Leather Backpacks buying guide

Backpacks are famous worldwide, and many people use them. Be it a hiker, an urban commuter, or a school student, all love backpacks. The large amount of space that these bags have and how they help you travel from one side of the world to the other is impressive.

Since many variants of these backpacks are available in the market, you need to be careful while opting for one. What if you go for the wrong choice? We won't let that happen, and so we have shown up with a comprehensive buying guide.

This guide will guide you till the end. You will know all the crucial features of this backpack and understand what makes it different from others.

The information contained herein will help you pick out the best backpack and use it for a long time. It is hard to find such critical details anywhere else, and even if you do, it's time-consuming. Referring to this guide will save you both time and money and help you invest in the best one.

Hence, let's start the journey without wasting any more time and know more about these leather backpacks.

What are Leather Backpacks, and why should you buy them?

When a leather bag comes to sight, the first thought occupies our mind is, who thought that an animal hide could be used to manufacture these beautiful and gorgeous bags?

Some say that it all started when the first humans came into existence. Fire, different wild berries, and leather are things that they handed over to us. Since then, leather has been used to manufacture shoes, bags, jackets, and many other items.

We bet that your mom's vintage bag or the first wallet that your father bought is made of leather.

Since backpacks are used to carry all the items while commuting from one place to another, they must be robust enough to withstand the heavyweight loaded inside.

Leather, being an incredibly durable material, is ideal for the construction of backpacks. Leather backpacks are the best looking backpacks that you will ever come across. The beauty and the vintage look speaks for itself.

These backpacks last for years when taken care of and provide you prolonged service. Investing in them is worthwhile because they pay off the investments and don't get damaged easily. They are highly versatile because you get both high functionality and a fashionable appearance.

The material is so sturdy and robust that it is difficult to damage it even if it has a hole. The backpacks are naturally water-resistant and anti-bacterial, which adds to their durability.

All your items inside your backpacks made of leather stay safe. Even if you drag your bag on the floor or drop it accidentally, you need not worry about your stuff getting damaged.

Together, all these features make these the best and highly efficient gear holders with an appealing appearance and give you a classy look.

Things to deem about while selecting appropriate Leather backpacks

Capacity

The capacity of any bag is a crucial aspect that needs to be considered. If the bag you have chosen has less capacity, you will have issues while packing your stuff inside it. While on the other hand if it has too much space, you will find it hard to carry.

Leather backpacks, however, have a decent capacity. These are neither too small nor too big, which makes them the ideal backpack for everyone.

But some variants do feature different capacities so that you can choose the one that is convenient for you and matches your requirements.

Before you opt for any backpack variant, check whether all your items can be easily accommodated inside it. If not, you can opt for a size up or down because it is supposed to accommodate everything inside. If it fails to do its job, then it will be of no use.

Size and Weight

The size of your bag and its capacity is somewhat correlated. The bigger the bag, the more capacity it has. You should also not forget about the weight that comes along with it. Since these backpacks are made of leather, they weigh heavily.

This natural material has its weight, and so if you stack too many items inside. It will pose problems while you are carrying it.

It is recommended that you opt for a backpack that has the desired size. For instance, if you are carrying a laptop, check your laptop's compatibility and the backpack. It should not be too big, so that it becomes tough to carry it.

Also, it should not be too small such that the laptop doesn't fit inside. Some essential features like storage pockets also get affected due to the size. The bigger the size, the lesser the components will be.

Secondly, weight is another factor that affects many other aspects of these backpacks. These bags are meant to be carried on your shoulder, and you wouldn't want them to be very heavy. Heavy bags will make you tired very fast, and you will have to break your journey midway.

Therefore, before opting for any variant, check the size and weight of it. Ensure that it is easy for you to carry it while on the move. What good is a bag which is either too heavy or too small to carry your belongings?

Style

These backpacks come in many different styles, which are attention-grabbing. The major ones are listed below.

1. Minimalistic

This bag has clean seams and lines and doesn't weigh too heavy. It has a slim profile with no exterior pockets. All the pockets are present on the inside to maintain the clean and crisp look.

2. High-fashion

This backpack is highly affordable and generally owned by women. It is an ideal choice for daily wear as girls can wear this to their schools or colleges. The exterior is brightly colored, and you will find variants with eye-catching graphics or small details on them.

This feature of these bags gives them their names' high-fashion'. They are meant to be used for carrying small items and essentials. The small purse that ladies have comes under this category.

3. Vintage

If you have seen your grandma's old leather purse, that's precisely what we are talking about. These bags have a standard, rustic design without much decoration. You will find large pockets on the outside, accompanied by belt loops.

