Customer Reviews

Built NY Gourmet Getaway Insulated Lunch Tote in French Bull Multi Dot

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I got this bag for Christmas, and couldn't be more thrilled. I work full-time (sometimes more than full-time; I'm a news reporter and work long hours), and this holds a full day's worth of lunch and snacks. I've been trying to eat a more varied diet and follow a "Clean Eating Plan" with plenty of fresh vegetables, which used to pose challenges -- it's a pain in the neck to haul a bunch of food to work, particularly things like odd-size "leftovers" containers and whole fruits and vegetables. This bag, however, stretches to hold everything I need, without being cumbersome on days when I have less food. When it's empty, I can fold it into my purse. I usually put the whole thing in the refrigerator at my office, but I can keep it on my desk all day if I put an ice pack inside. I had considered buying one of those cool bento kits, but I like this better, as it gives me flexibility to bring whole veggies without cutting them (like, say, an entire cucumber) and lets me save time by moving my own containers directly from my home refrigerator to the lunch bag.

So there's function. In terms of its appearance, I couldn't be more pleased. I have the "Rainbow Flower" pattern and it's fun for me to use and carry. I also get lots of compliments from the good people at my office, including folks who have to ask whether it's a purse or a lunch bag. I carry it all over the place, and it doesn't look like I'm hauling around a small cooler.

All in all, I recommend this very highly. I'd looked everywhere for a perfect lunch container, but had given up the search prior to receiving this bag for Christmas. I will probably invest in another one in the event that this wears out. (It shows few signs of wear after two months of heavy use -- in particular, the zipper is still perfect, despite some high-volume days.)

I've been using this bag nearly every day for a month now, and I'm really loving it. The French Bull vine pattern is super cute.

I usually need to bring a lunch and two snacks, so I need a lot of space. I bring a wide variety of stuff, so the stretchiness is important for fitting different shaped containers. I often bring something like:
-a cheese stick
-an apple
-a fork
-a container (6.5" x 6.5" x 3.5" high) of food
-a water bottle (3" diameter x 7" tall)

All of that fits, with the water bottle vertical next to the food container, and the smaller stuff sitting on top of the food container. The bag stretches just a little bit to zip shut over the water bottle. I could probably fit something like a yogurt in there as well if I needed even more food.

I don't put an ice pack in it; instead I just put a lot of ice into the water bottle. I have access to a refrigerator, but I've stopped using it because my food stays cold enough until lunchtime without it. I'd rather leave the refrigerator space for the people who still use a plastic grocery bag to cart their lunch around.

This is actually my second Built NY lunch tote. I love that it is the perfect combination of style and function. It looks very cute so I don't mind carrying it along with my purse. Best of all it works very well. It does a great job of keeping my food cold (especially with a small ice pack). I especially love that the polyester/rubber blend of the material has a little give to it so I can fit oddly shaped containers with ease while still having it snap back to its original shape when unloaded. I routinely use it to carry a couple of tupperware containers along with my 11" tall stainless steel water bottle. As others have mentioned, it can be folded up into a compact size so when not in use it easily slips into a purse or other bag. As someone who is accident prone I also appreciate that it washes up well incase I spill.

Overall this is a great tote. It meets my functional needs and still garners me tons of compliments.

I recommend you read my review before you buy the MULTIDOT pattern because it doesn't look exactly the same as the picture! Its more of an off white background and all the polka dots vary so you might not get as really bright of a bag as you might expect. Otherwise, its grat. Just don't want you to be disappointed like I was, after I purchased and recieved the item.

I've only just received mine, and it has a very strong chemical odor. I'm assuming that is because it's new, and I plan on washing it before use. I mainly wanted to comment on the colors for the Vines pattern. I was hoping it was pure white and black, but the white is actually a light cream color. Unfortunately, this is never mentioned on the numerous websites selling it in Vines. It's still the best looking one I could find with the specs I wanted most.

I have no complaints about this product. I use it nearly every day, and love it! During the first week of using it, I spilled soy sauce on the interior, leaving a stain. I brought it home, put some cold water and dish soap in the sink, and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Took it out, let it hang dry, and it was back to normal. My point: super easy to clean and wash, high quality materials and design, spacious interior, and just really sleek and cute looking :)

I bring my lunch to work every day, so I needed a lunch bag that would be durable, cute, and light to bring with me. I can fit whatever I need in the bag without having to worry about space inside it or how much space it will take up. It also stretches for when I bring home my coffee mug that needs to be washed, along with containers from lunch. I had to wash it a few times when I got it, because it smelled like neoprene. After that, it hasn't smelled like anything. The best part is that it can easily fold up when I am done with lunch and go nicely into my tote bag. I would highly recommend this for anyone who brings their lunch anywhere.

These are just really great lunch totes...I have given two for different friends that are typically hard to buy for - they are unique and my friends love them! Use them daily for work and the gym. LOVE the French Bull Vine design!!

I purchased the French Bull Vine pattern of the Gourmet Getaway in Fall 2009 and fell in love. I work long hours and am hypoglycemic, so I generally take breakfast, lunch and 4 snacks to work with me. This bag fits them all! I have had up to 4 small (1 cup)- medium (3 or 4 cup) tupperware containers in the bag, along with other food, and zipped it with no problem. I also love that I can wash it in the washing machine as it makes it much easier to clean than other lunchbags I've had. I loved this bag so much - and 6 months in it's holding up great! - that I bought a second one in the Multi Dot pattern. Both bags are super cute and I've been asked multiple times "is that a purse...?!" So much better than a brown paper bag!

The actual storage area of this bag is only about 8" high by 8" wide. I bought this bag to carry my Nalgene water bottle & a slim 12" thermos. The thermos doesn't fit at all & the Nalgene water bottle fits, but hardly anything else will fit with it. The smell of the Neoprene fabric is intensely chemical, which permeates my sandwiches & anything that is not wrapped airtight. I bought this lunch bag for function, not cuteness...