CES 2019: To Buy or Not to Buy?

I love bags!  Whether it is a handbag, purse, backpack, duffel, luggage or even a reusable grocery bag, I can’t resist a functional good-looking bag.  I also love smart innovative gadgets!  So when I came across Lumzag’s description in the CES directory claiming they are presenting the “world’s smartest and most innovative bags with 7 smart features”, I immediately noted the booth location in Sands with the intention of checking them out.

When I visited the booth, I was immediately drawn in by sleek carbon fiber and elegant Italian leather in backpack, messenger and crossbody forms on display.  While all models displayed were black, there were banners showing dark sapphire blue and velvet wine red color options. Burgundy is my favorite color and that velvet wine was screaming my name!

I asked them to walk me through each of the 7 smart features of their product:

1. Missing Item Reminder:  Sensor stickers may be applied to track items of your choosing to be notified if you forget to put something into the bag.
2. Back View Camera: Especially useful for cyclists, the backpack camera offers a view behind you through your smartphone.  Snapshots and video may also be saved.
3. Wi-fi Hotspot: Internet connection no matter where you are in the world with no monthly charges with a pay as you use model.  I was told it is about $10 per 1GB of data.
4. Inside Light: Built in LED that immediately turns on when the bag is opened in the dark which may be customized with different colors to easily see contents inside the bag.
5. Wireless Charger & Power Bank: 10,000 mAh removable power bank with a wireless charging pocket on the strap for smartphones.
6. GPS Tracker:  See bag’s exact location free of charge due to special technology that does not use internet data.
7. Open Alert & Remote Anti-Theft Alarm:  Notice through app will alert if someone opens the bag and a loud alarm is activated if your bag leaves a specified maximum distance from you.

Wow, I was impressed.  That is a lot of tech in a bag for sure, but I wondered if the backpack was truly functional.  Pockets are important for me as I carry a lot of things and require a certain level of organization within a bag.  When I looked through the backpack, the most important pocket was a separate compartment on the back for a laptop.  The main compartment had a decent amount of various pockets, enough to meet my basic needs, yet its pockets design did not blow me away compared to some other backpacks I already own.  I immediately noticed there was no water bottle pocket and that was a very big disappointment and seriously gave me pause.  However, I did appreciate the thoughtfulness to ensure this backpack could slide onto the handle of a luggage, which is something I would utilize often.  I put the backpack on and noted the ergonomic feel of how it felt on my back and it’s weight empty was similar to my other backpacks I owned.

“How much does it cost?” I asked.  I was given a special CES code for an additional discount off and was told the current price is $289, which is 44% off the retail price since it is currently on Indiegogo (raised $700K+ with 3K+ backers) and anticipated to be ready in about 2 months.  That’s a HEFTY price tag for a backpack that I really don’t need, I thought to myself.  Especially considering the fact that I just bought my first official travel backpack last year for under $200 and I have 2 other backpacks that I regularly use already as well.  Plus there is no water bottle pocket!  How can I justify spending almost $300 on a backpack that does NOT have a designated place to put my water bottle?!  I walked away feeling seduced by the innovative smart features yet questioning, if they could do all that, why the hell couldn’t they put an exterior side pocket for a water bottle?!  I knew it would detract from the sleek form of the bag and that’s why they likely opted not to put one, but would I be able to simply dump a bottle in the main compartment knowing that if it was cold it would get other items inside wet?!  I don’t know, that could be a deal breaker for me!

The next day I checked out their website and their Indiegogo page, watched all the videos I could find about it and still was unsure if this was something I could bring myself to pre-order.  Even at 44% off plus an additional CES special discount, was this bag really worth it’s cost?

I went back to CES on Friday, the last day of the show and once again went back to the booth to check out the backpack.  I had them tell me all over again all the features, I tried the bag on, opened all the pockets and really tried to feel the bag out.  I wondered, if this company went out of business in the future and the app was no longer supported, would that mean I would be SOL?  I walked away still impressed by the smart features and still very frustrated it didn’t have a water bottle pocket and their pocket design overall was simply okay.

I had 4 days to make a decision because the CES discount offer expired on 1/15.  So I kept asking myself, “To buy or not to buy?”

What do you think I did?!