It never fails: anytime I go to a client meeting or take my computer to the local cafe, someone will come up to ask me where I got my laptop bag. It’s a real eye-catcher with a slick green carbon fiber face and heavy duty buckles, but what makes it most fabulous is that it fits a 17″ PowerBook — and still has room to spare. If you’ve ever gone in search of a good laptop bag to fit your widescreen, you’ll understand how hard it is to find a sturdy bag ready to take on your PowerBook without looking like your dad lugging around a faux-leather brick from 2000.

Chrome Bags — operating out of San Francisco and built on a messenger bag empire — gets a gold star for their go-anywhere laptop bag line. The interior is fully padded (so feel free to knock around a bit) and boasts a healthy selection of pockets for storage with two large exterior cargo pockets, three divided sections on the interior, smaller slips for pens, business cards, notes, toys, whatever, and even has a velcro seatbelt strap to help ensure everything stays in place. The carbon fiber or kevlar reinforced composite skin (depending on the model you choose) includes a flap with slide buckles that strap down securely, and the removable shoulder strap comes with a substantial pad to keep from rubbing you raw. And did I mention it actually fits a 17″ PowerBook?

This is one of those bags you’ll keep — and use — til the threads fall off, which, by the looks of it, could be a very, very long time. Just be prepared to become a Chrome promoter as everyone and their mother asks you about your laptop bag. Available in several different styles from Shuttle ($120) to Duma ($136) at chromebags.com.

Armband mp3 holders are great for your morning jog, but how about something you can use the rest of the day without looking like a sidewalk warrior? Look, we all knew the LED belt buckles were just a bad, bad idea — but let’s not go throwing the baby out with the belt water. The folks over at TuneBuckle have built a better buckle for your iPod nano.

TuneBuckle protects your nano in a scratch-resistant case forged from aircraft quality aluminum, with a patent pending capture system that holds onto your nano even when the belt is unhooked. The Slate Gray TuneBuckle comes in a one size fits all 1.5 inch wide black canvas belt — to get the perfect fit, just cut the belt to size down for that distressed canvas look. Say goodbye to pocket-scratches and hello to playing more with your belt on the metro.

Available in three different protective models from show-off to stealth for $49.99 at the TuneBuckle site.

The Beer Belly is a removable spare tire that also serves a stealth beverage holder. So now you can not only sport the look that’s legit to the frisk, but you can also enjoy a tasty beverage wherever you want, whenever you want. It holds 80oz of your favorite hot or cold beverage… that’s more than a six pack! The Beer Belly is also super affordable, at only $50 a piece you will cover your cost by not having to spend $7 a whack at your favorite sports event.

When I first laid eyes on these I thought for sure this was some kind of photoshop hoax but, it turns out these lighted slippers are all too real. Now you can easily move around a darkened house reducing the risk of tripping over objects or running into doors, furniture, or the boogey man without just simply flipping a light switch. Once again this proves that you can slap a LED light on just about anything and make a few bucks. Well at least they claim that the slippers are “cozy” for $40, that’s a plus.

The Ring Thing is a bottle opener hidden in the palm of your hand for both guys and gals. It’s comfortable to wear, guaranteed for life, and is at your finger tips when you need it. This is a fun gift for any gadget loving drinker and I would imagine a great conversation piece for any working bartender. For only 8 bucks you’ll never have to search for a bottle opener again. The ring thing in action after the jump…

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