No Breakable Parts in our Leather backpack
This leather backpack has no breakable parts like snaps, zippers, buttons,velcro, or any other Hello Kitty construction parts. Just hard buckles andD-rings. Even a billion dollar submarine quickly becomes a worthless heap ofjunk at the bottom of the ocean if they build it with a cardboard hatch.
Full Grain Leather
Close your eyes for a minute and imagine a cow being killed. Now imagine itbeing skinned. Okay, now imagine that thick hide is sent to the tannery to betanned, but it's too thick for most to use, so they split it in half, the tophalf from the bottom.Watch our video of how they tan and split leather, and also watch me ride a longhorn bull in my full leather suit. Now thetannery has two hides to sell to leather backpack makers. The top half is soldfor a lot of money because it still has the top layer, which is made up ofwhat is called the "grain". They are the toughest, densest, and most waterresistant fibers of the whole hide. The same fibers that protected the cow itsentire life and gave leather its bareknuckle tough reputation are the samefibers we use on each of our leather backpacks. It's called FULL GRAIN leatherbecause it still has the FULL amount of GRAIN on it. So not only is it strong,but the thickness of our leather is a little thicker than boot leather. Andthen our thick wristed, calloused handed craftsmen make really durable andlong lasting leather backpacks with it.
Reinforced Stress Points
Anywhere the leather backpack could get stressed, it gets a double layer ofleather cut from the hardest part of the hide (the shoulder or along theback). There is also extra stitching, a rivet to back up the backpack'sstitching, and usually, a reinforcing hidden Polyester strap sewn in for goodmeasure. Even the best leather stretches over time (it's called creep), butwith polyester strapping, it does not.
Tougher Lining
Instead of lining our leather backpacks with some shiny pretty nylon fabricthat tears, we glued and then sewed on tough, smooth pigskin to the back ofthe already tough and thick full grain leather. Pigskin is not as tough askangaroo skin, but it is stronger than cow skin. That makes our leatherbackpacks twice as strong as a normal leather backpack and much longerlasting.
Overkill Backpack Hardware
This is a BIG DEAL. It's akin to shooting a fly with a shotgun when you builda leather backpack with 316 Stainless Steel hardware, but we've never had aproblem because the hardware has failed. It's not even Stainless 404 or 310.It's Stainless 316, which is an enormous difference for any backpack.Seriously, look it up. If you tell a metallurgist that we employ 316 stainlesssteel hardware on our backpacks, they'll gasp in surprise and then get furiousbefore crying. It's pricey and overkill, but if your existence depended on thehardware of your leather backpack surviving, you'd want it to be one of ours.Our Stainless Steel is rated at 91 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale of 150different types of Stainless Steel. The bottom straps' large buckles cansupport up to 750 lbs. It's one of the hardest, high-tensile-strength alloys,and it's what high end watches and Apple's most expensive iPhone casings areconstructed from. It's a little pricey, but we decided not to have issues withour backpacks' hardware... EVER.
Engineered Thread
Low-quality nylon thread used in leather backpacks will deteriorate rapidlydue to how such threads are constructed. Because the thread is made up of manyvery short fibers wound together to form one long thread, it breaks aparteasily with friction, heat, or UV light. Things a backpack should be able toendure. Our top-quality German thread was developed to last and be durable.It's made of long continuous Polyester fibers with no breaks in between. Weutilize the thicker double ought version for all of our leather backpacks.
FYI. Polyester is horrible when fabric is made with it but great when threadis made with it. In bed sheets and clothing, it causes poor sleep,infertility, and skin problems, but when a leather backpack is sewn with it,it causes great rejoicing in your life and big fights in your death. Checkoutmy writing and findings about the evils of Polyester here.
Only Large Pieces of Full Grain Leather
HUGE KEY TO DURABILITY: These leather backpacks are designed with as fewpieces of leather as possible. Usually, only two pieces for the body. This hastaken a lot of thinking and failed attempts to get the backpacks to look andfeel just right, but it was worth it. The reason is because seams are wherebackpacks always start falling apart. So we designed this leather backpackwith as few seams as we could. Check out ourfun video on measuring qualityby Seam Feet, or how many feet of seems a bag has.
Stitching
SURPRISINGLY IMPORTANT: A sewing machine is really just a big perforationmachine, and each hole is the beginning of a tear. We set our beastlyindustrial Dutch and German sewing machines to stitch the backpacks at onlyfive stitches per inch so we could get the needle holes as far apart from eachother as we can without the backpacks looking dumb. If the holes are tooclose, the leather can tear like a sheet of perforated paper. Most leatherbackpacks I've seen are seven stitches per inch (I count them at the storesometimes). Our leather backpacks are stronger than anything you'll ever needit to carry.
Cheap Leather Backpacks
Grain is to leather what shingles are to a roof. Imagine you paid someone tore-roof your house. So they tore off the old shingles and then painted onshingles to make it look nice. Some might kick them in the ear. That's whathappens when low quality backpack manufacturers buy that super low pricedbottom half of the hide that doesn't have any grain on it (split or genuineleather). So they have the tannery press it and paint it to look like fullgrain leather, send it to their soft little tear stained handed workers whothen make crap backpacks to sell to ignorant people. I actually dida video message to all of those low quality people and pirates here. And that leather backpack will dry out soon enough because the leatherdoesn't have that tough dense top layer to hold moisture in or to resistabrasions or punctures.
