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These ten designs? They’ve all won major awards like the Red Dot Design Award and ISPO Award. That means they’re super functional, look great, and are made with the user in mind.

From solar-powered bags to crazy-good materials and designs that feel great on your back, these winners have set a new bar for the whole bag game.

1. BRAUN BÜFFEL THEO Backpack – Red Dot Design Award Winner 2024

  • Brand: BRAUN BÜFFEL
  • Award: Red Dot Design Award 2024
  • Price: $450 – $650

The THEO backpack won a Red Dot in 2024 because it’s classy but also top-quality. BRAUN BÜFFEL are all about making pro-level bags that still look stylish.

The THEO boasts fancy leather, lots of space for your stuff, and smart organization. The Red Dot judges liked how it mixes old-school craftsmanship with what people need in the city today. It’s the little things and the quality materials that help the THEO standout.

  • Where to buy: BRAUN BÜFFEL Website

2. Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L – ISPO Award Winner 2024

  • Brand: Peak Design
  • Award: ISPO Award 2024
  • Price: $300 – $400

The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L is ready for anything, winning an ISPO Award in 2024 due to how adaptable it is. This award’s a big deal in the outdoor world, and they loved this pack’s expansion system and solid build.

It can go from 35L to 45L, so it fits any trip. It’s got smart inside pockets, stands up to bad weather, and feels good to carry. The judges at ISPO look at how new, well-made, practical, and appealing a product is.

Peak Design knows how to make gear for photographers, and that know-how shines through here. It’s got quick-access spots, a rain cover, and places to clip on extra gear.

  • Where to buy: Peak Design Website

3. Beam Backpack – Red Dot Design Award Winner

  • Brand: Beam (Various)
  • Award: Red Dot Design Award
  • Price: $200 – $350

The Beam Backpack uses thin solar panels on the outside, letting you charge devices on the go with a USB. It got a Red Dot for being a cool way to make everyday bags more sustainable.

This bag tackles the need for power while you’re out and about. The solar panels don’t add much weight. The charging system makes sure everything’s safe.

The Red Dot folks liked that it’s forward-thinking and solves a real problem, not just a gimmick.

  • Where to buy: Search for Beam Solar Backpack

4. Shell: The Modern-Day Travel Backpack – Red Dot Design Award

  • Brand: Various
  • Award: Red Dot Design Award
  • Price: $250 – $400

Shell is all about making travel easier. It’s a bag that can do a lot. The Red Dot Award folks liked how well it fits different travel situations.

Shell changes to fit your needs, whether you’re wandering a city or backpacking. With smart pockets and an expandable design, it impressed the Red Dot judges.

It shows that good thinking can meet the various needs of travelers today without making things too complicated.

  • Where to buy: Check Shell Retailers

5. Jack Wolfskin Aerorise 40 – Red Dot Product Design Award

  • Brand: Jack Wolfskin
  • Award: Red Dot Product Design Award
  • Price: $180 – $250

The Jack Wolfskin Aerorise 40 Backpack got a Red Dot, proving they know how to design outdoor gear. The Aerorise 40 shows off Jack Wolfskin’s skill in making high-tech packs that work under tough conditions.

This winner has great airflow, light materials, and a comfy design to keep you from getting tired. The Red Dot award said it hits the mark combining tech with comfort and looks.

Jack Wolfskin’s German roots shine through in the Aerorise. They paid attention to the small stuff, like the molded parts and materials tested to last ages outdoors.

  • Where to buy: Jack Wolfskin Website

6. Wrapping Backpack by Ito Kaban Seisakujyo – Red Dot Award

  • Brand: Ito Kaban Seisakujyo
  • Designer: ONFAdd
  • Award: Red Dot Design Award
  • Price: $300 – $450

Ito Kaban Seisakujyo’s bag, designed by ONFAdd, won a Red Dot because the judges said, The Wrapping Backpack fills a need and offers a functional carrying solution that also looks nice.

It’s built to carry both everyday items and bulkier things. It’s expanding design earned it a Red Dot. Its straps let you secure odd-shaped loads while keeping the bag looking good.

The material resists water and lasts long. It feels good on your back, no matter what you’re carrying. The Red Dot people really liked how it solves carrying problems while still looking cool.

  • Where to buy: Check Japanese Design Retailers

7. S-Bikerz Motorcycle Backpack – Red Dot Award Winner

  • Brand: Various
  • Award: Red Dot Design Award
  • Price: $200 – $350

The S-Bikerz backpack has an LED strip for better safety while riding. It won a Red Dot because it focuses on what motorcycle riders need.

The S-Bikerz adds safety right into the design, with lights that help riders be seen. It cuts through the wind and keeps stuff from moving around at high speeds.

The Red Dot judges liked that it added safety features to storage, making a product that serves a specific group of people.

  • Where to buy: Motorcycle Gear Specialists

8. Modern Day Farer DAYFARER – Red Dot Design Award 2019

  • Brand: Modern Day Farer
  • Award: Red Dot Design Award 2019
  • Price: $180 – $280

The DAYFARER got a Red Dot in 2019. It’ll even be in the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen. This shows it’s a cool city bag.

The DAYFARER is designed for the modern worker, with protection for laptops, good organization, and style. The Red Dot judges liked that it tackles today’s city living challenges so well.

Being in the Red Dot Design Museum is a huge deal, putting the DAYFARER among the best designs out there.

9. 3D-Printed Trekking Backpack – Red Dot Design Award

  • Brand: Various/Concept
  • Award: Red Dot Design Award
  • Price: Concept/Limited

This bag uses 3D-printed padding and got a Red Dot for being a manufacturing. This design is where bags are going.

The 3D padding fixes hot spots and pressure points that normal bags have. It helps air circulate and spreads weight well.

The Red Dot judges saw that this design could change the whole bag world, using new tech to solve old comfort problems.

  • Where to buy: Technical Gear Retailers (Limited)

10. Calpak Weekender Backpack – NBC Select Travel Award 2024

  • Brand: Calpak
  • Award: NBC Select Travel Awards 2024
  • Price: $120 – $180

This Calpak backpack is great if you move a lot and want a roomy, tough bag with pockets and a trolley sleeve. NBC Select tested it thoroughly and saw how good it is for travel.

The design makes the most of space and keeps things organized, which is key for frequent travelers. The trolley sleeve and pocket layout impressed NBC Select.

Calpak’s success means that great design and build can beat out even fancy brands in the travel market.

  • Where to buy: Calpak Website

Why Design Awards Matter

These awards aren’t just for show. They prove that things are new and well-made. Red Dot looks at design, while ISPO focuses on the outdoor market.

How They Judge

Design awards check innovation, how it works, what it looks like, if it’s sustainable, and the user’s experience. Red Dot has given awards for over 60 years to products that set standards for innovation, quality, and being Eco-friendly.

Cool Innovation Trends

The recent winners show a few trends: solar power, new materials, specialized uses, and adaptable designs.

New Materials & Construction

Award-grabbers always push what materials can do, from waterproof fabrics to electronics and 3D-printed parts. These often turn into new standards.

Are They Worth the Cash?

Award-winning designs often hold their value better. The award gives belief in its integrity.

What’s next

As being Earth-minded gets more important, expect winners to focus on designs, recycling tech, and fewer carbon footprints.

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