It’s been to places I’ve visited
in the last quarter of the year, from Manila, Baguio, Benguet and also Pagadian
and back to Zamboanga. I also use it as my school bag. It’s durable, water
proof and I love the color. Basically, wherever I go, it’s there with me.
It was a surprise from C, who
also got a matching bag in blue. I adore this color combination, and it’s even
made its way to a hiking trip to the third tallest peak in the country last
October. If there was one bag that could be suitable for both travel and
school, the Granite Gear in Echo will have to be it.
What’s To Love?
It’s designed to be a campus
backpack. It’s weather-resistant thanks to the repealaweave fabic made of
durable Taurpalite bottom. The laptop sleeve protects up to 15.5 inch laptops
(I’ve been lugging around my 14 inch Acer laptop) featuring the padded gear
tech. Its profile is tall and slim, not short and stout and keeps the weight closer to the back for better center of gravity.
So how about for travel blogging?
Bring it on. For travel, it’s a smarter move to switch to a lighter and more
compact laptop like my Acer Aspire ES 11.
A laptop sleeve is part of the design that can transport even a 15 inch laptop |
The second compartment features a
full organizer for pens, small extras even power banks. Even with my heavy
load, the back panel is comfortable. I've also made my windbreaker a constant attachment in there. It's foldable into a square buttoned cushion pack and it's very handy when the weather's threatening.
My foldable windbreaker is a constant companion in the second compartment organizer |
Barrier Repealaweave
I can’t express how grateful I am that this all-around
backpack features barrier repealaweave especially for the front pocket where I
store my USB, headphones and keys. I probably can’t live with myself if any of
these got wet.
Full back panel for comfortable transportation of books and even traveling light |
School and Travel
The Granite Gear Echo bag
couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s with me in campus, and doesn’t show
signs of wear and tear even if I stuffed it with my 14 inch laptop, extension
wire, charger, mouse, wallet, notebooks, pencil case, grooming pouch, reference
notes and even law books that come in hardbound (and can get really heavy) and
a water bottle at the side with still enough room for a folding umbrella.
500 ml Echo Bottle for water in campus and even outdoors |
But oh boy, it’s never showed any
signs of giving up despite roughing it. It’s also fabulous outdoors, from Pulag
in Benguet to La Paz in Zamboanga.
No matter what its contents are,
whether it’s books and a laptop for school or clothes and outerwear for hiking
outdoors, the performance and durability is still the same.
The obligatory hiker's quarter turn in Pulag National Park, my Granite Gear Echo in Verb Petal challenging the weekend hike |