Categories
Luggage and Bags

RiutBag ditches outside zipper for traveling peace of mind

Urban dwellers and travelers often find a backpack (or rucksack as they say in the UK) to be the most effective way to tote their essentials. Unfortunately, anyone who happens to be standing behind the wearer often has easy access to those personal items. RiutBag offers an alternative that was clearly designed by a small team that knows a little something about what makes a great travel bag. The zippers are designed in such a way that they are not easily accessible to the general public who happens to be along for the ride on the subway, bus, train or plane. Multiple storage pockets range in size from large enough for a laptop, to a place for one’s keys. There’s even a hidden pocket for paper tickets when digital or e-tickets aren’t an option. This campaign seeks to raise £29,700 (~$47,000 USD) by November 26, 2014. For £55 (~$88 USD), backers get can nab one with an expected delivery of April 2015.

Categories
Luggage and Bags

College students rejoice as Urban Rucksack marries laundry bag and backpack

College students and young professionals don’t always have the luxury of laundry facilities in their own homes. Oftentimes, they have to lug their dirty clothes to shoddy laundromats or home to mom and dad. Urban Rucksack was designed to be the ultimate laundry caddy, eschewing the traditional basket or hamper format. With pockets for detergent and fabric softeners, Urban Rucksack can hold up to three loads of laundry. The bag can be held on your back or horizontally like a briefcase. To get hands, or backs, on this product, backers can donate $49 for estimated delivery in January 2015. Urban Rucksack hopes to raise $3,500 with the help of Kickstarter.

The normal hamper/laundry bag design is certainly flawed. Either they come with flimsy handles or must be carried like sacks by the drawstring. Urban Rucksack takes the simple need and fills it with a well thought out solution.

Categories
Luggage and Bags

Monowalker blends sled and rickshaw to make loads less of a drag

There’s nothing like wheels to make it easier to transport stuff from here to there. And if such a device can be adapted for pretty much any travel situation, so much the better. Monowalker is a multifaceted device that allows users to tote supplies on wheels for excursions ranging from hiking in the great outdoors to taking a walk down to the corner market. And for cycling enthusiasts, it’s even possible to get a hitch so that it can be easily pulled along. Monowalker must be modified to fit an urban verses rural environment, and it’s not clear if any tools are required for the assembly. But it does appear that the kits offered for making those changes are easy to use.

It’s a nice touch that, when on foot, the product takes the stress off of a user’s neck and shoulders since it attaches around the waist. This product seems a little bulky to carry around everywhere and may be suited to bigger adventures rather than everyday use.  The campaign seeks to raise £25,000 (~$40,000 US) by November 5, 2014. City dwelling backers get a basic Monowalker product for £610 (~$980). Expected delivery is currently set for January 2015.

Categories
Luggage and Bags

NeXstep luggage holds your stuff, supports you as a stool

For those who are still willing to fly and endure the ever increasing list of airport insanities, there is now a piece of luggage that can at least always provide a predictable place to sit in the midst of the unpleasantries. NeXstep has a handle that acts as a built-in seat during those long waits in overcrowded airport holding areas. The seat holds up to 250 pounds, so those who are of a more hardy origin may not be able to enjoy this feature. The luggage is made of aircraft grade aluminum and polycarbonate, and also has waterproof zippers, four spinner wheels, and a TSA lock. Not only is it made in carry on size, but there is also a check on size available. Once travelers reach their destination, the stool can be converted to a luggage stand for easy and convenient unpacking. This campaign is seeking to raise $120,400 by November 24, 2014. Early bird backers can get the carry-on size in their choice of charcoal gray or red for $175, with an expected delivery of April 2015.

 

Categories
Luggage and Bags

Upcart lets you wheel your heavy stuff up the stairs with ease

Wheels and stairs are mortal enemies. Always have been, always will be. Many places conveniently come with ramps to accommodate those using wheelchairs or rolling suitcases, but there are still lots of stairs for rollers to contend with. While carting something upstairs, the constant jolting can damage your cargo. While going down, you run the risk of turning into stair-kill.

