Knomo LiveFree Backpack
Knomo has made bags for 12 years with a focus on keeping your life and your tech organized. The LiveFree on Kickstarter builds on that by adding inductive wireless phone charging and location tracking.
Water-repellent canvas
The bag is constructed from water-repellent waxed canvas from the original manufacturer of the fabric, British Millerain.
Just enough padding
Padding on the back is minimal, but the spacing allows for some airflow. The shoulder straps are padded with EVA foam. They're comfortable -- even with the bag loaded up -- but without the bulkiness of typical laptop bag padding.
A nice profile
The bag has plenty of room inside, but when empty, as it is in this picture, it still has enough structure that it doesn't completely collapse.
Not too big, not too small
While it has plenty of storage, the bag itself isn't huge. It's too small for a weekender, but for a daily commuter bag, it seems just about perfect.
Chunky zippers
The bag's big zippers are easy to grab and open and close smoothly.
Up to a 15.6-inch laptop
The laptop compartment opens wide, so getting in and out is easy.
Up to a 10-inch tablet
If you travel with an e-reader or tablet, there's a pocket in the laptop compartment for it.
Padded lining for your laptop
The laptop compartment has EVA foam and an extra layer of padded spacer mesh.
Zippered pocket for essentials
If you like quick access to things like bus tickets, a passport/ID, sunglasses or whatever, this top pocket is perfect.
G-clips and leather loops
Instead of a zipper, Velcro, magnets or snaps, the G-shaped hardware hooks into leather loops to keep the main compartment closed. They definitely look better than the typical squeeze-type buckle you'd find on lesser bags, but frankly, those buckles are faster for opening and closing.
Small zippered pocket
A nice zippered accessory pocket on the inside of the flap takes advantage of what might otherwise be wasted space.
Plenty of room inside
There's enough room inside for a jacket, lunch, an umbrella or whatever else you need to get through the day.
RFID blocking pocket
A little extra identity theft protection, this pocket can be used for storing contactless bank cards and passports.
Bluetooth tracking
Knomo partnered with Chipolo to supply its Bluetooth tracking chip for the bag. Billed as "the world's loudest Bluetooth tracker," you can use an app to set off an alarm or look on the in-app map to find the bag up to 200 feet away (60 meters). You can also use Chipolo in reverse by clicking it to set off the ringer on your phone.
Cable management
Want to keep your headphones and cords organized and out of the way? Knomo attached an elastic strap inside the front of the bag compartment.
Magnetic pocket
Just under the top opening on front there's a simple slash pocket that's sealed with a strong magnet.
Even more pockets
A zippered pouch on the front has several small organizational pockets perfect for anything from a pen to a phone charger to hand sanitizer.
Keys, please
There are two zippered side pockets. One has an attached key clip and is also big enough for a water bottle.
Charging pocket
The other side pocket has a spot that holds the Knomo Qi-certified DropGo wireless charging powerbank.
Samsung FTW
Turn on the powerbank and you can slip a Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S7, S7 Edge or S8 into the charger and it will top you off while you're on the go.
iPhone charging with a case
Knomo will offer a case for iPhone users.
Fill 'er up
The battery fits iPhone 6, 6S and 7 models -- no Plus models, though.
Corded charging, too
There's a USB port on top of the powerbank, too, so you can use a cord to charge another device when your phone is fine.
Knomo LiveFree Backpack
The LiveFree is on Kickstarter until May 7 and is expected to ship in September -- almost perfect timing for heading back to school.
You can get the bag alone for £175, which is about $219 or AU$300. Fully loaded with the tracker, Qi-certified powerbank and an iPhone case, the package costs £293. That's approximately $366 or AU$500.