• About

LIVEdigitally

Laptop Case Review #3: DC|incase, Skatepack

Posted on August 1, 2005 by feeling entropy

“DC Shoes, the leader in performance skateboard footwear, has teamed up with incase, creators of premium carrying solutions, to develop the Skatebag, a multi-functional backpack designed to house and protect your PowerBook and iPod, as well as your board and other gear. The DC/incase collaborative represents the union of lifestyle, music and technology, available exclusively through Apple. Enjoy.”

If you were wondering where this dual company backpack came from, there’s your answer –written on the inside of the DC|incase Skatepack. DC is a well known Skateboard company with a focus on footwear. incase is a case manufacturer that caters to Apple products, also rather well known. Get these two together, and what do you have? The DC|incase Skatepack, a laptop/skateboard carrying case that fits you and your paraphernalia like a glove (or better yet, a shoe).

I hesitated to open the box that this backpack laptop case came in. Three cubic feet of white and grey camouflaged cardboard house the pack. Opening the cardboard door reveals a window to the actual bag with tech specs. I pulled the bag out.
The designers took pride in this joint DC|incase venture for sure. Attention to detail is apparent everywhere you look. The zippers are all rubber with a DC|incase impression, the padding on the shoulder straps is firm and extra thick, and the label was plastic and 3D instead of being cloth and too small to read. I’m also a fan of the DC|incase plasic emblem that sits on the back of the bag, they did a good job on this one I can tell.


I tried it on, and initially felt like a ninja turtle. That feeling passed when I noticed that everywhere that the bag comes into contact with your body, there is a porous wicking material that keeps sweat and heat to a minimum. With extra large padded shoulder straps and wicking material in it’s arsenal, the Skatepack was ready for the (still patent pending) LIVEdigitally Laptop Case Obstacle Course.




Capacity was no problem. I had so many pockets at my disposal that filling them seemed to be somewhat of a chore. There are two main compartments to the bag, the place for stuff, and the place for laptops. The laptop compartment was fit with a firm protective sleeve. The rigid sides of the laptop protector also gave a nice shape and rigidity to our Skatepack. It is removable, by two Velcro patches. The other compartment has Velcro and zippered pockets galore.

The Skatepack packs some sneaky pockets. It’s highly likely that I didn’t discover all the sneaky cracks and crevices that DC and incase designed in. the skate board holder flap had a thin pocket, good for paper or thin items. A similar pocket is located on the back area of the bag. Side pouches big enough to hold iPods are just within arms reach when the backpack is hugging your shoulders.

Rebecca (the name of my iBook laptop) and I were ready to give this Skatepack a run ride for it’s money, literally. I strapped it all up, secured my belongings, buckled the breast strap, and then went for the belt. To my disappointment, the belt was only adjustable on one side, and due to lack of a 54” waist, after tightening the belt to a snug fit I found the clasps on my hip –instead of where a normal belt buckle would clasp together. The belt did the job, but I wasn’t happy with how it accomplished the task. That didn’t stop me, I grabbed my trusty skateboard and headed out to the real world. I am no Tony Hawk, but with some imagination you can almost see me having a sliver of skateboarder potential. Maybe it’s just my backpack?

I asked a few passer-byers about the bag, thoughts, impressions, comments, suggestions. The majority were impressed with the functionality and design, but the colors didn’t win anyone over. White and grey camou isn’t the popular flavor among people these days. One person was very surprised about the bright orange interior revealed on the inside of the Skatepack, other than that, the colors were a loser.

If I were to tell the collaborative designers of the DC|incase Skatepack what to change for a version 2.0 I could only squeeze two small suggestions by them: offer more colors than the current white and grey camou with orange interior, and redesign that belt clip adjustment feature. I wouldn’t be able to say that to them without first praising and thanking them for creating such a cool product. I’d also ask who was the big TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) fan.

LIVEdigitally Laptop Case Obstacle Course Results:
1.) Capacity Test: this test was bent over the knee and spanked, repeatedly.

2.) 1 Hr Endurance Test: see results of Capacity Test

3.) Water Test: the wicking fabric and the straps didn’t especially love the water, but the camouflaged portions beaded up water and shed it away. Rebecca’s cardboard stand it stayed very dry.

4.) Function vs. Style Test: On the function vs style seesaw, function is Shaq and style is a 6 year old schoolgirl with her jump rope.

5.) Female Test: had this have been a male test, it would have done 90% better than it did. Guys like this bag. Girls… well let’s just say not ALL of them completely hated it’s colors. I’m not even going to tell you about getting girls phone numbers this time around, maybe the next laptop carrying case review.

6.) Skateboard Test (Special Bonus): The bag obviously performed better than I did.

Thanks to incase for supporting this review.

Buy this bag at apple.

EDIT: This just in, incase has decided to make a Black version, and I just got my hands on some pictures. Check this out!! (should be available this month anywhere DC shoes are sold, or on apple.com)




Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Reddit

Related

Posted in General, LD Approved, Product Reviews | 22 Comments
« Mario To Turn 20!
Introducing…me »

22 thoughts on “Laptop Case Review #3: DC|incase, Skatepack”

  1. gudstuf.. says:
    August 1, 2005 at 7:30 pm

    the bag looks like someone put straps on a luggage and told you to strap it on.

    Reply
  2. cheri says:
    August 2, 2005 at 7:40 am

    Great video, cute guy and great scenery. Bag looks very practical but color-Yuck–what about purple?

