Minimalist Packing: Gobi Gear Hobo Roll Review and Giveaway!

http://www.hobotraveler.com/hobo/bindle.php

Ok... so when I first heard about the Hobo Roll, this is the first thing that popped into my mind..  As I did a little searching for a photo, I learned that the classic bag on a stick is called a Bindle... so there you go. The first minimalist back pack!  :-)

Hobo Roll by Gobi Gear

But, what you see above is what a Hobo Roll actually is...   a pretty sweet compression bag for packing up your stuff!  What's special about it?  The Hobo Roll is designed with 5 compartments, and draw string at each end, and some serious compression straps to compact it all down.

 According to Gobi Gear, who makes the Hobo Roll, this slick traveling bag will reduce packing volume by 50% and allows easy organization and access to your gear.  Also, the bag is designed to be tough but also lightweight.


Per the product site, the specs are:

Dimensions: 15″ long x 10″ diameter (38cm x 25cm)

Weight: 3.5 ounces/100 grams

Capacity: 1160 cubic inches/19 liters

Now, before I give you my review of the Hobo Roll, keep in mind that I am a terrible packer!  My wife (who is a true organizational and packing goddess), can easily pack twice as much into a box/suitcase than I ever can.  So, if I can pack stuff in this thing, then it certainly is a great tool for the packing challenged!

Ok... so not much to this bag at all, and it really isn't all that big... lets see what I can pack into it

Ok.. so I intentionally grabbed more stuff than I thought I could fit into this sack.  What I grabbed was:

2 Tech Shirts                                         2 pair underwear (boxers or briefs? boxer briefs..ha!)
1 Long Sleeve Cotton T (BRU)             1 pair road running shoes (Vivobarefoot The One)
1 pair walking shorts                              1 pair huaraches ("J"uaraches)
1 pair running shorts                               1 pair trail runners (New Balance Minimus 10V2)
2 pairs of Injinji toe socks                       1 Garmin 410 and charger
1 Olympus digital camera                        1 Nathan Quickdraw Elite handheld ( Hydrapak Gelbot)
1 toiletry bag with toothbrush etc etc..

Well...I got really close!!  And again, I think if I had taken my time, or employed the assistance of my better half, it could all fit.  But, I was surprised I got that much in there.

And, in a nice little compact bag that is easy to throw over your shoulder, tuck into another bag, or simply attach to a larger backpack etc.   Pretty cool... :-)

But, don't take my word for it.  If this looks like something you could use, check out Gobi Gear's web page here:  http://mygobigear.com/products-page    The Hobo Roll retails for $28 (and use code "Barefoot13" for 15% off), BUT... you know how I roll.. (pun intended)..   with a few clicks on the Rafflecopter thingy below, you can enter to win one!

Contest will run until 10PM MST, Monday October 7, 2013.  Contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada... thanks and good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Happy trails!

Jeff
http://barefootinclined.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Hobo Roll for free from Gobi Gear as coordinated by Deep Creek PR an Outdoor Retailer Public Relations Company in consideration for review publication.