Don't let the ice water ruin your lunch

The trick to keeping food dry is a separator — and no, a pile of loose ice isn’t one.

If you’re only bringing one cooler, you have two jobs: keep drinks accessible and keep food from sitting in melted water. The simplest way is to put drinks in a separate cooler. That’s not always realistic, so when you’re stuck with one, make a wall. A plastic milk crate, a wire basket, or even a folded-up cardboard box placed inside the cooler works as a divider. Food goes on one side, drinks on the other — and the water from melting ice stays with the drinks.

The other half of the problem is that loose ice melts fast and spreads everywhere. Swap the loose cubes for big block ice (lasts longer, less water), or throw in frozen water bottles for drinks. They double as hydration and they don’t create puddles because they’re sealed. Also, put food in a Tupperware or a dry bag if you’re not above it. It’s not cheating, it’s just not wanting soggy sandwiches.

And whenever you open the cooler, drain the meltwater out