Buying A Leather Backpack

Were it the still the early twentieth century and materials like nylon and sailcloth were not readily available, most would probably tell you to run out to your local outdoor sporting goods store and pick up a leather backpack for all of your camping, hiking, and hunting needs. However, in the twenty first century, you will want to be aware of the problems that may arise from purchasing a leather backpack.

David King Leather 322 Expandable Backpack

Three elegant arched compartments add a three dimensional detail to this sleek leather backpack design.

See more leather backpacks from Bagsbuy.

First of all, most reputable sporting goods companies have all but stopped making a leather backpack specifically for camping and other outdoors events because leather is a fairly volatile material, and, when it is not reinforced, it can easily slide down a rocky mountainside. Also, real leather tends to shrink in the rain. Now just imagine you are hiking along and you get caught in a rain or snow storm and you feel as though your entire upper body is getting tighter and tighter. No, you aren’t having a heart attack, your leather backpack is just shrinking because of all of the moisture it is absorbing.

Leather doesn’t hold up very well in rain and snow. Just think of your most expensive pair of dress shoes. Do you want to wear them out in a monsoon? No. You’d rather wear your nylon running shoes and change when you get to the office where it is dry. The same theory holds true for a leather backpack, and to be completely honest, no one wants to smell like wet cow leather.

If you buy a regular leather backpack as purses or school book bags – you will end up hating yourself for it, although it’s true that for more urban activities a leather backpack is a great item to have. But, when you’re wandering off into the wilderness for a few days, the best advice would be to buy a newer style of backpack, something made of nylon and plastic. It’s cheaper, sturdier, and much more reliable.