Which Insulin Cold Pack Works Best? Comparing Ice Packs, Gel Packs, and PCMs Options!

If you have an insulin-dependent diabetes and are regularly on the move, mastering the art of keeping your insulin cool and properly stored is essential.

As you know, insulin is quite finicky about temperatures. It must be kept refrigerated between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C) before use, and cool below 77°F (25°C) after opening. Failing to keep these temperatures in check can mess up your travel and diabetes plans, as insulin can quickly go bad if it gets too warm.

Whether you're dashing off to work, traveling across the world, or just spending a day out, having the right insulin cooler can really make a difference.

But what are the best cold packs to use for insulin? Ice packs, gel packs, or PCMs?

Let's break down the different types of cool packs for insulin and medication so you can hit the road with confidence, knowing your insulin is cool, safe, wherever you go.

Related article: How to Travel With Insulin That Needs Refrigeration or Cooling!

Different Types of Cool Packs for Insulin 

When the weather heats up or you're on the move with unopened, refrigerated insulin pens or vials, having an insulated cooler bag or travel case to carry your insulin is a no-brainer. It's your first line of defense to keep your insulin cool and effective.

But what goes inside your cooler to maintain those chilly temperatures? When it comes to cold packs for insulin travel, there are several options:

The Traditional Ice Packs 

These are the old reliable insulin cold packs. Just water frozen in a plastic bag, simple and straightforward. They're cheap and great for short trips.

But watch out, ice packs aren't your best option for carrying insulin:

• Risk of Freezing: Direct contact with ice packs can freeze your insulin pens and vials, which can damage the insulin's effectiveness.

• Messy Meltdown: As ice packs melt, they not only create a watery mess but also increase the humidity in your cooler bag, which isn't optimal storage condition for insulin.

• Unreliable Temperatures: The temperature within an insulin cooler using ice packs can fluctuate significantly. For insulin and other medications that require stable conditions, this inconsistency can be a real problem.

• TSA Concerns: Ice packs can raise red flags at airport security if they're not frozen solid at the airport security checkpoints.

Related article: TSA Regulations for Diabetics: Traveling with Diabetes Supplies & Insulin.

The Convenient Gel Packs

Insulin gel packs are a newer, more efficient and powerful option to keep your insulin cool during travels.

The ones we use at 4AllFamily, known as the Buddies, are made of a durable a plastic casing filled with a refrigerant Biogel and eco-friendly phase changing material (PCM). They're medical-grade and especially recommended for carrying insulin and other temperature sensitive medications, including Ozempic, Mounjaro, Victoza, etc.

• Stay Colder Longer than Ice Packs: When used in our travel coolers, the Buddy gel packs keep insulin refrigerated for up to 33 hours and cool at room temperature below 77°F (25°C) for up to 52 hours!

• Reliable for Medical Use: These insulin gel packs are designed to meet strict quality standards. They maintain a consistent temperature, with minimal fluctuations. The Biogel inside is non-toxic and MSDS-certified.

• Leak-Proof: Unlike messy melting ice packs, insulin gel packs don't melt and leak. The robust plastic casing is leak-proof, keeping everything clean and dry inside your cooling case.

• Anti-Freeze Security: The gel in our insulin cold packs freezes at 36°F (2°C), which is safely above insulin's freezing point of 32°F (0°C). This ensures that even in direct contact, your insulin is at no risk of freezing.

• TSA Approved for Air Travel: Our Buddy Biogel packs for insulin are TSA-approved for air travel when frozen and accompanied by your medication. This means they can be brought through airport security with confidence, without the worry of your insulin cooling packs being confiscated or causing delays.

4AllFamily's Buddy Biogel insulin cold packs are available in Small, Medium, and Big sizes. They are compatible with:

• The Voyager Portable Refrigerator for Insulin
• The Explorer 72-Hours Insulin Cooler
• The Nomad Insulin Cooling Cases
• The Companion Insulin Cooler Bag
• The Rambler Small Insulin Pen Travel Case

The Innovative Insulin Cold Packs with Hydrogel Crystals

An even newer, high-tech insulin cold pack option are the cold packs made with water-absorbent crystals, like those we use in our Chillers Advanced Cooling Pouches for Insulin.

These flexible cooling pouches are not your ordinary ice packs: they're filled with highly absorbent, water-retaining, jelly-like crystals that leverage the power of water evaporation.

Here's how they work: simply soak the pouch in water to activate the crystals. As the water gradually evaporates, it naturally absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, effectively lowering the temperature inside the cooling pouch.

These insulin cold packs are extremely convenient for keeping your in-use insulin pen or vial cool when traveling.

• No Need to Freeze: Just add water to activate the cooling crystals inside. No freezer nor electricity necessary, making it ideal for on-the-go lifestyles and off-grid travels.

• 45+ Hours of Cooling: Once activated, these cold packs can keep your insulin cool for over 45 hours. And a simple re-soak in water reactivates the cooler for another round!

• Forever Reusable: These cold packs can be reactivated indefinitely with just water. Their long-lasting design not only offers excellent value but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing waste.

• TSA Approved: These insulin cold packs meet TSA guidelines for carry-on luggage, ensuring a hassle-free security check when you're flying with insulin.

Important Note: The Chillers Insulin cooling pouches are not suitable for carrying insulin that needs to be refrigerated. They're meant to keep it cool at room temperature, below 77°F (25°C). If you need to transport refrigerated insulin pens or vials, have a look at our other insulin coolers!

We'd Love to Hear From You!

What are your preferred cold packs for insulin? Do you have any tips for traveling and maintaining temperature control? Feel free to ask questions or share advice to help fellow travelers manage their insulin needs on the go!