Best Stylish & High-End Leather Backpacks for Women & Men in 2023

by Albert Varkki updated 07-07-2023

Table Of Contents

A leather backpack is a classic bag that's timeless and always fashionable.

The best backpacks should be made from luxurious full grain leather, as alternatives are less durable and unappealing.

If using the backpack for work, it should have enough room for a laptop, and for traveling it must have enough pockets to store travel essentials.

Below we go over our favorite leather backpacks for 2023:

Top Picks

Want a quick breakdown? Here are our top picks:

Best Smart Leather Backpack: Liberty Backpack (click to view) - stylish backpack, full grain leather.
Best Laptop Backpack: Prime Backpack (click to view) - a stylish laptop carry-on backpack, from full grain leather, handmade in Italy.
Best Convertible Backpack Briefcase: 10X Laptop Travel Bag (click to view) - a versatile backpack briefcase, full grain leather, dedicated laptop compartment.
Best Mini Backpack: Bella Small Leather Backpack (click to view) - a cute mini backpack that's ideal for work school, or travel. Made from high quality full grain leather.

Best Leather Backpacks for 2023

Liberty Leather Backpack

Best for stylishly carrying work essentials and laptop, perfect for business meetings and daily commute.

Liberty Backpack Product Highlights:

Product	Liberty Backpack
Material	Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Size	up to 14 inch
Lining	Durable Cotton Canvas
Zippers	YKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?	Handmade in Florence, Italy
Straps	Adjustable Straps
Carry-on Compliant?	Yes
Width	33 cm (13 in)
Height	40 cm (16 in)
Depth	12 cm (5 in)
Weight	1.4 kg (0.6 lbs)
Personalization?	Custom Laser Engraving

Watch the Liberty product video below:

Browse more images of the Liberty:

Our review:

"This popular unisex backpack is manufactured from elegant Italian full-grain leather. It offers a sleeve that's perfect for a tablet or a laptop up to 14 inches. The bag has been designed to last for several years before replacement is required and is ideal for work and your daily commute. Other features that have made this bag so popular amongst men and women include the adjustable shoulder straps and the tough top handle which makes carrying a breeze. You'll also get access to two zipped front pockets which are perfect for devices like your smartphone. The bag is built to withstand daily use and is crafted from premium vegetable-tanned Italian leather."

Pros	Cons
Made of full grain leather	May have a higher cost compared to other materials
Stylish and versatile design	Not waterproof
Multiple compartments for organization	May not be ideal for carrying extremely heavy items
Comfortable to wear
Durable and long-lasting
Develops a unique patina over time
Can be easily cleaned and maintained

Prime Leather Backpack

Best for stylishly carrying work essentials and laptop, perfect for business meetings and daily commute.

Prime Backpack Product Highlights:

Product	Prime Backpack
Material	Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Size	up to 14 inch
Lining	Durable Cotton Canvas
Zippers	YKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?	Handmade in Florence, Italy
Straps	Adjustable Straps
Carry-on Compliant?	Yes
Width	27 cm (11 in)
Height	40 cm (16 in)
Depth	12 cm (5 in)
Weight	1.2 kg (0.5 lbs)
Personalization?	Custom Laser Engraving

Watch the Prime product video below:

Browse more images of the Prime:

Our review:

"This high-selling unisex bag for work gives you enough storage space for all your key work essentials. The bag is made from tough and dependable materials that should ensure it lasts for years before it needs to be replaced. These materials include elegant Italian full-grain leather and a robust lining. The bag also has a reliable YKK zipper that makes it easy to access goods like your laptop. There's also a sleeve that will fit a laptop up to 14" or a tablet, making office-based and remote work a breeze. Other features which have made this bag such a popular choice include the adjustable shoulder straps and the wide top handle."

Pros	Cons
Made of full grain leather	May have a slightly higher cost compared to other materials
Stylish and versatile design	Not waterproof
Multiple compartments for organization	Not ideal for carrying extremely heavy items
Comfortable to wear
Durable and long-lasting
Develops a unique patina over time
Can be easily cleaned and maintained

10X Leather Laptop Travel Bag

Best for stylishly carrying your laptop and work essentials on business trips or daily commutes - the perfect blend of fashion and function.

10X Women's Leather Laptop Travel Bag Product Highlights:

Product	10X Women's Leather Laptop Travel Bag
Material	Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Size	up to 15.6 inch
Lining	Durable Cotton Canvas
Zippers	YKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?	Handmade in Florence, Italy
Straps	Backpack Straps and Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Carry-on Compliant?	Yes
Width	31 cm (12 in)
Height	42 cm (17 in)
Depth	17 cm (7 in)
Weight	2 kg (0.9 lbs)
Personalization?	Custom Laser Engraving

Watch the 10X product video below:

Browse more images of the 10X:

Our review:

"Do you need to acquire a dependable unisex bag for work that will serve you well and protect your work essentials for years to come? If so, this could be the right option for you. Appealing to men and women alike, this bag is manufactured from premium Italian full-grain leather and comes with incredible features including a tough YKK zipper and cotton lining. It also has a sleeve for a laptop of up to 15.6 inches wide or a 16 inch MacBook Pro. You can use this carry on-compliant all-in-one option as a backpack, a messenger bag or a travel bag."

