Yes it’s that time of the year again and I am getting ready to make my third pilgrimage to Austin along with many geeks, bloggers, developers, and people interested in learning more about digital.

Last year I created a few posts and a guide on making your SXSW experience an easier one. I do this more as an exercise to prepare myself; I advise that when it comes to SXSW Interactive, especially if it is your first one, most of the planning goes out the door once the conference starts.

Last year while walking the SXSW trade show floor, I found a booth that had a neat mini-backpack called a Runnur.

Andrew Hamra, CEO of the company, gave us all a quick explanation of the functionality of the Runnur. Andrew also did a great job on focusing on how it would benefit me by observing that my pockets where full of things I needed to keep in hand.

Being a fan of bags, I thought that the Runnur offered me a unique way of carrying my gadgets and gear with accessibility.

Don’t Leave Home Without It

A year later, if anyone has seen me in public, they have probably seen me with my Runnur. As the old American Express slogan use to say “Don’t Leave home without it”. I probably don’t ever leave home without my Runnur.

Walking the Dog on the Beach

When I walk the dog on the beach, I carry extra treats and even hang my sandals from the carabineer.

Visiting the Gym

I carry my headphones, my water bottle, and even hang my towel from it while having everything on hand.

Fun Walks with my Daughter

When we are out with our daughter, it keeps my cell phone handy, along with charger, and water bottle. I even made a small first aid kit with some necessities that every dad with a toddler might need.

Back to SXSW or any other Big Conference

RIMG0175-1024x768 Keeps Your Hands Free during SXSW — SXSWi 2012 with Rock Star C.C. Chapman wearing my Runnur

Once I arrive at SXSW my Runnur will have:

License – Very useful when I am trying to get into venues with an age limit and they might think I am under 21.
Bus Pass or Shuttle wristband– The previous two years I used the RR Shuttle, which made you carry a wristband that had a cost of approximately $60-$70 dollars. If you lost it, you would have to buy a new one. Keeping it in a safe place like your Runnur will save you money and a headache when every bus driver asks for the wristband.
Sunglasses – I normally don’t buy expensive sunglasses because their life span in my hands tends to be short. Last year I had some sunglasses I accidentally dropped and broke. Since then, I use the compartment made for sunglasses.
Extra Battery Pack – At SXSWi you need to ABC or Always be Charging. For that reason I will be carrying my Extra-Battery pack with me so my cell phone does not run out of battery.
Phone Charger Cable – I will have the cable to my iPad 2 and iPhone 5 handy.
Instead of my wallet I will be using my Runnur. I will have my credit cards, debit cards, and cash. A lot easier to lose your wallet than to lose your Runnur.
My iPhone5 will also act as a Wi-Fi hotspot when the SXSW networks gets slow and I need to do something online.
My Point and shoot camera, a Ricoh CX2, with an extra battery.
Since going to SXSW is a business expense, I can store my receipts and scan them later.
If you’re staying at a hotel the key can also be placed in the Runnur.
I will be using the carabineer to carry my swag bag.

I am sure I will find other ways to make use of my Runnur.

One thing is certain, if you see me at SXSW you will see me wearing one.

Buy a Runnur (now called the iBand Adjustable Sling) from me here.

RIMG0176-1024x768 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — Wearing my runnur when I met the Legend Julien Smith!

The Runnur Mini Backpack

Since I got back from SXSW you might have seen me walking around with what looks a mix between a messenger bag sling and a fanny pack.

While walking on the SXSW tradeshow floor, I encountered a booth that was selling an item called Runnur (Affiliate Link). As soon as I saw it, knew I had to buy one.

I bought one knowing that I had made a good purchase. Andrew Hamra, founder of Runnur, convinced me by pointing out how stuffed my pockets where.

For some reason when I am running from one place to the other (it gets even worst when travelling and in a conference like SXSW) I tend to continue to stuff my pockets.

The biggest issue is when I misplace my debit card and I need to pay for something, I have stuffed it into the black hole of my jeans. Not only do I waste the time of those behind me, but also I waste my own time. Another inconvenience is loosing my hotel key or not being able to find it amongst the dozens of biz cards I have received during the day.

What is in my Runnur?

Depending where I am headed, I may carry various things in my Runnur such as:

Keys to my Car
Extra Business Cards
USB Cable for my Phone
Mophie Juice Pack (extra battery)
Small Knife
Wallet
My iPhone
Sunglasses (Safely Stored)
My ID
A Pen or Two
Emergency Cash
Point and Shoot Camera

I also tend to hang a baseball cap on the carabiner. If I have to go out for groceries, I just grab the Runnur and go.

RIMG0541-300x225 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — Internal built in wallet with slots to store and organize cards and cash.

RIMG0540-300x225 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — You can place your ID or Badge here!

RIMG0539-300x225 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — Your Pens or pencils are accesible.

RIMG0538-300x225 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — Two Lower Front Pockets I store iPhone & Wallet.

RIMG0537-300x225 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — Lower front pocket with carabiner. Makes it also easy to hang my keys and when carrying groceries or my toddler I can open my vehicle.

RIMG0536-300x225 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — Inside Pocket.

RIMG0535-300x225 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — Back Pocket to hole a bottle of water or your favorite liquid.

RIMG0533-300x225 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — Safe storage for you eyewear.

Grab and Go

In case of an emergency or just being in a hurry, storing things in one place when leaving home is priceless. I tend to leave things separated and have a bad habit of leaving my wallet in one set of pants and my keys in one of the many rooms. I set up an accessible place where we could hang both of our Runnurs.

RIMG0531-225x300 Runnur Making Empty Pockets a Good Thing — Ready to go notice the baseball cap at the bottom!

This way I am able to get in the car by just grabbing one item; my Runnur.

The Runnur has saved me a few headaches when it comes to not loosing items also. I tend to lose my debit cards quite frequently and since I got my Runnur I have not lost one.

Overall the runnur has helped me get organized, walk with all my gadgets and widgets, and save me time looking for things I usually lose around the house.

I highly recommend the Runnur and if you are always on the go and want to carry many things without bulking up your pockets the Runnur is the way to go!