Posts Tagged green gear
A CamelBak Bottle That Makes Your Water Taste Better
I’ve raged and barked plenty on here about the need to carry a re-usable water bottle (and compact water purifier when necessary) in order to keep from soiling our land and oceans on a daily basis. Sure, you can point to your house recycling bin and justify that case of plastic from Costco, but reality is that some 3/4 of those single-use bottles—even in developed countries—just get drunk from and tossed. Here’s what happens to them.
There’s a tendency among many to drink bottled water because it tastes more neutral, with no trace of chlorine. So if we can eliminate that problem, will you stop buying disposable plastic?
CamelBak is hoping you’ll say yes, because they’ve solved that issue with this new Groove water bottle with a built-in filter. All you need to do is fill it up and drink. The built-in filter removes all the tastes you don’t want.
I’ve used a few different bottles with built-in filters before and have been less than satisfied. Either they made me work like a p0rn queen to get the water out or the filter would eventually fall into the bottle and fill it with charcoal.
This one, I’m happy to say, is a different story. CamelBak is one of the best-known manufacturers of water bottles and they seem to be trying harder than anyone to wean our population off their bottled water addiction. So they did this right. This Groove one feels like a regular water bottle, with a flip-top bite nozzle and a normal shape. You don’t have to suck on that nozzle any harder than you would normally.
It’s BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and comes in a variety of colors. (Mine is cool white, but I like this picture because you can see the filter.) It holds 20 ounces of water, or 0.6 liters. The list price is $25 for plastic, $35 for steel.
Alas, as with a hybrid car, eventually you’ve got to cough up more cash to be a good citizen of the planet. Here’s the official word on the filter: “Each Fresh Filter reliably reduces contaminants for 300 refills of the bottle, or approximately 3 months of use at 3–4 full bottles per day.” That adds up to 48 gallons or 180 liters, which even a constantly water-sucking/bathroom-going health nut like my wife will take a while to cycle through. When it’s time to get more, you’ll pay $10 for two filters or $25 for six.
Also, don’t expect to use this in countries where you can’t drink the water to start with, or to drink from a stream where you don’t know the source. This is a primarily a taste filter, not one meant to keep you from getting sick. Think of it as a Brita pitcher to go.
Order the CamelBak Groove filter bottle from Backcountry in BPA-free plastic or metal.
Posted by Tim L. in General Gear, Kids and Family on April 7th, 2011
Eco-friendly Haiku Travel Bags for Women
My new favorite everyday bag is the Haiku Hobo in chocolate brown. It’s got this great rounded-corner, trapezoidal shape that is surprisingly roomy — the top compartment opens wide with a clever diagonal zipper (see photo below). There’s tons of space to put all the crap stuff I seem to need to carry around on a daily basis, and then some. (Seriously, I’ve fit a set of workout clothes, a water bottle, legal pad, wallet and giant cosmetic bag in here, without it bursting at the seams.)
Besides its cool design and voluminous space, I adore the Hobo’s pebble-texture faux-leather accents, the magnetic-closure front pocket and two exterior slip pockets. The inside is lined in easy-to-wipe-clean nylon with Velcro and zip pockets. Double straps are adjustable and come with a removable Velcro cushion (which I removed). Straps extend so that I can sling the bag across my chest — convenient for hands-free sightseeing and souvenir shopping.
Style, function and attention to detail are key for Haiku, a woman-owned company, as is the environment. So much so, Haiku will stop making bags in its original, petroleum-based primary fabric (like the Hobo style I have), and use solely eco-friendly cyclePET fabric moving forward. CyclePET is created from 100-percent post-consumer PET (polyethylene terephthalate) beverage bottles.
Now, the good news is, each bag that Haiku creates out of cyclePET material keeps 22 plastic bottles out of landfills. Bad news — that cool pebble fabric I love so much in the Hobo won’t be in production much longer. Alas, I’m confident that the updated eco-friendly Hobo will be equally as lovable, also with textured fabric and new recycled aluminum hardware.
