Remember the days of hideous plastic lunch boxes with leaking lids, stained insides, and a certain smell that only they possessed, which you could never be rid of? So do we. Black + Blum however is a breath of fresh air in a sour, poorly designed product sector that a lot of the time is more about pretty patterns than any actual function, looking at you, Swell… But as we said, Black + Blum is changing all that. Founded over 20 years ago by Dan Black and Martin Blum, Black+Blum is a UK-based eco-design company, specialising in high-quality and durable food containers and drinkware. The brand prides itself on being innovative and sustainable in its design principles that guide its brand, ensuring the entire range is thoughtfully developed and built to last. Each of their distinctive products has been uniquely designed in their studio in London. Each detail is carefully considered for repeated lifelong use, and every material is sourced to the highest standard for durability. From concept to final product, the brand says they conduct rigorous research and development to ensure everything they create has a place in the world, meets a real need, and will last a lifetime. Our favorites are the beautifully designed Stainless Steel Lunch Box, which is a 600ml stainless steel lunch box that is the first 100% leakproof one on the market due to having a brilliantly secure vacuum-sealed closure. We’ve tested this rigorously over a period of time with oil-based dressings, ragu, and more. We’re happy to report nothing is going to get through this incredible piece of kit. The other is the Explorer Bottle, which is a 650ml vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle that is built for real life. It will keep your drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12 hours. Unlike competitor’s products which seem to lose their cooling or heat-insulating abilities if knocked or dropped, the Black + Blum Explored bottle really does hold up well after multiple drops, barely denting the outside casing. Stainless Steel Lunch Box £27.95, Explore Bottle £29.95, Available Black-blum.com