Backpacking

Trek Light Gear Bindle Backpack

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Superior grocery tote

I love bags. I have backpacks, briefcases, messenger bags, hip packs, go bags, bust out bags – you name it, I have it. My wife and I have inadvertently started collection of eco-friendly grocery tote bags much like the Envirosax (reviewed on Cool Tools). Seems like every event or street fair we go to is selling them for cheap. But then I came across the Bindle Pack from Trek Light Gear.

The benefit of this bag over ANY grocery tote bag is three-fold. Firstly, it zips closed. I hate that when I put down the other eco totes, any items in it will spill out. Secondly, it is a fully-enabled backpack, so it is much more comfortable to carry your things. Thirdly, the Bindle Pack has TWO additional pockets, a very handy interior pouch to hold smaller items like your keys or phone and a zippered side pocket – I always wondered why the makers of those eco totes never added an additional small pocket for sundries.

The Bindle Pack is made of parachute nylon material. Accordingly it is very light and very strong. Although rated to carry 40 lbs. I have loaded mine up with up to 60 lbs. with no problems. Each Bindle Pack has a zippered main compartment, a handy interior pouch and an additional zippered side pocket to keep all your items organized and easily accessible. The Bindle Pack will fold up to an incredibly small 3″W x 3″H x 2.25″D when folded and expand to a sizeable backpack 10″W x 15″H x 6″D when in use (just under 15 liters or about 4 gallons by volume). Unbelievably, it only weighs 3 oz. True its not as big as an IKEA bag (reviewed on Cool Tools), but it is a LOT more portable.

I plan on buying multiple packs, leaving one in each of our cars, and hooking them at the doorknob of each door to remind us to take them. Lastly, TrekLightGear has partnered up with Be The Change Volunteers and for every backpack sold, they will deliver school supplies to one student/child around the world.

 

-- Alastair Ong 12/11/14

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