Haiku’s current Rumi collection is already made out of cyclePET. Designs include a backpack, messenger bag and a little skinny-strapped shoulder bag. As soon as my 11-year-old daughter got a look at the little Rumi Pouch — basically a multi-faceted wallet with a bunch of little zipper pockets, credit-card slots and a detachable shoulder strap — she claimed it as her own. She likes that it also holds her cellphone and chapstick. She uses it as a purse when she goes to the movies with friends; but it could also be used as a wallet within a larger bag. That detachable shoulder strap makes it easy to use on its own when you really only have to carry some cash, lipstick and a hotel-room key.
The Rumi Pouch retails for $42; the Hobo is $78. Shop for many styles on the Haiku website. Browse offerings and check prices on PlanetShoes.com or Backcountry.com.
Posted by Kara in Travel Light on April 5th, 2011
Ecogear’s Black Tiger II Laptop Bag
We all want to do our part for the environment…don’t we? So we recycle, conserve energy, maybe even walk rather than drive to work. But, did you realize that your travel gear could do its own part? Enter Ecogear.
This company has done a tremendous job of introducing its own line of eco-friendly gear made with sustainable, toxic-free dyes that have a harm-free coating.
I tested the Tiger II laptop carrying bag and have taken it on more than two dozen trips in the past year. That’s just how versatile, light weight, and convenient it is.
My absolute favorite feature is the large pocket on the front flap, greatt for storing keys, a passport, pen, boarding pass, and loose change. Inside is a padded section for a laptop with a front compartment for cords and chargers. Two other large file, zip-top pockets are perfect for magazines, toiletries, and other items. The thick coating of the fabric keeps moisture out (ideal for when I am traipsing the city streets in the rain).
It’s a cinch to strap to the top of a rollaboard bag by tying the strap around the handle. Security is a breeze since I can whip out my laptop and toiletries from the same place while securing other things like my iPhone in the front pocket. On the other side of the nude-o-scope, I am on my way without wondering what I may have left behind if I am in a hurry.
Back to the environmental part. This durable bag is created from organic cotton, recycled bottles and nontoxic materials. It is PVC-free; polyvinyl chloride releases toxins when disposed. Ecogear was founded by entrepreneur Jimmy Chen who got his inspiration after spending a beach vacation with his kids and realized the importance of preserving our planet for future generations.
His company soon took flight and now sells its products online at Ecogear-Products.com. A variety of eye-catching colors and textures makes these items perfect for both the design-conscious and eco-conscious.
The black Tiger II bag sells for $69 on the Ecogear’s site and Amazon.com. It is more affordable than similar bags. During my travels, I often amass more than I realize, but this bag doesn’t fight back. It stretches to take my travel accessories thanks to an expandable strap in the front that keeps everything secured.
The company’s motto, “saving the world one bag at a time,” is catchy enough to make me buy these bags for all of my friends. And the affordable price helps too. Recycling has never looked so good!
Check Ecogear Tiger prices at eBags and Amazon.
Catch all our travel gear reviews – subscribe to the RSS feed
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, Travel Light on March 7th, 2011
New Gadgets for Travelers at the Consumer Electronics Show
Our resident tech gadget reviewer John Gordon wasn’t able to attend this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, but Dave Sniadak is popping in as a guest reviewer to give us the lowdown on what’s new and interesting this year. Take it away Dave!
The Consumer Electronics Show is a massive meshing of man and technology: some gadgets already implemented onto the market, others merely concepts hoping to catch the eye of a box store buyer or visionary venture capitalist in search of the”next big thing”. While the overwhelming message from this year’s CES was predominantly 3DTV and tablet technology, I was able to find a few gadgets that play nice with those of us who prefer to hit the road in search of real 3D images, instead of those seen only through the eye of technology.
