Best Stylish Backpack Purses for Women in 2023

by Albert Varkki updated 07-07-2023

Table Of Contents

Backpack purses have become increasingly popular over recent years.

These items offer the ideal blend of style and convenience, making it easy for you to carry your belongings without losing aesthetic appeal.

These hands-free bags are often incredibly chic, so it’s no surprise to have seen them becoming more popular across the world in recent times.

Best Backpack Purses 2023

Here are the best backpack purses for 2023 by type and style:

Best Stylish Leather Backpack Purse

Winner: Minerva Leather Backpack Purse

The Minerva is our favourite backpack purse for when you want to look smart or stylish, such as using it for work or college. It's made from full grain leather which lasts much longer and appears higher quality. It's the perfect everyday bag. The back facing zip pocket is particularly useful, allowing you quick access to things in a more secure manner than an exterior pocket.

Pros:

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Best Laptop Backpack

Winner: Prime Leather Backpack Purse

The majority of backpack purses on the market don't have room for a laptop, so the Prime is a great exception to this. It can fit a 14 inch laptop in the laptop sleeve located within the main compartment, as well as having a range of other pockets for your day-to-day accessories. It's made from high quality full grain leather, which really makes the difference in the look and feel of the bag. Our favorite colour is the red leather.

Pros:

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Best Small Backpack

Winner: Liberty Leather Backpack Purse

Pros:

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Best Mini Backpack

Winner: Bella Small Leather Backpack Purse

Pros:

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Why Choose This Type of Bag?

One of the biggest advantages of backpack purses is that they are highly versatile. This means they can be styled in a wide variety of ways - ideal for an all-purpose bag.

If you’re looking for a one that works well in the office, choose leather, as they're far more professional in style, and they're also more durable.

More casual bag materials include suede and canvas.

A backpack purse can be the ideal finishing touch to any outfit. Choose one large enough to carry all of your essentials, whether that's for work or travel.

Shop all leather backpacks here.

Are They Good for Mums?

Yes, a backpack purse can be great for mums, as long as they meet specific criteria.

Capacity is very important, so you can carry all your baby essentials, as well as the things you need on hand every day.

It’s best to look for a bag with multiple compartments so you can store and separate items efficiently - and keep the dirty things away from the clean things!

There are many backpacks available that offer the ideal blend of style and efficiency. It’s best to source something made from durable material that’s easy to maintain (we love leather for this).

Anti-rust metal designs are popular as they mean the bag can be used for longer, such as high-quality YKK zippers, available on all Von Baer bags.

Many backpacks designed with moms in mind come complete with convertible straps. This means they can be used as totes, handbags, and backpacks - providing a versatile bag with loads of options.

Look for a bag that offers both large and small pockets, including exterior pockets for quick access.

Related pages:

Best Alternatives

The best alternative to a backpack purse is a convertible backpack, that has enough pockets to carry your essentials, while being able to use it as a backpack and a shoulder bag.

Our top pick for this is the 10X Leather Laptop Backpack.

The 10X is made from full grain leather, which gives it a high quality feel and look. It has several large dedicated compartments, making it excellent for commuting and travel. It easily fits a 15.6 inch laptop in a dedicated laptop sleeve, as well as having lots of handles, and optional backpack and shoulder straps, making it a truly convertible bag.

Pros:

Full grain leather
Dedicated compartments, perfect for travel.
Can convert from backpack to shoulder bag for ease of access.
Top and side handles for when moving through airports.
Fits up to 15.6 inch laptop or tablet.
Handmade in Italy
Can be personalized
Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.
Unisex.

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How to Choose Your Purse

If you’re ready to buy a convertible backpack purse, there are various features you should look out for.

We've gone over the most important factors below:

Fabric & Material

The material your backpack purse is made from will influence how it looks, functions and how long it lasts.

You will have more options if you’re open to a wider range of fabrics. This is why so many people look for nylon bags as well as leather ones.

You will pay more if you opt for a product that’s made from genuine leather - we recommend choosing Full Grain Leather.

Although synthetic leather is cheaper, you can expect it to wear down more quickly.

Cotton and polyester are other good options (although less stylish!).

Versatility

One of the biggest draws of a convertible bag is its versatility. It’s possible to find bags that can be worn over the chest, on your back, over your shoulder or even in your hand - bonus!

Some bags are more versatile than others, but you can expect a convertible bag to at least work as a purse as well as a backpack.

Durability

Full grain leather is one of the most durable materials on the market. However, this means it doesn’t come cheap.

If you treat a synthetic leather product well, it can last much longer than you expect even if it will eventually break down.

Are you going to be carrying heavy objects in your bag? If so seek out something with reinforced stitching so the seams don’t split with ease.

Related pages:

Pockets and organization

There are various types of organization systems available on the convertible bag market - from small to large pockets and pouches.

If you are going to be using your bag for travel purposes, look for something that comes with safe exterior pockets - this can stop your valuables getting stolen while waiting in a queue or on a train.

If you need something for your commutes, go for a bag with a large interior pocket that can accommodate your accessories and work essentials (and get something stylish too!).

Designs are available that come with padded sleeves for your tablet or laptop.

FAQs

How can I clean my bag?

The cleaning method required will depend on the materials that it is made from.

You can clean some backpack purses in your washing machine, but you can just wipe others down with a cool cloth. Chances are that your backpack purse will come with manufacturer instructions that will tell you how to clean it.

Why are convertible bags so popular?

Convertible bags are popular for many reasons. These include their versatility. They can support you through many activities such as your commute, hiking, exploration and travelling. As the bag is convertible, you won’t need to use it as a purse all day long. This means you can prevent shoulder pain by taking advantage of its features. By switching between the carrying options, you can avoid straining any muscle group.

Related:

How are backpacks transformed into totes?

If you have a convertible backpack, you shouldn’t struggle to turn it into a tote. Just remove the adjustable shoulder straps, and you're good to go!

Most of these bags have handles on the top so you can carry them in the same way that you would carry any other kind of tote bag.

Some designs allow you to shift the straps and use them as handles. Convertible bags can be very convenient, and switching your strap arrangement can save you a great deal of energy!

Before you hand over your money for a convertible backpack purse, think about the materials you’re interested in, the size you need and how much you have available to spend on the product.

You should also think about the situations that you’ll be using your bag in and what your security concerns are. The perfect bag is out there for you somewhere, and you shouldn’t need to look too hard to find it.

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Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our best backpack purses guide.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, or email us at info@vonbaer.com.

Want to read more? See our our Style pages here, or our Leather pages here.

Author: Albert Varkki

Albert Varkki is the co-founder of Von Baer. He understands leather products as a consumer, supplier, and a manufacturer, helping you with the inside knowledge you need, to choose the perfect leather product for you.

We always aim to have the highest editorial standards, and only publish accurate information on our website.