Vader Back Buddy Pack Still Not As Lame As Those Three Prequels

Way back in 2006, a young, eager Jason Chen brought the world word of a Yoda Back Buddy that mimicked the training scene from The Empire Strikes Back. Now Darth Vader, ever the envious Sith Lord, wants in on the action too. More »

Ymup Oxygen Generating Backpack For Thin-Air Adventures

A Japanese company named Ymup is set to unveil what is being touted as the world's first oxygen generating backpack. The generator itself is battery powered and should give climbers about 2 hours of O2 at a 30% concentration. It can even be operated via remote control should you need to remove your gear to negotiate a tight space. I don't think that the Ymup backpack is ready for an Everest expedition just yet, but it could be extremely useful for less extreme climbs (especially if a solar panel was added down the line). The Ymup is set to be released on July 31st with price-points ranging from $880 to $1,150. [Ymup via Crave via Ubergizmo via Crunchgear]

Birdcage Backpack Will Get Both You and Your Bird Beat Up

This is a backpack that doubles as a birdcage. You can carry your bird around with you. On your back. In the birdcage backpack. TGIF, am I right, guys?? [Designboom via Coolest Gadgets]

With BackpackShield, I Could Take A Bullet for Giz

I had the pleasure of trying on the BackpackShield bulletproof bookbag insert tonight at ShowStoppers, and it was amazing. Made from 13 layers of K-29 Kevlar, this thin, lightweight plate fits in most backpacks and can stop every bullet from a 9mm all the way to Dirty Harry's .44 Magnum. It doesn't just deflect them, either. As you will see in the gallery below, bullets that try to penetrate the BackpackShield end up with its "fishnet" imprint on themselves. More »

Logitech Unveils Kinetik Backpack and Briefcase for Laptops

A blogger in the field is only as good as his (or her) backpack, so I'm keen on seeing how these freaky looking Logitech Kinetik bags turns out. I love ballistic nylon and a polyurethane "exo-shell" as much as the next geek, and the lumbar support on this baby looks nice and cushy, for those multi-meeting running-around-NYC days that I've been having too many of lately. Both will cost $100, shipping in September. Jump for details including, uh, "system requirements". Or just have a look at the pretty pics below. – Wilson Rothman More »

Skullcandy LINK Backpack with MP3, Cellphone Playback

Ready to annoy everyone on campus? Sure you are! This backpack will do it in a hurry. The Skullcandy LINK backpack has speakers integrated into the backpack straps along with a microphone. The backpack will hook up to your cellphone and MP3 player. Music plays back through the speakers and when a call comes in you can reduce the music volume and then accept the call, hands-free. It includes the option of using a headphones or a headset, and unless you want a barrage of swirlies, you better keep your calls and music to yourself. It retails for $130. – Travis Hudson More »

Mobile Edge SecurePack: Keeping Thieves at Bay

We're always looking for the Next Big Thing in backpacks, and this Mobile Edge SecurePack has an innovative design that may keep those sneaks with sticky fingers from stealing your valuable stuff. Milling around in a crowded situation, it's all too easy for thieves to slip something out of your pack without you even knowing it, especially when you have lots of pockets on the outside with large zipper pulls that are almost inviting miscreants to help themselves. More »

Targus Feren Laptop Backpack

Targus is appealing to the inner geek in all of us with the line of Feren backpacks that protects laptops while also providing plenty of room for food and drink. This line of backpacks was voted one of the best notebook cases under $100 by Laptop Magazine, so it has to be good, right? More »

Backpack Generator

Some smarty folks at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a backpack that helps you walk while also turning your movement into energy. More »