12 Best Leather Backpacks of 2026

This is my top pick because it has it all: tons of organization features, a laptop sleeve, added security, and some seriously beautiful style.

Having an organized leather backpack is an absolute godsend for anyone who likes to keep their gear neat and tidy.

Unlike some of the other more simplistic bags on this list, the Kodiak Katmai Leather Backpack has lots of pockets. There's a padded laptop sleeve on the back wall of the main compartment, as well as large and medium zippered pockets on the front. Inside those pockets are smaller pockets for carrying your phone, credit cards, and other small items.

Bonus features: the straps are adjustable, and there's also a luggage strap to hook it onto the handle of your suitcase. The top carry handle is a nice touch.

I just love the timeless look of this bag. Plus, its top-grain cowhide, offered in three colors, ages beautifully!

The MAHI Classic Backpack 3.0 is a classic leather backpack that comes at a very affordable price. Each bag is handmade to order, it comes in a variety of colors, is made with full grain leather, brass fittings and YKK zippers...and there's even a vegan option!

Take your pick of personalization options when you order a MAHI Classic Leather Backpack, but the most common option is having your own initials stitched into the bottom of the bag. You’ll get three standard thread color options for each color of leather, and even customized font choices. If you have a business, you can request a hand-stitched logo, too! It’s clear that a lot of love and care goes into designing these bags.

Other than the design perks, this backpack is incredibly versatile with tons of organization. It has enough space for a 15” laptop in its separately padded laptop compartment, and there are two external water bottle holders. There’s also a leather strap on the back of the bag that perfectly slips over the handle of your carry-on suitcase.

The bag also has extendable back straps, a front zip pocket, two interior pockets, and an internal zippered pocket to keep your valuables safe.

There's a lot to love about this Monos Metro Backpack. Although there's a nylon version, this vegan leather backpack has a sleek profile, is water-resistant, and is multi-purpose built for everything from your daily commute to a weekend getaway. Best of all, it features the unique QuickSnap™ Modular Kit System.

This is something I haven't seen on a leather bag before. The interchangeable Metro Kit is designed to easily detach or swap out for another kit to suit your daily needs. It's meant to hold the things you need in easy reach.

For example, if you're on a long flight and you need to wash your face, brush your teeth, etc., you can just unsnap the kit and take it with you to the bathroom. Each kit fits other Metro bags as well, so you can attach it to your other bags. You can purchase a Folio Kit separately, which is designed to hold things like your phone charger and credit cards.

The clamshell main compartment makes it easy to access everything, and there's a 15" laptop sleeve inside. Plus there's a built-in luggage sleeve that you can attach to your suitcase while you're in transit.

A great every day carry bag, this is the ideal backpack for women on the go. Madewell has been a well-known staple brand for women since 2006, and continues to create clothing, accessories, and bags with innovative and stylish designs.

This backpack is made from Italian vegetable-tanned leather and comes in both a brown and black color. They even offer personalization, so you can add your initials to the bag! I love this option for gifts or differentiating my bag from others in public.

It has an exterior zippered pocket for those items you need to access quickly, and small inside sleeves for a phone, cards, pens, chapstick, and more. There is a larger zippered pocket on the inside back as well.

You'll see that leather backpacks from Kodiak keep popping up in this review. You know when one brand appears a few times in a list that they make excellent products.

Their Kobuk Leather Backpack is absolutely beautiful, I have to admit. It has a bit more personality than the other backpacks on this list.

Think handsomely rugged.

It’s the ideal travel backpack if you want that retro-feel but you need to travel with your tech.

I’m a sucker for that vintage aesthetic. I’ve purchased many retro bags, but their lack of purpose-made space for tech has always been a problem. I also think this bag offers the best security thanks to the buckles and double closure system.

One of the most unique sacks on the list, the Harber London Slim Laptop Bag is only 1.7 inches wide! And it actually comes in two different sizes, referring to the size of the laptop it can carry: the small size holds 13”/14” laptops, while the large size holds 15”/16” laptops.

The primary function of this bag is to be as compact as possible. In fact, 5L is its max capacity, because this backpack isn't meant to carry more than—you guessed it—a laptop.

The zippers are water resistant to make sure your electronics stay dry. There's a front pocket for chargers, a detachable magnetic key holder, comfortable shoulder straps and a grab handle, and a luggage pass-through sleeve for your carry-on.

Each bag is handcrafted with premium full-grain leather, which ages gracefully and adds to the bag’s personality over time. It’s definitely one of the best-looking bags on this list and will stand out from other laptop backpacks.

