Finding a really good backpack is a difficult process. Many bags are filled with plastics that contain PVC and other toxic chemicals. Some have certain features that are amazing and then unnecessary features as well.
Ecogear’s Ecotech line is a PVC free line of backpacks designed for common folk but with a green twist to it. I really like the Mohave Tui bag. The inside is large; the bag is sturdy and somewhat compact as well. I do like the small outer bottom pocket, it’ very convenient for keys or business cards. The main compartment is spacious; in fact, I’ve stuffed a MacBook, two days of clothing and a SIGG bottle in the external pockets of the bag. The top of the bag has a small compartment featuring pen sleeves and other useful separators. Finally, on the outside there is a large, water resistant zippered area perfect for things you need quickly. One feature that I love, but could use a slight modification is the music player pocket and port.
The full sized iPod (Classic) fits into the pocket, but it is VERY tight and the headphone jack is extremely difficult to insert into the iPod through the fabric-covered port. You physically cannot fit the iPod into the pocket if it’s inside a case, so forget about it. Other than that small (literally) issue, the backpack looks and feels great. The pockets are sized to accommodate many goodies for an overnight trip or a hike up the mountains and the padded shoulders are 100% comfortable. My arms and shoulders did not ache after wearing the bag for 4 hours straight. I have now brought this bag to a few green expos as well as my overnight bag and it will continue to stay with me as my backpack of choice. I really like the color and the design.
As I stated at the top of the review, not many bags are perfect and when you find one, you can’t let it go. Though this bag could use a few improvements it really is great.
Ecogear also has cute backpacks for little kids and other more eco-friendly bags like organic cotton messenger bags.
Our cat doesn’t really play with toys. She kind of just plays on her own. Its not that she doesn’t have any toys, she just doesn’t play with the ones she has. We always just assumed she didn’t like toys in general so I never attempted to buy many new ones. Then we got the West Paw Design Fish for Cats.
Since then, she has not gone a day without at least playing with it for 30 minutes or more. It was actually kind of scary how she played so much, only because we’ve never seen her take to a toy like this.
To make a long story short, it makes me happy to see her happy. But also to know that the company behind this toy is truly extraordinary. West Paw Design sets out to make high quality toys and items for pets while keeping the environment in mind. The toy we have is mad from recycled soda bottles. They keep manufacturing in the US to provide quality jobs here at home, and they run an employee oriented outfit where they all are rewarded for the great work of the whole.
I say to West Paw Design, keep up the good work! Our very picky cat approves!
Straight from a Brazilian cargo truck, this hat is the real deal! It’s made from reclaimed fabric from tarps on trucks. No two hats are the same and you may be lucky enough to get one with Portuguese writing or printing on it! You can design your own by choosing from simple options.
In terms of the fit, I do not have a big head and the medium hat fit me snugly, but tight enough that the fierce wind did not blow it away walking out of the Atlantic City Beer Fest. The hat did get some attention and questions from random strangers. After explaining what Real Deal Brazil was about, they were even more impressed.
I have never worn a cowboy-styled hat before however I have always wanted to. I am glad that I did. It’s really cool and supports free trade and the new trend of using reclaimed materials to create new products.
My girlfriend thought it was cute and we took such a cute picture with me rocking it. What do you think? Better than my old Hot Water Music hat? There’s also some pictures of Ed wearing the hat The Nets game the other day.
Rich Hippie is extending their sale, get it while it’s on… Click over!
I am a big fan of belts and I always struggle to find fun, vegan belts. Zero Per Gallon makes it easy to not only have a fun vegan belt, but have one with a message that supports a few causes.
Zero Per Gallon recycles bicycle tires to create belts. You can purchase them with regular buckles or with Velcro. Each belt is custom made, so you can choose the color, the fastener, and the size. ZPG will make it for you and it’s goat free.
ZPG is a San Francisco based company who is planning a long haul on a boat, their profits from the ZPG products like the shirts, patches, and belts go towards that cause.
Though this belt is not my favorite of all time, it will not set off the metal detectors and is rather sturdy. I wear a 33 waist and I elected for the medium belt. It fits perfectly with certain pants but not so perfect with others. That is not a flaw with the belt because the medium belt is sized to be larger than your waist, rather something to get used to.
I really like the belt; it’s strong enough to hold up your pants and your bike lock too. The Velcro belt is sometimes hard to close depending on the position of your belt loops, but it still works. I show off my belt all the time, so all can admire it’s black beauty, but I think I need another one, this time with a buckle.
ZPG’s will appeal to bicyclists of all sorts, vegans and vegetarians, but regular people too. This post is Goat Free!
What’s funny about this review is my wife has more bags than I can handle. Every closet I open in my house I see bags. So to do this I gained another bag, though since it was for me I did not mind.
I am a commuter and currently use a messenger bag so switching over to this was not a big deal for me. I do not bring a lot of things either. The RetroActif Small Messenger bag was perfectly sized for all the items I bring to and from work. The material of the bag itself is extremely sturdy, made from recycled street pole banners, giant billboards and wall scapes. I have always wondered what happened to all that stuff after they were done being used for advertising.
It rained the day I used it but was confident it would hold up. I loaded my book, keys, water bottle and some paperwork and was on my way. The bag worked great, all my stuff was completely dry with the water being repelled by the strong materials. I also looked good trudging through the storm on my walk from the Port Authority to the Office since it has an appealing design as well. I’ll be using this bag quite a bit from now on.
Between the craftsmanship and the artistic look of the bag this is a fit for a lot of people. If you need something bigger they offer a full sized messenger bag and plenty of other handbags. They also make hats and smaller accessory items such as wallets. It is nice to see a company take an environmental stance and offer fashionable and attractive wares. RetroActif, keep up the good work!
