Everyone loves a good old-fashioned picnic when the weather is just right. However, a traditional picnic basket may not be the most practical option for your adventures. From long hikes to casual picnics in a park, a convenient alternative is a picnic backpack that suits your every need. Carrying a backpack allows you to travel hands-free and it feels less burdensome. They also have deep compartments, allowing you to store more picnic essentials. Find your favorite from our reviews of the best picnic backpack set for two or four people. Read further down for help with considering what features are important while buying the right one for your needs.
Table of Contents
| Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|
Best 2 person picnic backpack |  Greenfield Collection Super Deluxe Navy Blue Picnic Backpack | |
Budget pick for 2 people |  ALLCAMP Outdoor Gear 2 Person Picnic Backpack | |
Best 4 person picnic set backpack |  Sunflora Backpack Picnic Set | |
Budget pick for 4 people |  Apollo Walker 4 Person Picnic Backpack | |
Best Picnic Backpacks for 2
California Picnic Backpack for 2
The California Picnic Backpack for 2 with blanket features a practical design and premium quality picnic essentials made with FDA-approved materials. It includes wooden handle stainless steel cutlery sets and salt and pepper shakers, plastic wine glasses, matching plastic dinner plates and napkins, a corkscrew opener, a cheese knife, a wooden cheese board, and a waterproof picnic blanket. This set is the perfect couple’s gift and ideal for a wine and food date. Its sensible yet sleek design makes it an excellent choice for any occasion.
The black backpack with sturdy leather magnetic outer straps and buckles weighs 4 pounds with outer dimensions of 17.6 x 13.7 x 7.7 inches. It has two compartments with zippers under the flap. The one on the front is smaller and holds the plates and cutlery in a secure band, while the one at the back is larger, insulated, and meant to store the food. There’s also an external vertical zippered wine bottle holder on the side that’s also insulated to keep your wine cool. On the other side of the pack is the blanket holder but for it to hold the blanket properly it needs to be rolled up tightly.
These compartments are quite spacious and sufficient for a one-day trip. They are also well insulated, making them suitable to store food and wine. The bag itself is made of a durable canvas material enabling it to last long.
There are two ways you can carry this pack – by the shoulder straps or by the top handle.
Pros:
- The backpack is spacious and large enough to hold plenty of food, and the compartments are insulated.
- The backpack is durable.
- The flatware is premium quality.
- The blanket is waterproof.
Cons:
- The blanket is prone to unraveling.
- The blanket strap is a bit on the short side.
The Greenfield Collection Super Deluxe Navy Blue Picnic Backpack Hamper is a luxury picnic backpack for 2. It is durable, made of 600D Polyester, and is available in navy blue and forest green. It is accompanied by two 300 series stainless steel flatware sets with sturdy plastic handles, mugs, matching plates, shakers, matching checkered napkins and tablecloth, wine glasses, a bottle stopper, a 1 liter thermos flask, a bamboo cutting board, and a tidy-up bag.
This thermos picnic backpack has four layers consisting of aluminum foil, lining, foam padding, and fabric according to the IceTech+ technology patented by the manufacturer to keep your food hot or cold for up to 5-7 hours. You can add an ice pack or two if you want to keep your food cool for a longer period.
Weighing at 5.5 pounds, this 8.25 x 12.5 x 15.75 backpack is a wonderful choice for a couple. The front compartment where all the accessories are opens via a full U-shaped front flap. Everything is secured in pockets or held in place by velcro fasteners. The insulated cooler compartment at the back opens via a partial zippered flap. All compartments have strong YKK zips, and the straps are secure and comfortable. There are two detachable bottle coolers on the sides where one is insulated for a bottle of wine and the other is made of mesh to hold the included thermos flask.
The bag comes with a built-in picnic blanket attachment that’s hidden inside the front pocket and when used, hangs a blanket in a roll in front. Note that you have to have your own blanket or you can get the model that comes with a blanket.
The adjustable padded shoulder straps are comfortable and you can also tote the pack using its top carry handle.
Pros:
- Top quality accessories and and construction.
- Extra accessories like mugs and thermos flask.
- The plates are melamine.
- IceTech+ technology keeps the products hot/cool for up to 7 hours.
