Despite the fact it’s generally not as roomy as the classic tote bag, nor as eye-catching as the crossbody, the backpack remains a versatile accessory worth adding to any sophisticated wardrobe.
In this Buyer’s Guide, we’ve gone ahead and done the legwork; whittling the longlist of the best men’s backpacks on the internet down to a handful of options. Together, they cover off what we think of as a decent array of materials, budgets, and aesthetics.
Four-figure knapsacks in goat suede, hi-tech weatherproof clamshells, the ultimate ‘daily carry’… no matter what your particular backpack of choice is, each of these strikes a great balance between substance and style. The fact that they allow you go to hands-free? Well, that’s just icing on the cake.
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Brunello Cucinelli Suede Backpack
DETAILS
- 6cm x 49cm x 30cm
- Grey
- Suede exterior, canvas interior
- Mr Porter exclusive
The closest thing that Brunello Cucinelli, Italy’s ‘King of Cashmere’, makes to a commuter backpack (assuming your ‘commute’ takes place astride a $20,000 e-bike).
Like most things in the Cucinelli universe — down to the table wine used at the brand’s shows — this knapsack-style number is crafted in Solomeo, Italy. The exterior utilises tonal brown goat suede: a variety of napped leather craftspeople turn to when they need something hard-wearing, with good tensile strength.
The layout is also ideal for day-to-day use: there are two internal slip pockets, two snap-fastening pockets on the bag’s front, and even a trolley strap on the worn side. (The latter being most useful when you want to fix your backpack to the handle of wheeled luggage.)
Rains MSN Bag
DETAILS
- 40cm x 35cm x 15cm
- Green (multiple colourways)
- Waterproof PU fabric
- Polyester lining
It’s not clear whether the name MSN is an acronym or an abbreviation, but what’s beyond dispute is the fact that this design — by Danish performancewear label Rains — successfully reimagines the humble school backpack for today’s urbanists.
Being that protection against the elements is such a big focus for Rains, the outside of the MSN is made in a waterproof polyester that is also coated in polyurethane. In English? Light to medium showers don’t stand a chance.
For improved security, the backpack’s large flapped compartment closes with a set of carabiners. These compress as the bag begins to fill up: ensuring your meticulously arranged personal effects stay in place.
Epperson Mountaineering Multicolour Climb Pack
DETAILS
- 48cm x 28cm x 15cm
- Forest green/barn red (multiple colourways)
- 1000-denier Cordura nylon exterior
- Milspec nylon interior
While a lot of brands tout their (dubious) connection to hiking, climbing and other outdoor activities, Epperson Mountaineering — founded in Montana in 1973 — is the real deal.
The company’s medium-sized ‘Climb Pack’ is appropriately sized for most everyday needs; and true to its name, can be strapped on whilst you tackle open cliff faces.
Unsurprisingly then, a lot of this backpack’s key features have been designed to help with climbing activities. The top closure utilises an American-made carabiner; snap-fastening side pockets make it a cinch to reach for your personal effects; and the pack’s Cordura exterior is rated 1,000 denier.
Fun fact: that last spec means this pack is made some of the strongest commercial-grade nylon in the world. Resistant to moisture, abrasion, and definitely whatever overpriced coffee you accidentally spill on it mid-way through brunch.
Maison de Sabre ‘The Backpack’
DETAILS
- 41cm x 31cm x 16cm
- Pacific blue (multiple colourways)
- DriTan™ leather exterior
- Cotton twill lining
Notably an inclusion from local Sydney-based label Maison de Sabre, this backpack is made with leather that has been processed using DriTan™ technology; making it some of the most sustainable in the world. On the practical front, the design isn’t half bad either.
Boasting a total of 11 storage compartments inside and out, there are discrete areas in ‘The Backpack’ for pretty much every daily essential that you can think of. Ranging from a dedicated stationary pocket to an elasticated water bottle holder; and, ingeniously, a key lanyard which can stretch up to 18cm.
Admittedly, the overall style here errs on the dressier side but Maison de Sabre has done what it can to up the weather resistance — giving buyers of a complimentary leather protectant.
