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Product Review + Giveaway: Vaya Bags

Product: Vaya Bags

Products Reviewed: Backpack, Messenger Bag, Laptop Bag, Wallet and Belt — all made from recycled bike tubes.

About Vaya Bags: Vaya Bags is a women-owned and operated company, based in Queens, NY. For over 7 years, Vaya Bags has created products tailored to the needs of people looking for dependable, functional and stylish handmade bags, while maintaining a dedication to using as much recycled and sustainable material as possible. Tianna Meilinger (an environmental scientist) is the one woman powerhouse and talent behind the company and she makes the bags out of recycled bicycle tubes, old sailboat awnings and old banners. All of Vaya’s products are individually handmade, and everything is 100% Vegan.

The One Green Planet Verdict:

Vaya’s bags and accessories not only rock in the looks department, but they’re also well-constructed and durable (and just happen to be functional, sustainable, vegan, fashionable and handmade in New York City using recycled materials!). We tested a range of their products and have been going gaga over them.

The Bike Tube messenger bags are Vaya’s flagship product and come in four sizes and in colors that are completely customizable. We took a spiffy-looking black and blue colored Medi Size Bike tube Messenger Bag out for a spin around town and stuffed it with a 15″ MacBook Pro, charger, iPhone, a couple of notepads and an assortment of other stuff we could find. The no-swing stabilizer strap is highly adjustable and helps provide excellent weight distribution, making the bag feel very comfortable and secure on the bike. We also tried the the Backpack, which is a  good alternative if you’re not into the Messenger Bag look. The bags feature great little details like side-squeeze clip on the outside flap for security, reflective tape, a loop to attach a bike light and 2 convenient velcro pockets under the flap that can hold a cell phone and an IPod. But you don’t have to be a bike-commuter to appreciate the practical details or use these bags (wait, why aren’t you commuting by bike, already?) because the hip and functional design make these bags a great choice off the bike as well.

If all you’re looking for is something compact to carry around your laptop in? the Bike Tube Laptop Bag is a great option. We found it to be perfect for a 13″ or 15″ laptop, with a front pocket that’s just the right size for a charger or small accessory. All the bags we tried were made mostly from recycled bike tubes, and perfectly crafted by Vaya.

The Bike Tube awesomeness does not end with bags at Vaya. They also make a range of accessories like wallets, belts, cell phone pouches, hip and tool pouches — all made by hand, with the same attention to detail, style and functionality as their messenger bags, backpacks and laptop bags.

Trust us… Vaya bags rock!

To purchase this product, CLICK HERE!

CONTEST DETAILS: (Closed on July 30, 2012)

You know our verdict, now you decide! Vaya Bags has generously offered to send a few lucky One Green Planet readers one of the above products for free!**

All you need to do is:

1. Complete this sentence in the comments section below, “I will need my Vaya Recycled Bike Tube _______ (choose: Backpack, Messenger Bag, Laptop Bag, Wallet, Belt) most when …”

2. SHARE (Facebook/Google Plus), TWEET (Twitter), LIKE (Facebook) or PIN this review by clicking on the social media buttons right below the title above. Include a link of your tweet/share/pin in the comments section below.

To qualify both #1 and #2 MUST be done.

**Contest open to U.S. residents only