Type 1 Best cool bag for chilling insulin on flight to Spain

Why do you need a cool bag?
Insulin is fine out of the fridge for 30 days.
I frequently travel with my insulin in my hand luggage with no trouble.
If I am travelling to a very hot country (hotter than Spain this time of year), I use Frio wallets. However, I never travel with that many pens as I use reusable pens and cartridges which take up much less space.

Nadia19 said:

I have re usable pens aswell. And this is my first time abroad in 5 years since being diagnosed so I was only looking for some advice , making sure I’m fully prepared and I thought it was best to come on here and get advice from other diabetics .

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I’d recommend Frio too. I think with that number of pens you’d need a couple of their large size wallets. And always good to travel with far more everything than you think you’ll need. Enjoy your trip

I use a small cool bag and small ice block/ice pouches (and can then source ice and pop it a bag inside the cool bag if needed).

As far as I understand, frio bags require airflow to cool via evaporation, this isn't going to happen in my hand luggage (and my electronics, etc., in the same bag will get damp at the same time ). They also only guarantee that they will maintain insulin at room temperature (i.e. if you're somewhere hot, it will remain usable). If I travel I try to keep additional insulin cooler than room temp, which is especially useful if you're going for an extended period (i.e. more than the 28 days that you should keep insulin at room temp).

If I'm only going for a few days, and therefore expect to use my spares within the month I simply don't bother with anything in particular, though it does depend a bit on how warm/sunny it's going to be, as leaving your hand luggage in the wrong place while standing around/waiting/in the taxi/etc can quickly end up with quite warm contents.

@SimonP78 Frio pouches are not wet - your electronics will be fine. AS for airflow - the advice is not to put them in a sealed plastic bag but they are always fine in the middle of my hand luggage
However, I would be concerned about ice packs close to my insulin as it can be damaged by getting too cold. THis is one of the reasons why it is not recommended to put insulin in checked in luggage although my concern is more around not being reunited with my luggage at the other end of teh flight.

If someone is really concerned about using Frio and the airflow needed, I would suggest using a vacuum flask.
But, as you say, if you are going away for less than 30 days which will be spent in Dubai during the hot season, there is not much concern.

In Response said:

If someone is really concerned about using Frio and the airflow needed, I would suggest using a vacuum flask.

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I'm one of those that prefers a vacuum flask.

I use a Hydro Flask with a cool pack for my insulin for travel and extreme weather. I don't freeze the Hydroflask or cool pack, just cool them in the fridge.

The 591ml/20oz Hydro Flask fits insulin pens, and the 354ml/12oz easily fits vials and cartridges. Hydro Flask makes shorter food jars that would probably fit vials and cartridges, but besides the 236ml/8oz food jar, they aren't smaller, just shorter and wider.

A lot of people are happy with Frios, but I prefer the Hydro Flask, especially since I can bury it in my bag when travelling (Frios need air circulation to work).

Finnlee said:

I'm one of those that prefers a vacuum flask.

I use a Hydro Flask with a cool pack for my insulin for travel and extreme weather. I don't freeze the Hydroflask or cool pack, just cool them in the fridge.

The 591ml/20oz Hydro Flask fits insulin pens, and the 354ml/12oz easily fits vials and cartridges. Hydro Flask makes shorter food jars that would probably fit vials and cartridges, but besides the 236ml/8oz food jar, they aren't smaller, just shorter and wider.

A lot of people are happy with Frios, but I prefer the Hydro Flask, especially since I can bury it in my bag when travelling (Frios need air circulation to work).

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Wow, what a cool idea! Thanks

Nadia19 said:

So is that just like a stainless steel flask? Sorry I’m not never good first time travelling out the Uk since being diagnosed

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Yes, it's an insulated metal flask. Hydro Flask is the brand. I only mention the specific brand because I know what size of that brand fits pens and which fits cartridges.