Today’s review features the SDCC 2016 exclusive version of the Loungefly x Star Wars Rey backpack. This bag is the same as the standard version available from Thinkgeek and Gamestop, but with 2 additional items which are exclusive to the SDCC version – a collectors pin, and Rey goggles headband. At the convention, Loungefly was also including a free lightsaber key chain with purchases over US$50, so all up this bag came with 3 bonus items.
While I was not able to attend San Diego Comic Con (international travel and all), a very awesome friend offered to pick one up for me! It has just arrived in the mail from her in the US, and I’m so excited to finally see it in person!
As the SDCC version was a limited edition of only 200, it sold out very quickly at the convention – but don’t worry, you can still get the standard version from Thinkgeek or Gamestop. Both stores can ship internationally, though it depends on your location for which store offers the lower shipping rates (eg, Thinkgeek has a cheaper shipping cost for me in New Zealand, compared to Gamestop). Also, if your heart is really set on the exclusive version, there are currently a few available from resellers on eBay.
- Loungefly Rey backpack – US$59.99 each (Thinkgeek)
- Loungefly Rey backpack – US$59.99 each (Gamestop)
- Loungefly Rey backpack – prices/shipping rates vary (eBay)
The Loungefly x Star Wars Rey ‘cosplay’ backpack is designed after Rey’s backpack seen in The Force Awakens. The original bag was on display as part of Rey’s screen used costume at Celebration Anaheim in 2015, which I was fortunate enough to see in person. There are obviously a few changes made to the Loungefly version, such as the lack of metal ‘greeblies’ and cannisters – though the loops and buckles are included, so you can always add extra items to your bag if you like. There are also a few ‘real world’ touches to the Loungefly version, such as the embossed patch of Rey on her speeder, and the metal Loungefly x Star Wars logo plaque.
As with all Loungefly x Star Wars handbags, this backpack is made from faux leather, rather than real leather, so it is vegan friendly. The faux leather is softer in person than I was expecting, but still durable as you expect from Loungefly – some of the promotional photos made it look quite stiff. There’s quite a range of faux leather quality, but this isn’t the flimsy cheap stuff, it is a nice weight and all top stitched. I absolutely adore the fabric used for this bag, it is just gorgeous, I keep expecting it to smell like real leather! I took my photos with nothing inside the bag, to show how the fabric sits, but the colour is a little darker in person. While faux leather won’t ‘weather’ like real leather, the softer feel gives it a more used look, without looking worn out.
The bag has 2 main compartments – the main central backpack pouch, and a cylindrical zip-up pouch underneath. There is also an open pocket on the left side, and a zip up pocket inside the main compartment. Taking inspiration from Rey’s backpack, there are so many pockets and pouches to hold all your stuff – great for conventions or just day to day use. While the webbing details are there to resemble the original design (rather than being functional), they can hold items, if you wish to more closely replicate Rey’s bag.
The main compartment measures approximately 26cm high, 30cm across, and 10cm wide (at the widest points). This size comfortable fits my iPad, as well as comics, my wallet, keys, a cardigan, etc – lots of room! While the main compartment isn’t quite as large as a standard backpack design, it makes up for it with additional pockets. For example, the left side exterior pocket, which measures 7cm x 18cm – it can fit things like a compact umbrella (for shade on Jakku, not rain…).
The main compartment closes with a large top flap, which features a faux leather strap with 3 small webbing loops, and 2 buckles. This strap is decorative, it doesn’t actually secure the flap down, or adjust. The buckles can’t move, they are held in place by a loop in the back. The original costume backpack held little canisters in the webbing loops, which are obviously not included in the Loungefly version – the loops are also smaller on the Loungefly version, which are the perfect size for holding pens.
While the cylinder pouch appears to be removable, it is not – the strap and buckle around it are adjustable, but more decorative than truly functional, to replicate the original detail. The pouch is attached to the backpack by the webbing straps sewn across the bottom of the main compartment – they insert into the top seam of the cylinder pouch. It’s a clever design – it really looks like the buckled strap is holding the pouch in place.
The cylinder pouch zips up at one end, with a brown plastic zipper and antiqued metal Loungefly logo zipper pull. The pouch measures approximately 10cm in diameter, and 30cm in length – it is great for storing items like a hair brush or wallet, or even a water bottle (just what you need when exploring Jakku).
The backpack came with the shoulder straps folded and held in place with paper strips taped around them – they loosed up very well after unpackaging. The straps are sewn from 2 layers faux leather with top stitching, so they are nice and strong. At their default length, they are a comfortable length for me, though a little too long, so I will adjust them shorter. The straps measure approximately 51cm long at their shortest, and approximately 90cm long at full length (including buckles). I found the straps easy to adjust to my preferred length, and hold their set length well.
There is also a top carry handle, for picking up your bag or hanging it up. The handle is sewn from the same brown faux leather, and top stitched. While I’m not sure if this detail was on the original costume bag, it is a standard backpack feature and always useful for real world use.
One of the most obvious real world touches to this bag is the embossed faux leather patch of Rey on her speeder. While I know some fans want a true replica, this is a backpack for every day use, not a costume piece, and I love the extra addition. Rey doesn’t wear her backpack for much of the film, so it is a little less recognisable – the patch detail gives the bag a stronger Rey theme. The patch measures approximately 8.2cm by 9.5cm, and is made from the same brown faux leather as the bag.
