Keen Cornell Bag : Repurposed Pouch

I took Keen's Cornell Bag on a short adventure on Amtrak's Coast Starlight train.   This particular bag--part of the company's Harvest series of bags made primarily with repurposed rice bags and recycled inner tube rubber--feels just right for a trip, as the graphics and characters on the rice paper suggest international wayfaring.

For a four-day, stateside trip, this was the perfect primary bag, packed with clothes, notebooks, shoes and the odds and ends that I remembered at the last minute (cell phone charger, headphones, water bottle).   While rice paper paper might seem flimsy on first inspection, the bag held the weight well, and being tossed around the train's luggage racks seemed to only add to its repurposed sheen.   The pad that wraps the shoulder strap prevented the strap from digging into my neck during transport, and the combination of buckle and Velcro closures made me feel secure enough to leave the bag while strolling the train (but were easy enough to undo when I needed to access the inside).

Along with being a good small travel bag, the Cornell could work for an eco-savvy commuter--the interior holds a 17.4" padded laptop sleeve, along with pockets for pens, ID, notebooks, and a larger zippered pocket that you'll find beneath the flap.   You might not pick it for a midwinter trip to Seattle--Keen cautions users to keep the bag dry--but for warm-weather trips and day-to-day use, the Cornell shows that sustainability can look smart.

Specs: Size: one size; Color: Brown/White/Black, Materials: (Shell: Recycled Rice Paper / Brown Paper / Inner Tube Rubber; Lining: Recycled Rice Paper; Bottom: Recycled Inner Tube Rubber; Recycled Aluminum Components)

Bottom Line: Reused rice bags and inner tubes turn a classic messenger bag into a functional--and sustainable--travel companion -- C.W. (Oct 08).

Price: $69.95 click here to shop/purchase

Buy Online:

Manufacturer's Site: www.keenfootwear.com

Share