Outdoors

Solid Gray armadillo-inspired backpack designed to keep your gadgets safe

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The Solid Gray backpack features a rigid foldable design, and is made from a single sheet of copolymer
The Solid Gray backpack features a rigid foldable design, and is made from a single sheet of copolymer
Solid Gray's folding design is armadillo-inspired
The backpack has a main compartment that can fit tablets or laptops of up to 15.6-inch screen size
Solid Gray backpack comes with a rigid body yet is lightweight at the same time, given that it's made from a single sheet of copolymer
Solid Gray's folding design is armadillo-inspired
The Solid Gray backpack features a rigid foldable design, and is made from a single sheet of copolymer
Solid Gray's folding design is armadillo-inspired
The backpack has a main compartment that can fit tablets or laptops of up to 15.6-inch screen size
Solid Gray is equipped with two separate, smaller compartments that are reportedly suitable for carrying smaller items
Solid Gray features a foam-padded multi clip located inside to keep important documents safe
The backpack has a main compartment that can fit tablets or laptops of up to 15.6-inch screen size
A fluorescent yellow raincover is also available for another EUR10 (US$13.59)
The Solid Gray backpack features a rigid foldable design, and is made from a single sheet of copolymer
The Solid Gray backpack features a rigid foldable design, and is made from a single sheet of copolymer
View gallery - 14 images

There are loads of precious and fragile electronics in our lives that require appropriate protection when used on-the-go, and therefore the range of gadget-tailored bags is pretty huge. If you need greater protection than a typical case provides, however, a hard shell-equipped backpack may be your best bet. Designed for heavy use, the Solid Gray backpack comes with a rigid body yet is lightweight at the same time, given that it's made from a single sheet of copolymer.

The most distinctive aspect of Solid Gray is its futuristic, armadillo-inspired folding design. The polypropene block copolymer shell is reportedly durable enough to withstand being repeatedly bended.

Solid Gray is equipped with a durable EPDM foam lining. The backpack has a main compartment that can fit tablets or laptops of up to 15.6-inch screen size, with straps holding the device in a fixed position. There are also two separate, smaller compartments that are reportedly suitable for carrying smaller items, such as smartphones, media players and other accessories. Solid Gray also features a foam-padded multi clip located inside to keep important documents safe, while its polypropylene latches keep the backpack locked.

Manufactured in the Netherlands, the Solid Gray backpack is up for sale on eBay for a price of EUR119 (around US$161.69). The version currently offered is white with black nylon shoulder straps, although Solid Gray's website also shows models featuring white straps and a gray body. A fluorescent yellow raincover is also available for another EUR10 (US$13.59).

View gallery - 14 images
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5 comments
Gadgeteer
Looks very primitive, especially at that lofty price. If I wanted a hardshell backpack, I\'d get either an Axio or even a Boblbee. Either is a much more polished product.
Paul Gracey
One reason it looks \'primitive\' is that sheet polypropylene cannot be bonded with good success in a design made to be abused.They are using rivets and other mechanical joining methods because of these facts and that is also why it is constructed from one piece in a complex fold. That helps retain the lightness and reduce the number of joint lines.
Some other methods might use this material as panels in between a double layered sewn fabric, but either the strength would suffer to keep the weight in line, or the thin fabric could rub through easily affecting both the appearance and life of the product.
Gadgeteer
Nonsense. A properly designed backpack like this would be molded, not riveted. PP can be formed in numerous ways, from injection molding to vacuforming. This is simply the result of not wanting to spend the money on a mold. If I wanted a hardshell backpack, I\'d buy either of the ones I mentioned, which cost less and are more refined, without leaky and wear-prone corners and seams.
Maikel Das
Looks cool to me. Like the feel of the solid hand made model...
bas
This design could serve as an example for something you'd make yourself, I'd use aluminium sheeting, and put some padding in between me and the pack so that in case of a fall it does'nt hurt the wearer. And if you're worried about water, line the inside with something waterproof like neoprene or seal the cuts with silicone sealant. A weekend's worth of work and something less than the EUR119,00. Apart from the fact you made the thing yourself.