As our tech gear demands increase, so will the need to power the gadgets that get us from Point A to Point B. While we want to stay connected, it’s important we remember the impact our energy demands have on the world around us. That’s why I was so blown away by the nPower PEG (or Personal Energy Generator), created by the amazing folks at Tremont Electric (Cleveland, OH).
Using the science of kinetic energy generated by our own forward motion, the nPower PEG claims to be the “next generation of hybrid chargers”. The nPower PEG is 9″ long, 1.5″ wide in diameter, weights 11 ounces, retails under $160 and stores user-generated energy in its’ 1,000mAh lithium polymer battery. By using the natural up and down motion of movement – whether walking, running, biking, horseback riding or hiking – you’re able to plug in your USB 2.0 cable to power up your cell phone, camera, mp3 player, GPS or other travel gadget. Plus, it fits nicely in the side pocket of your backpack, so no worries about finding a place to store it on your waistline. Tremont Electric says their kinetic energy device taps into the “renewable energy of motion”; I call it “the next major movement in keeping us connected”. Find more info at www.npowerpeg.com.
Along the lines of energy consciousness, California-based TravelersChoice has introduced a new line of EcoTraveler Solar Powered bags. The one that resonated with me, as a father of two young kids and a family that loves to take nice long road trips, was the EcoTraveler Cooler Bag. Yeah, I’m all about keeping the string cheese and juice boxes chilled and at the ready for when the kids start in with the “Are we there yet?” pestering. It’s a bit spendy – around $180 – but worth it if it means you can say goodbye to an extra charger or two.
What makes this bag great is the flexible, durable solar panel at the top of the bag. The included battery allows you to soak up the power of the sun via the photovoltaic (PV) technology embedded in the solar panels, made by Konarka Power Plastics. While the EcoTraveler doesn’t provide enough juice to power a laptop, it can easily give you extra hours of fun with your smart phones, mp3 players, and portable gaming devices. The waterproof cooler is designed to keep your perishable goods cool while on the road – meaning the juice will be ready, for both the kids AND their toys. At the moment it only seems to be available at SkyMall and on eBay.
Dave Sniadak writes at HDHubby.com and is a self-prescribed airport addict. When he’s not busy dreaming up his next trip that involves as many connections as possible, he’s producing video content for clients at Minneapolis-based agency, Axiom Marketing Communications. A proud father of two young children, Dave is enjoying daily diaper duty (again), as well as the ups and downs of being a new homeowner. Connect with him on Twitter – @davesniadak
Posted by Tim L. in Business Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family on January 12th, 2011
Best Practical Travel Gear of the Year
Here at Practical Travel Gear we review a lot of new items first-hand, to the tune of one new one almost every weekday. So we’ve seen enough to know what’s been good and what’s been great. Here are our picks for the best travel gear we checked out over the past year.
John Gordon
Best Cell-Phone Accessory
Wilson Electronics’ Sleek Universal Cell Phone Signal Booster is a must-have if yourphone often drops calls because of poor signal coverage. Even in places that show no signal at all, I’ve been able to place calls. Really. The cradle design is also handy if you’re using the phone for GPS navigation or with other travel apps. It hadn’t been officially released at the time of our review, but is now widely available through Amazon and other vendors.
Best Portable Light
Joby’s Gorillatorch Flare does so much, it’s hard not to like it. It fits right in a car, suitcase or backpack. And the bright LED light has spindly legs that wrap around just about anything. Plenty of room to use the imagination. It’s built tough, designed to withstand a 6-foot tall. And with the energy-saving LED light, the battery should last a long time. Three AAA batteries should last up to 80 hours of normal use, depending on the brightness setting of the light.
Best Small Portable Luggage Scale
Here’s a piece of gear that can quickly pay for itself. The Balanzza MINI Digital Luggage Scale helps avoid expensive overweight bag fees now being charged by many airlines. It will weigh bags up to 100 pounds. Airlines are clearly cracking down on overweight bags. The Balanzza MINI will help you pack smart and avoid haing to reach for your wallet at the airport.
