High Schooler Creates Tote Bag That Transforms Into Kevlar Vest

Eighteen-year-old Trent Bush Jr. created the bag shortly after a tragic shooting at Boulder’s King Soopers grocery store. Bush felt that it would be worthwhile to come up with something that could help people in a similar situation in the future, according to Denver’s Daily Camera. He taught himself how to sew and worked with his father to create prototypes of the bag. He then took the final concept to a manufacturing company, which is slated to begin producing the bags this summer. Bush’s friends have even jumped on board to help with the website and marketing efforts.

The bag itself—aptly called LifeTote—is made out of 3a Kevlar, a synthetic material alleged to be five times stronger than steel of the same weight. In a pinch LifeTote can be unzipped and slipped over the wearer’s head to protect the torso from knives or bullets, making for a convenient yet potentially life-saving piece of equipment. (LifeTote can also be re-zipped back into its bag form, though that’s likely the last thing someone’s thinking about after having to use it as a vest.)

This (unfortunately) isn’t the first time someone’s thought to create a bag that doubles as a bulletproof shield. Leatherback, which was founded by two former first responders after the 2016 shooting at UCLA, has been selling armored backpacks aimed at helping students and professionals who find themselves in an active shooter situation. But a lightweight, 22-liter tote like Bush’s could find applications a backpack normally wouldn’t: reusable grocery bags are all the rage these days, for example, and many people keep those handy. An armored tote bag might be a more worthwhile and versatile investment to some, offering protection to a wider range of people.

According to the Daily Camera, Bush is planning on introducing a wider variety of colors (and possibly a cooler bag) once LifeTote obtains enough support. LifeTote is currently available for pre-order with initial shipments going out in August.

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