Top 10 Picnic Backpacks and shoulder bags for 2021

When you want to take your picnic with you, there’s no better way than with a picnic backpack or shoulder bag. Combining all the crockery and cutlery you’ll need along with space to store your food (often in a cool bag area), a picnic backpack means you can have your meal virtually anywhere.

The main two types of picnic backpack are those for wine lovers and those for tea drinkers. The wine lovers backpacks will usually come with 2 or 4 unbreakable glasses as well as a bottle opener and space for the wine itself. Tea drinkers’ picnic backpacks will have mugs for the tea (sometimes made of china) along with a flask or, failing that, space for a flask. Other items which are often included with picnic backpacks are rugs, salt and pepper shakers and cutting boards with knives.

With some many options, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, so please take a look at our top 10 picnic backpacks and shoulder bags list below:


Best two person backpack with rug

This has everything you’ll need for a 2 person picnic, including a rug and a chopping board! The backpack’s light weight and having everything attached to the backpack makes it much more manageable to walk with.

£29.99 £24.99

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Best four person picnic backpack with cooler compartment

A cooler compartment is a must for any picnic backpack if keeping food fresher for longer is a priority. This 4-person backpack has everything a family will need for their adventurous picnic out in the wilds. It even comes with a colour-coordinated rug!

£49.99 £49.99

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Best thermos flask pack

If you don’t want to carry too much with you on your walk, then this might fit the bill perfectly. There’s a flask to keep your drinks hot along with a couple of mugs and napkins. This also makes a wonderful present for that special someone who loves the outdoors.

Best compact picnic backpack

This stylish picnic backpack manages to hold everything four people would need for their picnic. As well as keeping food and drink cooler for longer in its special compartment, it has a PVC lining to help contain any spillages.

£19.99 £19.99

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Best backpack with wine cooler

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, this might be the picnic backpack for you! A rug, 4 polypropylene wine glasses as well as crockery and cutlery for 4 people make this backpack ideal for sitting down enjoying great company and great wine.

£29.99 £28.99

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Best classic picnic backpack for 2

When someone thinks about a picnic backpack, this is the kind which is generally conjured up in their mind. It’s perfect for couples with a compartment that can keep food hot or cold for up to 5 hours, which should be long enough for even the more intrepid explorers!

£72.99 £59.99

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Best cooler backpack

If you need a backpack with a large capacity for carrying drinks as well as food, this might be the one for you. It can take up to 34 cans of drink or a mixture of drinks and food. Additionally the strap and back have extra padding to provide extra support.

£21.99 £21.99

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Best fully featured picnic backpack

For the wine lover, this backpack has just about everything you would need. Aside from the glasses, plates and knives and forks, there is a waterproof rug, chopping board and salt and pepper shakers! Just add food and drink for the perfect al fresco meal.

£39.99 £39.99

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Best romantic backpack for 2

Take time to spend with your loved one. Long walks in the country or by the sea, interrupted only by a wonderful picnic, giving you time to enjoy each other’s company even more. This picnic backpack has everything you need, without being too cumbersome to use.

Best walking backpack for four people

When does walking become hiking? It matters not, as this lightweight backpack will carry your picnic without fuss for as long as you need it to. The cooler compartment can keep food cool for up to 5-7 hours, allowing you to turn your “walk” into a “hike”!