Science

12 High-Tech Backpacks for Adults Always In Need of a Charge

Extra features are no good if they break all the time.

Unsplash / Kristopher Roller

The great consumer tech boom has seen even the humble backpack evolve in the past ten years. No longer is it just a place to store your laptop, your water bottle, and that one book you hear is really good that you’re definitely gonna finish one day. Now these things can charge your phone, locate themselves, and, like all backpacks must, can still handle being dropped and kicked around a bunch. Here are the very best, very affordable high-tech backpacks that, yes, can still take some wear and tear.

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12. Blue Sky Qian G-25 Laptop Backpack

The G-25 is the quintessential “smart backpack”. It’s got a sleek, modern design, and it comes with its own external USB port and charging cable. Nifty! [Amazon, $28.99]

11. Ghostek NRGsolar Series Eco Computer Laptop

Even if the solar panel, water resistance, and 5(!) USB ports aren’t your thing, I solemnly beg you to check out this backpack’s Amazon page to read its product description anyway. It’s one of the the most insane things I have ever read. Here is an excerpt from the 400-word sales pitch that, again, is for a relatively normal, relatively cheap piece of luggage:

“Your mind races, thinking about different ways to disarm him and get him down until the cops show up. You know that if you fail, you will put everyone’s life in danger but this is something you, Dash Hudson, has been through before.”

You’re welcome. [Amazon, $99.95]

Ideaing

10. Mancro Business Laptop Backpack

Another modern, simply-designed backpack with a surprisingly roomy laptop sleeve and useful water resistance. A USB port, too, naturally. [Amazon, $25.99]

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9. TRAKK SHELL Hiking Backpack

Simply put: the TRAKK SHELL is gonna keep your stuff secure no matter what. It’s a hard-shell backpack designed to weather the most intense storms, and comes with high-powered speakers that “can literally be heard through storms, wind, construction, and other loud settings.” The perfect, not-too-heavy backpack for long hiking and camping trips. [Amazon, $117.96]

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8. Modoker Vintage Laptop Backpack

For the more esteemed laptop-user or phone-battery-needer, the Modoker has a nice throwback feel without sacrificing function. {Amazon, $25.99]

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7. Rrtizan Backpack

The most affordable smart laptop on this list, but definitely not “cheap”. It’s a solid, comfortable option with water resistance, USB charging, and, yes, it looks damn good. [Amazon, $19.99]

Spoofee

6. ibagbar Water Resistant Laptop Backpack

A ridiculous amount and variety of compartments help this elegant, low-key backpack standout. There’s a pocket for everything, and the reinforced zipper keeps your belongings even more secure. [Amazon, $29.99]

Aliexpress

5. MR. YLLS Business Laptop Backpack

Anti-rain, anti-scratch, anti-fading. This backpack will store your laptop, charge your phone, and survive the apocalypse long after you do*.

*Not a guarantee.

[Amazon, $33.99]

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4. Lifepack Solar Powered and Anti-Theft Backpack

A solar-powered battery pack, Bluetooth speakers with 96 hours playtime, and a thief-defying cable lock. The Lifepack is worth the premium price for people serious about protecting their tech. [Amazon, $179.00]

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3. Voltaic Systems - Converter 5 Watt Solar Panel Backpack

The Voltaic claims to charge your phone “as fast as at home”, which is pretty cool! Just three hours in direct sunlight is enough to charge most devices, which is cool because 1) Dang, that’s fast, and 2) I really need some motivation to spend 3 hours outside ever. [Amazon, $129.00]

eBay

2. Ghostek NRGbag2 Laptop Bag

N-R-G-bag. get it? As you’d expect, this thing is packed with charging capabilities with 3 USB ports (2 inside, 1 external), and a built-in 16,000mAh Battery pack, enough to charge any phone (and then some). Looks pretty cool and high-tech, too. [Amazon, $79.95]

Casten Design

1. The Vandra

One of the most beautiful backpacks on the market, period. And packed with features. The Vandra’s got some stunning aesthetic options from top-to-bottom, exactly what you’d expect from a Scandanavian design company. It supports most major battery packs on the market for on-the-go phone charging, and comes with a Bluetooth tracker for, God forbid, finding it when it gets lost. [Casten Design, $109.00