15 Best Leather Travel Backpacks for Women in 2024
A leather backpack is one of the most functional and fashionable travel accessories around. Not only are leather backpacks totally timeless, but they’ll also look great paired with just about any outfit you might be taking with you. Keep reading for details on our favorite leather travel backpacks for women.
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15 best leather travel backpacks: our top picks
1. Best drawstring leather backpack: Nisolo
The Daniela Drawstring Backpack from Nisolo stands out as a superb travel companion, boasting a blend of sophistication and functionality. Its premium leather construction exudes durability, while the drawstring closure ensures easy access and security for your belongings. With a spacious interior and thoughtful design, this backpack effortlessly combines style and practicality, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking both elegance and convenience on their journeys.
Price: starting at $230
2. Best Italian leather backpack: Cuyana
Cuyana’s leather backpack is an excellent option for on-the-go comfort and ease. In the brand’s own words, this is a “modern rendition of the classic design,” with a spacious interior and thoughtful details to accommodate your travel needs. Not only is this bag made from gorgeous Italian leather, but it’s assembled in a small, family-owned factory just outside of Pisa. The quality materials and quality craftsmanship make this a purchase you can really feel good about.
Price: starting at $478
3. Best convertible leather backpack: Capsoul
We’re convinced The Capsoul Pack can do just about anything. Branded as “a backpack for the business savvy and fashion forward” this leather backpack comes with an adjustable utility strap for extra security and compression. It includes five detachable packing pouches, with a 17-inch laptop sleeve located in the rear compartment. Additionally, it boasts two internal compartments styled like suitcases for efficient packing during brief overnight trips. Whether you're heading to a business luncheon or planning a short getaway, this backpack is designed to meet your needs.
Price: starting at $249
4. Best compact faux-leather backpack: Arden Cove
The MB Packing Backpack from Arden Cove has all the features and details you could want in just one compact bag. This design has a padded laptop compartment, designated tablet sleeve, padded backpack straps, and a concealed zippered pocket on the front for convenient storage. It also boasts a wall pocket for your phone, RFID-blocking pocket for your passport, and it zips completely open (like a traditional suitcase) so you can pack up to a week’s worth of clothes.
Price: starting at $579
5. Best lightweight backpack with leather accents: Lo & Sons
If you’re always looking for ways to travel light, then you’ll love the Rowledge backpack from Lo & Sons. The small version of this bag weighs less than 3 lbs, but can hold up to 17 liters in volume. That’s some serious carrying capacity! In terms of features, this backpack has a designated laptop compartment, water-resistant zippers, and a “clever array” of pockets to hold your important documents, small electronics, travel water bottle, or even your travel snack stash.
Price: starting at $372
Read our review of the Rowledge backpack from Lo & Sons here.
6. Best leather backpack with trolley sleeve: Carl Friedrik
The Bowen All-Leather backpack is basically a master class in traveling in style. This leather design from Carl Friedrik is as elegant as it is functional, thanks to its wide zippered opening, built-in padded laptop section, and padded mesh shoulder straps that prioritize your comfort. But our favorite feature has to be the integrated trolley sleeve, which lets you attach this backpack to your rolling suitcase for a totally seamless travel experience. We love to see it!
Price: starting at $645
7. Best minimalist leather backpack: Satchel & Page
The clean and modern design of this Satchel & Page backpack gets an A in our book. We can’t get over how aesthetically pleasing this one is — from its vegetable-tanned finish to its “elegant-hand feel,” this bag is a minimalist traveler’s dream. On top of using such beautiful leather materials, this backpack is also made with a tobacco suede lining, hand-hammered copper rivets, antique brass hardware, and a waxed polyester thread for added durability.
Price: starting at $575
8. Best faux leather backpack: Monos
The Metro Backpack from Monos is a multipurpose companion for everyday travel, whether you’re commuting to work or going away for the weekend. Along with its scratch-resistant vegan leather materials, this bag has a hidden back pocket (plus magnetic snap closure) for secure access to your phone, passport, wallet, or other small valuables. Better yet, there’s even a privacy compartment made with waterproof fabric to store your gym clothes or a wet rain jacket.
