Totem| Large Ergonomic School Bag | Kids Backpack with Back Frame for Stability & Spine Support | Style

The model I received for review was Bentley; the blue, the predominant colour, is darker than it appears in the pictures.The detailed description says this is supposed to be for age 10 and upwards. It is actually too big for anyone under 14, unless they are tall for their age. It is big enough for an adult – it was comfortable for me, and I’m average size for a man – though the styling is really aimed at teenagers.The bag is well- made from strong polyester. The product description is very accurate and comprehensive (makes a change compared with some I’ve read). Most of the design is as you would expect, but there are a few things worth commenting on:-The straps have plenty of adjustment. After I had lengthened them to fit me, there was still enough to lengthen them by another 50%-I liked the rain cover, which is not loose but is on a cord tethered inside the lower front pocket. Because of this, the cover when not in use could get in the way of contents, or the cord might become detached, but you can’t have it both ways-The base has four small feet, which will reduce wear on the base.-One feature puzzled me: the rearmost of the two main compartments has a zip inside it at the back. I can’t work out the purpose, unless it is to enable the fabric to be mounted on the base during manufactureIt could be used as a day sack, though there isn’t a waist strap, not that I ever use the strap on my own day sack when out hillwalkingGood to see that the bag is made from recycled plastic.Four stars rather than five, as I’ve never paid more than £50 for a day sack, and although this bag is very good quality and hard-wearing some parents would think twice about paying this much for a schoolbag.

Style: Noise/BlackThis backpack from a highly respected US brand is really large (H:54cms, L33,W24) , much bigger than the usual school style backpacks in the UK now that much work is done online and so pupils don't need to carry around heavy loads of text and exercise books. It seems to me to be more suitable for a Youth Hostelling trip, a weekend away bag or hiking/camping pack. Perhaps if you also need to carry gym kit, a coat, cookery class supplies and lunch to school regularly this would fit the bill. The pack's USP is that it offers Orthopedic support in the form of a concealed lightweight aluminium frame that reduces load carried on the back by 20%. It also has high density foam straps for comfort and reducing pressure on the shoulders. This is important for teenagers with growing bodies. I developed scoliosis as a teen and carried heavy loads of textbooks and gym equipment etc. long distances which may have had a hand in distorting my spine.I got the pack in the Noise/black pattern in hues of black, charcoal and greys with contrasting red zips, handle detailing and toggles. It looks stylish and fun. The pack has two large main compartments that have double zip closures. Two front zipped pockets. Two meash elasticated side pockets. A soft carry/hanging handle, high density foam straps and there is also an inner pocket to conceal and protect a mobile phone with a hole to allow wired headphones to be attached (if they are still used rather than wireless buds). It is all really well stitched, edged and finished. A quality product.The backpack also boasts that it uses 20 PET plastic bottles in its manufacture.

Totem backpacks are just brilliant. They claim there is no bag better and I'm inclined to agree - this is a large backpack (product name: STYLE) with its design optimised for school use.The base is sturdy and has rubber feet to ensure the shape of the backpack isn't compromised and enables putting the backpack down super simple, it'll always stand upright, while there are two main compartments for very decent storage, two side pockets which are elasticated and two front pockets. Inside there are compartments for mobile devices and also a route to feed earphones through.Included is a neat rain cover which caters for those unexpected change in British weather, while the backpack has built-in reflectors for safety. There are a number of additional features with this backpack which separates them from the rest, notably the ethical nature of how Totem use 20 plastic bottles and reuses them into these bags.This STREET backpack is stylish, Totem say it's designed for kids aged 10+ and with the size of this bag I believe it could even cater for adults. But wow, the support that this backpack gives you; built for lumbar stability and spinal support, helping kids with posture development, preventing back problems and reduces the overall load by as much as 20%.Totem's anatomic ventilation system reduces a lot of back heat and ultimately reduces trapped sweat points that backpacks usually generate, keeping you cool.This backpack has everything a kid needs for school use, but at £64.95 at the time of review, it is of premium pricing. If you are the type to buy them a new backpack each year, then you could consider this to be £21.65 per year as it has a 3 year guarantee. Looking at it this way, it still represents great value.

This is expensive but actually very good quality.All materials are sturdy and the zippers are definitely strong and glide well. Zippers are normally the first point of failure and these look solid and able to close without damage even if the pack is full.The stitches are similarly robust.My 12 years old kid likes it and is using it.It is a bit oversize, larger than a typical school bag, and more spacious, with three compartments.The bottom comprtment contains a waterproof cufffor the backpack, which is good because I do not think the zippers could keep water out if it rains hard.The cuff is secured to inside of that compartment with an elasticated cord.In one sense it is a good idea, because my son would loose it in no time otherwise.On the other hand it can make complicated to take out the cuff in case of rain, if the compartment is filled with other things.Two side pockets allow to insert bottles externally, but there are no side straps on top. Not a deal breaker but when kids run around I can imagine bottles flying out, so suitable for small bottles rather than tall sport ones.I am a bit on the fence with this.On one hand, the price is a bit high for a kids' item.On the other hand it is large and sturdy enough to last several years, unlike other items or clothing.So, provided the kid likes the pattern well enough to keep using it for a few years, I think it is a good buy.It says school bag but some schools would not allow it because of the colour, so that is worth checking before buying it.

On the day of ordering, this bag was priced £79.99, now got reduced to £64.99 which is always something, but even so, its still pricey...Bag looks absolutely stunning. It has amazing designs available to choose from. We got the blue one with leaves on.The construction of this bag is solid. The back and base of the bag are hard, with metal inside for the extra support especially when heavier items are placed in this bag. They will be safe inside, if is not raining outdoors..Disappointing is that the pretty outer fabric is not waterproof, neither the large zips. If you look inside the small front pocket, you will find reflective yellow cover, raincoat, to be specific. When is raining, we put it over the bag. The entire bag fits in it, apart from the back shoulder straps, which obviously we need to wear. The straps will be wet, cant do anything about that, unless carrying umbrella. Even the bottom of the bag is covered by the yellow cover. This cover is attached to the bag by string and it should be always in that pocket, just in case of rain. To be fair, I expected from that expensive bag, to be made of waterproof materials and sealed zips but oh well, as long it has the cover to help out..Apart from that, bag is well made. On the tag, it says that its Large size for children age 10+. To me, this bag is more likely for teenagers and an adults, as it is big. Bag itself weights 1.3kg so with stuff inside, like laptop, books, food, it may reach 10kg.Bag is functional, has few pockets, comfortable shoulder straps and silicone covered handle, there are also hooks by the shoulder straps to hang something extra. Buckle across the chest is good to have too. Deep mesh side pockets are big enough for 1 litre bottle, umbrella. From inside the biggest compartment we have pocket for power bank, music player, etc and outlet for charging wire or an earphones. They're is also zip to access the metal construction of this bag. I'm not sure why there is the access for it.. I'm also not sure why there are additional buckles on the bottom of the bag, near shoulder straps. There is no any additional straps to fasten to it. Perhaps our own? if wanting to secure the bag around our hips (?).Its stunning looking and very spacious backpack. Its like it is out of the ordinary, something special.. I'm going to keep this bag for my daughter when she will be a bit older, big enough to use it.