Cons:
- The product does not include a picnic blanket.
ALLCAMP OUTDOOR GEAR 2 Person Picnic Backpack Hamper
Billed as a hiking picnic backpack, this ALLCAMP OUTDOOR GEAR 2 Person Picnic Backpack Hamper features a more rugged and lightweight design. Note that the company makes other picnic backpacks too but this is their only 2 person pack with an external wine holder and blanket holder.
It comes inclusive of two stainless-steel cutlery sets, plastic wine glasses and plates, washable cotton napkins, cheese knife, shakers, bottle opener, plastic chopping board, butter box, and a plastic-backed waterproof blanket. The 45 x 53 inches soft polyester blanket is a good size for 2 people, suitable for all weather conditions, and is washable. It can be rolled up and strapped to the side of the bag.
The exterior dimensions of this insulated picnic backpack for 2 are 16.1 x 10.8 x 8.8 inches, and it weighs just 3.8 pounds. The bag isn’t hefty and is thus suitable for hikes. You can even machine wash it on a gentle cycle. The backpack’s food compartment is insulated and large enough to hold enough food for 2-3 people. The bag’s overall capacity is 21 liters.
The external insulated wine bottle pouch is detachable. There are two zippered pockets on the front of the bag, which is great for carrying personal belongings that you need on your hike.
The quality of the accessories, insulated compartments, strong zips, and padded top handle and shoulder straps are just a few reasons why this backpack is a sensible choice for your outdoor trips.
Pros:
- The blanket is waterproof and dries quickly.
- Very lightweight.
- Great value for money.
Cons:
- Glasses and plates are made of plastic so don’t feel as durable as the plates in other sets.
- This particular model is only available in green.
Best Picnic Backpacks for 4
Sunflora Backpack Picnic Set for 4
The Sunflora insulated picnic backpack for 4 comes with four stainless steel cutlery sets along with a wooden-handled corkscrew/knife, metal salt and pepper shakers, wooden chopping board, and four wine glasses and napkins. This set is complete with a 58 x 50 inches blanket with a waterproof backing and a detachable insulated wine cooler. It is available in a variety of colors such as black, gray, light blue, navy blue, blue and stripes, and brush beige.
The 16.3 x 12.7 x 7.7 inches nylon backpack comes with two main compartments closed with strong zippers. One is for the neatly organized accessories, while the other is a spacious, insulated food compartment that contains a removable waterproof ice cooler pouch that can be used to store an ice pack along with cold beer cans or anything else that needs to be super-chilled. The pouch will keep the rest of your food safe from condensation.
Additionally, there are three front pockets, one with a zipper and the other two that close with a flap. A detachable insulated wine bottle pouch on one side and a blanket in its holder on the other side round up the organizational features.
The backpack has a capacity of 14.5 liters and weighs 7.15 pounds, yet it feels relatively light. It also has comfortable and secure straps and is, therefore, a suitable option for an outdoor activity with friends and family.
Pros:
- The blanket is made of high-quality material.
- The accessories are well made and are not unnecessarily heavy. Plates are 100% melamine and glasses and uni-body plastic.
- Good extra organizational features.
Cons:
- Glasses and plates are not dishwasher safe.
- Blanket can only be hand washed.
INNO STAGE Wide Open Picnic Backpack Bag for Four
The INNO STAGE Wide Open Picnic Backpack Bag for 4 comes in navy blue or black.
The backpack includes four stainless steel dinnerware sets with plastic handles, non-shatter plastic wine glasses and plastic plates, napkins, a corkscrew, cheese knife, wooden cutting board, corkscrew, and salt and pepper shakers. The plates are BPA-free and easily washed in the dishwasher. The 58 x 51 inches waterproof blanket is a nice large size and comes in a sturdy holder with its own handle so that it can be carried, or you can attach it to the front of the backpack by its lobster clasps via the dual D-rings.
The polyester backpack itself is sized at 15.7 x 9.8 x 16.5 inches. All the accessories are packed in the front compartment. It has a large insulated food compartment at the back and two additional insulated bottle holders on either side of the bag. The main compartment has wire supporting for its extra spacious, insulated interior and open-top design so that it can be opened wide and packed and unpacked easily. It can be closed by a two-way zipper. There’s a zippered pocket on the blanket holder and an open pocket on the front of the backpack.