ISM makes tech-focused leather backpacks sans the luxury price tag. The company's bags are made in the same factory, with the same materials as many of the top-of-the-line luxury bags on the market. With The Backpack, you’re getting pretty much the same luxury product at three to five times cheaper.

It’s not just the price point that makes the ISM pack a great leather backpack for men, or even women, however.

They've adopted the hyper-functionality of other tech bags, minus the clutter of all the unnecessary zippers and contraptions that they often come with. They're specifically made for digital freelancers/nomads who love functional simplicity. That definitely sounds like me. What about you?

ISM also takes comfort seriously. That’s why their backpack straps echo the excellent support and comfort provided by hiking backpacks.

The ISM backpack comes in large and small. They’re not THAT much different in size. Go for the large one if you’re taller, or if you want to travel for a weekend or longer with a laptop. If you’re shorter than 5”5, go for the small size.

It’s great for light-carry commuting and day trips. I love that you can keep your laptop separate from everything else. It’s simple but effective.

Leatherology is a luxury bag company based in Texas. They do everything, from design to production in-house, so you know you’re getting an excellent product that has undergone a ton of quality testing for craftsmanship, durability, and detail.

Leatherology makes a huge range of timeless leather products for both women and men, including everything from coin holders to full-sized leather travel backpacks. If it’s leather, they make it.

Its organization is excellent. There are two huge zippered main compartments and a front zippered outside compartment. Its many pockets include a laptop pocket for slim tech up to 17 inches, 2 x 2-inch exterior side pockets for chargers and keys, and another small exterior zip pocket.

If you’re looking for a soft leather backpack for women, then the Leatherology Parker Backpack is a good choice for you. It comes in a range of black leather and brown leather shades, and it’s pretty versatile.

Frye crafts premium Italian leather bags made with some of the best natural materials available.

Their Melissa Medium Backpack is a hybrid between a small weekender backpack and a commuter bag. If you’re looking for a beautiful leather backpack that you can slip under an airplane seat or use around town, this might be the best leather backpack purse for you.

While it’s not large, this backpack is ideal if you know how to travel light and just want to carry around the essentials. It has adjustable shoulder straps and a top handle for easy carrying.

It features one outer sleeve pocket to carry small essentials and an interior zippered pocket on the back panel of the bag for those items you want to keep secure and organized.

Yet another Kodiak product on this list. The Kodiak Leather Mini Woven Backpack is a winner if you’re looking for a small leather backpack to hold your essentials and easily sling over your shoulders.. It’s casual and stands out on the streets but also doesn’t feel out of place on a day hike.

For a small bag, the Kodiak Mini Woven Backpack has great organization. It features a padded laptop sleeve, multiple interior packets for sunscreen or lotion, and small slots for cards, pens, a phone, and more. It also has side pockets for small water bottles and other items.

With 10L of carrying capacity, it’s the perfect everyday carry bag. Plus, the woven leather look is very unique and stylish.

ONA was founded in NYC back in 2010. They design stylish, highly functional backpacks, especially for creative professionals and freelancers. Their designs are timeless, too, and last a lifetime.

The ONA’s Clifton is a standout option for creatives on the move. I’m one of those people, so it’s only natural that I love this leather backpack.

But here’s what I like the most: it’s exceptionally comfortable for long days on the move.

Having a completely separate laptop compartment is a wonderful addition for us digital nomads out there. Plus, there is still plenty of room for all your other tech. It’s also a breath of fresh air to see a camera bag made of natural materials.

Photographers take note: this bag holds between 4-6 lenses and is primarily a tech backpack with removable dividers for when you want to use it as an everyday travel daypack. But if you want to take other personal items (like clothes), go for the ONA Camp’s Bay backpack instead. It’s not leather, so it doesn’t fit on this list, but I highly recommend it for its better use of space.

If you can’t tell, I am a big fan of Kodiak Leather backpacks—this is the third one on the list. They make high-quality bags with top-notch leather and amazing styling.

The Kodiak Leather Kobuk is no exception.

This one has that vintage style that I love so much. I am also obsessed with the water-resistant rolltop too. It makes me want to get up from this desk right now and go for a hike through the Tirol.

This backpack offers great little details like the magnetic snap closure for the front pocket, zippered side pockets for a phone or wallet, and a padded laptop sleeve.

Kodiak leather products (including the Katmai, Kobuk, and Diaper Bag on this list) generally come with a limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects and craftsmanship, so you can relax knowing you’re covered.