The other real world touches are the antiqued Loungefly x Star Wars logo plaque on the bottom right hand corner, and the collectors pin. The pin is exclusive to the SDCC version, and is completely removable. The pin has a standard pin backing, with the post inserted through webbing, so you can take it off and wear it on other items/garments if you wish. The enamel pin features the same design as the patch, of Rey on her speeder – this time with the text ‘ Collector’s Edition 2016’ underneath, and the Resistance ‘starbird’ symbol. The bright colours of the pin stand out against the brown tones of the rest of the bag, so I’m probably going to remove mine to keep with my other pins.
The main compartment closes with a magnetic snap closure, not the strap as you might expect. I usually prefer zip-up compartments for my handbags (so things don’t fall out), but zips don’t fit well across square openings, so I understand using the snap instead. The magnetic snap closes well, and feels quite secure. The underside of the flap is sewn from the same brown faux leather as the exterior, rather than a lining fabric.
As with most Loungefly x Star Wars bags, this backpack also features the black Star Wars logo printed lining fabric. It is used in the main backpack compartment, exterior left pocket, and also in the exterior cylinder zip-up pouch. As the design of the bag is taken from an actual item rather than a character, the branding isn’t as obvious as some other Loungefly bags (like the ever-popular R2-D2 and BB-8 dome bags), so I love the extra Star Wars touch in the lining.
Inside the main compartment, there is a zip-up pocket, accented with brown faux leather trim, with brown plastic zip and metal zipper pull. The zip measures approximately 19cm long – the pocket is a great size for storing your phone, keys etc.
The right side of the main compartment has a webbing loop and buckle, which is decorative in this version – in the screen used bag, this loop held a large metal canister. I love the attention to details like this – the loop doesn’t actually have a purpose for this version, but it is faithfully replicated anyway. Loungefly gives us the option of adding greeblies to more closely resemble the original costume bag, while still keeping the design useful for those of us who want it for day to day use.
All the webbing on the bag is a great colour match to the brown faux leather, so it adds detail without standing out too much. The metal hardware is all antiqued brass-tone in colour, keeping with the style.
Overall, I just love this bag – of course, being a backpack, it is bigger than my usual Loungefly x Star Wars handbags, so it can carry more. The gorgeous faux leather and design details make this a must-have for any Rey fan, I’m so excited to add this bag to my collection.
The only difference between the SDCC exclusive and regular version of the bag are the additional items with the SDCC version – the collectors pin, and Rey goggles headband. While the pin is cool, I was more excited about the headband – strangely, there are not many licensed Star Wars headbands available. The Rey goggles headband is a fun idea that works so well with the bag or any Rey themed outfit, though perhaps not suitable for everyday wear.
The goggle portion is sewn from 3 layers – a bottom layer of raw edged fabric, black faux leather for the lenses, and a top layer of light brown faux leather with dark brown ‘hand stitching’ detail. The goggles are attached to the headband in 6 places with hand stitching (2 at each end of the goggles, and 2 in the middle). These can be easily cut if you desired, to attach the goggle portion to a different headband. The goggle portion measures approximately 22cm across, and 7.8cm high (at the widest parts).
The headband itself is sewn from a beige stretch fabric, with a gathered segment of elastic inside at the back. I find it very comfortable to wear, though I’m not sure ‘goggles’ go with everything, so I’ll be saving this to wear with Rey themed outfits. Also, the edge of the raw fabric section is a little fragile, you can pull threads out, so I’m going to be careful with mine to prevent too much fraying.
For fans who missed out on this additional item, the headband design isn’t too hard to recreate – I would love to see a fan made version! The goggle portion of this Loungefly version is simply hand sewn to a plain fabric headband, which would be a fun and easy DIY project.
Lastly, the purchase price of the Rey backpack qualified for a free gift, available for purchases over US$50 at the Loungefly SDCC booth – a light-up lightsaber key chain! It comes in three colours – red, blue or purple (you can see all 3 here). I received the red version, which is quite bright when on, even in daylight. The silver coloured hilt has black detail lines, which is similar to Anakin Skywalker’s/Darth Vader’s lightsaber, though the detail is simplified enough to work with any colour blade.
The lightsaber lights up with a small silver button on the side – one click makes it flash on and off, a second click turns it on fully, while a third click will turn it off again. The key chain comes with a small clear protector over the button to help prevent it from turning on while packaged, which is easy to take off (you can see it in my photos). The full lightsaber measures approximately 12.4cm long – a little bigger than I was expecting, which is fun.
The key chain also includes an enamel Loungefly x Star Wars logo plaque pendant, which coordinates with the red lightsaber, but to my eyes, it does appear more a little more pink. The logo pendant measures approximately 26mm by 18mm, and is stamped with ‘(c) LFL’ on the back. It is a great little Star Wars accessory, so you can carry your keys on a Loungefly x Star Wars key chain, inside your Loungefly x Star Wars handbag… I like coordinating things like that – throw in a Loungefly wallet and coin purse, and you have the full set!
