Outdoors

Air Pakk inflatable backpack promises comfort on demand

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The Air Pakk features inflatable padding, converting quickly and easily to a travel pillow or air mattress
The Windcatcher Air Pakk features self-inflating padding on the front and back
The inflatable pads each grow from 0.25 to 2 inches (0.64 to 5.1 cm) and can be left inflated with the backpack closed, creating a protective air cushion around your valuables inside
Frayne is yet to determine the backpack's final dimensions, though says it will be large enough to hold a 15-inch laptop
The inflatable pads each grow from 0.25 to 2 inches (0.64 to 5.1 cm) and can be left inflated with the backpack closed, creating a protective air cushion around your valuables inside
The Windcatcher Air Pakk transforms into a travel pillow, sleeping mat or simply something to slip under your backside if you're seated on rough terrain
Frayne is yet to determine the backpack's final dimensions, though says it will be large enough to hold a 15-inch laptop
The Air Pakk features inflatable padding, converting quickly and easily to a travel pillow or air mattress
View gallery - 7 images

We first caught wind of Ryan Frayne and his rapid self-inflation technology on the back of his Air Pad mattress last year. Incorporating an innovative air flow technique, the air bed could be ready for use in a matter of seconds. Now Frayne has adapted this functionality to a multipurpose backpack with a view to bringing on-demand comfort to a variety of situations.

The Windcatcher Air Pakk features self-inflating padding on the front and back and when unzipped, transforms into a travel pillow, sleeping mat or simply something to slip under your backside if you're looking to take a break on rough terrain. These pads each grow from 0.25 to 2 inches (0.64 to 5.1 cm) in thickness and can be left inflated with the backpack closed, creating a protective air cushion around your valuables inside.

With the Air Pakk a subject of a Kickstarter campaign, Frayne is yet to determine its final dimensions, though says it will be large enough to hold a 15-inch laptop. A detachable cover can also be unzipped, providing a surface to set out the items inside and will be available in different styles.

Frayne's crowdfunding campaign appears to be moving fast, with the Air Pakk already attracting over US$14,000 in pledges at the time of writing. A $90 pledge will have one of the inflatable backpacks sent your way if the $30,000 goal is reached and all else goes to plan. Shipping is slated for April 2015.

You can hear from Frayne in his pitch video below.

Source: Windcatcher

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1 comment
Keith Reeder
Hmmm...
This technology would seem to lend itself VERY well to the job of carrying around expensive - and heavy - camera equipment safely.
I think I'd like a lightweight but heavy-duty camera rucksack where the protection comes from air rather than the kind of padding most of my camera bags utilise...