    Reply
  3. JAX says:
    August 7, 2005 at 1:10 am

    the bag is GINORMOUS! it is better suited for guys and 6ft tall woman..or else it will just look..awkward?

    Reply
  4. bloo says:
    August 15, 2005 at 7:13 pm

    nah, i know a guy who has one who’s like 5’4″ and he looks normal with it.

    Reply
  5. adam says:
    October 28, 2005 at 12:02 am

    does anyone know where i can find one of these now??

    Reply
  6. Ilitch says:
    August 11, 2006 at 6:50 am

    i own this bag… i have gone through 6 diffferent bags…. this one is definitely function over fashion, although im kool with the colors… hopefully if they do a second version, perhaps there will be more color selelction.. other than that… the bag rocks!!

    Reply
  7. Josh Davey says:
    August 16, 2006 at 8:59 pm

    Does anyone know if I can still purchase this bag, or would someone like to part with there’s. Contact me josh_davey@hotmail.com

    Reply
  8. Nick says:
    September 4, 2006 at 11:04 am

    I’ve got my eye on one of these bags but I’ve had a few worries about them, first it was space for things other than a laptop, iPod and my board but as i can see from the pictures above there’s more space than anyone needs, but now it’s the size, it looks huge.

    Maybe I’ll looks for other pictures and maybe other bags before buying it because £90 for a bag seems a bit steep and i’d be a bit annoyed if i didn’t like it.

    Reply
  9. Russell says:
    October 3, 2006 at 8:03 pm

    I’m in love with this bag and i have searched all over the internet to find it and when i found a website it came out to $165.00! if anyone can tell me where to find this bag a little cheaper that would be awsome. thanks

    Reply
  10. cmecha says:
    October 5, 2006 at 7:41 pm

    i just got my bag today in black camo and it’s sweet alot of space it also expands which is nice i got it for 90 shipped on ebay there still might be another one on but it’s real nice i just wish i had my laptop already

    Reply
  11. Pingback: Original Menu Blog » Blog Archive » Backpacks

  12. Nate says:
    November 21, 2006 at 2:27 pm

    ive been ssearching all over the internet for one of thesse bags if someone knowss where to findone please let me know.

    Reply
  13. The Dude says:
    November 27, 2006 at 6:54 am

    Most of the non-US apple online stores currently sell the black camo version of the DC-incase skate pack such as apple’s singapore store, UK store, etc.

    Reply
  14. Da Dude says:
    November 27, 2006 at 6:59 am

    You can purchase the black camo version of the DC-incase skate pack at any apple online store except the US site. Strange but true, I had to order one from the apple UK webstore.

    Reply
  15. rob and shane[ams] says:
    May 14, 2007 at 12:35 pm

    were the hell can we get 1 of those backpacks and how much are they.

    Reply
  16. Clayton Moorman says:
    June 5, 2007 at 7:23 pm

    WHERE CAN I GET ONE OF THESE BACKPACKS!!!!!!!??????

    Reply
  17. Neil McDougal says:
    October 27, 2007 at 6:42 am

    I have one I’m selling if you still want one.

    Reply
  18. Garrett says:
    November 9, 2007 at 3:45 pm

    You can get one of the bags at the incase store, http://www.goincase.com and from any apple store other than the us one.

    Reply
  19. Michele says:
    May 11, 2008 at 5:51 am

    @ Neil McDougal:
    are you still selling the incase skatebag? 🙂
    I’m searching for it but in the official website they don’t ship outside the U.S. and I’m from Italy.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  20. skaterjoeschomoe says:
    June 4, 2008 at 11:50 am

    that dude in the video is terrible at skating lol!!!
    I started this spring, and im at least 5x better than that dude! lol wateva

    Reply
  21. mark says:
    February 19, 2012 at 5:23 am

    where can i buy this one ? can you please send any link where or what site can i buy it, thanks

    Reply
  22. Conrad says:
    May 1, 2012 at 10:07 am

    Mark, I have the black version. Love this bag, but barely used it, at most 5 times. Still in original box with tags.

    Reply

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About

Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned Product leader with over 20 years experience in the convergence of digital media, mobile entertainment, social entertainment, smart TV and consumer technology. Prior ventures and projects include CNET, Viggle/Dijit/Nextguide, Sling Media, VUDU, Clicker, DivX, Rovi, Mediabolic, Boxee, and many other consumer technology companies. This blog represents his personal opinion and outlook on things.

Recent Posts

  • Back on the wagon/horse?
  • 11 Tips for Startups Pitching Big Companies
  • CES 2016: A New Role
  • Everything I Learned (So Far) Working For a Huge Company
  • And I’m Back…

Archives

Pages

  • About

Archives

  • January 2019
  • April 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • May 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • June 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • November 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004

Categories

  • Convergence (81)
  • Gadgets (144)
  • Gaming (19)
  • General (999)
  • Guides (35)
  • LD Approved (72)
  • Marketing (23)
  • Mobile Technology (111)
  • Networking (22)
  • No/Low-tech (64)
  • Product Announcements (85)
  • Product Reviews (109)
  • That's Janky (93)
  • Travel (29)
  • Video/Music/Media (115)
  • Web/Internet (103)

WordPress

  • Log in
  • WordPress

CyberChimps WordPress Themes

© LIVEdigitally
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.