SLAPPA KIKEN Laptop Bag

SLAPPA KIKEN Laptop Bag

A seriously kick-ass bag for your serious gear

I knew the minute that I unboxed the SLAPPA KIKEN laptop bag that it was a pretty bad-ass piece of business. Puncture-proof ballistic nylon - customizable front flap options - checkpoint friendly AND roomy enough for a 17" laptop? It was enough to make me yell "KIKEN!" and karate chop things. And I did! Good thing only the dog was watching.

First, let's talk aesthetics: thanks to SLAPPA's patent pending M.A.S.K. technology, you have a choice of flaps to customize the look (and functionality) of your bag. SLAPPA sent me three to try out and they easily zip on and off. (Think Karate Kid style: Flap on. Flap off.) I'm a fan of the Lime Blast (I likes a punch of colour). The monochrome P-Tac Matrix flap is very cool looking, and there is also a woven flap called Jedi Mind Trix, which has velcro straps to let you carry more gear (including a yoga mat, if that's your thing. Jedis love the yoga). Note: you can see pics of these flaps in action over on Flickr.

Now for functionality: Just under the front flap are three very large rectangular, zippered compartments. When you're on a trip and making a presentation, you'll be able to fit all you need to connect your laptop to their projector and to a power source. External drives, powerbricks, adapters, and cords have roomy compartments and won't be mingling with your socks and underwear. The hardware on this bag is, like the bag overall, well-made and sturdy.


The interior of the bag is comprised of two clamshells that open completely for security-friendly scanning. One of the smartest features of the bag are the velcro flaps. When you want to open the clamshell compartments fully, unvelcro the sides - when you want to use the compartments as pockets, just secure the sides again. KIKEN!

The large shell storage section in the front of the bag will easily handle reading material, a few days' worth of clothes and your toiletries. A row of storage pockets provides organization to tuck away electronic accessories. Great detail: all of the lining is red so you easily locate items in bag.

The shell in the rear of the bag has a cushioned compartment that protects a laptop up to 17" (and SLAPPA notes that it'll fit Alienware m17X). This compartment faces a large zippered pocket, perfect for stashing work documents. Going through airport security, you just open this clamshell to scan. Everything is secured. Nothing's falling out.

The bag can carry a lot, so it's heavy when packed. Wearing the strap across the body is crucial. The adjustable shoulder strap, with its comfy shoulder pad, extends to approximately 51" from hardware to hardware at its max. If you are tall or have a sturdy build, the bag may sit a bit high on your body. To mitigate that, however, is the signature SLAPPA cushioned hand logo on the back of the bag, which keeps your heavy gear from bruising your hip or side.

Also, because this bag is meant to keep your tech gear safe, there aren't any easy access pockets anywhere on the exterior. Not great for getting to your passport or wallet quickly when travelling - but hey, if you can't get to them easily, neither can thieves. KIKEN!

All in all, if you are searching for a bag that will handle your tech gear, your overnight clothes and your monster laptop, consider the SLAPPA KIKEN customizable laptop bag. The kick-ass KIKEN retails for $129.99 over at SLAPPA.CA or SLAPPA.COM.