The NeoKavach Tech Pack Pro airbag backpack is a clever pairing of airbag safety with an everyday essential for a biker, a backpack. It is based on Helite’s proven technology and uses a tether-based setup, which clips onto the bike and in the event of a crash, deploys almost instantly when the rider separates from the bike. The advantage is the simplicity. No electronics, no charging, no worrying about sensors malfunctioning. You just clip it on and ride. When it inflates, the airbag wraps around your back area and shields the chest with two inflated strips where the backpack straps would be. It also extends up on both sides under the helmet, helping stabilise the neck and support the spine.
What makes this stand out is how much more usable it is compared to a traditional airbag vest. With a vest, you have to get the sizing right, and if you’re someone who uses a backpack all the time, it gets even more complicated. This, on the other hand, is far more natural to live with. It’s a universal fit, adjusts like a normal backpack, and works with different riding jackets without any fuss.
As a backpack, it’s well thought out. There’s a sleeve that easily fits a 14-inch laptop, along with well-laid-out compartments. The storage is flexible too, expanding from 18 to 23 litres, which is also helpful. You also get a rain cover that pops out from a zip at the top and a helmet carrier that pulls out from the bottom. The result is a properly functional backpack.
The modularity adds another layer of usability. The bag section can be detached to turn it back into a vest. The bag also has a hydration bladder, which can also be removed. If you decide to turn it into a vest, there’s a supplied layer that zips onto the back neatly, so it still feels like a complete vest. On the safety front, it also comes with a built-in Level 2 back protector.
There are a few compromises. The biggest one is the bulk. It feels bigger and heavier than a regular backpack, and you’re always aware of carrying something more substantial. It’s manageable, but not subtle. The zips are another irritant. They use a square-shaped pull tab that tends to twist sideways, needing adjustment before sliding smoothly. The tether system also needs getting used to, as you have to remember to clip and unclip every time. I have forgotten to unclip it a couple of times, but it takes quite a lot of force to trigger the system, and thankfully, I haven’t done so yet.
At Rs 40,800, it’s expensive, but when you factor in what it offers, it makes sense. This is serious protection, and it genuinely made me feel safer during my Mumbai-Pune commutes. Running costs are manageable too, with CO2 canisters costing around Rs 2,000, and they are user replaceable.
For daily riding, it works if you’re willing to live with the extra bulk. Overall, the NeoKavach Tech Pack Pro feels like a smart, well-thought-out piece of safety kit that isn’t a burden to use.
Where: neokavach.com
Price: Rs 40,800
Dinshaw Magol
Rishaad Mody
Ved Janve
