A floating backpack might seem like the stuff of science fiction. But one team of engineers and biologists actually began working to make it happen back in 2018. This was around the time when the project first appeared on crowdfunding sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter.
Now you’re probably thinking it never got made because of how often Kickstarter campaigns fail to deliver or turn out to be outright scams. But HoverGlide’s backpack is one of the few that not only managed to deliver but also remain in business.
A Floating Backpack? How Does That Work?
You’re likely still scratching your head at the idea of a backpack that floats so let’s have a look at how it works.
Dr. Lawrence Rome initially got the idea for the bag when he was still a biology professor at the University of Pennsylvania. This was because, at the time, he had been contacted by the Office of Naval Research to work on a bag that could reduce the load carried by Special Operations Forces.
Rome designed a bag that could reduce the weight of a 50lb backpack by as much as 86%. It does this using Suspended Load Technology which basically balances the force exerted on your back by the bag while you’re running.
Because the bag was made with military use in mind, it’s also considerably durable. The backpack’s frame has been shown to withstand being thrown into the air and dropped on concrete without sustaining structural damage.
There Are Three Backpacks Made By HoverGlide
HoverGlide is currently offering the Trekker, Tactical, and Hiker backpacks on their site. The largest one, the Trekker, is the original floating backpack made by the brand.
The Trekker carries up to 50 lbs and comes with multiple pockets for easy organization of your digital devices and other camping essentials. It also comes with an internal sleeve that can hold a 2L water bladder and a dedicated compartment for your sleeping bag.
The Tactical, which is the brown one, is a smaller backpack meant for keeping your load light in emergency situations that call for sudden bursts of activity i.e running upstairs. It carries up to 25 lbs and has compartments for gear, first aid, and clothing as well as secondary pockets for tools like compasses.
The Hiker is another 25 lb capacity backpack with space for a water bladder, accessible pockets, and breathable straps and back. Like its more heavy-duty predecessors, it’s designed to withstand heavy use as it’s a 200D pack.
But Is the HoverGlide Backpack Worth Buying?
We’ll be focusing on the Trekker since it’s easily HoverGlide’s most popular offering. Plus, the same points can be said of the other two backpacks given that they share the same design and features with relatively minor differences.
Build Quality
No complaints here. Unlike many tactical backpacks from new brands, HoverGlide’s bags are as durable as their descriptions say they are. It has thickly padded straps that help keep the bag from digging into your shoulders and distributes the weight evenly across them, not that there’s much with the Suspended Load Technology around.
The bag has a sturdy frame for back support that can withstand high drops and general rough handling so you can count on it not to crack under pressure when you need it the most.
The bag is also made of nylon ripstop pack material that keeps it lightweight and extra durable. You won’t worry about snags, tears, or your bag ripping open with this backpack.
Practicality
Who doesn’t love pockets? The HoverGlide backpacks clearly do and the Trekker has the most of them. Not only does it have a dedicated pocket for your water bladder, but it also has dedicated space for sleeping bags. The bag also has multiple hip-belt pockets where you can store your most reached-for items like your phone or your bag of trail mix.
Where the bag really starts to fall off in terms of practicality is the price point.
Price Point
The HoverGlide Trekker costs over $500 which is enough to turn off a lot of people, even the most dedicated gear enthusiasts. Over $500 for a bag with a niche function that you’ll likely not get a ton of use of is a pretty steep price considering that there are tons of other quality bags at around half the price of this one.
The same goes for the other two backpacks. While they aren’t overpriced, given that they use some very advanced tech and good materials, they are still far above the price of comparable backpacks.
Final Thoughts
As cool as the floating backpack sounds, it really is a niche item with minimal benefits once you factor in how much it costs versus the price of a comparable hiking backpack.
Sure, the 86% reduction sounds great, but once you factor in the additional weight coming from the suspension mechanism, you’re looking at a bag that’s already about 10 lbs on its own. Unless you’re running with a full 50 lb backpack, you’re not likely to get the most out of your money with this.
The HoverGlide floating backpack is currently only available on Indiegogo where it can be pre-ordered as part of a group buy. However, if the reviews are to go by, it seems the HoverGlide teem has been having logistical problems.