UpCart is, as its campaign says, up for anything! This cart is essentially, well, a cart, much like a delivery person would use. Stack up cargo for ease of transporting. However, instead of a pair of wheels, this fancy cart features six wheels. Each side has three in a tripod position. This way, the cart can glide up stairs easily. The campaign does a good job of showing the car in motion and how these wheels work together for a smoother ride. UpCart can hold up to 150 pounds and folds up for maximum portability. One will cost backers $75 or only $70 if they’re early enough. UpCart has a rather large Kickstarter campaign goal of $100,000.

UpCart is an innovative design, working towards fixing a common problem. While this is a great idea, it seems like it would be useful to those aforementioned delivery people, but not many others. The typical civilian doesn’t really use these types of carts much. The campaign also fails to mention how heavy the cart itself is, which definitely has an influence on its convenience. Also, it’s unclear how steady the cart is going downstairs and if these wheels do much if anything to steady a cargo-filled descent. All in all, UpCart is well-designed, but needs to market itself to businesses that deliver in order to find success.

Categories
Luggage and Bags

TUL briefcase builds in a scale to save on airline baggage expenses

TULIn spite of full body scans, baggage and over-the-limit fees, obnoxious ticket prices and generally treating most passengers like they are prisoners, there are still people out there willing to fly what is quickly becoming not-so-friendly skies. For those who seem to be able to put this outrageous affront to customer service aside, TUL offers a way to save a few pennies via luggage with a built-in scale. Just close the lid, flip on the switch and the sensors and digital display do the rest. There isn’t even any lifting involved. This seems like a great idea, but Americans take note: it appears that only kilos are calculated. For $229 AUD backers get one suitcase and an expected delivery of May 2015.

Categories
Luggage and Bags Organization

SpekPack is a one-bag solution for outdoor events

SpekPackWhen going to a fun event outside, it’s always necessary to bring along extra equipment to make yourself more comfortable. Hauling all of this stuff can be a huge pain, though. SpekPack has room for pretty much anything. This giant pack features a cooler, wheels, tripod legs, and a compartment for chairs, golf clubs and umbrellas. The fully loaded version comes with two chairs and an umbrella for shading the sun. While this bag seems quite versatile, it seems like it’d be quite heavy to carry when fully packed. One SpekPack costs backers $199 for delivery in February 2015. SpekPack is look to raise $12,000 in 45 days on Kickstarter.

Categories
Luggage and Bags

Duffel-pack hybrid claims to be light as Aer

AerFor anyone with a busy lifestyle, multipurpose items are the way to go. However, most office workers carry two bags to work, one for laptops and files and the other for gym accessories for an after work gym visit. The Aer duffel bag makes it possible to carry everything in one neat package. This bag features a ventilated shoe pocket for sneakers, a secure case for carry around a laptop and a quick-access section for pens, phones, and other smaller items. While the creators have done a nice job of combining a backpack and duffel bag, the Aer still seems a little bulky to carry around. One Aer will cost backers $129 on Kickstarter. Aer has a campaign goal of $45,000.

Categories
Fashion Luggage and Bags

FaceOff bag has replaceable flaps so it’s always your bag

FaceOffPeople function in many different roles throughout their day. Whether they’re doing sports, hanging with friends or going to a meeting, it’s essential to have the right accessories for each persona. The FaceOff messenger bag offers a way to carry the same bag around for different purposes and comes in several different colors. It has several flaps for varied occasions that can be changed out easily. All of your stuff remains in the bag, but the style of the bag changes either with a more formal business flap, a reflective flap for cycling or a utility flap with extra pockets. For $116, backers will receive one bag with two flaps of their choice by September 2014. FaceOff hopes to raise $36,000 in a 35-day Kickstarter campaign.

Categories
Luggage and Bags Organization

TIOLIpack lets you double up when your daily carry gets carried away

TIOLIpacksBackpacks that are too big or too small can be a nuisance. To achieve the greatest convenience, most people own more than one backpack so that they always have the right size at hand. The TIOLIpacks battle this problem with detachable compartments. The wearer can add or subtract these compartments based on how much room they need. While a little bulky when full, the TIOLIpack provides an alternative to backpacks with detachable daypacks. One of these packs costs backers $90 for a two-compartment backpack with an August 2014 delivery date. TIOLI hopes to raise $4,400 in its 31-day Kickstarter campaign.