Price: starting at $220
9. Best faux leather backpack for organization: Calpak
The Kaya backpack from Calpak is a great choice for anyone who appreciates staying organized while on the go. Aside from its 15” padded laptop sleeve, this design has multiple interior pockets that’ll keep all your belongings right where you can find them. There are pockets to fit your phone, travel wallet, passport, keys, small toiletries, and even any reading materials you’re bringing along for the ride. Stylish and functional, this bag is a winner all the way around.
Price: starting at $138
10. Best mini leather backpack: Saddleback Leather
This mini backpack from Saddleback Leather is all kinds of cute but super functional at the same time. While this design has a full-grain leather exterior, the interior is actually lined with pigskin (which is much more durable than traditional cowskin materials). The size of this bag makes it ideal for carrying your everyday travel essentials — so even though it can’t fit a laptop, it still holds everything you need for a weekend adventure or a full day exploring a new city.
Price: starting at $199
11. Best personalized leather backpack: Madewell
There’s a lot to love about Madewell's Lorimer Backpack. For starters, this vegetable-tanned bag has a soft, yet structured shape that gives it an effortlessly cool look you can pair with any and all travel outfits. Its large zippered compartment has space for all your electronics, while the smaller exterior pocket is a great place for your keys, wallet, or sunglasses. And if you really want to make this bag your own, you have the option to personalize it with a custom monogram.
Price: starting at $228
12. Best bucket leather backpack: Portland Leather
Portland Leather’s Bucket Backpack is the “effortless, hands-free bag you’ll want to grab every day.” This casual design comes with a drawstring opening plus magnetic flap closure to securely hold all your essentials. There are also adjustable straps to ensure a perfect fit, as well as a sneaky inside pocket that offers easy access to your phone or wallet. Last but certainly not least, this backpack also comes in 6 stunning colors like Nutmeg, Eucalyptus, and Dream.
Price: starting at $212
13. Best hybrid leather backpack: ISM Bags
The Backpack from ISM Bags is a beautiful hybrid of full-grain leather and nylon materials — both of which are water-resistant and super durable. In addition to its dedicated laptop compartment (with 2 padded sleeves), this bag also comes with a roomy main compartment, 4 side pockets, and a zippered front pocket that’s designed to keep you organized. Even better, the back panel has supportive padding that’ll bring extra comfort to your neck and shoulders.
Price: starting at $300
14. Best versatile leather backpack: FOSSIL
The Parker Backpack from FOSSIL is a fun and functional bag that makes a great choice for travel. That said, the versatility of this design is what really sets it apart. This bag has 2 adjustable (and detachable) straps that allow you to wear it as a backpack or crossbody style — but there’s also a sturdy top handle in case you’d rather carry this one by hand. We love that there are so many options to choose from depending on your mood or what the day holds.
Price: starting at $330
15. Best crossbody leather backpack: The Real Leather Company
The Real Leather Company has dubbed this leather backpack “the ultimate grab-and-go daypack.” This crossbody design is made from full-grain buffalo leather — an especially strong material that offers incredible durability (and slowly develops a rich patina with more use). In The Real Leather Company’s own words, if you treat this bag well “there’s no reason why it shouldn’t last for decades to come.” Sounds like a pretty smart investment to us!
Price: starting at $229
Leather travel backpacks - common FAQs
Are leather backpacks worth it?
Leather backpacks make great travel bags, seeing as leather is both durable and versatile (and looks better with continued use). Even if you don’t want to purchase a genuine leather bag, there are plenty of faux leather options out there that make wonderful alternatives.
Which brands are best for leather backpacks?
These days, tons of brands sell quality, well-designed leather backpacks. That said, the brands with the best leather backpacks include Arden Cove, Calpak, Cuyana, and Monos.
Are leather backpacks still in style?
Yes, leather backpacks are still in style. A leather backpack is one of the most stylish and timeless travel accessories you can buy, and is versatile enough to pair with nearly any outfit.