When I travel by plane, I like to carry my laptop in a Checkpoint Friendly carry-on, so I don’t have to remove my computer from my bag when I make my way through security. I’ve just heard too many stories about stolen and broken laptops to ever want to put my irreplacable hard drive in a grey bin on a conveyor belt. But for road trips and toting my laptop to work at the local coffeeshop, I’ve got a new favorite: the Black Rhino, eco-friendly backpack from Ecogear.
Before I launch into the nifty features, here’s why the bag is considered “eco-friendly”: It’s made with materials that are free from the chemical coating PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride. According to Ecogear, PVC contains chlorine, and when burned (say in dumps after it’s thrown away), it emits toxic hydrochloric gas, which turns into hydrochloric acid on contact with moisture. When buried, the toxic chemicals from PVC can leach into the ground.
Instead of using materials coated with PVC, Ecogear’s Ecotech line of bags are made with nylon EcoWeave, which uses a PVC alternative called EPO. This coating is toxin-free, PVC-free and chlorine-free, and when it’s burned it produces H20 and CO2 gases.
Eco-friendliness aside, I dig this backpack because it’s so comfortable to carry. The shoulder straps are wide and nicely padded; one has a small zippered pouch to keep valuables close.
Regarding pockets and pouches, there are no less than 20 of them! Besides the two side zippered pouches, there’s a small, slim front pocket, as well as a second-biggest front pocket with organizer pouches inside, for pens, business cards a cell phone and more.
The third-biggest pocket is great for storing papers and smaller items in the (still more!) mesh zippered pocket and pouch. The grand-daddy main compartment features the padded laptop sleeve with a removable padded laptop carrier (I typically just slide my laptop in the sleeve — I like how it stays put with a Velcro strap.) Even in this main compartment there are (still more!) pockets and pouches — both zippered and open. Seriously, this bag can hold an incredible amount of stuff — and if you can remember where you put all your items, it will keep you organized, too.
The Black Rhino is functional and rugged — I’m not going to win any style awards carrying this bag around town. Actually, it’s more masculine than feminine — my husband has borrowed it a couple times. The black color and simple, sleek design suit me, but if you’re a woman looking for something more girlier, this isn’t for you. Later this year, Ecogear will release colorful options from the Recycle Series, made from recycled PET bottles.
Purchase the Black Rhino on the Ecogear website for $59.99.
Get the Black Rhino backpack from eBags
