Get the rotomolded cooler for your lunch

The most durable lunch boxes for a rugged job are rotomolded coolers like the Pelican or Yeti — not the soft-sided totes or sheet-metal boxes that can’t take a drop.

Rotomolding makes the plastic thick and seamless, built for a fall off a tailgate or a hit from a swinging tool. The rigid walls also keep food intact: they don’t flex on impact, so your sandwich won’t get flattened when the box hits concrete. The gasket keeps out dust, water, and diesel fumes.

Look for a solid latch, not a flimsy plastic clasp. Pelican is my pick because the latch is part of the body and nearly indestructible. Yeti Roadie is solid too, but you’re paying extra for the name. Engel and Orca make similar ones for less. The classic steel lunch box is a budget fallback, but it dents and the hinge eventually goes.

Get the cooler. Your lunch deserves the same armor as your tools.