Collapsible silicone boxes leak with anything thin

Collapsible silicone lunch boxes are great for travel, but they will leak if you put anything watery in them.

The problem is the lid. Most of these have a snap-tab or fold-over closure, not a liquid-tight seal like a proper Tupperware with a rubber gasket. They’re absolutely fine for sandwiches, fruit, crackers, that kind of dry stuff. Thick foods like rice or yogurt are usually okay too, unless your bag gets tossed around and the lid pops open.

A few things to know:

• Roll-top versions (like Stasher bags) are more water-resistant than snap-lid boxes, but still not spill-proof for thin liquids like soup or dressing.
• Silicone is flexible, so if the box gets squeezed in a backpack, the seal can break.
• They collapse flat when empty, which is the real win for travel. They just aren’t a liquid container.

Pack your soup in something hard-sided and use silicone for everything else.