Keep Your Kids Safe with the iSafe Backpack 07.29.2010 :: 4:07PM EST The iSafe concept has also been integrated into larger bags and laptop cases designed and sized for adults. Prices for the iSafe Backpack start at $59.99, and a generous replacement discount allows you to trade in “well-used” bags for a new bag at a savings of 50 percent off the regular price. Videos, news coverage, and testimonials are also available on the iSafe web site. subscribe to our newsletter: Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Most of us have alarms to make us feel protected in our house, our cars, and we have seen or heard them in public places, such as a mall or store. What about the times that you are walking in a new area that is unfamiliar?  Or have a child that is walking to and from school? This is where the alarmed backbacks from iSafe Bags can come into good use.  I received their iSafe Urban Crew Backpack for review.  

This particular backpack sports a built-in alarm that is triggered by pulling a cord in the shoulder strap.  Once armed, a LOUD blare – 2 alternating alarm sounds – rings constantly.  A few video samples are shown on iSafe’s website. I used this backpack as my main work bag for a couple weeks. Note:  Images can be clicked on to view a larger size. The first thing I noticed was how roomy the bag was. I’m a computer technician, so always need a lot of gear when I go on-site to a customer’s office. I was able to fit all of my work gear plus some, with a lot of room to spare! A list of my items include: I was impressed with the amount of pockets on this bag! There are two mesh pockets on either side that can be used for a water bottle or two as well. From the front zipper, I can access my laptop, netbook, and iPad in its Otterbox. Here’s the access from the back pocket. So many zippers and pockets! As I mentioned earlier, what distinguishes the bag from others is the fact that it comes with a built-in alarm system.  

You can see the strobe light and speakers built into the bottom of the bag’s left, middle and right. The way to make the alarm go off is to pull a cord on the right shoulder strap.  thule 567 backpack frame lockThere is a small flap that covers the cord; hasso backpackit’s secured with Velcro to project it from accidental pulls.  echo 755 backpack blowerOnce you yank the cord from the small box it’s in, a very unpleasant and LOUD blare keeps going until you put the pin back into the box.  sirix backpackThere is also a bright light that flashes rapidly with the sound.  vans realm backpack ombre purple

The alarm is certainly loud enough to make people aware that something wrong is happening – it’s almost deafening! The best use I can see for this is when you are alone in an area and want to notify someone that you need help, whether it be an adult or child.  dakine jewel backpack veraThere are a few videos on the website that demonstrate this as a good use for children who are walking to school, or who are being bullied to scare the bullies away.  Another thought I had was if someone was walking or hiking in the woods, and somehow got lost or hurt, the alarm would attract attention and hopefully get help to that person. In summary, I like the sturdiness and roominess of this bag. The nylon material felt good, the padding on the shoulder straps and back felt comfortable, the zippers were strong, and the pockets are plentiful. The bad thing about it was that it was quite heavy to begin with (three pounds because of two 9V batteries), so as soon as a laptop and other items were added, it could add up to fifteen pounds or more for a techie like myself.

I also don’t know if the person using the backpack would remember that they have an alarm at their disposal in an emergency.  You would have to walk around with your hand right next to the pull cord to be very aware and ready to yank it to sound the alarm.  Either way, I’d recommend this bag for teens or adults who can be responsible with it. Many models of the iSafe bag are available on their website.  The Urban Crew backpack that I reviewed is available for $89.99 on their website as well as at Walgreens and Amazon. Very loud alarm and bright flasherCons:HeavyiSafebags added 2 new photos to the album iSafebags. iSafe security backpacks are constructed to last. Feel safe and secure while on the move. These backpacks have plenty of room and compartments to accommodate your mobile gear.iSafebags added 9 new photos to the album iSafebags. These backpacks have plenty of room and compartments to accommodate your mobile gear.See alliSafebags shared a link.Montel Williams Show featuring Carlie Security BackpacksiSafebags shared a link.

Carlie Security Backpack Tested by CBS TV News StationiSafebagsSee why Holly Robinson is so excited about the iSafe Bag.Posted by iSafebagsSee why Linsey Grams loves the iSafe Bag.Posted by iSafebagsWe protect our homes and cars. Why wouldn't we protect our most precious assets - our family and friends. Isafe bags and backpacks your personal mobile security system. These bags helprotect our family and friends when we can't be there to do it ourselves. iSafebags added a new photo to the album iSafebags.Collegiate Laptop Backpack BlueIn the last few years we have seen reports of violence on college, high school and even grade school campuses. The Virginia Tech and Newtown shootings aren’t necessarily a confirmation of increasing crime on school campuses, but they certainly serve as reminders that we can’t always be with our kids to protect them. While the iSafe Urban Crew backpack will not protect your loved one in overtly violent incidents such as a shooting, it might be helpful in other threatening situations by creating a significant amount of commotion, calling others to you or your child’s aid.  

Simple, the iSafe Urban Crew backpack has a built-in alarm system! The attractively designed iSafe Urban Crew backpack’s integrated alarm system consists of a pair of speakers and a light module. The batteries and trigger that turn the alarm system on are built into the right strap on the backpack. To activate the alarm, you flip the flap open and pull the pin out of the trigger.  The speakers are then activated along with a strip of LED lights. The sound that the backpack makes is so loud that I got scolded by my wife for “playing” with it. In addition, the alarm drove my pets crazy! If something this loud and obvious doesn’t draw attention in a tough situation, then I don’t know what will.  And when you need to clean the backpack, the system is designed so you can remove the electronics. I am amazed at the number of pockets in this backpack.  My daily driver bag is a Swissgear Cobalt, which has abundant pockets, but the Urban Crew has even more. I almost think it has too many!  

I took the bag with me to my brother-in-law’s for dinner on Easter Sunday, and when I got back I had to search all the pockets for about 20 minutes to make sure I got everything out. The alarm system actually makes it a little harder to find everything, as you can feel the electronics through the various pockets. This made me think I had left something in a pocket several times, only to realize it was actually the speaker or battery pack.  My wife used the bag over the weekend to carry her laptop, and when we got home we had to dig through all of those pockets to find everything; it was annoying, but I am sure if you carried this backpack everyday you’d likely get used to it and not have an issue. You can carry up to a 15″ laptop in this bag, but my Dell XPS 15 was a tight fit.  The laptop pocket is well located and well padded, so I didn’t worry about the laptop getting damaged during my daily commute to work by bus. The Urban Crew lacks one feature my Swissgear has that I have come to love.

The Swissgear bag has a velcro strap that  secures the laptop in its compartment. This strap has saved my laptop from slipping out while I was digging in the bottom of the bag looking for a cable. The Urban Crew doesn’t have this feature, but its tight fit around my Dell did hold it in place well enough. Without the strap to secure it, I would use a little extra caution when I leave that compartment open. Obviously, I would prefer to have the additional security of a strap to secure my laptop. Although I still prefer my Swissgear’s styling and pocket system, the iSafe Urban Crew bag does hold its own. The alarm system is nice, but I am not convinced that I need it. If my son or my wife used this bag, it would certainly make me feel better when they were out. I usually have a phone and one (or more) of my handheld radios with me, so if I had an issue, I would alert someone with one of them. The iSafe Urban Crew does offer some peace of mind, but in a time where car alarms go largely ignored, I am not sure how effective an alarmed backpack would be.