Keen's New Pack For 2009

Keen has launched two new 'trailhead' packs for 2009 with both markedly outdoors friendy than their previous rather urban bags, though they still use many recycled materials and have trendy offbeat styling.

The new Newport Pack is an interesting mix of technical and casual. For example it includes a hydration sleeve pocket and serious-looking perforated foam shoulder straps and back system.

There's also a sternum strap, stow-away waist belt, big stretch stash pocket and compression system plus a reinforced base complete with 100-per-cent recyled rubber panels - the rubber comes from sole off-cuts from Keen's shoes.

But the there's also added urban friendliness with a fleece-lined top pocket and a handy padded lap-top sleeve. Entry into the main compartment is by handy perimiter zip.

We have one here and while no-one's going to mistake it for a full-on technical mountain pack, it feels really well made, is styled with echoes of Keen's hybrid footwear and look like it should make a reasonable day-walking sac.

On top of that, the Newport uses 100% recycled aluminium components, has a 100% recycled interior liner and a 100% recycled moulded bottom.

We'll let you know how we get on with the Newport, but more information at www.keeneurope.eu