Torch Apparel has launched the new Flux backpack which with its integrated light panel could help you stand out on the daily commute and riding at night-time. The Flux is currently on the Indiegogo crowdfunding website, where it hopes to raise $45,000.
The US company, also responsible for the Torch helmet, says part of the appeal of the Flux backpack is that it looks like a regular bag during the daytime. That’s ideal if you’re not a fan of brightly coloured bags, but recognise the importance of improving your visibility to other road users at night.
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“Small, centrally mounted lights just don’t cut it,” says Torch’s founder and creative force, Nathan Wills,. “And most people just won’t wear the silly looking safety clothing because of what they’ll look like once they reach their destination. The solution is large surfaces with active safety lights on the rider, not the bike.”
The bag is waterproof and offers 29 litres of cargo capacity and made from a durable 1000 Denier Nylon fabric with a waterproof vinyl tarpaulin liner. The back panel is made from mesh and is padded for comfort.
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The large (11in x 4in) lighting panel comprises fibre optics illuminated by LEDs to provide a high-intensity red light. It claims a 2 – 12-hour run time and the lithium polymer battery can be charged via a USB 2.0 port. The light can be switched on and off with a shoulder strap button.
The Flux is available in black or red with black colours and is expected to cost £140, and you can support the company’s Indiegogo funding campaign here.
4 thoughts on “Torch Apparel’s new Flux backpack has integrated LED panel for night-time visibility”
Big panel is good, as a basic
CyclingDMLondon makes a great point. Bending over backwards to facilitate drivers’ driving a wee bit quicker with this £140 bag would look pretty loopy in places with better infra like Amsterdam.
And the rucksack looks dim (and dear) compared to putting a cheap rear l.e.d. inside a plastic milk bottle and strapping it to the rear rack.
A hundred and forty notes?!
A hundred and forty notes?!
You’d be better investing in a good bag, then two good lights and still have plenty of change left over.
Some £8 battery flashing xmas
Some £8 battery flashing xmas lights under the bright yellow built in rain cover of my £60 ruck sack looks way more effective than this.
Way over priced for what you’re getting . For that kind of money I would want it to be a brake light, have some indicators, and be able accept messages via mind control on to a smart screen to give selfish road users the benefit of my internal commentary of their behaviour to other road users as I filter past them in rush hour. I may be asking too much…
Here you go. (With thanks to
Here you go. (With thanks to vbvb for the genius idea)