Gadget: Powerbag Messenger by Ful

FANCY features such as high-definition displays, ultra-fast internet connection and voice recognition suck power from your mobile phone faster than a bun-loving elephant at a tea party.

The answer up until now has been to carry around a spare battery or perhaps a USB rechargeable battery such as a Powermonkey, or just to pray that you can eke out a final call on one bar of battery juice.

Powerbag have teamed up with US bag maker Ful to embed high-powered rechargeable batteries into a range of backpacks, courier bags and luggage.

I tried out the Messenger courier bag at the CES electronics fair in Las Vegas last week. I was relieved to see that the geeks at Powerbag had left the designing to Ful. The bag feels well made, should take a good few years of commuting and comes with an intelligent array of pockets.

The removable rechargeable battery built into the back of the bag is rated at 3000mAh, which gives about two full charges of a smartphone such as the iPhone. There are three power connectors, all of which can be used simultaneously; two charge devices in the two lung shaped pockets at the front of the bag (an Apple and a Micro/Mini USB connector), along with a USB socket in the main bag designed for non-standard connectors or for charging an internet tablet.

Although not exactly lightweight, even packed with gadget gear, the Messenger wasn’t a shoulder strainer. I also liked the built-in battery status LEDs which give you a juice update on the front of the bag when you press the Powerbag logo. The only downside is that the bag won’t charge AC powered laptops, so while it will keep one secure, no charging love will be dispensed. A pricey, yet well designed way to keep your gadgets going.

• Powerbag Messenger by Ful

£124.99, due for release next month, for more information see www.mypowerbag.com