GNK x Xbox Tartan Backpack Review

DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.

Reviewed Julie Hayward

GNK x Xbox Tartan Backpack – Review

I received a beautifully made backpack to review from Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers, who have collaborated with Xbox to weave a unique design of tartan, to represent the 20th anniversary of the links Xbox have with Scotland.

The tartan fabric front panel of the backpack incorporates the design of the recognisable colours of Xbox merchandise, the two shades of green that I would describe as, luminous lime green and grass green. The weave is against a black background and highlighted with white stitches. The quality of the established kiltmakers is evident in the material produced. Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers have been established in Edenborough designing tartan, and The Xbox Tartan design has been woven by Lochcarron, the oldest weaving mill in Scotland.

The GNK x Xbox tartan collection includes an ultra-rare Xbox controller, wallet, card holder, scarf, keyring, bucket hat, cross body bag, flat cap, made to measure trews and even a kilt.

The front kilt fabric is embellished by the joint logo which is prominently stitched onto the material. There is a zipped pocket in the bottom third of the front panel, this is trimmed by a black leather flap to protect it, and a leather zip pull. There is also a large inside pocket and the main body opening of the backpack has two zips that meet at a central point at the top of the bag. All the zips have identical black leather pulls that are beautifully top stitched, as are all the leather trims throughout the make-up of the bag. This attention to detail showcases the craftmanship of this quality item.

The base of the bag and corners are reinforced with the same black leather making it incredibly durable for daily use. The black fabric that forms the body of the backpack and shoulder straps is equally robust. The straps are padded for comfort and adjustable with strong metal clasps. There is a concealed pocket at the rear and a handy leather handle at the top, useful when in crowded areas and space is limited to have on your back.

The inside incorporates a padded section, ideal for protecting laptops or tablets and has a Velcro flap for added security. The inner lining is a softer fabric; there is an inner zipped pocket and a pouch, that is divided for a perfect fit, for a phone and a wallet.

I will put it to daily use on my commute to work, it is large enough to hold all my work essentials but a manageable size so not too heavy or cumbersome if I need to stand on a crowded train.

The design of this backpack is suitable for anyone, I think it has wider appeal than just for gamers, but obviously if you are a fan of Xbox then it would be a fabulous addition to your collection.

This Backpack is an investment, the craftmanship makes it very hard wearing and would be an impressive gift for a loved one who appreciates quality.

Rating: 5/5
RRP: £145
This product can be purchased from Nicolson Kiltmakers Ltd here.