Eco-Living – Snazzy Cool Stuff

Solar backpacks are cool, really cool. With a solar backpack, you can walk or hike around on a sunny day, with your phone, laptop, or power bank charging while you go. When you get to your destination, maybe a campsite, you can pull out your fully charged phone and update your status with the piece of mind that when your battery runs low, you will be able to charge it again in the sun tomorrow, or from the fully charged power bank. But...How safe are your electronics if it rains, or if you spill something on the backpack? Is a solar backpack waterproof? Solar Backpacks are generally water-RESISTANT, not completely water-PROOF. Most top brands will shed rain and accidental spills, but will not keep water out if is submerged. For that, you would need a solar dry-bag. The solar panels, themselves, are generally waterproof. Where the problems come in are the zippers, seams, even the material on some backpacks will allow water in and onto your electronic devices. In my search for the perfect waterproof, solar backpack, I started on Amazon. I spent days pouring over specs and reviews and I finally narrowed my choices down to 3. None were exactly what I wanted, and I'll tell you why. Qoolife Solar Backpack/Dry-Bag When I started looking, I used the term "waterproof solar backpack" on Amazon and this was the one that caught my eye at first. This backpack from Qoolife is fully waterproof and has a solar charger, but the problem with this "backpack" is that it's more of a dry bag than a backpack. This bag has it's upsides. Completely waterproof. You can have your sensitive electronic equipment in here with no worries about it getting wet. It has a roll-top closure with snaps for extra security. Your stuff is not getting wet when using this bag properly, even in the wettest of environments...like having it on your back as you swim across a bay in a rainstorm.It is priced right. Of the three bags that made my shortlist, this one was the least expensive. You can check the price on Amazon HERE There is an integrated Bluetooth speaker in this bad, making it a great pack if you wanted to go kayaking or paddleboarding and listen to your tunes. If your main use for this bag, like me, was to hike and carry several electronics, including a laptop, then you should choose another backpack. The Cons to this bag are many, at least for what I was looking for. There are no separate compartments for a laptop or tablet.Compared to other backpacks this bag has a smaller volume.There don't seem to be many comfort items built-in, but I can't say from experience that it is actually uncomfortable.The solar panel powers the built-in speaker, and emergency lights. If you want to charge other electronics, you will have to supply your own charger port. Eceen Solar Backpack I really liked the look of the Eceen solar backpack. It had a ton of snazzy features that I also like. For instance... Pros 1.Lots of pockets and compartments for all of your electronic hiking needs. 2. I really like the look of this bag, but that is just personal preference. What is especially cool about this particular backpack is that there are several colors to choose from to suit your particular taste. 3. Water RESISTANT. The Eceen backpack does not claim to be completely waterproof, however it does state that it is water-resistant, which is good. Most uses of this backpack will include at least encountering some forms of moisture...sweat, dew, spilled drinks, drizzle etc. 4. Solar panel is removeable. 5. Eceen designed this bag to be tough. Not only is it water resistant, but it is also tear resistant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EO6H4usI2Q Cons 1.The only con for me with this backpack is that it is water-resistant versus water-PROOF. I personally wanted a bag that could fall into the water and keep my equipment safe. This backpack came up just a bit short, but only in this hard to satisfy area. As I would discover, this is a typical "problem" that I would find, time after time. Kinsons Beam Solar Backpack The Kinsons Beam Solar Backpack has a ton of cool features. It is the closest I could find to a truly waterproof solar backpack, without being a solar "drybag." It was also the most expensive of the waterproof solar backpacks that I looked at. Let me tell you why I like this bag so much... Pros It is designed to keep water out using water-resistant material and specially designed zippers to create a waterproof seal.This bag is large and roomy, with several compartments for your electronics.It comes with a snazzy, anti-theft buckle, allowing you to use it similarly to a bike lock.The solar panels can charge directly to your phone (via voltage regulator) or to a power-bank for you to charge your devices later after the sun goes down.It is so stylish that it can be used in the city, at work, or at school, in addition to on a trail in the woods. There isn't much I dislike about the Kinsons Beam Solar Backpack, but... Cons The description of the backpack in the title calls it water-proof, but in the specifications from the company it is described as water-resistant. With this flip-flopping, I can't take the chance with my valuable electronics.It has received some bad reviews concerning the actual solar panels not functioning correctly. Final Thoughts I had it in my mind that I could find a solar backpack that would be comfortable, spacious, with tons of pockets and charge my devices, all while being completely water-proof. What I discovered is that this fictional bag does not exist. I could either have completely water-proof or spacious, comfortable, with lots of pockets for my stuff, but not all in one. If you absolutely need water-PROOF, then you have to go with a drybag, which has it's own downsides. Your other option is to choose from the many water-RESISTANT solar backpacks out there. You can check out more details HERE on Amazon. Thanks for reading, Y'all! Now, go pick up something cool or snazzy.