BauBax Bomber Jacket 2.0 Review: Like Wearing a Swiss Army Knife

Looking suave is important for our image especially when we travel for work, but no one wants to look geeky being loaded up on tech gadgets. BauBax offers an innovative solution to provide the best of both worlds with the Bomber Jacket 2.0. What looks like an ordinary bomber jacket, has an impressive array of functionality built in - yes, like a Swiss Army Knife. I tried on the jacket on my latest interstate trip, and here's what I found:

Sleek + Big payload capacity

The BauBax bomber jacket looks sleek on the outside, but on the insides of the front of the jacket is packed full of pockets (9 on the inside, another 3 in the front). Each compartment were not placed mindlessly, but had a predetermined function in mind (For example: power bank, mobile phone, passport, wireless earbuds...etc) and dimensions to match. Perhaps the most impressive feat is the zippable pocket that has been designed to swallow an iPad whole.

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You would think that loading up all the pockets would make you look bloated, but surprisingly no. The payloads are arranged in a way that the bulk is evenly and thinly distributed - analogous to tactical body armors. Furthermore, rather than having heavy weights swinging around, I found that the design is so that the heavier items are placed near the waist area of the jacket, close to the center-of-gravity, minimizing their movement and obstruction - like a utility belt.

What you end up with is having your gadgets all tucked away nicely, while from the outside still looking slim, and highly mobile.

One innovative touch that I found that can easily be overlooked is a button-hole right above the power bank pocket, which allows you to put a charging cable through to the phone pocket. I used this to charge up my phone on the flight with a peace of mind that I won't be losing a cable or power bank in the seat pocket.

Another unforeseen use of this large carrying capacity came into play when I recently wore the jacket on a flight that had strict carryon luggage rules. A light bulb moment came and I took all my gadgets out of my backpack and loaded up my BauBax jacket. Voila! My backpack was suddenly 2 lbs lighter and well within the weight limit. (Let's hope airline managements doesn't read this and start weighing jackets)

Handsome and Water Resistant Shell

This is a jacket that can pull off a semi-formal look, because of both its construction and material. Seams can be found running along the arms of the jacket, which was only revealed when I flipped the jacket inside out. The arms are constructed not out of one but three strips of fabric. The result is a three-dimensional shell, like a blazer - which gives it a the semi-formal look. This is combined with a material that has some stiffness to it, which both prevents wrinkles (important when sitting with them on through long-haul flights) and retains its shape. It was also pleasant to find that the hem of the jacket doesn't roll up and give you a 'jacket belly', which is a quick way to lose style points.

The shell material of the jacket is water resistant, but not suffocating. The inner layer of the torso part of the jacket is lined with a thin silky nylon material, just like the pockets, while the arms are lined with a soft touch, slightly furry material that is quite comfortable to the touch. The jacket is rated for 7-22 degrees Celsius (45-70 F) and since most cabins are between 22-24 degrees Celsius (70-75 F) it is slightly on the warmer side. In my experience, the jacket was just right if I leave the zip open in my seat.

What's for certain is that the BauBax jacket would be a great protective layer for the colder, wetter climate with the wrist and waist bands sealing off cold wind from reaching the body. If you are travelling to areas that are known to be chilly, adding another layer of fleece can get you a long way before feeling the cold.

All the tools you need on a flight

Like a Swiss Army Knife that was built with all the tools that a soldier would need in the battlefield, the BauBax Bomber Jacket 2 has all the tools that you need on a flight. There are more than 20 features built in, and after trying them all, these are three that stood out as especially practical and useful:

1. Super fast inflation/deflation: The BauBax jacket has two inflatable accessories - a neck pillow and a foot rest, both with a patented valve that allows fast inflation/deflation. When I tried inflating the neck pillow - it filled up in only 2-3 quick breathes. I managed to get nearby workmates in the office's attention when they saw how fast it 'popped up', to which someone said it's as if I pulled the cords on an inflatable life jacket. The shape of the pillow was also one of the most ergonomic I've tried on an inflatable.
2. Built in sleep mask: Rather than calling these sleep masks, 'eye curtain' might be a better description of them. Normally tucked away in the jacket hood (secured by a small button) you can pull them down when needed - and they are extremely soft and comfortable. Unlike normal sleep masks, they are not held around your head with elastic bands, instead they hang like curtains from the hem of the hood. Made of a very soft material, it completely blocks out the light - without the need to take my prescription glasses off.
3. Collapsible water bottle pouch with carabiner attachment: This is such a simple addition that adds little to the cost of this product, but adds a lot of convenience when traveling. Most airports that I visit have filtered water dispensers, but it can be a hassle to lug around a water bottle - even an empty one. The water pouch that can be kept rolled up in one of the pockets is almost a no-brainer to bring along, which can hold enough water to keep you well hydrated. The caps and mouth piece have all been smartly tethered to the opening so that you won't be losing any of it while filling it up.

Who is the BauBax Bomber Jacket for?

If you're someone who likes to make the most of tech gadgets during your business trips, but don't want to look like a member of SEAL Team Six geared up for combat - this jacket is a good way to pull it off covertly. No sensible business traveler wants to be seen with a neck pillow dangling off their suitcase, but when you can hide it in your jacket hood and inflate it like a magic trick, no one will get a chance to call you out for being a pointdexter.

David is a tech enthusiast/writer who is often on the move and is on a mission to explore ways to make his overhaul flights more enjoyable. This is a contribution to an ongoing IBTimes review series on gadgets for Business Travellers.

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