The straps of the backpack are wide, adjustable, soft, and padded, making it perfect for a hiking trip. There are dual carry handles on the top as well.
Pros:
- The accessories are well made.
- The blanket is large enough for four people.
- There are two insulated slots for beverages.
Cons:
- The fabric straps that the clasps on the blanket holder are attached to are weak.
Apollo Walker 4 Person Picnic Backpack
The Apollo Walker picnic backpack for 4 with blanket and cooler is made of 600D Oxford polyester and insulated with Thermal Aluminium foil. It uses PEVA backing, which is a non-toxic FDA-approved vinyl compared to PVC. It is available in red, blue and brown.
The backpack comes with accessories that include four stainless steel cutlery sets with plastic handles, washable napkins, plastic wine glasses, a butter knife, plastic chopping board, bottle opener, and a waterproof fleece picnic blanket measured at 45 x 53 inches. It also includes an insulated wine cooler on one side that can be detached and a blanket holder for the rolled-up blanket on the other side.
The backpack dimensions are 16.02 x 13.15, 7.8 inches, and it weighs 6 pounds. It has two main compartments- one shallow on the front and one deep enough to store food for four people at the back. A zippered pocket right on the front is convenient for other small items. These features, along with durable zips and soft straps, make this backpack a premium quality yet affordable accompaniment for a family picnic. A 185-day warranty is offered.
Pros:
- All the cutlery, plates and glasses are dishwasher-safe.
- The bag is lightweight and functional.
- Comfortable to carry.
- Great value for money.
Cons:
- The glasses and plates feel cheap.
- The blanket is a bit small for 4 people.
- Not as stylish-looking as some others.
Plush Picnic Backpack for Four
The Plush wine Picnic Backpack for 4 is a good option if you only want to have a wine, cheese and bread picnic instead of a full meal.
It includes four fine cutlery sets with plastic handles, wine glasses, matching black and white patterned plates and napkins, a butter knife, corkscrew/bottle opener, and a wooden cheese board. The accessories also include a 51 x 43 inches fleece blanket with waterproof backing and a detachable, insulated wine holder.
This black backpack is 11 x 7 x 15 inches and weighs just 4.4 pounds. Despite its relatively light weight, it can still carry a decent amount of food in its zipped compartments. Its adjustable straps are quite comfortable. This backpack is perfect for small picnics with couples, friends, and family.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight.
- The wine holder and food compartment keep the contents cool for hours.
Cons:
- The food storage is comparatively limited.
Picnic Backpack with Wheels
Picnic at Ascot Original Insulated Picnic Cooler with Service for 4 on Wheels
For a more versatile way to carry your picnic bag, the Picnic at Ascot Original Insulated Picnic Cooler with service for 4 is a detachable trolley and bag that can also be slung over your shoulder if needed. For the times when you’re stuffing the bag with lots of food for 4 and are walking over grass or pavement to the picnic spot, you may find that a set of wheels on your picnic bag can be useful. But when you have mostly pebbly terrain to go through, you can detach the wheels and carry the bag like a duffel by its removable and adjustable shoulder strap or even by the dual top carry handles.
This 600 denier polyester canvas bag measures 14.5 x 10.5 x 12.5 inches without the cart, and weighs 8 pounds with the cart. The cart has a telescopic handle so that it can be collapsed when not in use. The handle then folds forward to flatten the cart for storage in your car’s boot.
This wheeled picnic cooler comes with stainless steel cutlery sets, melamine plates that are dishwasher safe, acrylic wine glasses, a cheese knife, and a corkscrew.
The insulated compartment is leak-proof and is separated for food and beverage storage. This compartment opens with the help of a durable zipper; however, you can access the beverage compartment separately via a pass-through opening. This space can accommodate two bottles of wine or several beer cans. The strap is strong, but it cannot be used for an extended period before it gets uncomfortable. Nevertheless, this ergonomic design is a unique take on a picnic basket, offering its user both a hands-on and a hands-off option, perfect for travel.
