Front Pocket Leather Backpack

9.00 lb

18.00

16.00

10.00

$649.00 2025 Member Price: $584.10
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(228 reviews) Write a Review
SKU:
01-20-0003
100 Year Warranty

Design of the Front Pocket Leather Backpack

There is no luck in making a quality leather backpack. And this leather backpack with pockets is no exception. It was purposefully designed with no breakable parts like zippers, snaps, or velcro. And any stress spot is reinforced with Polyester straps hidden beneath the leather and riveted. The body of this leather backpack is built with just two big pieces of leather, which means there aren't many seams. The fewer the seams, the stronger the backpack because backpacks come apart at the seams before anywhere else. And then we only sew 5 stitches per inch, so there are as few holes as possible. Quality can be measured in Seam Feet (how few feet of seams a bag has. We made that term up).

Details

  • 100 Year Warranty
  • Fits all 17" laptops
  • Hidden Pockets Behind the Pockets

Dimensions (W x H x D) 

  • 12" X 17" X 7"
  • Weight: 6 lbs

MATERIALS

  • Full Grain Leather
  • Pigskin Lining
  • Custom Stainless Steel Hardware
  • Industrial Marine-Grade Polyester Thread

Materials used to create this Leather Backpack with Pockets

This backpack is made out of strong materials. The full grain leather is very tough and more resistant to water. The lining is made from pigskin, which is even stronger than cowhide. The hardware is made from 316 Stainless Steel, which is very strong and will not rust. The thread used to sew the backpack together is Polyester, which does not deteriorate in the sun as nylon thread does.

Full Grain Leather

The leather of this backpack is the strongest and most water-resistant we can find (full grain), and then we line it with pigskin, which is stronger than the cow skin. It's rare for a low-quality company to use full grain to make a leather backpack because it's so expensive. When I say "Full Grain Leather" I mean that it still has all of the tough, tightly woven fibers on the top of the hide.

A Genuine Leather Backpack is Missing the Strength

Most companies shave off the scars and blemishes from the top of the hide (watch how they shave it here at minute 6:30) and shave off the strongest and best part of the hide (the grain) while doing it. They shave it down to genuine leather. They do it, so they don't have to cut around the marks and throw those pieces into the trash as we do. We throw away 25% of the hide. They don't throw hardly anything away. But since it still has leather, they can call it a genuine leather backpack. It will not last nearly as long and is missing the beauty.

A Vegan Leather Backpack is Plastic Garbage

Vegan leather is ridiculous. It doesn't even make sense. It's usually polyurethane or PVC, which is a plastic. Do you want to wear a plastic backpack? No? We don't want you to either. You and I both know that will not last longer than your carebear backpack as a kid.

Seriously Strong Hardware in this Leather Backpack with Pockets

I know using 316 Stainless Steel custom hardware is kind of like killing a fly with a shotgun, but we did it anyways. Check that one off the list of potential problems. Our large pieces of hardware on our backpacks are rated strong enough to hold a 750 lb. bag of cats before it gives. Seriously, I hope you google it to understand more. If your life is going to depend on any metal, let it depend on 316 Stainless Steel.

The Best Thread to Hold it all Together

We sew it all together with thick and strong Polyester thread. It's industrial strength and doesn't deteriorate with exposure to the Sun's UV rays like Nylon thread does. This Leather Backpack is very strong from the nature of the materials we use.

From a Brown Leather Backpack, to a Black Leather Backpack, you have options

We know not everyone has the same style. So this leather backpack with pockets comes in four different colors. The light tan color (called Tobacco) develops a beautiful patina over time. There's also Dark Coffee Brown, Chestnut (reddish brown), and Black. So find the style that will suit you.

Very Spacious Main Compartment

The interior main compartment has enough space for your 17" laptop, a charger, other electronic gear, some personal items, your passport, a book, or possibly a few books. You could probably even fit a monkey in there if you had to. But we wouldn't recommend that. This is a very durable leather bag with plenty of room.

Adjustable Shoulder Straps

We want this leather backpack to be easy to carry on and off your back. So we made the most comfortable straps that are easily adjustable. This makes for easy access as you take it off to grab something out and toss it back on your back.

Videos

Leather Backpack Review at Head of the River Nile

How to Knock Off a Saddleback Leather Co. Briefcase

(228)
5 Stars Write a Review
  • 4
    One year in.....

