Get the 7-liter lunch box

For a hungry teenager, you want a lunch box with at least 7 liters of capacity. That’s the sweet spot where you can pack a real meal without it turning into a weird Tetris puzzle.

Most kids’ lunch boxes are around 4 liters, and that’s fine for a sandwich, a yogurt, and a clementine. A teen needs more. They’ll eat the main dish, plus a side, plus fruit, plus a couple of snacks, and they’ll still ask what else there is. A 7- or 8-liter box gives you room for multiple containers without stuffing everything into one leaky Tupperware.

Size isn’t the enemy either. Most 7-liter bags are still compact enough to fit in a backpack, just slightly bulkier. Look for one with a bit of depth, not just width, so you can stand up a drink or a soup thermos. And get one with an insulated lining — teens rarely eat fast, and nobody likes a cold burger at noon.

This is not where you save six bucks. If the lunch box is too small, the food won’t fit, and you’ll be back here in a month. Get the bigger one.