Pros:
- The cart has an ergonomic design with removable cart wheels.
- Good organization for food and drink.
- The bag and cart can be folded for storage.
Cons:
- Picnic blanket is not included.
- The strap isn’t padded for comfort.
How to Choose a Picnic Backpack
To choose which picnic essentials backpack kit is the perfect match for you, you need to identify your purpose and list down the features you are looking for. To do so, you should keep in mind the following:
Backpack Weight, Bulk and Comfort
A picnic backpack is a better alternative to a traditional basket because it’s more comfortable to carry with you and more functional in terms of storage for picnic essentials. These are the two main qualities to look out for. While browsing for the perfect backpack, see if it is heavy or looks bulky. Adjustable and padded straps, detachable elements, and other features intended for comfort are also a plus.
Materials Used Overall and for Insulation
Everyone loves good value for money, which is why you should always check if the accessories and the bag are made of high quality durable materials. Tough canvas, polyester, or nylon packs can last for years. A machine-washable bag is even better.
Proper insulation for food storage is also a must. If you like taking day-long hikes without food or beverage stops along the way, then the insulation must keep your own packed food hot or cold for quite a few hours.
Straps and Zippers
Strong, padded straps are essential, especially if you intend to carry the backpack for a long duration. Check that the seams don’t look weak and that the straps and zippers won’t fall apart after a few uses because you don’t want to be in the middle of a hike when something breaks. They should all be strong and durable so that they are supportive even when the bag is full.
Compartments and Capacity
Each picnic backpack comes with accessories of its own; however, there needs to be ample space for all of that and more. The food compartments must be accessible and spacious for enough food and other essentials.
Types and Quality of Accessories
The accessories that accompany the backpack are expected to be of superior quality. Blankets should be easily washable and not prone to tearing. Based on your needs, you may also prefer a waterproof blanket so that you can be comfortable even if the grass you sit on is damp. The bottle holders should be secure, insulated, and with plenty of space for your bottles of wine or any other beverages. The cutlery provided should also add to the luxurious experience and feel high quality. The quality of other accessories such as wine glasses and cutting boards must also be assessed. Although glasses can’t practically be made of glass, the plastic used should look strong and sleek and should not be prone to breaking or scratching. You may want to take a dedicated wine travel tote bag if you want to take more than 1 bottle of wine with you.
FAQs
A picnic backpack, basket, or hamper. This should preferably have inbuilt insulation. Or get a cooler.
Food.
Bottled beverages.
A picnic blanket, preferably one that’s waterproof.
Plates, napkins, glasses, and cutlery.
A bottle opener or corkscrew.
A thermos for hot beverages or ice packs to keep beer and cold foods cold.
Trash bags. Don’t leave your litter lying around. Brings bags to take back your soiled dishes and to take back disposables if there is no trash can around or they’re full.
Paper towels.
Hand sanitizer or sanitary wipes.
Sunscreen.
Bugs spray.
A portable speaker to play some good music from your device.
Picnic toys like kites, frisbees, and balls for a more active picnic. Family board games for a more relaxing one.
If the backpack is labeled as machine-washable, then wash it on the cold and gentle cycle with a very small amount of detergent. You may want to do the rinse cycle separately so that you can unbunch the bag after it has been washed to get out all of the detergent. Some insulated bags can also be washed in the machine, but it’s best to air dry them after.
If an insulated backpack is not machine-washable, then fill a bowl with warm soapy water, dip a sponge or cloth in it, and scrub the inside and outside of the backpack. Then use a fresh dampened cloth to rinse and wipe off the residue. Finally, use a dry towel to wipe it dry and let it air dry overnight.
To avoid washing it too often, you can just disinfect and deodorize it after every use. To do this, make a homemade solution of vinegar and water or hydrogen peroxide and water in equal parts and fill a spray bottle with it. Spray the bag inside and outside and then wipe it down with a dry cloth. The smell of vinegar will disappear once it dries.
Having a picnic outdoors is one of the safest forms of relaxation outside the safe confines of your home. Fresh air dilutes the viral load when you’re around other people not from your household, so even though you should still practice social distancing and wearing masks, you can picnic safely by following some universally recommended guidelines.