A Nylon Backpack or a Classic Leather Backpack
Sure, when you were a kid, a GI Joe nylon backpack or a Barbie nylon backpackwas perfect for your toys and notebooks. And it was super cheap, which is whatyour parents were looking for, and at the time, you thought they were coolbackpacks. But now that you're an adult (or at least mostly an adult), youwant something a little more refined, timeless, and expensive because you knowthat quality costs money.
You are no longer excited about zippers, velcro, and a fun snap that willbreak in a week that the other backpacks have as bonus points for theircheapness. Just like a nice watch or a great spouse, a classic leatherbackpack will last you a lifetime if you take care of it, and it will only getbetter with age. So don't settle for a good backpack; demand the best. Theseare cool backpacks for those with a taste for quality and style.
The Best Leather Backpack
Everyone knows the best leather backpack comes from Saddleback Leather; if youare not part of everyone, it is essential to get one. But, of course, that isif you are into things that last.
A Saddleback Leather backpack is an investment. It will likely be the lastbackpack you ever buy. That is one reason they are the best leather backpacks.And it comes with a 100-year warranty. So if your great grandkids break it,send it back, and we will fix it for free. That's how confident we are in ourdesign, materials, and craftsmanship.
Deep thinking and over-engineering are keys to the best leatherbackpacks
Saddleback Leather backpacks are made to last a lifetime and then some. We usethe best materials we can find and design our backpacks to be as durable aspossible. Our leather backpacks are made with only large pieces of leather,and we use heavy-duty stitching to ensure they will hold up to years of use.We didn't design one part of the backpack with how can we save a dollar. Wedesigned them to be the best leather backpack you can find.
Which Color Leather Backpack Should I Get?
This is a question to reflect on yourself and decide on your personal style.But I will say that the brown leather backpack is the most common look whensomeone thinks about a leather backpack. And for brown leather backpacks, wehave three options: tobacco leather, chestnut, and dark coffee brown. Ofcourse, we also have black leather backpacks if that is what you enjoy.
When it comes to durability, all colors are on equal footing because it's thequality of the leather that matters the most, not the color. Read more belowabout the colors if you are still unsure.
A Brown Leather Backpack
The brown leather backpack is the most popular color because it goes witheverything and looks good with any outfit. We offer three shades of brown:tobacco, chestnut, and dark coffee brown.
Tobacco Leather Backpack
The Tobacco Leather Backpack is the lightest shade of the three and is closestto tan. This fits the type of person that is laid back, easy going, and likesto be around people. They are also quite creative, inventors, and have a greatsense of humor. So if you are looking for a more casual leather backpack,tobacco is the way to go.
Chestnut Leather Backpack
The Chestnut Leather Backpack is a redder brown and is the median shadebetween tobacco and dark coffee. If you are looking for something in between,chestnut is the perfect color. This type of person is more professional,reliable, and classy. They also tend to be perfectionists and have excellenttaste.
Dark coffee brown Leather Backpack
This Dark Coffee Brown Leather Backpack is the darkest shade of the three andgives a more sophisticated look. This is the perfect color for someone that isan intellectual, a renaissance man, and loves adventure. They also tend to beindependent and musical.
A Black Leather Backpack
A black Leather Backpack is perfect for someone that is a rocker or biker. Italso works well for people who must carry black bags with their uniforms.Black leather backpacks also give off a more sleek, clean image than othercolors.
When it comes to choosing a color, it depends on your own personal style andpreferences. If you are looking for a backpack that is versatile and goes witheverything, then brown or black is your best bet. If you are looking forsomething a little more fun and creative, then tobacco is the perfect color.And if you are looking for something in between, chestnut is the way to go.Our leather backpacks are sure to please no matter what color you choose.
Features of our Backpacks
Beyond the quality, let us talk about features. You need a backpack that youcan trust with all your essentials. Beyond the main compartment, several ofour designs have a laptop sleeve, as well as a front pocket, side pockets, andadjustable shoulder straps. You can pack your gear and essentials from themain compartment to the pockets and have a pocket to carry your accessories.Adjustable straps are essential because you want to be able to adjust thebackpack to your body type and size. No two people are the same, so it'scrucial to find a comfortable fit.
Our backpacks also have a top handle, so you can carry it like a briefcase ifneed be.
No matter what color or style you choose, our backpacks are sure to please,and you will enjoy wearing or carrying them. Their quality construction andfeatures are perfect for everyday use, daily commute, travel as your carry-onbag, or even as a gift. So if you are shopping for the best, don't wait anylonger. Order your leather backpack today.
A Leather Backpack That You Can Trust in the Rain
We use the same tanning method on our backpacks as the leather in a good pairof boots. Not the boots the kids across the giant pond make out of cheapmaterial to be sold in a chain store, but the kind your granddad wore when hewas your age. The boots that will last you a lifetime if you take care of themand might even outlast you.
