Alkem Gear Backpack on Kickstarter: Building the Ultimate Tabletop Gaming Bag
- Michael
- 1d
- 9 min read
We spoke with Tim Heck from Alkem about the thinking behind Alkem Gear backpack on Kickstarter, a tabletop carry system built for players who are tired of adapting generic bags to their gaming needs. Rather than treating deck boxes, playmats, dice, tokens, binders, and valuables as afterthoughts, Alkem approaches the bag as part of the game-night experience itself. In this interview, Tim explains how the project began, why the vault system became central to the design, and how the brand sees this first generation of bags as the start of a larger tabletop gear ecosystem.
Alkem Gear Backpack Kickstarter Overview
Alkem Gear backpack on Kickstarter is a purpose-built tabletop gaming bag system designed to help board gamers, TTRPG players, and trading card players protect, organize, and carry their gear with fewer compromises.
Platform: Kickstarter
Category: Tabletop Gaming Gear
Price Range: $125 – $150
Funding Status: US$ 82,492 pledged of US$ 25,000 goal at time of writing
Estimated Delivery: October 2026
Creator: Timothy Alan Heck Jr. / Emily Wedel
Location: Santa Ana, CA
This campaign introduces a full lineup of gaming carry solutions, including a Flagship Backpack, Large Backpack, Messenger Bag, Dice Tray, and Playmat Case, built around features like a lockable vault system, dedicated accessory storage, water-resistant materials, lash tabs, and hidden tracking support.
Why Alkem Gear Built a Tabletop Gaming Backpack From Scratch
Alkem Gear tabletop gaming bag was created around the idea that tabletop players deserve equipment designed specifically for how they actually play, rather than repurposed camera bags or generic backpacks. What gaps in existing gaming gear inspired you to build a dedicated tabletop carry system from the ground up?
The idea for Alkem Gear came from a simple observation that tabletop players have been forced to adapt products that were never designed for them.
For years, most players have relied on camera bags, laptop backpacks, tool bags, or general-purpose travel gear to transport their decks, accessories, and gaming essentials. While many of those products work reasonably well, they're ultimately compromises. The layouts aren't optimized for deck boxes, playmats, dice, binders, or the unique routines that happen before, during, and after game night.
As both a gamer and a product developer, I saw an opportunity to approach the problem differently. Instead of asking, "How can we fit tabletop gaming into an existing bag?" we asked, "What would this look like if it were designed specifically for tabletop players from day one?"
That led us to study how players actually travel, organize, and interact with their gear. We looked at everything from carrying multiple decks and protecting valuable cards to keeping accessories accessible during events and local game nights. We also recognized that many collections represent hundreds or even thousands of dollars in value, yet they're often carried in equipment that offers limited organization, security, or weather protection.
The result was a purpose-built carry system designed around the realities of tabletop gaming. Our goal wasn't simply to create another backpack. It was to create equipment that feels like it belongs in the hobby and supports the way players actually play without compromising on quality.
Inside the Alkem Gear Gaming Bag Vault System
One of Alkem Gear’s standout features is its lockable, water-resistant vault system designed for deck boxes and valuables. How did this concept evolve, and what problems were you specifically trying to solve for trading card players and tabletop gamers on the move?
The vault system evolved from a question we kept coming back to during development: if players are carrying collections worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, why isn't there a dedicated place to protect them?
Most bags treat valuable gaming equipment the same way they treat everything else. Deck boxes, binders, wallets, keys, and personal electronics are often placed together in a single compartment with little consideration for security, weather resistance, or impact protection. We felt there was an opportunity to create something better.
The vault became our answer. We designed it as a dedicated storage space specifically for the items players care about most. It features a structured, water-resistant construction, a dedicated area for storage, and a lockable design and hidden security pocket that provides an additional layer of security when traveling, attending conventions, or spending long days at local game stores.
The goal was never to create a "tactical" security feature or suggest that a bag can eliminate risk entirely. Instead, we wanted to provide players with greater peace of mind. Whether you're carrying competitive decks, rare cards, personal valuables, or everyday essentials, the vault creates a dedicated protected space that helps keep important items organized, separated, and secure.
