Posts Tagged green gear
Camelbak Groove Insulated Water Bottle With Filter
Camelbak follows up on its built-in filter bottle with an insulated version that keeps water cool longer.
I recently reviewed the groundbreaking water bottle called the Camelbak All Clear, which takes tap water from places you’re not supposed to drink the tap water and makes it safe for you to gulp down. This Groove Insulated bottle has a filter in it, but it’s not meant to be taken that far. Rather, this is a bottle meant to wean people off their commercially filtered bottled water that’s dinging their wallet and destroying the environment. Picture the last time you had to dump out your water bottle before going through security at the airport, then were faced with the prospect of spending another $3 on the other side to duplicate it. With this Groove bottle, you just fill up at the water fountain (remember those things?) and you’re good to go.
I just spent three weeks in Eastern Europe and used this bottle daily, not once needing to pick up a bottle in the supermarket. You can drink the water there and sometimes it’s natural spring water that tastes great, but with this I could fill up anywhere and never get hit with the taste of chlorine.
The way it works is, a tubular filter in the middle is attached to the spout where you suck out the water. The force of that pulls it through the filter and it comes out the other end tasting neutral. The way the insulation works is, there’s a double wall of plastic. That’s not as effective as stainless steel, so don’t expect the kind of stellar “ice cold for hours” results I got with the Under Armour Thermos bottle I tried out last year, and it only holds 20 ounces (6/10 of a liter), but it’ll fit into most backpack pockets and water carriers.
Eventually you’ll have to replace the filter and the only way to know that time is here is when you can taste that it’s not doing the job anymore. The specs say it’ll go for 48 gallons on one, which is a good stretch. Replacement ones are $10 for two, $25 for six.
Camelbak has a good reputation for quality and they back up these bottles with a good replacement warranty. I did find this bottle to leak at the top sometimes, but overall I’ve been happy with it otherwise. It takes a lot less suction force than I expected to use it, so the filter part hasn’t been an inconvenience at all. I once bought a no-name brand bottle with a filter like this before a hike a few years ago and was ready to stomp it to pieces by the end of the trek: it kept coming apart where the filter meets the spout. No such troubles with this one as it’s much more intelligently designed.
The Groove Insulated bottles come in the color you see here plus a gray/black version and an aquamarine version. This one is easy to find in stores or shop for it online with these direct links to Backcountry, REI, Altrec, or Amazon.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear on May 23rd, 2012
Aventura 2-in-1 Dress and Dharma Tank
It’s official: I have a new favorite dress. Actually, I have two: the Aventura 2-in-1 organic cotton dress converts to a skirt and back again in the blink of an eye. I love cotton dresses for travel because your entire outfit takes up half the space of a pant-shirt ensemble, and doesn’t wrinkle to boot. This dress, however, does one better: it can be worn as a dress or a skirt, potentially saving double the outfit space. Made of incredibly soft organic cotton, its rich color (Aventura calls this one ‘dragonfly’ but I reviewed ‘tabasco’) is simple yet striking, and matches many simple tops (and most Aventura swim suits).
So how exactly does this convertible dress convert? It’s easy enough that even a fashion-challenged girl like myself could figure it out. The dress can be worn as a halter top dress (halter strings tie at the neck) or as a strapless dress (with the halter strings tucked in). If you’re wanting a skirt, simply fold over the pleated waist (which is the chest-portion of the dress), tie the halter strings in a bow at one side, and wah-la! You have yourself a casual, swishy skirt.
I took the convertible 2-in-1 dress with me on a recent cruise, where I wore it as a halter dress over my swimsuit, and as a skirt to dinner. In either style, the dress is super comfortable, though I’ve developed preference for the skirt style. The waist is soft and stretchy (which anyone who’s been on a cruise knows is a plus) and it’s easy to slip it on over a swim suit.
I’ve paired the 2-in-1 more than once with Aventura’s Dharma Tank, which is also made of organic material (super soft bamboo), and is fitted while remaining slightly stretchy.The top is sleeveless, has an elegant surplice neckline, and a pretty back graphic, all of which adds a little flair to the ensemble.
