…I feel about my go-bag the way, I imagine, Paris Hilton feels about her handbag.  Most of the things I need are in there.  With that bag and what it contains, I could survive in the desert 24 hours.  With that bag I can publish my stories and pictures to the world…

A Hardcore Handbag.

My Tatonka go-bag finally went to the big attic in the sky.  Zipper is cactus.  Many small tears.  Twelve months of daily use.  Not too bad for an ultralight bag.  

(Top pic: my new ChicoBag spewed on the floor of my guest house.)

I have got a new ChicoBag, 15 litre travel pack.  THB 1100.  About $35. 
ChicoBag themselves sell the Travel Pack for US$29.95. 
Almost 100% recycled materials.  Like polar fleece, this bag is made from PET; recycled bottles. 

I bought this bag because it was the only ultralight one available from the only serious outdoor store in Chiang Mai.

I’ll report on the bag’s performance later, when I have used it for a while, but I really like the form. 
Simple but strong. 

No attempt at waterproofing, but then, how much value does it really add?  I have never owned a so-called “waterproof” bit of kit that didn’t lose it’s water resistance after six months of heavy use.

The ChicoBag Travel Pack has a volume of 15 litres, but weighs only 204 grams. 
It collapses to a little bundle the size of a large wallet when not in use.

There are two compartments, each individually accessed.  Three zippers.  Plenty of closed bag wall below the zipper level, which keeps my stuff together when I am rummaging.  (My last bag had super long zippers which often allowed stuff to spill when I was digging in it on the move.)

The bag is hydration ready.

The Travel Pack comes with a removable chest strap, which really compensates well for the light shoulder straps.

On each side is an elasticised pocket, the perfect size and shape for a 1.5 ltr water bottle.  Even when the bag is inverted, the pockets hold a bottle securely, unless shaken firmly. 

The styling is pretty restrained.  No frills.  The PET material is slightly shiny, but the bag is enhanced by a subtle honeycomb pattern embossing, which takes the sheen off the plastic. Three colours are available: red, blue and black. I went for black of course. Disappears in the dark. See my page on urban camping for the reasoning behind this colour choice.

I feel about my go-bag the way, I imagine, Paris Hilton feels about her handbag.  Most of the things I need are in there.  With that bag and what it contains, I could survive in the desert 24 hours.  With that bag I can publish my stories and pictures to the world sitting in a McDonalds cafe.  I have my harmonicas in there, my condoms, a litre of water, my underarm deodorant.  In short, my go-bag contains the essentials to sustain life.

I have to trust my bag.  My bag bears an awesome responsibility.  If it tears, if it breaks, if it fails – I fail.  I cannot afford to lose my camera, my tablet, my music, my phone, and all my other shit.  This bag has got to be up to the job.

The seams on the Travel Pack are a bit ordinary in places.  I anticipate running repairs, but then I have not owned a bag yet that didn’t pop seams from time to time. The floor of the bag is tougher material, which should help protect the bag from tears, a let down with the Tatonka I had before.

Good comfort factor with the straps.  The emaciated shoulder straps on ultralight bags put some people off, but I have never felt any discomfort from them even heavily loaded with 5+ kg.
I think I’m going to enjoy using this bag.

 
UPDATE: 2016-02-25.

This bag has been my constant companion for a year and a half now, and although I have patched it several times, it is still going strong. It has gone across the Aussie desert with me, through jungles, and been stashed under the tables of countless greasy restaurants and nightclubs. It is without doubt the best go bag I’ve ever owned. Light, tough, stylish… and it wasn’t even expensive. When my ChicoBag does finally die, I will be getting another one to replace it!
 

ChicoBag Travel Pack Specs: 
Material: Ripstop Fabric: 100% Recycled PET made with Repreve
Capacity: 15 litres
Weight: 204 grams
 

For more info on the ChicoBag Travel Pack , visit their website.
I got mine at Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures: THB 1099.00 (USD $36.50).
 

You can read more about what gear I use and why, on my page “Packing Your Bag for Adventure“.

 
>> Questions?  Check out the Q and A page, or email me.
>> See the world on a shoestring – read the Hitchhiking 101!
>> What do you really need?  Learn how to pack your bag for adventure!
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