Ecotech: Eco-Friendly?
What to make of a bag called the Black Rhino, that claims to be “saving the world one bag at a time”, and boasts of being PVC free and toxic free… but is made in China?
We’re not sure- but Ecogear and Ecotech offer a line of adorable kid’s products in organic cotton, and an adult line boasting of “EPO (Environment Pollution Omitting) technology”, which they say “is among the leading innovations of environmental protection of the 21st century”.
We say that the Black Rhino bag is sturdy, stylish, and reasonably priced. The zippers, always a trouble spot, seem solid, and the straps comfortably padded. It can compress fairly well, but expand to hold a large, full-size laptop and all of the extras, with room for some books and games and spare batteries to boot. We really liked the rear padding, well-placed and vented, making the bag fairly easy to carry even with a heavy load.
It could have used an upper cross-strap, but the lower cross-strap worked well, and the upper handle, lined valuables compartment, and convenient interior pockets were excellent details. The bag is a bit heavy though, so definitely suited for urban environments rather than hiking. Fitting the name, it is only available in black (other lines are available in multiple colors). Also, we didn’t find the bag as water-resistant as some others.
Overall, Ecogear and Ecotech seem to have their heart in the right place- though we always like to see details accompany claims like “a portion of all proceeds like be donated to various organizations that are helping to protect our environment”. And remember that eco-friendly doesn’t necessarily mean worker-friendly, much like with any other product. At $60, the Black Rhino is a great laptop bag for those looking for a large and PVC-free bag or case. Available online.