Pros	Cons
Made of full grain leather	Price point may be considered a worthwhile investment
Durable and long-lasting	Weight adds to its overall quality and strength
Spacious and versatile	Proper care and maintenance will ensure its longevity
Suitable for both professional and casual use
Fits most laptops up to 16 inches
Designed for easy travel and convenience
Multiple compartments for organized storage

Bella Women's Small Leather Backpack

Best for hands-free commuting with style and organization - Bella Leather Backpack keeps your essentials secure and accessible on the go.

Bella Small Leather Backpack Product Highlights:

Product	Bella Small Leather Backpack
Material	Full Grain Leather - Certified Vegetable Tanned
Laptop Size
Lining	Durable Cotton Canvas
Zippers	YKK Zippers - Italian-Made
Handmade?	Handmade in Florence, Italy
Straps	Adjustable Backpack Straps
Carry-on Compliant?	Yes
Width	22 cm (9 in)
Height	27 cm (11 in)
Depth	13 cm (5 in)
Weight	0.6 kg (0.3 lbs)
Personalization?	Custom Laser Engraving

Watch the Bella product video below:

Browse more images of the Bella:

Our review:

"This brilliant unisex bag for work appeals to males and females alike. The bag is made from premium Italian full-grain leather and has a strong canvas lining and tough YKK zipper. Although the bag may appear to be rather small, its appearance is deceptive. The main compartment gives you generous space for larger items, whilst the front pocket makes it easy for you to access smaller ones. There is also a slot for your phone in the main compartment. Other great features include the convenient top handle and the adjustable leather straps. Expect the bag to serve you well for years before it needs to be replaced."

Pros	Cons
Made of full grain leather	Price point may be considered a worthwhile investment
Durable and long-lasting	Weight adds to its overall quality and strength
Compact size	Proper care and maintenance will ensure its longevity
Designed for women
Multiple compartments for organized storage
Stylish design
Comfortable to wear as a backpack

Is it professional or unprofessional to wear a backpack for work?

If you buy a backpack that’s designed to be used for work, you should be able to maintain a professional look. If professionalism is particularly important, it’s a good idea to look for a leather backpack. This is because backpacks made from nylon and fabric can look somewhat “slouchy”.

Why Choose a Backpack?

Leather backpacks are more stylish and professional than a canvas or other alternative material. They don't lose their shape, and don't get tatty with age.

They are ideal for work, as well as travel or school, and can last for many years.

You should choose full grain leather as it's the best quality.

Genuine backpacks are beautiful and awesome, giving you a lovely way to take your essentials to work with you. They're also great for traveling, and our expensive looking backpacks above are perfect for looking cool in the first-class lounge. Real full grain leather is a nice touch for durability, and you can personalize them for a unique bag.

You can wear a backpack on your shoulder or your back, and the top handles allow you to carry them by your side too. There are many color options available, which are ideal to suit any style.

The collection above can hold accessories like your phone and laptop, and make a great investment that will last for many years. Perfect for a commute or a trip abroad to an airport to jet off around the world to your dream destination. They are durable enough to stick with you on tough journeys, from a bumpy bus trip, to a long distance taxi drive.

Shop women's backpacks here.

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Backpack Sizes

If you do need a backpack for work, school or college, it’s a good idea to seek out a backpack with between 20 to 29 liters of capacity. This will allow you to transport bigger items such as extra clothes, textbooks, laptops and other electrical equipment.

Caring for Your Backpack

If you look after your leather backpack carefully, it can last for an incredibly long time. What’s more is that it could look better with age.

It’s simpler than you might think to look after a leather backpack. Taking a few small steps to maintain your backpack now and then will keep your leather supple.

Related pages:

FAQ's

Can I fit my 16-inch laptop into a 15-inch backpack?

This depends on which kind of laptop you have. If you have a 16-inch MacBook Pro, you may be able to fit it in due to the way it’s smaller than many other laptops that have similar screen sizes.

Are backpacks regarded as personal items?

If you can fit your backpack under the seat that’s in front of you, it will be treated as a personal item. Daypacks and small backpacks normally qualify as personal items.

Related:

Best Alternatives

If you are looking for an alternative to a backpack, think about investing in a duffle bag, messenger bag, shoulder bag, day pack, tote bag or hobo bag.

Our favourite alternative to the leather backpack is this leather Weekender bag:

Pros:

Full grain leather
16 inch internal padded laptop sleeve.
Internal zipped pocket for travel essentials like your passport.
Plenty of space for all your gear.
Adjustable shoulder strap.
Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
Perfect overnight bag.
Handmade in Italy
Can be personalized

Click here to check the price

Conclusion

Work backpacks don't have to be ugly, so scroll back up and click the product that most fits your style.

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

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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.