Chicobag Messenger Bags
So in Monday’s post about the book Picture Yourself Going Green, I ended with the fact that I would have more on reusable bags. If you’ve been reading me for a while now, you’ll know that I’m a fan of ChicoBags. They sent me a sample over a year ago, and I have been hooked ever since. I even bought two orange ones last year to be my boys’ trick-or-treat bags. I’ve used them all year, and they are still in great shape for them to use next month again when they go begging door to door for candy.
Earlier this year, I told you that ChicoBag had taken the next step in sustainability and started making rePETe bags – bags that were made from recycled plastic bottles and other reused materials. Now they’ve taken the rePETe material and created a messenger bag. Like the original ChicoBag, the messenger bag folds up small and fits in its own attached pouch.
The Messenger rePETe™ is made of lightweight recycled PET ripstop fabric and features an integrated zipper pouch. The Messenger rePETe™ unstuffs into a full-size messenger pack, featuring two separate zipper pockets, flexible lycra bottle pockets, an adjustable strap, and a sleek magnetized closure system. This sophisticated urban messenger bag is made of 80% recycled content and is the first of its kind. The Messenger rePETe™ competes head-to-head with standard messenger-style packs, which do not offer the convenience of a pouch-able pack. The Messenger rePETe™ is ideal for the bike commuter who takes spontaneous detours to the market, or for the world traveler who collects unplanned souvenirs. The Messenger rePETe™ combines the utility of a compact reusable bag, with the comfort of a designer messenger bag.
The pouch is 6″ by 7 1/2″ and folds out to a 12″ by 14 1/2″ messenger bag. The flap of the bag attaches to the body of the bags with magnets. It weighs 5.6 oz and is machine washable (hang dry). It also has two side pouches for water bottles and other items. It sells for $17.99 on their website.
The pouch opens easily, and while it’s a little difficult to get the messenger bag back neatly into the pouch, it does go back in easily. I can see this bag getting thrown into my suitcase whenever I go on a trip. Because its a messenger bag, it’s something that my husband would be able to carry, too, without feeling like he was carrying something too feminine.
Chicobag is constantly impressing me with their bags, and according to the e-mail they sent me, this messenger bag isn’t the last new innovative bag they’ll be unveiling.
This looks great for travel, also for grocery and other around town activities. I love that it’s so small but you can instantly have an extra bag if you need one.
I can speak from experience – this messenger bag is awesome! I got one a couple weeks ago and have been using it non-stop. The magnetic closure system is such a user friendly feature. Another great product from ChicoBag, with even more coming in the next week or two. I’ve heard rumors of prints and a cool sling bag similar to the messenger.
If you just want something for groceries – I would recommend the original Chicobag – it folds up a lot smaller and would probably hold more groceries. But if you want something versatile that can do groceries or double as a bag when you’re walking around – this one is great.
Thanks for the review, I love Chicobags and didn’t realize they had other styles! The messenger bag looks great!