When it comes to our backpacks, we use chrome-tanned leather made from fullgrain. This is the best in leather goods. The process involves using chromiumto tan the leather, making it both soft and durable.
Not only that, but it is also a lot more water, heat, and stain resistant thanvegetable-tanned leather. That is what helps it to be the best leatherbackpack you can trust in the rain.
Should I get a Backpack or a Briefcase?
This is another personal style question. If you want to do more than haul yourlaptops around, then a backpack might be what you are looking for. While mostof our backpacks have a laptop pocket, a laptop was not my first thought.Don't get me wrong, the pigskin-lined laptop pocket in most of our backpackswas intentional, but the other pockets and compartments make me want to useone as my everyday carry.
If carrying your laptop is your most considerable thought, a leather briefcasemight be for you. However, if you want to carry a laptop, other gear, and roomfor any other everyday essentials that you can comfortably wear on your back,then a backpack is your better choice. The adjustable straps make it socomfortable when wearing. From the daily commute to your carry on bag toshopping, this has a range of uses. There are no other options for this levelof the finest leather craftsmanship in these backpacks.
The Story of Why I Designed Backpacks
When I was young, I didn't know what I didn't know. I was ignorant of a lot ofthings. But that's normal, and especially when it comes to backpacks. I rodemy bicycle back and forth to school most everyday from jr. high throughcollege and so a backpack was a necessity. And since it had never crossed mymind to get a cool backpack, I just got a Jansport backpack because theylasted for so long.
Nobody ever yelled from across the parking lot, "Hey, nice backpack" orstopped me at the park to ask "Hey, where can I get me one of those coolbackpacks?". I didn't know backpacks that were cool were even a thing. And Idon't think they were because I had never seen a cool leather backpack or hadthought of owning a backpack that I would love. Have you ever dreamt of owningthe perfect yard rake. One that you would fall in love with and secretly letsleep with it in your bed?
I didn't know what I didn't know, particularly about leather backpacks, untilI designed my first leather satchel. I used to get compliments all the timewith it. People stopped me 4 or 5 times a day to tell me how much they likedit or to ask me where they could get one too. It was surprising and actuallypretty cool.
I took that leather briefcase with me on a 3 week hitchhiking trip aroundSouthern Mexico as my only bag and it was so full that it got uncomfortableafter awhile as I switched it from one shoulder to the other. Oh how I wishedI had a leather backpack with me instead of a leather satchel. The shoulderstrap on that first one was fixed in place, so I couldn't convert it to abackpack, but that gave me the big idea.
So, when I went to have some more satchels made, I had some improvements inmind. And one of those was a detachable shoulder strap that would feed througha center O-ring just behind the handle so it would make into a leatherbackpack. And boy did the compliments come flying in when people saw that coolleather bag on in backpack form.
That was great, but it didn't hold as much of the stuff as I needed a backpackto hold on longer trips. And that's when I went to work on designing my firstofficial leather backpack. I designed it in 2008 and it was actually the firstdesign we made when we opened our factory on October 13th, 2008. That leatherbackpack is now affectionately called "The Tank" among Saddleback collectorsand aficionados. And it was rightly named. The thing was as thick as abackpack can get and it was heavy. If I recall, just the shoulder straps aloneweighed about one pound each. But I didn't care. It was cool and I loved thatbackpack.
Over the years, I have made slight tweaks here and there to lighten thebackpack or to make it more comfortable while maintaining the quality. Infact, I know I've raised the quality and comfort of that leather backpack inslight ways that most people would never notice. I have also designed a numberof other canvas and leather backpacks that you'll see here. Not all of therucksacks I've designed will you see here. I never want to offer too manybackpacks because it keeps people from making a decision. So, when I launch anew one, I retire an old one. And this is what you see here. The best of thebest of the best backpacks I've designed since 2008.
My wife, Suzette, has designed some backpacks for herself and other women hereat Love 41. They have a slightly more feminine flair. My designs are justplain and simple, built for everyone. But generally for those with a littlestronger frame.
My son, Cross, designed a much lighter weight set of backpacks out of pigskin,which is what we use for the lining of our backpacks. We worked together onthem and I absolutely loved it. And so did he. They are very strong and verycomfortable backpacks for kids, women and men. My daughter, Sela, is not intodesigning and we're totally cool with that. She's an incredibly coordinatedgirl who is compassionate and has a flair for retro. She's amazing. Anyways, Ihope you'll check out our leather backpacks and fall in love with one. Maybeit'll be one of those things you didn't know that you didn't know. It happensto all of us and I hope it is about to happen to you.
If your life has to depend on a leather backpack, let it depend on ours.
You Found The Source For The Best Leather Backpack, Now Join The Newsletter
Now that you are done with the search for a new leather backpack, you havefree time. So the question is what to do with that free time, well, I have agreat answer. Join ourSaddleback Leather Co newsletter to stay up-to-date on new designs andcollections. We will have exclusive content and behind the scenes looks atwhat we are working on, so you can be the first to know about everythingSaddleback Leather Co.