They have the standard square profile, and this shape makes them stand out from others. They come either in one solid color or a combination of darker and lighter shades.

Use

Leather backpacks are very versatile luggage bags that form an integral part of your daily lives. You can use them anywhere you want, whether in school, office, casual outing, or while exploring a place.

Since these backpacks can hold much stuff inside them, you need not carry separate suitcases to carry other items. Hang it on your shoulder and move on! They don't occupy much space and can be easily placed inside your car trunk or kept inside a small room.

These bags are stylish with incredible functionality and help you wherever you go. Because they have a long lifespan and are damage-resistant, you can use them for an extended period. However, you shouldn't be using them on rugged terrains and for hiking or backpacking activities.

The reason for not using these bags for outdoor activities is because of their heavyweight. While hiking, you are supposed to carry lightweight bags because you are always on your feet, and leather bags don't form suitable choices.

Quality

The quality of any material is paramount and should be emphasized. If you don't buy a high-quality product, it won't stand the test of time and lose its life pretty soon.

A high-quality product is constructed with durable components that increase its lifespan. These backpacks are no exception when quality is discussed.

Leather is of two types: synthetic and natural. The difference between the two is mentioned below. So, while you search for the best pick, ensure that you look at the sections below and then pick out the suitable one.

1. Synthetic Leather

Synthetic leather is more abundant in the market than natural ones. It is made of polyurethane and coated to give it a shine and texture similar to natural leather. It is as good as the natural one but doesn't have a very long lifespan.

2. Natural Leather

Natural leather is made using animal hides, mostly of cows and lambs. These animals yield high-quality hides, which makes the leather stiff, sturdy, and long-lasting.

It is not coated with any other substance and looks like a real hide. Natural leather is easy to maintain and lasts very long.

Type

A backpack should be convertible to use it on different occasions, making a style statement. Leather backpacks are highly versatile and can be used in various types. The straps attached to this bag helps you to convert it the way you want.

These bags also include additional straps so that you can use them as sling bags, small purse, college backpack, and in many other forms. Besides, they also feature robust handles at the top, enabling you to change them into fashionable totes and flaunt in front of everyone.

You can search for variants that enable you to change the type of these backpacks and convert them according to your convenience.

Whether you are going to college, office, outing, or on a trip, you can carry them the way you want to in a hassle-free manner and change them in any type you like.

Durability

Undeniably leather is a highly durable material. Cotton, nylon, or any other material isn't as durable as leather is. It can endure the wear and tear which is bound to happen over the years and still shine like a recently bought bag,

These bags manufactured using leather may get old, but their aging enhances their beauty without compromising quality and strength. These bags can be effectively used to carry all your belongings without breaking even in rough conditions while traveling.

For instance, you can look at how the luggage attendees handle your bags at the airport. These bags can endure that rough treatment even after becoming old.

A regular backpack may get damaged and get ripped if any sharp object brushes against the surface. In contrast, high-quality leather sustains the damage and still stays intact.

Besides, they are water-resistant, making them a great choice to be used outside without worrying about your belongings getting wet. These backpacks are excellent choices for those who like to travel a lot but cannot find a bag that can stay with them for long.

Environment safe

Because of depleting natural resources and animals getting less in number, leather backpacks are facing many criticisms. Environmentalists say that to make natural leather, leather-making industries kill animals every day in huge numbers.

Animal lovers cannot bear animal killing and don' opt for these bags. Also, the animals used for leather-making like lambs and cows are farm animals. Being herbivorous and living in big farms, they feed on natural plants and water, which is another factor behind this criticism.

Besides, synthetic leathers are manufactured using chemicals and synthetic materials like polyurethane. These components are non-biodegradable, and so when these bags are abandoned and discarded, they do more harm to the environment than any good.

The choice of leather bags, however, depends entirely on your preference. Many people use synthetic leather products because leather's variant requires no natural products like animal hides or water.

Straps

Since these backpacks have to be carried on your shoulder most of the time, the bag's entire weight will be on your shoulders. To stay comfortable and pain-free, ensure that the bag you are opting for has sturdy straps that won't break easily.

Also, look for the variants with wide and padded straps so that the pressure is uniform and not applied only at one point. This pressure point will make you uncomfortable, and you won't enjoy carrying the bag further.

Some variants also feature sturdy handles that allow you to carry the bag in your hands and not on the shoulder. This handle is useful when you are tired and cannot hold the bag on your back anymore.

Organization

While looking for excellent leather backpacks, search for the organization system of the bag. Ensure that it has several compartments and pockets to keep your small essentials organized while traveling.