    One year ago I opened a Christmas gift and was totally shocked to find the front pocket backpack in DCB. My wife did not understand my....well, obsession. Now she does. I have used this backpack for trips to Florida, Las Vegas and for 25 weekend trips, plus once a week I needed it for work. It is just now getting some scuff marks and starting to soften up. Don't let that fool you though; it's fit, comfort, capacity, construction and feel mean that every other backpack I owned went out the door. I now have 4 SBL pieces (Waterbag is still the best thing I have ever owned) and as I type this I'm shopping for more. Need a backpack? BUY this one!!!

  • 5
    From a filson fan

    As the headline says I'm a huge filson fan...I own 5 bags plus other hunting gear and sweaters... Other reviewers said that the Front pocket is heavy...well I think it's light...you need to be reasonable, it's made from genuine leather, so it's normal to have some weight on it...but then again, I honestly feel it's light...and I bought the large dark coffee brown one... I just received it today...now I watched all of Dave's movies on youtube and I felt like I already know the bag...well if you feel like that you're wrong...you should touch it! you should rub your hand over the leather, open it put your head inside of it, take a deep breath and say ahhhhhh... it's is honestly a work of art...i'm not sure if I should put it on display or wear it... Now, it's stiff...when trying to open the buckles or play with the straps you'll see how hard it is...however, it's is understandable since it'll need a couple of years to soften up. I opened my closet and started putting some clothes in it...I put two jeans, three sweaters, four underwears, four socks then i stopped cause no need to empty my closet just to put everything back again...so you got my point. I would like to thank "the bearded wonder" for his help, and everyone who helped sculpting this peace of art...a special thank you to the "Presidente" :) My other filson bags were happy to meet the FP they treated it as their equal :) P.S: I loved the little booklet you put in the right pocket...

  • 4
    Breaking it in Caribbean style

    The large front pocket backpack in dark coffee brown is my latest addition to the SBL collection of both my wife and I. I received it just before a recent family trip to Puerto Rico. On the flights to and from, there wasn't a flight crew that didn't comment and ask upon seeing it. Inquisitive looks in each airport were obvious. I packed it full. Took it to the beaches and it performed beautifully with the sandy elements and even the surprise tropical downpour. My wife says its beautiful and solid. Yet she thinks it to be too big and too heavy. It is both big and heavy, but I am 6' 4" 210 lbs and not her 4' 11" petite frame. It did take a little getting used to when compared to my former tactical backpack's accessibility and intelligent compartments, but nothing more than a small sacrifice for something much more valuable in the long run. After seeing it in my photo posts to the SBL Facebook page, my sister-in-law commented she wanted one. So now I am looking for one Dave's Deal for her in chestnut to match her special addition small classics briefcase. So the SBL family continues to grow...! (As I am writing this, my wife walked in and asked what I was doing. After hearing, she said I "was in love with" my SBL items. I replied she can love her collection of heels and boots and I will do just fine with my humble collection of SBL. Little does she know I have a Hobo bag in tobacco brown being delivered this week for her.)

  • 5
    I might be addicted

    I bought the large front pocket backpack in chestnut to match the end pocket duffel bag I purchased almost a year ago. I can't say enough good things about either bag. I ride vintage motorcycles, and needed something cool and manly to carry things when I ride--this fits the bill perfectly! In fact, I'll be riding a 1931 Harley cross country in September on the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run. You can bet that this bag will get quite a workout on that trip! The backpack is slightly larger than I had pictured in my mind, even though I measured out the dimensions before ordering. The only thing I wish was different about it would be a small pouch pocket on the inside of the bag, but that's just me being extremely picky! I have another trip in a couple of weeks, and really look forward to carrying this bag. I have never travelled with my duffel that I haven't received multiple comments on how nice it is. It gets more beautiful every time I travel with it. I look forward to weathering this one too! Scott Byrd Cannonball Rider #25

  • 5
    Work of art

    I had seen this bag in one of daves videos where he mentions it was in a testing stage and i immediately wished saddleback sold this because it was the bag i always needed but never seemed to exist. My saddleback classic brief case was stolen out of my car within months of having it and as bummed as i was my spirits raised finding out dave was releasing the bag i wished he sold in the first place this holiday season! I received the backpack this xmas and was thrilled, the design and detail is flawless and the bag can hold even small items securely which is impressive since it is one giant storage with a tie. saddlebacks best design hands down. this bag will be used heavily and i will probably make a video on it. Thanks for releasing the perfect bag saddleback!