So you’d love a solar backpack, but a standard backpack just isn’t for you right? Well your in luck. Along with the standard two-strap solar backpack there are also plenty of solar powered messenger bags as well. So let’s cut to the chase. Here are 3 solar messenger bags that are from 3 different manufacturers.
1. Sun-Plugged Solar Urban Messenger Bag
Price: $129
The bag
On the outside the Solar Urban Messenger Bag has one smartphone compartment on the outside flap, two small mesh compartments on the side and one zipper compartment on the back which is about the size of the bag. You can get inside the bag via two separate zippers. The main storage area has a padded divider which also helps with keeping your laptop or netbook safe and secure.
There is also one hanging pocket which is perfectly located directly below the charging cord. The pocket is ideal for an iPhone, GPS or other small mobile device. The bag’s dimensions are 13.5” by 18” by 5.5” (34.3cm by 45.7 cm by 14cm).
Charging Info
Even though the Sun-Plugged Solar Urban Messenger Bag has a relatively small solar panel, it still manages to charge quickly. An hour of direct sunlight can provide about 1.5 hours of play time on an iPod or about an hour of talk time. The 3000mAh internal battery can reach a full charge with about 8 hours of direct sunlight. Like most solar bags, the Solar Urban is designed to charge just about any small device including Apple devices and anything that charges via micro/mini usb.
2. V-dimension Optical Messenger Solar Bag
This solar messenger bag is the cheapest of the three. You can find one on Amazon as low as $80. V-Dimension’s solar bag lineup consists of about 5 solar bags, including the Helius solar backpack as well as a super affordable (only $35) Optical Corporate Traveler solar bag which is also a messenger style solar bag. So this actually makes the Optical Corporate Traveler the cheapest messenger bag. Check it out on Amazon as it is no longer listed on V-Dimension’s web site. Let’s get back to the Optical Messenger Solar Bag.
The Bag
This bag is slightly smaller than the Solar Urban Messenger Bag. The Optical Messenger Bag measures out to 13” by 17” by 5” (33cm by 43.2cm by 12.7cm). Inside the Optical’s laptop sleeve can comfortably store laptops up to 15.4”. On the outside of the bag there are a few small pockets, one of which (located above solar panel) stores the backpack’s battery.
Charging info
The internal battery is on the small side (2200mAh) but this is more than enough to charge a small digital camera and most smartphones once with some power left over. For example, the iPhone 3gs has a 1219mah battery and the Blackberry Storm (both 9550 and 9530) has a 1400 mAh battery. The Optical Messenger Solar Bag can charge in as little as 3 hours via usb/wall outlet or 7 hours from sun light.
3. Voltaic Messenger Solar Bag
Voltaic’s Messenger Bag stands out from the rest with not 1, not 2, but 3 solar panels. Its no wonder why 1 hour of sun light can generate up to 3 hours of talk time. As far as the price goes this is the most expensive solar bag of the list. On average the bag goes for about $200 depending on which color you choose for the solar panel frame (orange, silver and black). I was able to find one for $155 on Amazon from a seller with a 5 star feedback rating.
The bag
Like most of Voltaic’s solar backpacks, their messenger bag has plenty of internal pockets. Their are two inside areas. The first is designed to store a laptop of up to 15” (padded). The second zippered section, which is located directly behind the solar panels, has multiple pockets including one which stores the internal battery.
Even though the Voltaic Messenger Solar Bag can store roughly the same size laptop as the other solar bags mentioned, it is slightly more compact. The bag’s dimensions are 11.5″ by 14.5″ by 5.5″ (29.2cm by 36.8cm by 14cm). Another thing Voltaic is doing right is designing their solar bags with “wire channels” which go throughout the bag which make it easy to run the charging cable, headphones, etc. You can also check out this review from a guy that had his solar bag for over a year!
Charging Info
The bag can charge via sunlight or from a usb port. The 3 solar panels really do make great use of the messenger bag’s existing space. A complete solar charge for the bag’s 3000 mAh battery takes 7 hours (depending on weather conditions) while a usb charge can take about 5.5 hours. So realistically your looking about 5 hours of sun time to charge most smartphone batteries.
Solar messenger bags are one of many options when it comes to solar backpacks and bags. Below are some helpful links:
- Fuse Portable Solar Charger- Turn any backpack or bag into a solar charger
- Solar Backpack Videos- These are the 5 videos I found to be the most informative and helpful
- V-Dimension Web Site
- About Sun-Plugged
- Max Solar Backack Review
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