Categories
Organization

EazyPac helps pills and other small necessities come along for the ride.

Ever tossed a container into a backpack or diaper bag and had the contents spill on everything?  Or had to carry multiple containers for liquids or pastes, and another type for solids, just to avoid leaks?

The Eazy Pac is an all-in-one container that collapses to take up almost no room. The Eazy Pac is great for baby food, small snacks like nuts, and even shampoos and conditioners when traveling. Versatility is the name of the game, and it’s easy to use one container for multiple purposes. Due to the wide-mouth design, the washes easily so users get that peace of mind between uses. The containers also come in various colors, so they’re easy to identify without having to open them. For $17, backers get a pack of two in August 2015, and the creators hope to raise $30,000 by June 12, 2015.

A walk through any Container Store will yield no shortage of small containers that compete with the EasyPac. However, the product’s collapsible nature sets it apart somewhat.

Categories
Connected Objects Luggage and Bags

HiSmart bag integrates smartphone to provide cool functions on the go

Watches, ovens, thermostats, lawn sprinklers, it seems like everything is getting smart these days. Why shouldn’t bags join in on the fun?

HiSmart is a smart convertible bag that goes from messenger to backpack in just two seconds. Simply connect a smartphone to the bag and an external remote allows the wearer to accomplish a number of things. For instance, if the wearer wants to remember a certain location, they can pin that spot to a map to find it later. Music and camera controls are also accessible from the remote. HiSmart also makes hands free calling and recording notes or messages easy. In addition, it has a “Buddy System” feature that lets the HiSmart find a lost smartphone and a smartphone find a lost HiSmart.

All in all, HiSmart is a great product for commuters and other important business people who find themselves in motion a lot. It’s a bit unclear how the camera feature works, but everything else makes perfect sense and would definitely prove to be useful. Backers who want their own must donate $189 for delivery in August 2015. HiSmart is looking for $50,000 in funding on Indiegogo by April 15.

Categories
Chargers/Batteries Connected Objects Luggage and Bags

AMPL charging backpack provides ample energy for your contraptions

What should be portable devices are anything but when people have to lug around external batteries, charging cases, and all types of wires just to keep them filled with energy throughout the day. Modern demands require the presence of constant sources of energy, but always fighting for an outlet isn’t the most practical solution.

Instead, the AMPL Smart Backpack lets users take the power with them. The shock absorber-lined, water-resistant backpack is outfitted with three compartments for swappable, high capacity batteries that are powerful enough to charge everything from smartphones, to tablets, to 17″ laptops. The batteries feature Onovo fast charging technology to charge the batteries to 80% in an hour to avoid staying stuck to walls. Located throughout the bag is a total of six USB ports that funnel the energy, monitored and controlled by either a small, touch-capable OLED screen, or a Bluetooth-enabled companion app that lets users prioritize what gets charged first, along with keeping an eye on the internal temperature—all without opening the bag.

This is the slickest conception of a smart charging backpack so far when compared to half-baked products like the Smart Charge Power Bag. The sheer power that can be carried around, coupled with the level of control the companion app gives users, makes this a clear winner for lots of people since these devices are so common. The $125,000 campaign is looking to get the $249 backpack out to backers by September of this year.

Categories
Luggage and Bags

Kashmir daypack for women totes stuff, doesn’t include lipstick slot

Finding the perfect daypack that will not only accommodate computers and expensive cameras, but also necessities for the outdoors can be a bear.

Kashmir claims to be one such all-in-one daypack. This bag features lots of pockets, straps and slots for everything from camera equipment and laptops to water bladders and extra layers. The bag is made from high quality weather-resistant materials and, as such, is completely waterproof. With an atypical torso length and shoulder and hip straps, Kashmir is designed specifically for women. The bag is black with light blue accents.

Kashmir does seem like a great all around bag, useful for many different types of outings. The claim that it’s made just for women, however, is a little far-fetched. The campaign doesn’t provide much of an explanation as to why Kashmir fits women’s bodies better than men’s. Many backers will rejoice that at least they didn’t make the bag pink. Kashmir doesn’t need to appeal only to women in order to sell this bag. In the long run, it may actually hurt their sales as most men have a problem buying “female” products even if they may also find them useful.

One daypack will cost backers $159 for delivery in May 2015. Kashmir is hoping to raise $5,000 on Kickstarter.

Categories
Luggage and Bags

BackTPack splits the backpack to create personal saddle bags

Backpacks can be a great way for commuters to tote things, but when they aren’t worn correctly, they can cause back pain. BackTPack is a redesigned backpack that balances the weight of items so that it’s evenly distributed on both sides of the body. This helps to protect the back from the issues associated with poor posture and traditional backpacks.

While it’s not the most fashionable looking item to wear, it seems like it may offer more convenience because of the side access, and perhaps better protection from items getting stolen than what a traditional backpack would offer. Since the weight is redistributed, the load also feels lighter than with a traditional backpack. Other backpack campaigns that backers may want to check out are Riutbag and Zondo. This campaign seeks to raise $20,000 by December 11, 2014. For $75, early bird backers get one product with an expected delivery of April 2014.

Categories
Chargers/Batteries

Smart Charge Power Bags offer Al Capone wannabes limited usage

Staying in communication with the gang can be tough when the power goes out – on a mobile device. Unless you have Smart Charge Power Bags, which can charge at a rate of 1.5 % per minute, and it fit a maximum  7” tablet. It’s unfortunate that it only offers 1.5 charges for the average iPhone when there are products out there that can offer more charges.

The overall make of Smart Charge Power Bags seems a little bulky for the average person to carry around on a day-to-day basis, unless one is looking at it as an alternative to a backpack or rucksack. However, since this appears flatter than the average backpack, it may work well for those with a more unique vocation in various areas of the arts, or perhaps businesses professionals who usually wear a suit. Backers may also want to check out the Riutbag, Kangeaux, Padroo, and Zondo campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $15,000. For $100, backers get one product with an expected delivery of March 2015.

Categories
Luggage and Bags

Laptop backpack disguised as a guitar case offers protection, deception

Wannabe guitar players can now fool the general public into thinking that they are something that they aren’t. How? By packing their laptop in a guitar case. Yes, Social Camouflage Laptop Backpack is a real product created by a guy who thinks that guitar players look way cooler than computer geeks when they walk down the street with their instrument strapped to their back. Extra padding that isn’t generally available in a backpack is included to reduce shock to the laptop when traveling where the wearer may get pushed around. But if flying, something this size would have to be checked and relegated to the baggage hold. Multiple pockets help to organize cords (as opposed to chords) for easy play…er…toting from gig to gig. Seems that it would be better to put the fantasies to rest and learn to play the instrument. Then the dream can be lived out. But for those who prefer their rock and roll fantasies, this campaign seeks to raise £20,000 (~$32,000 USD) by November 29, 2014. Backers get one laptop guitar case for £39 (~$62 USD), with an expected delivery of February 2015.

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
Camping

Chair-Pak lets you take a load off and sit on it

chair-pakCamping, hiking and general wilderness-wandering is done by carrying around the least amount of stuff as possible. This usually means making some sacrifices. Chair-Pak is a combination backpack and chair that means you won’t have to sit on the ground. The chair folds out and the pack is then located on the back of the chair. With a stable looking seat and lightweight metal, this seems like a great way to tote around a chair and cargo at the same time. One will cost backers $95 with estimated delivery in March 2015. Chair-Pak hopes to raise $39,000 on Kickstarter.