vintage star wars head backpacks: rare 90's collectibles
the forgotten galaxy of 90s star wars backpacks
Before Funko Pops and high-end HasLabs, there was a bold, strange, and unforgettable chapter in Star Wars merch history: the character head backpacks of the 1990s. Produced under license from Lucasfilm by Giftware International (England) and manufactured in Indonesia, these bags weren’t just for kids. They were part fashion, part fandom, and full of personality—literally molded in the shape of the galaxy's most iconic heads. Released before The Phantom Menace hype and riding the wave of the OT nostalgia, these pieces captured the offbeat spirit of vintage Star Wars like no other.
why these bags are insane (in the best way)
Star Wars has never lacked merch, but these head backpacks are a different breed. Oversized, sculptural, and absurd in the best way possible, they blend cosplay, plush toys, and fashion into one. You won’t find anything like them being produced today. They don’t just represent a character, they are the character. Worn on your back, they turn heads - figuratively and literally. Each piece feels handmade, raw, unapologetic. They push the boundaries of what Star Wars merchandise could be. That’s what makes them unforgettable.
true collector’s ghosts
Try hunting these bags down and you’ll run into two realities: either they don’t exist, or they do, but in terrible condition and for a premium price. Some characters never even show up in major marketplaces, making them near-mythical. Most were loved to death, damaged in storage, or tossed long ago. To find a set of these in solid condition? That’s grail-level. They’re time capsules that combine rarity with nostalgia and visual punch, and most collectors have no clue they exist.
darth vader
shiny black finish with molded plastic detailing makes this one feel straight off a death star runway. unmistakably bold and dark-side certified.
darth maul
this plush design brings maul’s red-and-black menace to life with eerie accuracy. the vivid face paint and sculpted horns go hard.
jar jar binks
as weird and unforgettable as the character himself – complete with floppy ears and an oversized grin. 90s nostalgia at its most chaotic.
c-3po
metallic gold with lens-like eyes gives this backpack a screen-accurate droid feel. equal parts flashy and collectable.
yoda (large)
looks exactly like he did strapped to luke’s back in empire strikes back. full plush, full jedi energy.
yoda (smaller)
same iconic design as the larger version but scaled down slightly. still full of wisdom and strange charm.
chewbacca backpack
wild faux fur and a loyal expression capture chewie’s essence perfectly. a proper vintage grail for wookiee lovers.
chewbacca shoulderbag
mini-sized but just as fuzzy and detailed. the rarest piece of the bunch – compact and powerful.
explore the listings
🟢 available – darth vader head backpack
🟢 available – darth maul head backpack
🟢 available – jar jar binks head backpack
🟢 available – c-3po head backpack
🟢 available – yoda head backpack
🟢 available – yoda smaller head backpack
🟢 available – chewbacca head backpack
🟢 available – chewbacca head shoulderbag