Backpacks

The HoverGlide is a "floating" backpack that bounces up and down on your back by way of a sliding rail and a pulley suspension system. While it might look a bit funny, research claims such a design can reduce impact forces up to 86 percent, and make heavy loads nearly 20 percent easier to carry.

​Three years ago we heard about the SkySaver, a rescue backpack that lets you descend from a burning high-rise via an integrated reel of steel cable. Well, now it's in for some competition from the SkySpider, which offers at least one unique feature.

When it comes to traipsing around the great outdoors, less is certainly more in terms of baggage. That's why we always see such an emphasis on making adventure gear as light as possible, something Kenny Flannery can certainly lay claim to with his ultralight BivyPack.

This super-rugged series of backpacks and bags offers a waterproof rating down to 50 meters (164 ft), and floats so well you can use it as a makeshift life raft. And it's got other tricks up its sleeve, like an inflatable shockproof liner for your delicate electronics.

One of the innovative young brands that really impressed during the recent ISPO Munich show, Advenate has several multipurpose tools for backcountry snow sports. The headliner is an avalanche shovel that includes a probe in its handle and a light, compact emergency shelter in its blade.

Following up from the rugged Venture coolers launched last year, OtterBox has now released two new soft coolers designed to be easily carried with one model even coming with straps enabling it to be lugged around like a backpack.

​Although there are already waterproof camera backpacks on the market, the Inrigo offers a little something extra. If too much moisture does find its way in – say if you don't close the pack correctly, or put your gear away wet – it will notify you on your smartphone.

​It's always nice if you can get away with just taking a carry-on bag when travelling by air. Getting a whole trip's worth of clothes in a carry-on-sized bag can be a challenge, though … which is why the GoBag backpack was created.

Brit engineer David Wolffe first launched his orbital backpack in 2014, which made use of clever trapeze cord technology that allowed the wearer to access the contents of the backpack with taking it off. Now Luna has been announced, a swinging backpack designed for new parents.​

​We've looked at a number of self-healing materials over the last few years, but are these wonder products ready to leave the lab for the great outdoors? Gear company Slughaus thinks their time has come, and is running crowdfunding campaign for a clever carry bag claimed to patch up its own wounds.

Over 810,000 office chairs are disposed of annually in the UK alone. Concerned by that waste, product design student Thomas Howell-Jones came up with a way to help keep them out of the landfill – he's using their back rests to make hard-shell backpacks.​

Home gamers chasing a more immersive experience aren't the only ones who could benefit from a powerful, wireless way to power their virtual reality experience. HP has aimed the Z VR Backpack at the pro crowd, with military-grade build quality and high-end internals.