More than anything, the vault reflects our overall design philosophy. We looked at how tabletop players actually use their gear and built solutions around those real-world behaviors rather than adapting features from products designed for other industries.
How Real Players Shaped the Alkem Gear Gaming Backpack
From dedicated storage pockets and lash tabs to playmat, dice, and accessory integration, the system is clearly designed around actual game-night routines. How did real-world testing and player behavior influence the final layout and functionality of the bags?
Real-world testing played a major role in shaping the final design. From the beginning, we didn't want to make assumptions about how players use their gear. We wanted to observe actual behaviors and build around them. This included our own routines and the input from many avid players.
Throughout development, prototypes were used during local game nights, tournaments, conventions, and everyday travel. We paid close attention to how players packed their bags, what items they accessed most frequently, where frustration points occurred, and what gear they consistently carried with them.
One of the biggest observations was that tabletop players carry far more than just cards. Deck boxes, playmats, dice, tokens, notebooks, snacks, binders, water bottles, electronics, and personal items all compete for space. Players were constantly reorganizing their bags, digging through compartments, or improvising storage solutions because existing products weren't designed around those needs.
Those observations directly influenced the final layout. Dedicated storage areas were created for commonly carried gaming accessories, while quick-access pockets help keep frequently used items within reach. The external lash tabs were added to increase carrying flexibility, allowing players to attach accessories or gear externally when needed. Even details like pocket placement, compartment sizing, and accessibility were refined through multiple rounds of feedback and testing.
We also conducted over 1,000 hours of wear testing to evaluate comfort, durability, and long-term usability. That process led to several refinements, including deeper bottle pockets, increased strap adjustability, reinforced high-stress areas, and improvements to overall organization.
At the end of the day, our goal was to create a system that feels intuitive because it's built around real player habits. Every feature needed to earn its place by solving a genuine problem or improving the overall experience of getting to and from the table.
Designing a Premium TCG Backpack for Long-Term Use
Alkem Gear emphasizes premium materials, reinforced construction, wear-tested fabrics, and long-term durability. How did you approach balancing aesthetics, modularity, and rugged everyday performance for players carrying valuable collections and equipment?
Balancing aesthetics, functionality, and durability was one of the biggest challenges of the entire project because we didn't want to sacrifice one to achieve the others.
Many carrying systems fall into one of two extremes. They're either highly functional but lack refinement, or they look cool but aren't designed to withstand years of regular use. Our goal was to create something that felt equally at home at a local game store, a convention, an airport, or in an everyday professional setting.
From a design perspective, we focused on creating a clean and versatile aesthetic that appeals to a wide range of tabletop players. We intentionally avoided overly themed graphics or designs that limit where and how the bag can be used. We not only wanted the product to feel premium, timeless, and appropriate both at the gaming table and in everyday life, but also allow for accessorize, decorate, and tailor it to their own aesthetic.
At the same time, durability was a non-negotiable requirement. Players often carry collections worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, so the bag needed to provide confidence and long-term reliability. We selected premium materials, reinforced high-stress areas, and incorporated wear-resistant fabrics designed to handle daily use, travel, and event environments.
Modularity was approached with the same philosophy. Rather than forcing every player into a single carrying solution, we designed the system to adapt to different play styles and loadouts. Whether someone is carrying a few decks for a casual game night or an extensive collection for a major event, the bag should remain organized, comfortable, and functional.
As a product developer, I've spent years working on products that need to survive real-world use, and we brought that same mindset to Alkem. Every material, construction method, and design decision was evaluated not only for how it looked on day one, but how it would perform after months and years of ownership. Ultimately, our goal was to create a product that players could rely on for the long term while still feeling proud to carry every day.
Beyond the Alkem Gear Backpack: Building a Gaming Gear Ecosystem
You position Alkem as more than a single bag, it’s a broader tabletop gear ecosystem. Why was Kickstarter the right platform to launch this vision, and how do you see the Alkem Gear lineup evolving beyond this first generation of tabletop gaming bags and accessories?
