In an exclusive interview with Anne Hathaway, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, and Rodrigo Santoro during the Rio 2 premiere weekend I learned the stars’ must-have gadgets but when I asked Jesse Eisenberg about his favorite device, he responded that he’s never without his backpack.
“I travel with a backpack like an adolescent everywhere I go… in case I pick up something on the road.”
Certainly a backpack is a handy tool to have to stash items in while traveling. It leaves your hands free and equally distributes weight, unlike a handbag. Another method of carrying items hands-free is a fanny pack. Ahhh…the fanny pack!
In Rio 2, a fanny pack serves as Blu’s way of toting must-have essentials from his domesticated life to the wilds of the Amazon. Blu’s strong attachment to his fanny pack is one akin to a child’s desire for a lovey. It’s like a security blanket that almost induces an anxiety attack when Jewel’s father, Eduardo (Andy Garcia) asks him to leave it behind during their day of exploration!
But does Eisenberg think that Rio 2 will inspire a fanny pack comeback? Will kids be clamoring to encircle them around their waists? Weaving in the seriousness of purchasing animals as pets and abandoning them with some fanny pack humor, Eisenberg said:
“I’ll tell you the real danger is, when you do a movie about animals, people buy the animals, but then they don’t take care of them and sometimes the animals will die. So, if that happens with fanny packs, that’s the real tragedy. You know, people buy them and then they’re just sitting somewhere in a drawer.”
In honor of Blu’s love of his fanny pack in Rio 2 and Eisenberg always traveling with an empty backpack, here are four of my favorite bags to travel with that are comfortable, compact, and make trips through the security line a breeze. Yes, they’re a bit pricey but I’m a firm believer in investing in high quality bags that will last through many adventures. Apologies in advance for the lack of fanny pack suggestions but I wouldn’t want to hold anyone responsible for unused fanny packs sitting somewhere in a drawer!
Lance Executive Daypack ($149.99) from ECBC— What’s the secret to travel like a pro? Never running out of power for your devices and getting through security quickly. The impossible becomes possible with ECBC’s Lance Executive Daypack that makes it super easy to do both. Instead of having to dig through your overstuffed backpack to extract your laptop for its ride in the plastic bin, simply unzip your bag and lie it flat to reveal the laptop before sliding it through the scanner. Out of power and confronted by a line of anxious travelers already in the red at the nearest charging station? Not to worry since you can add an ECBC Portable Power Pack to your order for an extra $35. As long as you keep it charged, you’re less likely to run out of juice on the go. Sample courtesy of ECBC.
InCase DSLR Pro Pack ($149) from OutfitYours.com— Ever since becoming a Samsung #Imagelogger, I’ve been trying to figure out an effective way to travel with my new cameras and lenses that would allow me to carry them on the plane in a comfortable way that wouldn’t be excessively bulky and would still provide enough room for my laptop and other gadgets. To make a long story short, the InCase DSLR ProPack is my favorite solution to date. I love that the part that rests on my back zips open to reveal a space with dividers so I can customize the fit to protect my gear. The rest of the backpack is like any other and I love the padded compartments perfect for my laptop and tablet along with the many other pockets and places for the little things I like to have readily accessible when I travel. Gift certificate from OutfitYours.com helped towards the purchase price of my InCase DSLR ProPack. Full review with giveaway coming at a later date!
Image courtesy of Nordstrom.com
Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote ($145) from Nordstrom—I like to distribute the weight of the items I carry through the airport by using a backpack but once I get to my destination, I take what I need and put it in my Longchamp Le Pliage Tote. This folding nylon bag can be dressed up or down and weighs next to nothing. With the addition of sleeve for my laptop and more portable camera bag, it’s the perfect professional bag for conferences or serves as a great tote on family adventures thanks to the water resistant nylon exterior and durable leather handles. Plus it doesn’t take up extra room in my luggage since it folds! Personally purchased.
Image courtesy of OverLand Equipment
OverLand Equipment Everyday Shopper ($18)— Living in a county that now charges for plastic and paper bags, I’m never without my reusables but one of my favorites is the Everday Shopper from OverLand Equipment. I love the navy blue and white print that goes with just about everything and the fact that it stuffs inside its own bag. It’s the perfect thing for me to keep tucked in my backpack or throw in my Longchamp Tote for additional purchases. This bag was a speaker gift from Type A Parent conference.
Rio 2 from 20th Century Fox comes to theaters on Friday, April 11, 2014. For more information, visit the Official Website, Like it on on Facebook, or follow #Rio2 on Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.
This post was inspired by attending the Rio 2 world premiere as a guest of Twentieth Century Fox. I was not obligated to post and all opinions are my own. Rio 2 images courtesy of Fox.
funny, I dont see my legendary Fanny Got Pack image.