A New Kind of Armor: The Solid Gray Backpack

There is a distinct kind of gear that turns heads not for its flashy branding, but for a design that is so singular and so unlike anything else, it demands a second look. This is the realm of Solid Gray, a brand founded on the principle of “breaking the ordinary.”

Born from the minds of product designer, Jasper de Leeuw, Solid Gray is the answer to a question many designers face: what happens when you push the envelope a little too far for a client?

The result is a line of backpacks that are as ruthlessly original as they are ruthlessly functional, blending high-tech materials with a design philosophy inspired by the armor of insects and crustaceans. Incredibly versatile and offering the sort of functionality seldom seen in this highly technical piece, we’re huge fans of the offerings from Solid Gray here at Coolector HQ.

The brand’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries is evident in their creation process. They don’t just tweak existing designs; they start from scratch, ensuring that form, function, and material are in perfect, uncompromising synergy. The highly unique and striking aesthetic of these backpacks has seen them featured in a wide array of film and television such as The 100, Supergirl, Ghost in the Shell and Star Trek.

Their products are made in the Netherlands, a testament to their dedication to quality, environmental care, and ethical production. They are also entirely unique to you as each backpack comes with its own, laser-etched serial number – enhancing the bespoke nature and overall appeal in our opinion.

When you hold a Solid Gray backpack, you feel something strange, a sense of a product that has been perfected from the inside out, where even the smallest details have been turned upside down to achieve something truly new. It’s a design ethos that has resonated with a community of “not-so-ordinary people” who appreciate a product with a story to tell.

They also offer a number of unique, limited edition collaborations such as the amazing DOES Concrete GEM Backpack which is limited to just 20 numbered pieces and this collaboration fuses DOES’ original artwork, crafted on aluminium, with Solid Gray’s futuristic backpack design. You can see the stunning collab below:

At the heart of the collection is the Polymer Hard Shell Backpack, an icon of durability since its launch in 2012. Priced at £188, this is a backpack built for a life in motion.

Weighing just 1.2 kg, it manages to be incredibly lightweight while offering a hard-shell exterior that is as protective as a hermit crab’s.

The design, inspired by the biomimicry of insect and crustacean armour, is a masterclass in using a single sheet of advanced polymer material to create a strong, durable, and comfortable structure.

The back features a flexible design and optional foam padding for comfort, while the tough exterior promises a “lifetime crash service,” a nod to the fact that this is a bag that can take a beating and come back for more.

For those who demand the absolute pinnacle of tech, style, and performance, Solid Gray offers its flagship model, the Aluminium Hard Shell.

Priced at £518, this is an extreme, high-end backpack crafted from a hard-coated Aluminium-Polymer composite. The result is a bag that is even lighter and stronger, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with materials science.

It comes standard with the back padding for maximum comfort and is designed to accommodate laptops up to 16 inches. When asked how long it will last, the brand quips that it’s built to last for decades, and the only way to break it is with a chainsaw—something they highly discourage.

Its strong structure and padded back ensure that it’s safer and more comfortable than a normal backpack, making it the ultimate travel companion for a digital nomad or a daily commuter.

Beyond the hard shells, both backpacks are packed with a host of intelligent features. The interiors are designed to keep your gear organised, with two secure compartments, a laptop strap, and a document clip to prevent your papers from getting crumpled. For those with a more complex carry, an optional Adaptable Organiser module allows for a completely customised interior.

One of the most clever features is the hidden handle on top. It’s a comfortable, convenient top handle that is there when you need it but automatically retracts itself into the body of the backpack when not in use.

It’s a prime example of the brand’s “inside-out” approach to design, where every detail is considered for both form and function. Solid Gray isn’t just selling backpacks; they are selling a philosophy of design, a commitment to originality, and a piece of gear that is as ready for the future as you are.

The are also a number of unique accessories available for your Solid Gray Backpack; including Switch System straps (straps that can be swapped for another colour effortlessly to change up the aesthetic), Back A Backpack Stand, a Wall Mount (which is like a docking station for your backpack) and an Adaptable Organizer (keep your gear organised in style). What’s not to like?

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