a 50-litre or above model gives you the room to pack proper meals, drinks, and desserts.

A cool box has rigid insulated walls - typically made from hard plastic with thick foam insulation - which gives it superior cold retention and makes it more durable for outdoor use. It sits flat and stable, making it great for camping, festivals, beach days, and the boot of the car. A cool bag is soft-sided and foldable, making it lighter and easier to carry or store, but with shorter cold retention.

Five things make the biggest difference: 1. pre-chill the box - fill it with ice or cold packs for 30 minutes before loading anything. 2. Use quality ice packs - gel ice packs last longer than loose ice and don't create water as they melt. 3. Pack strategically - place raw meat and items that need to stay coldest at the bottom, then layer drinks and snacks above. 4. Minimise lid opening - every time you open the cool box, warm air rushes in. Pack items you'll need first near the top. 5. Keep it in the shade - direct sunlight is the biggest enemy of cold retention. Place your cool box under a tree, gazebo, or windbreak whenever possible.

Both work well, and many people use a combination Reusable gel ice packs are cleaner, longer-lasting, and don't leave your food sitting in melt water - they're the best choice for food-heavy trips. Loose ice surrounds items completely and cools faster making it great for drinks - but it melts more quickly and leaves water at the bottom.