The dress style is classy enough to wear away from the beach or pool as well, and could even pull an evening shift for a casual dinner. The skirt is an ideal travel day piece, and could also be worn around town or during any sort of touring. When worn as a dress, the hem falls to just above the knee (though I’m short, so apply that information accordingly) and when worn as a skirt, it falls to mid-calf/below knee. It’s machine washable, and features a classic cut (not too fitted, but certainly not boxy).
The 2-in-1 is also available in dragonfly (shown), tabasco (a rich coral), black, or white, and will set you back $67 at the Aventura website…a very good value for what you’re getting. The Dharma top is also available at the Aventura site, lists for $49, and comes in four colors, including a white which looks great with everything.
These don’t seem to be showing up yet outside of Aventura’s own site, but check Sierra Trading Post later as they usually have at least five pages of Aventura clothing deals.
Posted by Amy in General Gear on May 22nd, 2012
Haiku Hobo 2 Bag
This review of Haiku’s Hobo 2 bag finds me mid-quest in my pursuit of the best travel tote. A few weeks ago, Overland Equipment’s Radcliffe Bag came close, but failed to meet three of my criteria to graduate from around-town tote to travel tote: a cross-body strap, exterior cell phone pocket, and laptop sleeve.
How does the Hobo 2 score? A solid two out of three (more on that below). First, some general impressions: I love the Hobo’s shape and look. It’s roomy without being bulky, and stylish without being cutesy (if you’ve been reading my reviews for long, you know I have no use for cuteness in my travel gear). It measures at 10″h x 14″w x 4″d and has just enough pockets and sections without having too many. It’s also extremely durable (and fully lined). I’ve used it daily for over two months, and it shows virtually no sign of wear. Best of all, unlike the Hobo bag Kara reviewed last year, the Hobo 2 is made from renewable cyclePET fabric, recycled poly from 100% post consumer beverage bottles. Put more simply: each Hobo 2 saves 18.9 plastic bottles from the landfill. So you can look good and feel good, too!
The Hobo 2 uses a comfortable shoulder strap, and does have that detachable cross-body strap I covet (score one point of three!). I love the two exterior (zippered) cell phone pockets on either end (point two!) and the additional side pocket. The Hobo zips completely closed, which is a huge plus, and all zippers have nice pulls to make it easier to reach for things and be on the go at the same time. Inside, the Hobo has two water bottle pockets, but I can’t use them for their intended purpose because while wide, they’re not deep enough to fit my standard-sized Kleen Kanteen bottles. This is a bummer, as I carry a water bottle everywhere. Instead, I use the water bottle pouches to store my detachable strap when not in use, my phone charger, and the like. In addition, the Hobo 2 does have another interior zippered pocket, perfect for chap stick, hand wipes, or business cards.
While the Hobo 2 is not quite big enough to tote my 13″ Macbook (another bummer), it is sized to fit an iPad, which tempts me to grant it half credit toward that third point as a travel tote.
Bottom line: for $84, you get a high-quality, multi-purpose, day-to-day bag that will last for the long haul (and is great for the planet). Will it travel with me? On weekend trips during which I’ll do doing a lot of city walking and touring, yes. For air travel during which I need to bring my laptop, no. If you travel with an iPad however, the Hobo 2 could absolutely see you from gate to hotel and back again. Pick one up (in your choice of four colors/patterns) at Haiku, or spend a tad less at either Amazon, Zappos, or Backcountry.
Posted by Amy in General Gear on April 24th, 2012
Grand Trunk Bamboo Blend Sleep Sack
A high-quality sleep sack is a traveler’s best friend whenever you find yourself in less-than-ideal sleeping accommodations, or are crashing somewhere that doesn’t provide bedding, like a hostel, yurt, or backcountry hut. I thought I could get by without one—using my heavy backpacking mummy bag whenever the situation called for personal bedding—but after trying out Grand Trunk’s Bamboo Sleep Sack, I won’t be going back.
