Signature 16" Commuter Adaptive Backpack - Open Story™️

My sister is going into high school and recently became wheelchair bound from ankylosing spondylitis. She needed something that would work with her wheelchair and still be fashionable. This backpack checks all the marks. I got it in the thistle color and it’s just so cute. It has the perfect pocket for her iPad/ AAC device. A separate area that I can put sanitary items in so she won’t have to worry about anyone seeing them (this is embarrassing to her even though it’s a natural process). She keeps calling the bag “pretty”. I’m honestly debating getting one for myself because it looks so professional and the color is perfect. So much cuter and cheaper than a jansport. A+ target!

Perfect work backpack. Fits everything that I need. It evens fit my lunch box and water bottle. The inside books are great! Love the color! Got on sale as well during Target Circle Week.

My daughter got a new wheelchair so I searched for a bag that fit our need but also wasn’t a little kid print. I like all the zippered interior pockets to organize all her supplies needed daily.

As a mother of a son who uses a wheelchair, I was really excited about this new traveling backpack. My son has been using the 17” adaptive backpack from embark for years and I loved it so much, I got one for my work bag. So once I got this backpack, I couldn’t help but compare There are many similarities. The main compartment has an elastic pocket on the back as well as two mesh pockets on the inside of the front flap. All of the zippers have loops that are easy to grab or hook a finger onto for those with limited dexterity. There is a flat compartment in the back for a laptop. The backpack straps have buckles so the straps can be looped over handle bars of wheelchairs/strollers or tucked into pocket in the back. The backpack also has two straps that have buckle release to secure over the handles of a wheelchair/stroller. Differences I liked about this one is the water resistant fabric and it is larger than the embark backpack. I also like that the feeding pump/hydration is in the front compartment and not the laptop compartment, as well as the button loop and not the Velcro loop to secure the feeding/hydration bag. However, the zippers on the adaptive commuter backpack are not as smooth as the adaptive 17” embark. Takes more effort to pull them open and close and sometimes you have to pull back and forth to be successful. I also prefer the fabric of the adapted wheelchair straps of the embark backpack. They have more of a grip and seem like they will keep their positioning longer than the smoother strap of the commuter backpack. I also prefer to have two pockets in the front of the backpack, at least one with some dimension and easier to look inside/access that the embark has that the commuter does not. The Velcro securing a tablet inside the laptop compartment is not easy to pull up on and maybe difficult for those with difficulties with dexterity. Comparing to the Signature Commuter Backpack: the adaptive version has a main compartment and a laptop compartment, while the Signature only has one. The adaptive backpack is much larger. Even the main compartment is much larger than that of the signature. Also, the zipper opens much wider on the adaptive, than the signature. The signature has better pockets in the main compartment than the adaptive, but has no organizing pockets in the front pocket. If I could, I would give this backpack a 4.5 stars. These are the changes/additions I would make to make it a solid 5 star: 1. Second water bottle pocket on other side of backpack and able to hold bigger bottles 2. Two pockets on the front of the backpack with some dimension and easier access. 3. Better/smoother zippers 4. Wider trolley strap and maybe hidden pocket in trolley strap or on back of backpack for important documents. 5. More colors! I’m using it when traveling with my son, so the cream is too feminine. But black is too boring.

