Maximum carry-on backpack. RiutBag R25: Secure. Smart. Simple. 2017
from Sarah Giblin, RiutBag designer
"No loss, no opportunistic crime, no accidentally undone zips. Just calm, confident travel."
Secure RiutBag concept
Commuting with a backpack, laptop and belongings for years, I realised one day that the person behind you can get into your backpack more easily than you. Isn't that strange? When I left my office job to design the first ever RiutBag - backwards backpack - in 2014, I had one focus: to turn the world's backpacks round the right way. RiutBags have no zips on the outer side. Instead, they are all protected by your back. In busy urban spaces, this means we can travel worry-free, focussing on the things important to us. No loss, no opportunistic crime, no accidentally undone zips. Just calm, confident travel.
I'm Sarah Giblin. Backpack user and commuter turned designer. Riut stands for Revolution in user thinking because I design from our point of view - i.e. from the user's stand point - and I build new RiutBags based on the feedback of my RiutBag users.
Maximum carry-on backpack, RiutBag R25
Getting from the first sketches to the prototype and through two Kickstarter campaigns means I can now expand the RiutBag design to help different types urban travellers. The RiutBag R25 is for those people who want to use the maximum space allowed on flights allowing cabin baggage up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm.
Who uses a RiutBag R25?
Like me, R25 users get on national and international flights for work, to visit friends and family, or to head on holiday. Often we take advantage of low fare airlines so we really travel at the price of the ticket and no more. We want to use one backpack to cover most eventualities: it's smart enough for work yet designed to be casual enough that you can use it on holiday without looking like your still stuck at the office. That's why it's helpful that the RiutBag R25 - and the whole R range - has a 15 inch laptop compartment, space for straight documents and a trolley backpack holder but looks the part for smart or casual use.
Important design features for travellers
RiutBag R25, R15 and R10 materials are waterproof Cordura - very hardwearing material - and has an anti-abrasive and waterproof base. I am a frequent traveller, so I know the importance of having a hardwearing backpack that protects your belongings - especially your laptop! - and is comfortable and quick to get through airport security.
Here's a 1 minute video of how to quickly and easily remove and replace your laptop at airport security using an R15 - the back design is exactly the same on the R25, R15 and R10.
I'm always prototyping and thinking about solutions to the travel problems we face. My goal is to ensure we can travel securely so we are able to move more confidently and, dare I say it, stress-free in our busy urban spaces. Travel does not have to involve stress and concern. We can choose designs that help us reduce our stress levels.
That's all for now! If you think the RiutBag is a good idea and you know someone who would benefit from the worry-free travel, please share the design with them. Many thanks! Wishing you safe, calm travels.