In the US, the general thought is of it being somewhat military inspired – a traditional army style pack. This will come in olive, khaki or camouflage colors and give you the image of John Rambo hacking his way through impenetrable forest in his latest adventure! However, there is another style of canvas rucksack and this is something more stylish and smaller that might be used daily around town or campus. It might be a cheaper alternative to a leather rucksack backpack. Sometimes it even has the two different materials together and is therefore called a canvas leather rucksack. Functional and stylish would be its main selling points.

Popular Brands

In terms of the military style, one of the most popular brands is Rothco. There is a range in prices from around $25 to $100 for the OD Green Medium Alice pack with straps.  Fortunately, you will usually find discounted prices online. Consider the canvas NATO Style rucksack with its 1 large compartment and drawstring closure, large exterior pocket and 2 side pockets.

If you prefer the more stylish option, there are some nice choices sold by STIC. For around $35 you can acquire their Military Inspired Backpack Canvas Daypack. The blue gray model is very attractive and could be suitable for both females and males alike. They are also available in beige or chocolate brown and feature brown leather patches for extra style. STIC also have their own military inspired canvas backpack sling bag featuring 5 zippered compartments and pockets with 1 velcro pocket.

If you are not in the US, one of the more common models is the Quadra Canvas Rucksack Backpack Sahara which somewhat resembles the STIC daypack above. It is available in beige or blue with a padded and adjustable shoulder strap. There is a main zippered pouch and an internal one, but do take care that these stylish packs don’t get ruined by the rain!

Final Word

The basic canvas rucksack surprisingly has more styles than you might imagine. As well as sometimes being a canvas rucksack for women, it is often an adventurous vintage canvas rucksack inspired by the military! No doubt you will choose based on your intended activities. If you have a gritty “on the edge” style or like the outdoors then the military style is what you are after, for a saunter around the mall or downtown you might prefer the stylish day pack.

If you are considering purchasing one, there are certain features to look for. Make sure that it is fairly lightweight and that the leather is supple and soft. To maintain comfort, the shoulder straps should be strong and padded as well as being well-stitched. All of this will hopefully prevent the pack from biting into your skin when you are carrying it around for extended periods. Finally, make sure that exterior clips, zippers and buckles are strong as the last thing you want is for them to accidentally open and allow your stuff to fall out.

Popular Brands

Some of the most popular and stylish brands of the vintage leather rucksack include the following:

Clava Rucksack Backpack: Normally retails for around $290 in light brown or black.

Piel Leather Vertical Backpack: Normally retails for around $175 in, black or saddle or chocolate.

Piel Leather Large Buckle Flap Backpack: Normally retails for around $135 in chocolate, saddle or black.

In other countries there are different brands available, like Visconti or Leconi.  There is always a significant range in prices, with quality leather goods generally always commanding a premium price tag, but you certainly get what you pay for! Even genuine designer labels like Louis Vuitton manufacture vintage leather rucksacks, while, the Jas MB handmade model is priced at around $500!

General Features

This type of backpack normally has one large pouch space with a few smaller ones on either the exterior or interior. Some of these pockets are for specific items like a cellular phone. The main enclosure may be closed by either a buckle or zip, depending upon the model and adjustable shoulder straps are standard.

Who Uses Them?

Although leather rucksacks for men are available, it is females who are generally attracted to this style. However, the timeless and neutral look of leather means that females of any age are suited. This neutrality means that men can to an extent use them without appearing feminine. The great thing is that a well looked after leather backpack can last for a long time to the extent that you could be still using it 20 years later!

Final Word

Leather rucksack backpacks are without doubt one of the most stylish options available. Of course the extra quality afforded by the material means that you must expect to pay a bit more. Also remember that bad weather can easily spoil leather, so be careful of when and where you use it. If this is likely to be a concern, consider a different material such as a canvas leather rucksack that retains only small parts of leather on the exterior.