First off, this sleep sack is so soft, I don’t think I can ever go back to cotton. It’s lightweight, so it works beautifully in warm climates, but can be paired with a sleeping bag or blanket in colder weather. It’s roomier than my mummy bag, and features a nice slit down one side that can be tied back up for easy entry and more space. Best of all, it has a pillow pocket, so you can insert a pillow, which won’t slip around and disappear during the night.
I took the sleep sack along on our Mt. Hood, Oregon wilderness snowshoe overnight, in which the rustic hut we were trekking to came included with communal sleeping bags. I’d need the warmth of the bag, but didn’t relish the idea of sleeping directly where a stranger had the night before, so I wiggled into my sleep sack, then slid into the bag. The arrangement worked perfectly, and since the bamboo sleep sack is only 16 ounces, I avoided carrying in a heavy bag.
I also brought it along when I rented a room for the night through a vacation home site in Portland, OR, since I didn’t know ahead of time whether the rental included linens. Turns out, it did, but I was still glad to have my personal set in the form of the sleep sack. You can use the sack in tandem with a made-up bed, or shimmy into it under the sheets, to give you a nice barrier between hotel or rental sheets and your body. My only complaint is that the sleep sack tangled up and twisted a bit more during the course of the night than I’d experience in my mummy bag, presumably because it’s roomier and of lighter material.
The bamboo viscose material is soft, stretchy, and washes easily in a regular washing cycle. The feel reminds me a little of ‘t-shirt material’ sheets, but better. Plus, since it’s bamboo, it naturally wicks moisture away from your body. And of course, bamboo is a sustainable, renewable fiber, so you’re doing the planet a favor, too. Nothing synthetic here!
The bamboo sleep sack rolls into its own small cinch sack, retails on the Grand Trunk site, a new favorite in my short list of green travel companies, for $69. It’s even less on Amazon. While you’re checking out the sleep sack, take a look at their hammocks, shelters, tents, and hammock compatible sleeping bags!
Posted by Amy in Adventure Gear, General Gear on April 10th, 2012
Sanuk Rasta Pouch Shoes
We’ve sung the praises of comfy Sanuk shoes on this travel gear blog a few times. They epitomize “kicked-back and comfortable,” like a Jack Johnson song on your feet.
This new Rasta Pouch style I’ve been trying out is no exception. They’re loafers great for loafing, with a comfy cushioned sole that keeps your feet from getting tired no matter how many trips you need to make to the store to buy more beer.
Part of their Sidewalk Surfers line, these Rasta Pouch shoes feature the usual emphasis on comfort, with a thick “foam pit” sole that has plenty of give, plus an embossed footbed made From recycled TPE. The environmental efforts don’t stop there. The upper is make of hemp, the liner from recycled PET, and the sole is 48% recycled rubber. No animal products used, if that’s important to you.
What’s important to us is, are they good for travel?
Yes indeed. They weigh in at only 11 ounces, despite all the cushioning, and the upper compresses down easily when you’re packing. They’re comfortable enough to wear around all day without your feet getting fatigued. The insole is patterned in a way that puts a little air between it and your feet, which is especially useful for going sockless in hot places.
But here’s the secret weapon that vaults them above many others for travelers: the “pouch” in that Rasta Pouch name.
This pouch, located in between two layers making up the flap that goes over the top of your foot, is so well hidden that nobody would suspect you’ve got cash stashed in there. So for an emergency twenty dollars (or emergency dong, rupiah, or pesos), these shoes provide a good backup plan for if you get robbed while strung out at a full moon party on Ko Pha Ngan. Or if you’re worried about pickpockets in Rome or Rio, it’s a pretty safe bet they won’t be pawing your shoes.
The Sanuk Rasta Pouch loafers list for $72, but you may find them a bit less at online retailers. Follow these direct links to find them with free shipping at Zappos and Amazon.
See more reviews of travel shoes.
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear, Travel Light on April 5th, 2012
