Samsonite Classic Leather Slim Backpack Review [Hands-On + Photos]

Belinda Young
Apr 16
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

I tested this popular Samsonite leather backpack. Its classic design hides some really smart features. Here's my hands-on review, including some tips.

Note: Prices were correct at the time of writing.

Samsonite - Classic Leather Backpack

KEY TAKEAWAY:

Slim leather design fits laptops and travel essentials without looking bulky.

PERSONAL BACKSTORY:

I don’t usually write this kind of reviews, so the fact that I’m sitting down to do this says a lot. I’m a young professional who travels for work, and I wanted a backpack that really fit the bill, something high end and modern, but also practical enough for my day-to-day. I’m usually the kind of person who hesitates before spending too much on anything, but this bag had everything I was after. I needed something with a sharp look, real leather, light brown color, and slim enough that it would not look bulky in meetings. Plus, it had to be comfortable and protect my laptop. I decided to go for it, and I’m glad I did.

DAILY CARRY:

Since I started traveling more for work, this bag has become my go-to. It matches my business casual clothes and even looks great with a suit. I always have a lot of gear, my big 100w power bank, a 14.4 inch Surface Studio or my 13 inch MacBook Pro, a pouch with all my chargers, plus some other tech bits. The main pocket does get a little snug, but the way the compartments are set up makes it easier to organize everything. That back strap is a game changer when you’re in airports. It fits right onto my carry-on, so I’m not lugging everything on my back through the terminal.

CAPACITY LIMITS:

My sister Mellanie is a college professor and rides her bike to campus every day, so she needed something professional for teaching, but still hands-free. She was pretty clear, if you want to pack a ton of stuff, this bag is not for you. Smaller things, like hand cream, lip balm, and chargers, are no problem, but the main compartment just fits her water bottle, wallet, laptop, and some cables. There’s a bit more room at the top, but not a lot in terms of width, and you definitely do not want to overstuff it or it might lose its nice shape. For daily commutes and teaching, though, it’s just right. She mentioned she would not use it for big trips since she likes to carry loads of snacks and extra water on flights, but for school and work, it’s sturdy and has held up well after a month of daily use.

STRAP BUILD:

She had tried a few other leather backpacks before this one, but they all had these flimsy straps. But this one is different, with thick, mesh-lined straps that feel solid.

TRAVEL USE:

My cousin Josh travels constantly for work and was looking for a bag that looked professional, but also felt comfortable to haul around the city and through airports. He picked this one for the high quality leather, the nice slim look (which he liked because other options just looked way too bulky), and the sturdy zippers and pulls. He says that the bag has plenty of compartments and it keeps everything organized, and that the padded shoulder straps make a huge difference on long days. Josh also loves the luggage strap for travel. He recommended this bag to others right away.

LONG-TERM USE:

After using the bag for a few months, I want to share a heads up. All the things I loved about the bag are still true. The leather looks great, the straps and zippers are solid, and it’s super organized. But the inside lining started to separate at the seams and ended up tearing, which was disappointing. I retired the bag after that, so that’s something to keep in mind if you need something super durable for the long run.

By the way, are you also looking at more serious luggage for travel? If so, we’ve tested a few options that are incredibly popular this year: