Table of Contents
The donut (45) is a challenging format; there’s only 3-5 minutes of music on each side, good ones are expensive, and mixing them requires both musical knowledge and skill – so basically, there are not a lot of DJs carrying this torch. That being said, there is something glorious about rocking a 45 set, finding those dusty jazz funk gems, soul, and everything in between. The Beat Junkies are the gold standard for 45 DJs; they are curators, diggers, technical masters, and those minds, along with the JetPack crew, have designed something that outclasses anything I’ve ever seen.
The JetPack 45-Pro is, without a doubt, the best 45 bag on the market for traveling DJs. I’ve got the Rich Medina bag as well, which I love, but this is just a whole other level. What makes it different, and ultimately worthy of an Editor’s Choice nod, is who helped build it. The Beat Junkies are not just attached to this bag for credibility. Their influence is baked into every decision, from how the records sit to how quickly you can access them mid-set.
The Beat Junkies Influence on JetPack 45-Pro:
The easiest way to understand this bag is to understand the guys who designed it. This wasn’t just a logo slap; it was a process that required significant time and multiple iterations.
The Beat Junkies have spent decades refining performance DJing into a discipline. Their routines demand precision, speed, and zero friction between thought and execution, and this bag reflects all of their DNA.
The opening is designed like a switchblade, rapid deployment, and you are ready to cut. The internal structure/frame keeps records upright and stable, even when the bag is packed and moving through airports or backseats. I can only assume this bag was stress-tested in real-world environments before reaching the final version. These guys knew exactly what they needed in a bag, and no detail is spared.
Design and Capacity: Respecting the Format
The JetPack 45-Pro is built to hold somewhere between 150 and 200 7-inch records, which is plenty for a full set. You can organize your records thoughtfully and be prepared for on-the-fly changes, as that’s a crucial part of the craft, and this bag gets that. A two- to three-hour set is not easy on 45s, so I love that you can pack enough cuts in here to take your set in multiple directions.
The compartment is structured, not floppy, which means your records are protected from bending and corner damage. The dividers keep everything organized without overcomplicating the layout. It strikes that balance between order and accessibility, which is exactly what you want when you are mid-set and thinking three tracks ahead. This is one of the struggles I have with my other 45 bag: I really have to organize the set in order, rather than have compartments for different genres.
There is also space carved out for the essentials of DJing on this format. Needles, adapters, headphones, cables, and record cleaners all have a place, but none of them interferes with the main event: the records themselves.
Build Quality: Made for Touring
The JetPack 45-Pro is purpose-built for heavy-duty touring, and you know this as soon as you pick it up. The exterior is made of water-resistant ballistic nylon, designed to withstand abrasions and weather. The zippers are heavy-duty, the stitching is reinforced where needed, and the internal frame keeps the bag from collapsing when fully loaded.
Now you have peace of mind, knowing your records and gear are well protected and will be ready to rock when you pop it open. Everything in the right place.
Functionality: Details That Matter
One of the small but useful features is the built-in lighting system paired with a power bank. Dark booths and tiny labels do not mix well, so having this light included with a power bank is a nice extra and a nice backup for charging your phone on the go. Having internal lighting changes how you interact with your crate. It removes guesswork and keeps you locked into the flow of your set, rather than fumbling around to see the labels.
The carry options are plentiful and address every type of way you might want to handle it. The bag can serve as a backpack when you need to move around, and it can shift into a duffel-style carry when you want quick access or a more traditional feel. The transition between those modes is smooth, and it reflects how DJs actually travel.
Specs:
- Capacity: Approximately 150 to 200 7-inch records
- Material: Water-resistant ballistic nylon exterior
- Structure: Reinforced internal frame with dividers
- Extras: Integrated power bank and internal LED lighting
- Carry Modes: Backpack straps, duffel strap, multiple grab handles
The Competition: Not Much
The market for 45-specific bags is still small, especially for DJs, but one notable bag is backed by another highly respected DJ. The Tucker & Bloom collaboration with Rich Medina is a bag that leans more toward lifestyle and portability. It is still available and has its own appeal, especially if you are carrying a lighter selection or want something more compact and fashion-forward. This is another bag I use, and it’s a solid option, but more bespoke and less travel-ready. Tucker & Bloom also make full-size bags for 12″ records, check it out HERE.
The difference comes down to how you want to use the bag. The Rich Medina bag feels like something you bring to a curated set or a shorter night, and it’s also great for storage. The JetPack 45-Pro feels like something you build your entire performance around. One is minimal and stylish. The other is comprehensive and built for endurance.
Beyond that, most DJs are left piecing together solutions from generic record bags or repurposed gear cases, which tend to fall short once you start traveling regularly with 45s.
Final Thoughts
What makes the JetPack 45-Pro stand out is that the company has finally addressed the needs of the DJ spinning 7-inch records. It is clear in purpose and built for DJs sweating it out in vinyl bars and clubs.
The Beat Junkies’ influence is not cosmetic. It is structural. Every decision feels like it solves a real problem that working DJs have dealt with for years. There are only a handful of crews that could bring this to life and truly understand the trials and tribulations of traveling with and playing on this format.
This bag nails everything, and I can’t think of anything else I would need in a 45 bag. It respects the weight of vinyl, the pace of performance, the need for organization, and the realities of travel.
If you are serious about spinning 45s, this bag is worth the price and will serve you well for years to come.
But it HERE MSRP $325
David Ireland is a professional strategist, creative, and marketer. He began his career in 1995 as creator and publisher of BPM Magazine. In August 2000, BPM Magazine merged with djmixed.com LLC, an online media company based in Los Angeles, which later evolved into the Overamerica Media Group [OMG] in 2003. In 2009, Ireland left Overamerica Media Group to serve as the VP of Marketing at Diesel. In 2011, he returned to his roots in media and cofounded the online electronic music publication Magnetic Magazine and created The Magnetic Agency Group. In June 2018, Ireland joined Winter Music Conference (now owned by Ultra Music Festival) as the Director to lead the reboot for 2019 and usher in a new era for the iconic brand. He served as Chief Marketing Officer at Victrola for three years, guiding product innovation and brand growth. He currently serves on the advisory board of Audiopool, a new music tech startup focused on AI-generated music licensing and artist revenue models.