I am a self proclaimed bag lady who owns too many bags (according to my husband, who is definitely wrong.) I am also the mother of two, one of which is tube fed, diapered, and in a wheelchair. The other child is constantly on the move to activities and always requires me to provide snacks. I have been searching for a bag that I can use as a purse and also be able to put my kid’s supplies in when running errands. This bag works awesome for that. There is a place inside to hang my son’s feeding pump bag and there’s plenty of places to run tubing through without needing to use creative zipper gymnastics. I can fit his feeding pump, diaper supplies (at least two diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes because disasters happen when you’re not prepared), a bottle of his formula, a small cooler with his meds, various child friendly snacks, my wallet, notebook, small book, and pencil case and still have plenty of room. The wheelchair straps are sturdy and offer several configuration options for attaching to his chair. This is important since he has a tilt in place pediatric wheelchair and sometimes bags do not attach well to it. When wearing it as a backpack, the straps are padded enough that it doesn’t feel like I’m carrying half a hospital’s worth of supplies. There’s pockets inside for organizing small bits and bobbles and the separate pocket for a tablet or computer is fantastic for keeping papers tidy and handy for appointments as well. I do wish it had a water bottle pocket on the other side since I usually carry a bottle of water and a bottle of some sort of caffeinated beverage at the same time. But I have no problem ditching the water bottle in favor of the caffeine, ha! The zippers for the main pocket do sometimes get caught on the fabric inside when unzipping it all the way which is a bit annoying. At the same time, I usually don’t unzip it all the way when putting things in or taking things out. I’m not sure if this is a bad thing, but the behemoth computer my company issued me for work is too large for the laptop pocket so I guess I’m not able to do any remote work when traveling, darn! My personal laptops that are 13 inches and 15 inches fit just fine though. I am pleasantly surprised at how large this bag can get when fully loaded and then how small it can look when carrying around a few items. I've been using it for a week or so and have already had drinks and food spilled on the outside of the bag. It's easy to wipe down and keep clean. We have a flight planned in a couple of months and I am looking forward to seeing how it works out for us as a carry on.

I just bought this bag and am already in love. I was searching for a different Open Story backpack online and clicked on this one on a whim. The large clamshell opening is amazingly accessible, as are the large front pocket and separate laptop compartment. I bought this to use as a diaper bag/every day carry and do not use a wheelchair, so I cannot comment on its adaptability features. I can, however say that some of the adaptability features work very well for attaching this bag to a stroller, which is a huge plus. The ONLY thing that would make this bag better would be a second water bottle pocket. I love this bag so much and I wish I had found it sooner!

Easy to access the zippers and multiple compartments. Backrest of backpack is for laptop and mesh padded. The middle main compartment is for general use and very spacious with a stretchy keeper area and on opposite side two large zipper compartments! The outer front of the backpack area also has a large zipper area with another mesh zip pouch section within that. Lastly the exterior backrest area has a folder pocket and a side bottle compartment that stretches for wider bottles. All zippers stretch and are made of a cool bunker like thin chord. Beautiful sleek bag with so much practicality to it!

I received this Open Story Signature Commuter Adaptive Backpack in Black. It’s super large (16”) for those that might need the extra space/ storage when out and about. There are a lot of pockets for extra supplies. The straps are heavy duty, the clips are large enough to hold them onto the wheelchair.

I am really impressed with the quality of this adaptive backpack AND the little features that make it more than just a regular backpack. For example, front pocket not only opens easily (with nice, long zipper ties that my kid can reach while sitting in the wheelchair) but it has little side panels that open out so anything inside won't fall out instantly. I would definitely recommend this to a wheelchair user.

Great quality backpack for commuting. Large enough to fit a 16" laptop inside. While it is adaptive for the back of a wheel chair. I also love it as a carry on. It has regular back pack straps, adaptive loops for attaching to a wheel chair and a band that slides on to your luggage. Has one side pocket for a bottle, one outer pocket and two inside. Plenty of room for everything.

Pleasantly impressed by how cute this bag is! There is a lot of space to store things in this bag. The material feels durable and strong. There are straps to wear it like a bookbag or you can carry the handle at the top. Very versatile.

I got this backpack a little bit ago and I am so glad that I did! It’s made of such quality material and not only that it looks super cute! I love that it has shoulder straps but also hand straps to carry it without being on your back!

I am a frequent traveler and I try and pack light. This is such a great addition to my travel routine to fit all those extras that don’t quite fit in my carry on or for the souvenirs I can’t fit! It has tons of little spaces for all of your much needed travel items you need to find in a pinch. Handle is quality and most of all it’s quite comfortable even with a good amount of weight

This is a great backpack for daily use or even a frequent traveler. It opens up quite largely and has a lot of space. I can see this also being excellent if your someone who only packs a carry on to be able to fit quite a bit of extra items. Tons of pockets and zippered spaces for all your belongings

Good quality backpack that is very functional as it can be worn as a backpack or can be carried with the short handles located at the top of the bag. It’s not too big or too small - great medium size.

Great commuter backpack option for wheelchair when taking my mom to her doctor appointments or traveling on an airplane for a carry on bag. Using this is easy and adaptable to many situations when needed.