We got this because other folks at our community pool were using them to bring dinner. It works great for that and for 4th of July picnics where you only need to maintain temperature for a couple of hours. This won't work for camping where you need to keep stuff for a day or more.This basket is easy to load - the top opens wide; and is easy to store - the whole basket collapses into the metal band around the top. The insulation is on par with what's typically available in soft coolers and works well at keeping foods near the intended temp for an hour or two. Make sure you get one with two handles - some models come with a single handle anchored in the center of the metal frame. Having two handles ensures the basket will stay level even when the load isn't balanced. With the single handle, the basket will tip towards the heavy end potentially mashing the goods at that end of the basket and making it unwieldy to carry.This size basket will hold enough hot/cold food for four. If it's a hungry group of four, you may have to carry non-perishables (chips, drinks, plates, utensils etc.) separately to make sure there's enough room for stuff you want to keep hot or cold. There are no barriers built into it - it's just one big compartment - so you may have to get a little creative if you want to store hot and cold foods at the same time.