Kite makers and designers take note.
Pumps and bags are not afterthoughts. They are intrinsic elements to enjoying your products.
A pump that fails after three months makes me think the brand doesn't care about their product enough to make sure this VITAL part of kiting doesn't cr*p itself as soon as it sees a beach.
The design of bags should be a priority as this is where you stick your valuables -mobile for emergencies, water, spare hat, sunnies, choccy bars, ect. So please, no more 5th rate zips that let your goodies spill into the sand, toggle openings into which you cannot fit your kite unless you pack it like it's windless conditions in the factory and straps all over the place.
May I suggest the following be standard:
- It's much bigger than the bleedin' folded kite so you can fit a wettie and a harness at least.
- Designers ask kiters what they need from a bag and what is awful about the bad ones - just like Honda did with its post-sale customer support.
- Cabrinha's U-shaped zip that opens the top entirely so you can put in the kite without perfect folding.
- Naish's elasticated staps for the bottom of where you attach bar and pump on the outside of the bag.
- REALLY BIG toggles at the end of zips for cold fingers.
- Ultra secret pouch for your valuables and 'personal lifestyle choice' kiting undergarments .

I'd be very keen to see a reworked/redesigned Slingshot bag that allows for an internal sleeve type thing for the bar & pump. IMO, it shouldn't be so hard for manufacturers to sort out.

The new Cab bags and pumps are sick.

No mate, I mean they are perfect for puking in after a big night out.....

have a look at the wakeboarding brand bags like liquid force wake and ml watersports and there's heaps of other brands

slightly off topic but I need a new pump, who makes the best pumps these days. I am interested in quality over price.

Not meant as a pimp post, but seriously, check out the 2013 and 2012 Ozone bags.
No zips!!!
Mesh panels to let your kite air and dry, internal drawstring sleeve for the bar.
Bag comes in 2 sizes one for 11 and up one for 10 and down, with plenty or room without being silly big.
Pump holder on the outside, compression straps that can hold a board. Very comfy shoulder straps
Retails for $149 on its own. Ozone inner bags with compressions straps and drawstring top also sold separately great for travel and much kinder to kites that vac bags.

Kite bags with zips are just wrong IMO, bag style/size zips were never meant to cope with sand and salt water.

Both ozone and wainman have it sussed, a nice looking 'proper backpack bag' and a big ass wet bag you can fold up your kite as quickly as you like and jamm it in. Simple.

^^Supplied strap, Wat!! i've been using that as a belt for two years now. No signs of flutter and turns like a 9!!!!

for you bennie the best pump ever

www.awesomekitepump.com

Bar stays in foot strap of board or just put in car separate for washing. I think that is more or a travel thingy than a daily use storage.

Milk crate. Ocky straps. shut ya whinging.

I also read this and though "well Ozone bag pretty much has all of that".
I can fit an 11 and 13 in one bag fairly easily for a walk down to the beach when I don't know the conditions and the pump and bar fit easily on the side. The only thing I could ask for is 1 more little pocket inside for keys or mobile phone as I don't like scrabbling through the larger one haha.

I got some bags custom made for me by Jon at www.buggybags.co.uk (Back in about 2005/6)

Barrel Bags - just like the ones the Peter Lynn Guerillas came in

Still used them for my current pump up kites, and other things.
Strap 2 together with your harness and board and they become a backpack!