Thermos is still the king of leak-proof soup jars

For reliably carrying soup, stew, or curry in a bag, get a vacuum-insulated food jar like the Thermos Stainless King – not a bento box. That’s the closest thing to zero spill risk you’ll find.

The secret is a threaded lid with a gasket and an insulated vacuum body. The vacuum holds temperature, but the lid design is what keeps liquid in. Thermos has been making these forever and they’ve got it right. The 16-ounce Stainless King is the safe default; the 24-ounce Hydro Flask Food Jar is a similar pick if you prefer that brand. Zojirushi makes an excellent one too, but it’s pricier and smaller. All three seal tightly and don’t leak even if the jar tips over in your bag.

Skip anything with a clamp-down lid or a pop-up vent. Those are fine for dry snacks, but even good brands like Sistema and Lock & Lock will occasionally weep at the seam when squeezed in a backpack. If you absolutely want glass, Pyrex Snapware can work, but you must keep it upright. That’s not “no risk of spillage” in a bag.

One honest caveat: no container is leak-proof if you overfill past the rim or let the gasket get food-caked. Keep the fill line below where the threads start, and wash the lid regularly. Do that, and a thermos-style jar won’t let you down.

And your curry stays hot for hours, which is a bonus you didn’t ask for but will appreciate.