Walkers who like to portion snacks in advance
You can pack individually wrapped bags for each person or break, without sharing from one large, opened bag while you’re out. Jumbo and Albert Heijn show examples of these sharing packs.
Who are multipacks useful for?
Groups with different flavour preferences
A variety box gives you options when packing snacks for a family or walking group. Do check what’s inside, though: the variety box described by Albert Heijn also contains types of snacks other than potato crisps.
Shoppers who check labels in advance
If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, the contents of each relevant bag matter more than just the name on the outer packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains what label information applies to pre-packed foods.
What should you look for?
First decide how many individual portions you want to take with you. Then compare the contents of any variety box and the labels of the varieties you plan to pack.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portioning | Count the individually sealed bags and check the contents of each one. For example, Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika as 20 × 40 g. | If I want to pack something for each walker or break, I need to know how many sealed portions the box contains. This would be the main consideration for around 40% of consumers. |
| Different flavours | Check which varieties are in the box and how many bags there are of each; a variety box may also contain snacks other than potato crisps. | If not everyone wants the same snack, I look for a box the group can choose from. Variety of flavours would come first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Label information | For each variety you choose, read the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and nutritional information, including values per 100 g or per portion. | If I need to avoid an ingredient or want to compare nutritional values, I need to see the details for the exact bags I’m considering. Around 30% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all the bags in a variety box are the same
According to Albert Heijn, the Lay's Mega Box contains Lay's Max, Nibbit, Doritos and Bugles, among other snacks. Ingredients and nutritional values may therefore differ from one type of snack to another.
Before buying, check the full contents of the box and read the label for every variety that matters to your group.
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Using average nutritional values for a specific bag
The Nutrition Centre provides values for a particular type of crisps, but these aren’t automatically the nutritional values for another flavour or brand.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact varieties you’re considering, on the same basis: per 100 g or per portion.
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Relying on out-of-date product information
If you’re buying for someone with a food allergy, the ingredients in the pack you actually take with you are what count.
Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and the best-before date before packing the bags.
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Looking only at the size of the box
The number of bags doesn’t tell you how much each one contains or whether everyone in the group will want all the flavours.
Compare the number of suitable portions and the total weight with what you want to take for the walkers and breaks.
A large variety box also means you’ll need to store or share any bags left over or that are less popular.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika in packs of 20 × 40 g. Albert Heijn also describes a mixed Mega Box with 20 sharing bags.
- You can compare a single flavour in individual bags with a box containing different snacks.
- The Mega Box also contains Nibbit, Doritos and Bugles, so check the contents if you’re only looking for potato crisps.
Pringles
Albert Heijn lists a Pringles Sour Cream & Onion 12-pack for anyone looking for one consistent flavour.
- The 12-pack gives you a clear number of individual packs.
- Check the contents of each pack, ingredients and nutritional information on the product you choose before comparing portions.
Snack Day
Lidl presents Snack Day as its own brand of crisps and snacks, and lists a crisps multipack in its range.
- A supermarket own-brand option to include when comparing multipack formats.
- Check the current packaging for the number of portions, ingredients and nutritional values of the variety you choose.
Crisps multipacks and snacks at Joybuy
These products include individually packed crisps in a single flavour, as well as boxes containing different snacks. For a walk, choose based on the number of portions you need; with variety boxes, also check which snacks you’ll actually be taking with you.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to pack individual portions in one flavour for each walker or break.
The product name lists 10 bags of 40 g. Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and the best-before date.
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Pringles Sour Cream & Onion, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to portion out one consistent flavour in individual packs.
The product name lists 12 packs of 40 g. If you have allergies, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20-pack
For a group that wants to share out different snacks, as long as the varieties in the box suit the walkers’ preferences.
The product name lists 20 pieces. Check the contents of each bag, ingredients and allergens for the varieties you choose; this isn’t a box containing just one type of potato crisps.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A variety mix to consider if you want to take different snacks with you.
The product name lists 180 g as the total weight. If you want to prepare a portion for each walker in advance, check how many bags there are and what each one contains.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 15-pack
For portioning out a variety mix in advance when not everyone in the group wants the same snack.
The product name lists 15 pieces. Check which potato and corn snacks are in the box, and check the contents and allergens for each relevant variety.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags of crisps should I take for each walker?
Think about the number of walkers and breaks you want to pack a bag for, then compare that figure with the individual portions in the box. For example, Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika as 20 × 40 g; check that the pack you buy shows the same contents.
Is a variety box suitable for every walking group?
A variety box is best suited to a group that wants different flavours or types of snacks. The Lay's Mega Box described by Albert Heijn contains Nibbit, Lay's Max, Doritos and Bugles, among other snacks; choose a different mix if everyone needs the same type of potato crisps.
What information should I check on a crisps multipack?
Check the ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best-before date and nutritional information for the varieties you plan to take. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists these as label details for pre-packed foods, where applicable; if someone has an allergy, the label on the specific bag is particularly important.
Can I use average nutritional values to compare flavours?
For a comparison, use the nutritional values for the specific flavours and packs, on the same basis: per 100 g or per portion. The Nutrition Centre notes that values for crisps can vary by brand, so a category average won’t tell you the nutritional value of every bag in a multipack.