What's a picnic without the perfect basket? Whether you're taking your family out for an afternoon at the beach, planning a romantic picnic in the park, or hiking with friends for a mountaintop feast, a picnic basket is an absolute must-have. Investing in the right one will make your outings even more special. Maybe you want the quintessential wicker basket to make your picnic come to life with sun-filled memories. Or you might want a more modern design to make your picnic more portable or to keep your food cold for longer. Whatever outing you're planning, read on to find the best picnic basket for you. California Picnic Natural Woven Picnic Basket A Timeless ClassicEven Little Red Riding Hood would go green with envy over this eco-friendly update to an age-old favorite.Best OverallFind on Amazon When you hear the word “picnic,” you probably picture a basket just like this one. It has a sturdy woven wood chip design and an eye-catching red and white gingham liner, but all that style comes with great functionality, too. The wood chip material is waterproof to protect the interior contents, and the cotton lining offers padding to keep it all safe. It’s so lightweight and easy to carry that you might be tempted to use it for more than just picnicking. Try incorporating it into shopping trips, storage, costumes, or gifts. Pros: Classic design that’s stylish enough for a variety of occasions Waterproof, so you can set it safely on wet grass or sand Double adjustable handles for a comfortable grip Makes for an attractive and economical gift basket or storage container Cons: Dimensions work best for a picnic for two, so if you have a larger group, you might need an extra basket ALLCAMP Outdoor Gear Picnic Basket Stay Cool, ManWith this insulated, leak-proof picnic basket, you'll never have to face the unthinkable prospect of a picnic with no cold drinks.Best InsulatedFind on Amazon No, you don’t have to choose between keeping your drinks cold and packing an elegant basket. This basket offers everything you would expect from a cooler, but with a modern aesthetic and a comfortable handle. It’s quite spacious inside and can carry more than twenty pounds of weight, so you can easily bring everything you’ll need for your picnic. Whenever you’re not using it, you can fold up this soft-sided picnic basket for easy storage until your next adventure. Pros: Keeps food and drinks cold for long days out in nature or at outdoor events Soft and collapsible design means it stores easily and fits into tight spaces, even when full Impressive load capacity of 22 pounds Cons: Because it is soft-sided, its basket-like shape may vary depending on what you pack inside it HappyPicnic Wicker Picnic Basket Set A Touch of LuxuryThis high-quality basket comes with a waterproof blanket and a dining set for four.Premium PickFind on Amazon This set has it all: a distinguished wicker design, an insulated cooler compartment, dining ware for four, and even a matching waterproof blanket to make your picnic complete. The basket is roomy enough to contain the included plates, glasses, cutlery, and napkins, along with your party’s meal and beverages. Plus, it straps shut like a suitcase so you can securely carry it without worrying about losing any of its contents. Pros: Transforms any picnic into an elegant meal Sturdy wicker basket design combines sophisticated appearance and durability Hidden cooler compartment helps keep food and drinks cold Cons: The included dishes are made of plastic for durability’s sake, but you can easily pack your own glasses and ceramic plates if you’d like LazyBare Picnic Backpack Keep Calm and Carry OnWear your whole picnic on your back with this space-efficient backpack design.Best BackpackFind on Amazon The comfortable portability of this picnic backpack makes it a fantastic choice for longer hikes or those times when you’ll need to walk a while to find the perfect spot. It comes with all the dining ware and accessories you’ll need, so you can just add your food to the bag and carry it to your destination with ease. This backpack’s an impressive, modern update to the classic picnic basket that any avid outdoor-dining enthusiast is sure to appreciate. Pros: Easy to carry for use on any adventure Comes with a blanket and other fun accessories Space-efficient design offers plenty of room for food and drinks for the whole family Cons: Its modern and casual style doesn’t provide that traditional “picnic basket” look Picnic Time Country Picnic Basket Fill Up for a FeastThis large, classic basket has plenty of space and a charming design.Best for Large GroupsFind on Amazon This basket’s ample size and rustic charm make it an excellent choice for any big outdoor picnic. Make the most of its roomy dimensions, cotton blend liner, and dual-entry lid by securely packing away all the food and drinks your party will need. Its classic, sturdy willow-wood wicker construction will keep you happily picnicking for years to come. Pros: Spacious interior at just over 17″ long x 13″ wide x 8″ high Flat dual-entry lid doubles as an on-the-go tabletop Liner is removable for easy washing Cons: Its rustic aesthetic includes unfinished wood and visible threads in the liner, which may detract from its elegance for some Frequently Asked Questions Can I pack enough for a large party in one picnic basket? It depends on what size and style of basket you choose and whether you’re planning to include everything in one container. If you’re planning to keep only food in the picnic basket and bring a separate bag for silverware, cups, and other accessories, then it might be easier to pack for large groups of people. If you want the full picnic-set experience of the blanket, dishes, food, and drinks all in one basket, then you’ll have to be sure to get a basket with the storage capacity to fit it all. Why are the cups and dishes included in the picnic sets made of plastic? We all love the classy look of real glass, but plastic is much harder to break and is much less dangerous to clean up when broken. These picnic sets are designed to hold up to the inevitable jostling that comes with walking about while carrying them. You can, of course, switch out the dishes with your own, but it’s always good to consider that some popular picnic places, including some beaches and parks, prohibit the use of glass. Those plastic cups might come in handy more often than you expect.