Tod’s ‘T Timeless’ Leather Backpack
Three-and-a-half grand is a lot to pay for any bag, but in the context of European luxury houses, men’s backpacks from Tod’s offer relatively decent value.
Crafted almost entirely from buttery calfskin leather, the ‘T Timeless’ lives up to its name with a versatile black colourway and few strategically placed bits of branding. (The most prominent of which is the T-shape logo inlaid with leather.)
A lack of built-in weatherproofing means that this is one of those men’s backpacks that works best in predominantly indoor settings — such as the office or swish airport lounges.
Regardless, the T Timeless’s lack of obvious gadgetry doesn’t mean it’s low on function. The shoulder straps are adjustable and the top is fastened using a discrete magnetic closure. Visually, we think that’s all upside: lending this bag a clean, almost sartorial look.
Bellroy ‘Transit’ Workpack
- 51cm x 38cm x 16cm
- Bronze (multiple colourways)
- Baida nylon exterior
- Full-zip clamshell construction
Don’t be fooled by this ‘Transit’ pack’s modest price tag: what it lacks in extravagant trappings it makes up for with sheer functionality. The second generation of a signature Bellroy bestseller, the Transit was designed from day one to be the ultimate “commuter backpack.”
Like a handful of other men’s backpacks on our list, this one is built using a clamshell design; meaning that wearers can more easily organise their clothing and tech accessories, up to a maximum capacity of 20 litres.
As an added bonus, the bag’s ‘Dura Nylon’ exterior is made from 80% recycled polyester — with just enough added elements to make it resistant to light rain.
Arc’teryx ‘Nomin’ Pack
- 45cm x 31cm x 6cm
- Black
- AC2 plain-woven nylon exterior
- Waterproof urethane laminate
Built a bit like the life support systems you might see on a well-dressed henchman from the Blade Runner universe, this ‘Nomin’ pack is all about superb below-the-radar performance.
The monochrome styling cues and clean, unobscured front are both details you’ll typically find in Veilance: the Arc’teryx diffusion range dedicated to “essential forms designed for… urban environments.”
So what exactly has Arc’teryx put into developing the Nomin which could justify its four-figure price point? Quite a bit, as it turns out.
Like a lot of the brand’s outerwear staples, this bag is constructed using taped seams — arguably the most important factor when attempting to combat water penetration. Additionally, all external surfaces are made with Arc’teryx’s ‘advanced composite’ (AC2) technology; meaning that this bag is basically overengineered for the light wind and drizzle you’ll encounter in urban environments.
Freitag F155 ‘Clapton’ Backpack
- 30cm x 13cm x 42cm
- Red/silver
- Made from recycled truck tarp
- Five reflector surfaces
Freitag is the cult bag & accessories brand that wears its sustainability credentials lightly. Like all its most notable designs, the ‘Clapton’ is made using a piece of recycled truck tarp — meaning that its toughness and ability to resist the elements aren’t ever in question.
The design has evolved over the years, with the current ‘F155’ model full of clever little details that ought to endear it to the “bike-commuting individualist.”
Reflecting strips, placed at various positions all over the bag, enhance the wearer’s visibility and Freitag has built in what it refers to as multiple “docking sites” for you to attach your cycle helmet, u-lock, and keys.
Rimowa ‘Never Still’ Flap Backpack
- 44cm x 37cm x 16cm
- Navy blue (multiple colourways)
- Canvas/full-grain leather exterior
- Textile lining
Rimowa mightn’t be the first name that springs to mind when you think of men’s backpacks, but the German luggage marque has worked tirelessly to expand its range beyond all things hard-case and aluminium.
This flapped backpack is a good example: intended primarily for everyday use, yet with a bunch of tweaks that make it easy to pair alongside multi-wheel cases (like the ‘Original Cabin’) on your longer-range travels.
The bag’s main compartment is clad in durable navy canvas: made to emulate the grooves of Rimowa’s best-selling aluminium luggage. Like our premium pick from Tod’s, the top of the bag closes using a drawstring, but this is secured even further with a magnetic buckle. Needless to say, your belongings will be well-protected.
If you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best men’s backpacks currently on the market, consider checking out some of our other style-related buying guides. See a handful of our favourites below:
