by Michael Smith
I have wanted to be able to lay my hands on one of these reusable shopping bags in its own bag for a while already in order to do a review of them. Finally I have now managed to get one of them.
Like with the review of the USB Cells I should, maybe, add that this Chico Bag was not sent to me for review from the manufacturers or one or the other green vendor; it was picked up as a freebie, like the Eco-Button and the USB Cells, on a trade fair. In this instance on the RSA Europe 2008 Conference & Expo that I visited as Editor of the ICT Review.
Initially I thought that once one would have unpacked the Chico Bag shopper from its little “compression sack” it might be nigh on impossible to put the genie back into the bottle, so to speak, but it was a lot easier than I had thought and it works very well indeed. Five marks out of five for that, definitely.
Those are real nifty little shoppers that are so easy to have on a keyring or clipped to a belt or in a pocket or purse that not having once own shopping bag or two when visiting the stores, even in case of an unplanned visit, is just not excusable.
ChicoBags are designed to be unforgettable. They effortlessly fit in your pocket or purse when they are stuffed into their integrated stuff pouch. The pouch has an attached carabiner to easily hook your ChicoBag to your key chain, backpack or belt loop. The very design encourages you to always have your ChicoBag on hand or pocket or purse as and when needed.
The ChicoBags now come in two sizes though the one that I have is of the “Original” size.
The sizes now are “Original” and “Vita” and the dimensions, etc. are below:
For the “Original” the dimensions are: bag 18" x 14.5" and pouch 3"x4" (approximately). The weight is 1.5 oz and the capacity is 25 lbs.
The dimensions for the “Vita” are: bag 19" x 15.5" and pouch 3.5" x 5" (approximately)
The weight of the bag is 2 oz. and the capacity is 40 lbs.
For weight comparison: One gallon of milk is approximately 7 lbs.
The bags are made of durable woven polyester. The fabric allows for easy opening and stuffing. No special folding is required. The bags can be machine washed on cold and should then hang to dry.
I have to say that I have, not as yet, have had a chance to fully test the ChicoBag in my possession but I have given it a little strength test and it hold up well under that strain. Whoever, though, would want to carry 25lbs – which equals about 12kg – in one single shopping bag beats me but, well, there's none stranger than folks, as my old Mami used to say. I personally would not wish to even try to carry that amount in any bag to be carried in my hand.
However, as far as I am concerned, this is a good idea and one that I can but endorse.
We all know that there are more ways of carrying your own shopping bag with you when you go to the stores and it does not have to be a bought one but, if you are looking to have one that you cannot, nigh on, forget then the ChicoBags is the way to go.
Outlets that sell the bags are aplenty and they can be found all over the Net and also, I am sure, in the real world. So, what#s stopping you from having your own shopping bag with you, even if you are doing some grocery shopping on the spur of the moment?
Go and get a ChicoBag...
© M Smith (Veshengro), November 2008
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ChicoBag – Product Review
