Skip to main content

Whether you want a backpack or briefcase, the Hackpack on Kickstarter is for you

You’re a versatile (wo)man of the world, so why should you be limited by something as simple as a bag? That appears to be the question that motivated the development of the Hackpack, heralded as the “world’s best commuter-to-office bag.” So in the same way that you change from tennis shoes to dress shoes from your commute to your office, you can change bags — or rather, your one bag’s function.

The Hackpack, in short, is a travel bag that easily converts into a backpack, briefcase, messenger, or sling depending on the situation. As an on-the-go professional, you should always be prepared, and the Hackpack is here to help you … hack it.

Recommended Videos

While you’re on the road and trying to get to work by way of a crowded subway or bus, you can wear the Hackpack as a backpack or sling. Once you’re in the office, seamlessly transition the bag into a briefcase or messenger. “It is important to look professional in the workplace,” the Hackpack team notes on its Kickstarter page. “Briefcases and laptop bags provide the necessary aesthetic for looking good in the office but are impractical once you leave. They lack storage, can be uncomfortable to travel with, and are clumsy when speed and efficiency are needed.”

Conversely, while backpacks and slings may be comfortable, they may not be formal enough for your workplace. But the Hackpack promises to be the best of both worlds and it’s lightweight and sleek to boot.

In briefcase mode, the Hackpack promises to “stand up on its own without flopping over like most soft briefcases.” Its handles slide away when you don’t need them, but are easy enough to grab and pull out when needed. As a messenger, the Hackpack comes with a padded over-the-shoulder strap that clips onto two metal jump rings.

When you’re ready to turn it into a backpack, a hidden pocket on the Hackpack’s back reveals two backpack straps that clip onto hidden jump rings on the bottom of the bag. If you crisscross those straps, the bag becomes pretty perfect for airport travel and it fits perfectly under the seat in front of you. If you want to wear the Hackpack as a sling, just use one of the backpack straps and connect it to the opposing jump ring.

There are also a number of organizational features like an expander zipper, laptop storage, laptop fastener, and hidden keychain clip that make the Hackpack all the more useful, no matter the situation.

You can pre-order a Hackpack on Kickstarter now for the early bird price of $90, with an expected delivery date of March.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Andrew Yang’s Data Dividend Project wants you to get paid for your data
Andrew Yang

 

Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang wants everyone to get paid when companies use their personal data. 

Read more
Star Wars legend Ian McDiarmid gets questions about the Emperor’s sex life
Ian McDiarmid as the Emperor in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

This weekend, the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith 20th anniversary re-release had a much stronger performance than expected with $25 million and a second-place finish behind Sinners. Revenge of the Sith was the culmination of plans by Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) that led to the fall of the Jedi and his own ascension to emperor. Because McDiarmid's Emperor died in his first appearance -- 1983's Return of the Jedi -- Revenge of the Sith was supposed to be his live-action swan song. However, Palpatine's return in Star Wars: Episode IX -- The Rise of Skywalker left McDiarmid being asked questions about his character's comeback, particularly about his sex life and how he could have a granddaughter.

While speaking with Variety, McDiarmid noted that fans have asked him "slightly embarrassing questions" about Palpatine including "'Does this evil monster ever have sex?'"

Read more
Waymo and Toyota explore personally owned self-driving cars
Front three quarter view of the 2023 Toyota bZ4X.

Waymo and Toyota have announced they’re exploring a strategic collaboration—and one of the most exciting possibilities on the table is bringing fully-automated driving technology to personally owned vehicles.
Alphabet-owned Waymo has made its name with its robotaxi service, the only one currently operating in the U.S. Its vehicles, including Jaguars and Hyundai Ioniq 5s, have logged tens of millions of autonomous miles on the streets of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin.
But shifting to personally owned self-driving cars is a much more complex challenge.
While safety regulations are expected to loosen under the Trump administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has so far taken a cautious approach to the deployment of fully autonomous vehicles. General Motors-backed Cruise robotaxi was forced to suspend operations in 2023 following a fatal collision.
While the partnership with Toyota is still in the early stages, Waymo says it will initially study how to merge its autonomous systems with the Japanese automaker’s consumer vehicle platforms.
In a recent call with analysts, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai signaled that Waymo is seriously considering expanding beyond ride-hailing fleets and into personal ownership. While nothing is confirmed, the partnership with Toyota adds credibility—and manufacturing muscle—to that vision.
Toyota brings decades of safety innovation to the table, including its widely adopted Toyota Safety Sense technology. Through its software division, Woven by Toyota, the company is also pushing into next-generation vehicle platforms. With Waymo, Toyota is now also looking at how automation can evolve beyond assisted driving and into full autonomy for individual drivers.
This move also turns up the heat on Tesla, which has long promised fully self-driving vehicles for consumers. While Tesla continues to refine its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, it remains supervised and hasn’t yet delivered on full autonomy. CEO Elon Musk is promising to launch some of its first robotaxis in Austin in June.
When it comes to self-driving cars, Waymo and Tesla are taking very different roads. Tesla aims to deliver affordability and scale with its camera, AI-based software. Waymo, by contrast, uses a more expensive technology relying on pre-mapped roads, sensors, cameras, radar and lidar (a laser-light radar), that regulators have been quicker to trust.

Read more