It would be better to get hold of a variant that features side pockets with elastic closure systems. They stay flat when not in use but have an adequate amount of space to hold water bottles. This organization system in these bags helps you to keep your hands free.

Budget

The price of these backpacks depends on the craftsmanship and the design it has. There are bags available in all the ranges, and the choice depends entirely on you.

It is recommended that you go for moderately priced bags that have all the features that you need. The reason is that an expensive bag will have no difference, and there is no point in investing massive amounts of money to buy the same thing that is available at a moderate cost.

The best method to choose a bag is to check its material and the features that it has. Look for the bags made of high-quality leather and feature many compartments in it.

Also, check other aspects of it like the design and straps, etc., to see if they match the purpose you are opting for them.

Lining and Finishing

The lining and finishing of these bags matter a lot. Look for bags with a clean finish because a spotless finish enhances the durability of the bag.

Also, check that the edges are polished by hands and not by machines because machines cannot reach the extreme areas where hands can. This hand polishing and clean lining adds to the bag's durability and makes it long-lasting.

Protection

These backpacks are naturally water-resistant and can endure the impacts of the elements. It stays intact even when exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period.

Besides, look for closure systems and compartments that are durable and water-resistant so that your belongings stay safe. Also, search for padded or hard outer shells to absorb the substantial impacts when accidentally dropped or handled roughly.

How To Maintain Leather Backpacks?

Leather needs minimal maintenance, but whenever you clean it, you should pay attention to it. If you don't do so, your backpack will lose its life and get damaged pretty soon.

The primary requirements to clean a leather bag are an effective leather cleaner and a soft cloth that doesn't damage the material. Listed below are some specific cleaning tips that you need to know to clean your backpack efficiently.

1. Take a soft brush designed specially to clean leather. Put a generous amount of leather cleaner on top of the bristles as specified.

2. Start brushing the exterior in vertical directions and do it gently. Since many seams on these backpacks and intricate stitches are present, you need to gently carry out this process, taking an adequate amount of time.

3. Ensure that you don't leave any spot and not even the seams. The stitches and seams are the favorite spots of grime and dust to accumulate, and this accumulation can damage your bag. Cleaning this area of your backpack with the brush is essential.

4. After you have cleaned the exterior, move to the interior by flipping the bag. Cleaning with the brush is just the first part of the entire procedure. As soon as the brush cleaning ends, put the same cleaning solution on the soft cloth and start cleaning your bag again.

5. Cleaning with a cloth makes it effortless for you to reach the locations where the brush cannot. You can clean the dirt accumulated on those spots with ease using a soft cloth.

6. Now, use the dry part of the cloth to clean the cleaner from the bag's surface. The cleaner is removed from the body because it contains some moisture, which can degrade the natural fibers if retained.

7. After removing the cleaner from the surface, the next step is to apply a leather controlling cream on your bag's exterior. This cream increases your bag's longevity and maintains it throughout.

8. The last step is to place your bag in an area where there is plenty of air circulation. You can put it in a room with adequate air circulation or hang it on the wall. When exposed to air, the cream sets in well, and your bag stays intact for a very long time.

FAQs

1. How to clean the excess debris and grime from the bag?

Always use a leather cleaning brush to start cleaning the bag. Read the instructions with the product properly before starting with the process. Never use any abrasive cleaner to clean the stains unless it is recommended.

While cleaning, you have to be careful about the stitches. Strong scrubs can loosen these stitches, and you can damage your precious bag. Be gentle and clean both sides of your pack. Moreover, you can even use a leather cream to protect your backpack for further use.

2. How should I store the bag when it is not in use?

Here are some handy tips to follow to store the product carefully:

1. If the pack is wet after cleaning, then dry it properly before storing it. Excess moisture can cause mold to grow, which can ruin the product.
2. Always apply a conditioner on the leather if you are going to store the product for a long time. It will keep the leather moist up to an extent where it does not go dry and rips out.
3. Before using any conditioner, make sure that it does not fade the color of the leather.
4. Never store the backpack in direct sunlight as it can ruin the finish and color.

3. Are leather backpacks worth their price?

Yes, the product is quite durable and complements your fashion style. You can add it to any style and make a fashion statement with it. In the case of carrying the stuff, the material provides adequate protection and safety to your supplies.

Final Verdict

Leather backpacks present a trendy and durable solution to carry your stuff around. All you need is to pick the best model.

Here in this guide, you will get all the details that alter the usability of the backpack. Analyze all the models with your needs and purchase the best option available in the market.