What People Think
The Perfect Size Backpack
I waffled around for a long time on whether this bag would be big enough, and I haven't seen any reviews from after the redesign, so let me tell y'all, this backpack is the PERFECT size and is MORE than big enough. A lot of the old version reviews made it sound like it would be the same depth inside as one of their satchels or thin briefcases and yeah, nope, that is absolutely not true anymore AT ALL.
I can carry a 36oz Yeti Rambler water bottle or a full size Stanley thermos, with a 13" laptop AND a 12" tablet (both in the very spacious pigskin internal sleeve pocket), a folded up big fleece jacket, my lunch, plus wallet, keys, phone, and half a dozen other things.
The hidden "pockets" behind the front and side ones are super trick, and all of the pockets are more than big enough to be useful. The structure of this bag keeps it a slimmer profile on the back, you can swing your arms back without your elbows hitting it and you don't feel like you're rucking some huge turtleshell around. The straps take a while to break in, but they are comfortable after they do.
It's thin enough to give it lots of structure and style, and prevents it from feeling like a big leather sack inside where all your stuff gets all mixed together and disorganized, the pockets are absolutely a must, but it's also plenty deep width wise.
If you need to carry more stuff than this around town, campus, or even around an airport as an under-the-seat bag, you've got too much stuff, or you need a proper trekking pack or nylon duffel that wont be so heavy.
If you're a commuter or a student, or anyone that basically just wants a classier, lasts-forever leather big-kid version of the functionality and size of an old Jansport classic? This is the bag for you, you don't want anything bigger or less organized.
Take my advice, get this bag and trim down your EDC as necessary, because any bigger a bag than this, and trust me, you're the "backpack guy" everyone hates on subways.
Perfect changes for a perfect EDC
Together at last!!
Beautiful traveling piece
I originally opted for the Chestnut color, but after being informed it was out of stock, they were able to switch to Dark Coffee Brown and got it to me literally the next day, enough time to pack before my big trip. That is service! The color of the one I received seems lighter than the stock photo, and is a beautiful, tough feeling backpack all around. Color seems easy to mark, but that's pretty much any leather piece it seems; you get a lighter tan chocolate contrast similar to the edges from scratches or creases (ie, strap areas where there is sharp bending) against the dark chocolate matte finish.
I am 5'5" and the backpack fits my frame perfectly (in my opinion). Suffice to say, I've never been this excited for a backpack before. Thank you, Saddleback, and thank you to Meredith with the leather crew!
Awesome Bag!!!
Product Details
Fits a 16” MacBook Pro
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Interior: 12" x 16" x 4.5"
Weight: 4 lbs
Design of this Leather Backpack
This is the 2nd edition of the Thin Front Pocket Leather Backpack with a few changes that I think you’ll love. The original backpack was everyone’s favorite, and we rarely got a complaint. Still, I made some slight changes that may be overkill, but they’re more consistent with our lowest possible seam-feet approach to design.
No Breakable Parts In This Thin Leather Backpack
This slim leather backpack is still built without breakable parts like zippers, magnets, velcro, or snaps. It is still reinforced at all stress points with hidden polyester straps and strong rivets. At Saddleback Leather Co, we build full grain leather designs that stand the test of time. Breakable parts are things you find in a department store backpack, not here.
Less Is More When It Comes To Seams in a Leather Backpack
The body of this slim leather backpack is still only built with two big solid pieces of leather, but now all three front pockets of the backpack are all made of just one solid piece of leather. You see, the fewer seams a leather backpack has, the fewer seams there are to start a rip. And not only that, but we only allow 5 stitches per inch of our seams, so there is more leather between holes and, therefore, fewer holes to start a tear. I once interviewed a second-generation sailmaker in New Zealand. He referred to a sewing machine as a perforation machine and said the fewer holes, the stronger the sail. That stuck with me. It’s the same with this leather backpack.
Materials in this Slim Leather Backpack
This leather backpack is entirely made of full-grain leather, the strongest and most water-resistant leather. And it’s a little thicker than boot leather. We could have saved money, used something less pricey like top grain leather, or saved even more and made a genuine leather backpack. But we didn’t worry about the price of the best natural leather. We wanted to make something that would last, so we used the best full grain leather.
Cheap Leather Backpacks
Sure, there are companies across the pacific making a backpack or briefcase every minute to sell to the next sucker at the department store. But they are made of trash materials that will not last. So do some research. If you are shopping for that before you make a purchase, check the specs. If the seller publishes those details, I think you will see what I am talking about.
Pigskin Lined Backpack
And then, we lined the leather backpack with heavy-duty pigskin, which is stronger than cow skin. This also makes it easier to see inside in a dimly lit area since pigskin is a lighter color, allowing the light to reflect deeper inside.
