Magnetic and Velcro closures win for arthritis-friendly lunch boxes

Magnetic closures and wide Velcro flaps are the easiest lunch box openings for arthritic hands.

The usual suspects are the problem: small snap-lock clasps, tight buckles, and stiff zippers all demand pinch grip and twisting force. That’s exactly what arthritis takes away. A lunch box that makes you fight the closure is not going to get used.

What you actually want is a top-opening bag or box with a magnetic snap under a flap. You pull the flap once, the magnet lets go, and you’re in. Wide Velcro is almost as good — it needs a simple pull, not a pinch. If you do want a zipper, get one with a big, chunky zipper pull. That turns a pincer grip into a flat palm pull, which is a huge difference.

Also check the handle. A thick, padded, wide handle you can hook over your forearm is more useful than a flimsy strap. And stay away from anything that requires two hands to open — one-handed operation is your test.

If you’re shopping for someone, run the “one hand, no pinch” test before you buy. If it doesn’t open cleanly with a flat palm, keep looking.