Tim Leffel
Best Eco-friendly Green Gear Item
The Brunton Restore Solar Charger isn’t perfect: its only inputs and outputs are USB and mini-USB, but this rugged power pack is much more travel-worthy than its competitors and stores an impressive amount of juice (up to 2,200 mAh, with a 1,000 mA/5V output). I’ve dropped it multiple times, crammed it into impossibly small spaces, and left it out in the rain several times when a sunny day turned dark. It’s still cranking.
This is a charger that’s well-designed and I’ve charged my devices with it at least 50 times now, saving untold amounts of fossil fuel. Plus I can keep the damned battery on this next item going…
Best Do-it-all Device
The iPod Touch is the contract-less, AT&T-less cousin to the iPhone, doing almost as much for $1,000 less a year. Sure the battery life sucks, typing is slow, and it doesn’t render Flash sites, but this thin device makes up for all that with what it can do on the road. With this in my pocket I have a currency converter, calculator, note-taker, web browser, e-mail checker, Skype phone, music player, gaming device, weather forecaster, podcast player, good maps, and mini-guidebooks. It was a little painful to spend a few hundred bucks on this thing, but now I’d hate to be without it when on the road, especially for international travel.
Best Easy-to-pack Travel Shoes
The New Balance WT100 sneakers are perfect for travelers who want to be able to get a workout but are still trying to pack light. They jam down flat when packing (that entire upper is mesh), so they don’t increase your bulk like most sneakers do, and they weigh about the same as a pair of hiking socks. They don’t have monster thick cushioning of course, so you probably don’t want to train for a marathon in them, but they’re fine for walking around the park or a workout in the hotel gym. I keep reaching for these time and again when packing only a carry on.
Most Innovative Clothing Item
With so much competition, it’s gotten pretty darn hard to make a travel jacket interesting. We’ve reviewed plenty on this gear blog that are lightweight, functional, and easy to pack, but just when I thought I’d seen it all I received this ExOfficio Storm Logic one (pictured at the top) and went “Wow!” It’s comfy and warm, but it’s the extra 
features that really make it. There are fitted pockets for all your gadgets and then it packs into a built-in pouch and becomes…a travel neck pillow! Double-duty travel gear with a twist.
Coolest Cheap and Light Item
Speaking of a twist, some things we review here we like just because they’re inexpensive and fun. This Twistick keychain corkscrew retails for only 10 bucks, but it ensures that you won’t face the sad affair of a full bottle of wine but no corkscrew.
Kara Williams
Best All-Around Travel Skirt
I’ve worn this long black skirt with cowboy boots and flip-flops, cashmere sweaters and tank tops on my travels this year. It truly pairs with just about anything, the elastic waist is incredibly comfortable and it folds down to nearly nothing for carry-on packing. This skirt from ExOfficio’s Go-To collection gets an A+ for versatility.
Best Travel Item to Prevent Cranky Kid Meltdowns
Since getting this large, soft-sided cooler from Norchill in early summer, my family hasn’t traveled by car without it. The durable cooler fits our water bottles, fruit, sandwiches, yogurts and more for any weekend trip, and sits conveniently between the kids’ seats in our minivan. I like having food and drink on hand to save money on restaurant and drive-thru meals, and keeps the kids happy when their stomachs start grumbling en route to our destination.
Best Travel Product for $20 or Less
Sunscreen is a travel item I never go anywhere without, and I wear it daily in the summer at home in Colorado, too. I continue to be enamored with Beyond Coastal products. While the Natural SPF 30 is too chalky and zinc-y for me, I highly recommend the Active SPF 30. It has little to no fragrance, and goes on smoothly. The Natural Lip Balm with SPF 15 has the best lemon-y taste, and keeps my lips silky smooth. The kids like these products, too, which makes the lubing-up process painless.
Want to see last year’s picks? Best and Worst Travel Gear of 2009
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on December 27th, 2010