From the beginning, Alkem was never intended to be a single product. The bags are simply the first step toward a much larger vision of creating purpose-built equipment for tabletop players.
The tabletop gaming industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade, yet many players are still adapting products that were originally designed for other hobbies and professions. We believe tabletop players deserve an ecosystem of gear designed specifically around the way they play, travel, organize, and engage with the hobby.
Kickstarter was the ideal platform to launch that vision because it allowed us to build directly alongside the community we are creating products for. Beyond funding, Kickstarter provides something even more valuable: validation. It gives us the opportunity to share our ideas, gather feedback, and ensure we're solving real problems for real players before scaling further. The response we've received has reinforced our belief that there is a strong demand for thoughtfully designed tabletop equipment.
We always want our first responsibility to be to the community we are serving. Launching on Kickstarter also allowed us to gain the initial support needed to manufacture a product that, without community support, would require a significant upfront investment. Such an investment often leads to business loans or seeking outside help. This would forever put servicing a loan or a bank as our primary responsibility and obligation. Avoiding this allows us to put the focus where it really matters. On our community.
Looking ahead, we see Alkem evolving into a complete ecosystem of products that support players both at and away from the table. That includes new carrying solutions, storage systems, accessories, and other products designed to improve the overall tabletop experience. Our focus will continue to be on identifying unmet needs within the community and developing solutions that combine functionality, durability, and thoughtful design.
At its core, Alkem is about more than carrying gear. It's about supporting this community and the experiences that happen around the table. Tabletop games bring people together, create lasting memories, and foster meaningful connections. Our goal is to build products that help enable those experiences and become trusted companions throughout a player's journey in the hobby.
Final Thoughts on Alkem Gear Backpack on Kickstarter
By the end of our conversation with Tim Heck, the idea behind Alkem Gear felt very clear: this is not a generic backpack with a gaming label added afterward. Alkem Gear backpack on Kickstarter is built from the routines, frustrations, and real-world carrying habits of tabletop players. The vault system, dedicated storage, lash tabs, hidden tracker pocket, and modular approach all point to the same goal: making game night, tournaments, conventions, and travel feel more organized and less improvised.
What stands out most is the broader ambition. Alkem is not treating this first product line as a one-off accessory drop, but as the beginning of a purpose-built tabletop gear ecosystem. If the team can deliver on production and fulfillment, this campaign could mark the start of a more serious category for players who want their bags to match the value and complexity of the games they carry.
About the Creator behind Alkem Gear on Kickstarter
Alkem was founded by Timothy Alan Heck Jr. around a simple belief: tabletop players deserve better gear. As players themselves, the team saw a gap between products that looked good and products that actually supported how gamers carry, organize, and use their equipment.
Alkem Gear focuses on purpose-built tabletop accessories designed with durability, organization, and community in mind. From local game nights to large-scale events, the brand aims to create products that help players protect their collections, stay prepared, and show up with gear that feels made for the hobby rather than borrowed from another category.
FAQ about Alkem Gear backpack on Kickstarter
Does the Alkem Gear backpack fit as a carry-on?
Yes. Alkem Gear bags are designed to meet carry-on size requirements for most major airlines, allowing players to keep valuable cards, decks, and gaming accessories with them instead of checking them with regular luggage.
Does the bag include an AirTag compartment?
Yes. Both the Flagship Backpack and the Large Backpack include a hidden pocket designed to hold an AirTag, making it easier to track the bag discreetly while traveling or attending events.
What materials are used in Alkem Gear bags?
The main exterior material is 600D polyester, while the lining is made from 200D polyester. The bags are also designed with water-resistant construction and reinforced areas for regular gaming use.
Where does Alkem Gear ship?
The campaign currently plans to ship to the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Canada.
What makes Alkem Gear different from a regular backpack?
Alkem Gear is designed specifically around tabletop gaming needs, with features like deck box storage, a lockable vault system, dedicated accessory pockets, lash tabs, water resistance, and hidden tracking support.
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