HARBER LONDON TOTEPACK BACKPACK: SPACE MIRACLE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE WITH SMALL FLAWS

In addition to laptop sleeves (fave.co/42uMtXV) and other small accessories, Harber London also produces backpacks and other bags.

- BY EUGEN WEGMANN

If you take a look at the manufacturer's website, you'll notice that its high-quality full-leather backpacks cost a few hundred dollars. But there are also cheaper options, such as the TotePack (fave.co/4jHs07M). Its price is still a very pretty penny, but it also offers a good deal.

DESIGN AND WORKMANSHIP

The TotePack is available in three colors: black, mocha (brown tone with black leather elements), and olive (green tone with black leather elements, shown here in the photos). “TotePack” is a portmanteau of “tote bag” and “backpack.” The only difference from an ordinary backpack is that there are two leather straps at the top so that you can carry the TotePack like a shopping bag.

Whether this mishmash is so necessary or even revolutionary that it needs its own name is rather questionable, but so is the practical use of the handles. At least in everyday life, I haven't had the embarrassment of carrying the TotePack by the handles for any length of time—at most to move it from point A to B in my flat when it was in the way. The two handles are most likely to be seen as a design feature.

A large piece of leather is sewn onto the front, which serves as a pocket. It can’t be closed, which is why I was initially worried that it would fill up with water in heavy rain. Fortunately, this didn’t happen, and no water leaked inside. However, I haven't yet traveled with it in really heavy rain.

The rest of the TotePack is made from a canvas-like fabric, which, according to Harber London, is made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles—in other words, plastic. A rubberized material is used on the underside for greater durability.