The Best Thread
Our thread is an expensive German industrial-grade polyester thread typically used for sewing sails on ships and quality boots because of its strength and resistance to deterioration from the sun.
Surgical Grade Stainless Steel Hardware
Our custom 316 Stainless Steel is not your regular Stainless Steel. Instead, it’s the metal of choice when your life depends on it. In fact, our clasps are rated to hold up to a 750 lb. bag of cats over a cliff without breaking. There’s no other leather backpack like this.
Functionality
The Thin Front Pocket Leather Backpack has three exterior pockets with a hidden pocket behind them for quick access or for sticking in longer things. The main backpack strap has a hole at the very tip just in case your bag is way, way overstuffed. The shoulder straps have an adjustable and comfortable shoulder pad to distribute the backpack’s weight.
Makes a Great Slim Laptop Backpack
The Thin Front Pocket Leather Backpack is perfect as a slim laptop backpack. You can fit a 15” MacBook Pro as well as a 13” MacBook Pro. Not only that, but you can also fit your charger and charging cord, as well as a few other things like an iPad, your wallet, your phone, pens, pencils, and maybe a few other accessories. This backpack is perfect for those who want to travel light but still have everything they need.
A Great Backpack for Business Or Pleasure
People will notice when you walk into a meeting with a backpack like this one. See, full grain leather adds sophistication. A level of class that you just can’t get with some modern designs made of cheap materials. It’s perfect for business or pleasure. See, even though it is elegant, it is also durable enough for a hike through the rainforest. Yes, it can handle a little rain. So even though you carry your laptops around in it everyday, take time off. Empty the collection of business stuff, load it up for a fun trip, and jump on a plane to some exotic place. It is spacious enough for your carry on essentials, and the durability can’t be beaten.
Adjustable Shoulder Straps
We know one size fits all is typical talk from a company that didn’t care to spend the time and money to make it adjustable. We know when you pass this classic leather backpack down to your kids or grandkids, they might not be the same size as you. So we made the shoulder straps adjustable to be easy and comfortable to wear it. When you carry these backpacks on your back, we want you to be able to forget it is even back there.
No Regrets in Slovenia Bedtime Story from Uncle Dave
Back in 2005, I was spending a little time in Slovenia and kept hearing of a little hike I needed to take along the Radovna River, about an hour away from Ljubljana. So I grabbed my leather backpack and headed to Vintgar Gorge. I started down the trail and couldn’t believe that such a place even existed. It was stunning and one of the most beautiful hikes I had ever been on. And that’s high praise coming from a curious man raised in Oregon.
Coming out of the gorge, I ended up walking around Lake Bled and rowing a cool wooden rowboat out to The Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary on the island out in the middle. Of course, it was raining on my head and on my leather backpack for almost the entire 4 hours. Good thing it was thick and made of full-grain leather, so none of my gear inside got wet.
I’ve done quite a few things in this short life that I regret, but that hike was not counted among them. No one ever regretted doing a good thing. Spending too much time in nature, owning a quality thing, or spending too much time with loved ones are all good things. Imagine someone on their deathbed saying, “Man, I really regret sponsoring that little kid to go to school in Rwanda 40 years ago?” Or “I sure do regret taking time out of my busy schedule to go hiking that one time?” Or, “Why in the world did I decide to be the most humble and mature one in my family to make things right with them?” This one is perhaps the last regret you’ll hear on a deathbed. “Hey grandkids, gather around. You know that old worn in and weathered leather backpack next to this deathbed? I just wanted y’all to know that I really regret buying it 60 years ago.” I don’t think so. No one ever regretted doing a good thing.
Like I said earlier. I’ve done a lot of things in this life that I regret, but some of my biggest regrets are things that I didn’t do. Not all big things. For example, I was in North Africa once, on the edge of the Sahara, and didn’t buy a pair of leather sandals and a leather satchel that I had found in the medina. My leather suitcase was already full, and I didn’t want to lash them to my Leather Backpack, so I walked away and regret it to this day. We all do things we regret, and we always will, because we’re humans. But it’s the good things that I want to encourage you to do. Live your life doing as many of those as you can. No one ever regretted doing a good thing.
Join Our Newsletter For More Great Stories
At Saddleback Leather Co, we not only strive to provide our customers with quality designs that they will enjoy, but also bring inspiring stories and helpful tips straight to their inbox. So if you want to stay up-to-date with new designs and everything else that makes Saddleback Leather Co the premier source for quality leather goods, sign up for our newsletter today. You’ll get all the latest news, updates and stories from around the world without ever having to leave your inbox. Join us today and never regret doing a good thing.
