Best Men’s Leather Backpack

Like your favorite pair of jeans or a fine wine, leather ages gracefully. Leather goods are investment pieces that you’ll use for decades and can pass down to future generations. A  backpack is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a leather good to cherish. Leather backpacks combine the utility of a rucksack with the timeless style of leather.

The best men’s leather backpacks are made of high quality cowhide, which make them as strong as they are stylish. A variety of features and styles make leather backpacks suitable for all kinds of uses, from commuting to studying.

We’ve perused thousands of user reviews to find the best men’s leather backpacks. These bags will stand the test of time thanks to their high quality and classic look.

How We Researched The Best Men’s Leather Backpack

54 Expert Reviews Considered
846 Consumer Reviews Considered
3.5 Hours Researching
23 Products Evaluated

Best Men’s Leather Backpack 3 Features That Make Leather Backpacks for Men Special

1. High Quality Leather

The best leather backpacks are made of high quality leather that can last through years of heavy use. Most of these bags are made with full grain cowhide, which is known for its natural color and quality. Because full grain leather is rare, it is the most expensive kind of leather.

Since it’s only lightly processed, full grain leather can display natural markings that resemble wrinkles and blemishes. Thanks to these unique markings, no two leather backpacks are alike.

2. Masculine Design

Masuline design makes men’s leather backpacks unique. Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to leather backpacks for men. These bags often have sleek silhouettes and minimalist trimmings and hardware, and forego flashy logos. Thanks to their classic design, men’s leather backpacks are worn by all genders and have a timeless quality to them.

3. Durability

It’s important for men’s leather backpacks to be built with longevity in mind because they are more expensive than backpacks made from other materials. Durable hardware and reinforced stitching extend the life of these investment pieces. Generous warranty policies also play an important role in servicing the bag if it needs maintenance and providing the buyer with peace of mind.

Best Men’s Leather Backpack Top 5: Best Men’s Leather Backpacks

Kenneth Cole REACTION Back-Stage Access Backpack

Product place
Our Top Pick
Product rating

The Kenneth Cole REACTION Back-Stage Access Backpack’s streamlined, minimalistic design makes it a classic that will stay in style for decades to come. It’s crafted with high quality Colombian full grain leather and comes in three colors including black, dark brown, and a deep tan “cognac” shade.

This leather backpack is perfect for business travelers. It’s the ideal personal item to have on flights thanks to its many organizational compartments. This backpack even has a security checkpoint-friendly laptop compartment, which means that you’ll no longer have to remove your laptop from your bag while going through TSA security.

  • Streamlined, minimalistic design
  • Front pocket has many compartments
  • Security checkpoint-friendly laptop sleeve
  • Trolley sleeve
  • Not waterproof

TUMI Men's Alpha Bravo Nellis Backpack

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Runner Up
Product rating

The TUMI Men’s Alpha Bravo Nellis Backpack is a close second to our first choice in men’s leather backpacks. At 25 L capacity, this stunner is the most spacious bag among our top five. It’s loaded with practical features like a laptop compartment, tablet sleeve, and trolley sleeve.

Buyers will benefit from the complimentary TUMI Tracer program, which helps customers find lost TUMI products via their bag’s unique identification code. Once a customer registers their bag and shares their contact information, TUMI will know where to send misplaced goods.

  • Spacious 25 L capacity
  • Trolley sleeve
  • 15” laptop compartment and sleeve for tablets
  • TUMI Tracer capabilities
  • Not waterproof
  • Limited style options

Polare Cowhide Leather Laptop Backpack

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3rd Place
Product rating

For those looking for a men’s leather backpack with plenty of organizational pockets and a vintage look, the Polare Cowhide Leather Laptop Backpack is the bag for you. This beautiful backpack is made of premium full grain Italian and American cowhide leather. 

Five external pockets adorn the front of this bag and give it a unique look. Thanks to hook and loop closures, these pockets are a safe place to store small items like keys, camera gear, or earbuds. Customers also love this backpack’s large laptop sleeve and two water bottle pockets.

  • Many external compartments with hook and loop closures for safety
  • Laptop sleeve fits up to 16” laptop
  • Two side water bottle pockets
  • Reinforced zippers
  • Not waterproof
  • Several reviews complained about zipper quality

FRYE Men’s Logan Backpack

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4th Place
Product rating

The FRYE Men’s Logan Backpack is an excellent choice for commuters. Its water bottle pocket, laptop sleeve, and timeless design make it the perfect companion for long rides in your car or on public transportation.

FRYE has been perfecting the art of leather goods since 1863, so you know you’re getting a high quality product when you buy this backpack. This piece is made of premium Italian leather and comes in four colors, including an unexpected blue shade which is great for those who want to stand out.

  • Many style options
  • Simple, timeless design
  • Laptop sleeve
  • Two water bottle pockets
  • Not waterproof
  • Small capacity

Fossil Leather Backpack with 13" Laptop Compartment

Product place
5th Place
Product rating

Minimalists will love Fossil’s Leather Backpack with 13” Laptop Compartment. This simple bag has few embellishments and compartments, which make it versatile. Its main compartment has a pocket that can fit laptops with screen sizes up to 13”. 

Fossil has been making leather goods since 1984, so you know that this backpack will be cool for decades to come. Those who focus on substance over style will enjoy the backpack’s ergonomic padded mesh back for comfortable carrying.

  • Internal laptop sleeve fits up to 13” laptop
  • Spacious main compartment
  • Cool brand
  • Ergonomic padded mesh back for comfortable carrying
  • The laptop “compartment” is a pocket inside the main compartment rather than a separate compartment
  • No water bottle pocket

Best Men’s Leather Backpack Conclusion: The Best Leather Backpack for Men

Leather bags are classic and durable. Based on our research and the reviews of thousands of customers, the best men’s leather backpack is the Kenneth Cole REACTION Back-Stage Access Backpack. This backpack’s timeless looks and modern features make it a no-brainer for men with great style.

That being said, any of the other contenders on our list are superb options if you’re on the hunt for the best leather backpacks for men. These investment pieces will serve you, and possibly future generations, well.