Rated 4.6 on Trustpilot | Free shipping on all orders worldwide.

The Perfect Leather Backpack For College

11/12/2023 | Mohsin Hasan

There's been immense talk around town regarding how good leather backpacks are at college. With various options available for students, what makes leather a good option to have your backpack made with? Do you get a vibrant happening look? Do you get the required storage? Is it a comfortable bag to carry and hang out with during and after college? Is it a smart buy compared to more commonly used college backpacks made with rexine, polyester, and recycled materials?

Let's find out the answers here:

Are Leather Backpacks 'Cool' for College?

Let's admit it! Everyone wants to look cool at college. A leather backpack can be a fashionable accessory to carry to boast that attractive cool look while on campus. The trick is to buy one that has a young personality. Backpacks made with leather can attract the eye but many from the lot look above the age for a college grad, more suited for gentlemen at work. Therefore, it's nice if you buy one of those school backpack designs with a polished finish or a vibrant grain detail.

Alert! No matter how much you may love that rustic vintage leather backpack you saw online and want to order it for its distinguished appearance, it's better if you leave it for later in life. They are timeless accessories but don't walk the talk with other more 'young age' accessories students adorn to college. They might just seem to be a misfit in your overall style statement on campus.

Size Matters

Your backpack's basic function is to carry your books, journals, and other study essentials safely. Medical students often carry long journals, and tall reference books having diagrams requiring backpacks that are longer in height while business students often carry those fat economics theory books along with laptops requiring backpacks with dual compartments or having greater depth. With a range of amazing leather backpack options available online, you shouldn't be cribbing about lack of choices later on and must choose one that suits your carry needs adequately.

Word of caution here! only buy that mini leather backpack if you have very few books and some other stuff to carry regularly because they're more of a fashion accessory and not very efficient functionally most of the time. Yes, if you want to sport a different look sometime, they may be used sparingly a few times in a year or perhaps on a hangout with friends but not a good fit for day-to-day use.

Black Leather Backpack vs. Brown Leather Backpack for College

Black and brown are two signature colors of leather having distinct appeal in leather bags. While black signifies power and decency, brown is more versatile often carrying a more timeless appeal. In the larger scheme of things, both provide you with a more elegant backpack that’s different from funk fashion or hipster vibes. Just to give you some hints, a black leather backpack provides you with a subtle cool look if worn with denim, a white T-shirt & sneakers, while a brown leather backpack is an amazing option with flannel shirts, casual trousers, and loafers. Whatever your color option might be, look to choose leather backpacks that are glossy, nicely polished, and have a great vibrant look as the faded rustic ones are for older generations.

Buy Full Grain Leather Bags

Full grain leather refers to the topmost part of an animal hide just under the hair that’s not been sanded or buffed. These animal hides have the most vibrant and natural grain detail. When choosing an option for a leather backpack, go for full grain leather rather than genuine or faux leather which are technical terms for artificial/mixed leather used to trick customers into believing a product is made with original leather. Nothing comes close to the natural vibrancy and allure of original leather.

Full-grain leather is also the most durable of all materials available. It's naturally gifted in strength and saves you money from buying backpacks repeatedly during your college life due to damage, tear, etc.

Look For Internal and External Pockets

Thanks to expert craftsmanship, leather backpacks are also now available with unbelievably well-rounded storage options for all the different items you carry to college. If you are carrying a multitude of things most of the time, go for the dual-compartment backpack that has a dedicated laptop sleeve in one compartment so that you can bifurcate books, iPads/Laptops, work papers, and notebooks adequately. Look for internal pockets that are dedicated to small items i.e. chargers, wires, USB, wallet, ear plugs, etc., and loops for pens, keys/hands-free, etc.

To round off, a leather backpack with external storage for instant reach is better than others as it provides additional space for changeover clothes to the gym after college, extra papers/notebooks, and storing liquids in external side pockets for a long summer day.

Leather Backpacks Are Reliable Species

The best part about original leather is, that it won't tear apart. Leather is a naturally gifted material that's been preferred since the dawn of humanity to make carriers, sacks, etc. later on translating into sophisticated briefcases, satchels, and up-scale handbags. Why not then prefer a backpack made with leather to college instead of wasting handsome amounts on other less reliable materials?

Padded Straps Are Better

Buy your leather backpack with padded shoulder straps having rubber/foam padding stitched inside the leather covering. Many designer leather daypacks have their straps made of only leather without any padding inside which means they are thinner and can slip around on the shoulder while you walk around. Padded shoulder straps sit nicely on your shoulders and are quite comfortable. These little things make all the difference in backpacks.

Key Take Aways

  • You don’t need to compromise on style, comfort, or storage with leather backpacks. With modern craftsmanship and thoughtful designs, you get to experience function, fashion, and comfort like never before with leather backpacks.
  • Go for leather backpacks that suit your storage needs. Evaluate the size, and weight of your books, journals, reference books you issue from the library, and other items you carry before deciding on a leather backpack. Don't just fall for eye candies or backpacks that have too little space for your stuff.
  • Don't forget about comfort and durability. You have to carry your backpack on your shoulders or at times by hand every day so it must be a comfortable bag to carry. Only buy leather backpacks made with original full-grain leather for strength and durability that should see you through college and into professional life as well.
  • Leather backpacks can be slightly higher priced but they are worth the deal given their strength and natural patina they develop over time with use ensuring you fall in love with their characterful ageing rather than becoming bored of a worn-out bag.