King Kong Heritage Leather [Review]

Let's start by saying that a 'Buy It For Life' gym bag seems like a contradiction. Unraveling seams, fraying fabrics, and brittle plastic clasps that snap are the sorry fate of a well-loved yet heavily-abused gym bag. You tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it was a bag made out of polyester and plastic.

King Kong strives to offer something better with their Heritage Leather Backpack. In fact, we believe this falls squarely in the BFIL gym bag category. In this King Kong Heritage Leather Backpack review we give you the details so you can decide if this is the gym backpack for you.

Video Review

The Rundown

What we like

• Gorgeous full grain leather construction that looks amazing in person

• External shoe compartment

• 26L main compartment that’s roomy enough for most gym sessions

• Comfortable padded shoulder straps

What we don’t like

• Every piece of hardware is made out of metal except for the shoe compartment buckle which is unfortunately made of plastic.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 20” x 12” x 7” inches

• Capacity: 26L

• Weight: 5.9 lbs

• Materials: Full Grain American Leather, 100% Cotton Twill lining, metal zippers

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 16”

• Tablet Sleeve: None

Where to buy

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Materials and Construction

Let’s start with the construction. The Heritage Leather Backpack is made with full-grain leather, a material that only improves in appearance as it ages. Over time, full-grain leather develops a rich patina, giving the Heritage Leather Backpack a unique look.

The interior of the backpack is lined with 100% cotton twill and features leather trim throughout. The zippers and hardware are made of metal, so there is no worry of cheap plastic snapping or cracking. The one exception is the buckle found in the exterior shoe compartment, which unfortunately is made out of plastic.

There is an elephant in the room when we talk about construction - and that's the bag's weight. The King Kong Heritage Leather Backpack is heavy, weighing in at a whopping 5.9lbs empty because of all the leather used in its construction. We're not putting a judgement on this weight, as it's the price to pay for an all-leather bag. Only you can decide if this is in the range of acceptability for how you plan on using it.

Pockets and Compartments

The compartments on the King Kong Heritage Leather Backpack are pretty straightforward, keeping in tune with King Kong's mission of designing a gym bag that rivals those made before the time of mass-produced, cheap bags that we see in most gyms today.

The King Kong Heritage Leather Backpack offers 26 liters of packing space, plus an external shoe compartment. We tested the shoe compartment and can confirm that it can fit a size 12 men's running shoes with room to spare for larger sizes.

Overall, the Heritage Leather Backpack offers a pretty 'back to basics' design. You won't find pockets for specific items like a phone, sunglasses, or pens. But it does offer a zippered pocket on the inside of the main compartment and a front pocket on the outside that can fit multiple items like a phone and wallet or smaller workout items like lifting gloves and a jump rope.

The 'back to basics' design also applies to the 16-inch laptop sleeve inside the main compartment, a lightly padded sleeve with no false bottom. If you are expecting a fancy laptop sleeve like you would find in many urban laptop backpacks - don't. Will this laptop sleeve get the job done? Yes. Is it the best we've ever seen? No.

Finally, we have the two side water bottle pockets. These pockets are deep and we can confirm that a 32oz Nalgene bottle fits comfortably inside. The water bottle pockets also zip shut for a cleaner look when not in use.

What Fits Inside?

We managed to fit a change of clothing (pants, t-shirt and sweatshirt), 12 oz boxing gloves and a toiletries bag inside the 26 litter main compartment. The exterior gives us some more storage thanks to the exterior shoe compartment and dual water bottle pockets. The front pocket is surprisingly roomy and we could easily fit a phone, wallet and a pair of weight lifting gloves.

Need more packing room? Check out the King Kong Heritage Leather Duffel that gives you 46 liters with an additional 5 pockets for organization.

Final Thoughts

This backpack rocks. There is no other way to say it. The supple leather and straightforward design makes it feel like an heirloom item. Can a gym backpack be an heirloom item? Well, we think so, thanks to King Kong. We can’t express enough how nice this backpack feels.

However, the $499 price tag isn’t for everyone. This is why we believe if you like the look of the Heritage Leather Backpack but can't justify the commitment, you should go with King Kong PLUS26, which shares a lot of the same design but at a more affordable price. But for anyone ready to make the leap into a premium gym bag design constructed to last decades, then the King Kong Heritage Backpack is the bag to get.

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Harber London Commuter

The Harber London Commuter Backpack is definitely one of those backpacks that will turn some heads. Each bag is handmade in Spain and offers that special attention to detail that you just don’t get from mass produced bags. The full grain leather throughout also gives the Commuter Backpack a sophisticated touch that’s only rivaled by much more expensive luxury bags.

To get inside the main compartment you can engage the leather flip top that’s held together by a magnetic clasp to access the main compartment zipper. Inside you’ll find a 16” padded laptop sleeve, 13” padded tablet sleeve and a key leash with a metal clasp. Simple is as simple does.

The 17-liter capacity is roomy enough to use as a reliable daypack for work or as a personal item backpack on flights where compact bags are a must. But the lack of pockets for organization may leave something to be desired. Stuff like water bottles, pens and tech chargers don’t have dedicated storage pockets so you might have to get creative with organizer cases (Harber London offers a ton of great options if you want to go this route.).

For those looking for a simple do-it-all daypack, the Harber London Commuter does hit that sweet spot between a luxury bag and a practical laptop backpack that you can take just about anywhere.

What we like

• Handmade quality with exceptional attention to detail

• Handsome leather lid and accents gives the Commuter a luxurious look

• Leather shoulder straps are padded for comfort without adding bulk

What we don’t like

• No smaller pockets for organization. Very bare bones with just a laptop and tablet sleeve.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 16.92” (H) x 11.02” (W) x 5.51” (D)

• Capacity: 17L

• Materials: Full grain leather, hard-wearing fabric made from recycled bottles

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 16”

• Tablet Sleeve: Up to 13”

Where to buy

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Nutsac Rucksac

The Nutsac Rucksac is an old-school inspired backpack that marries handmade quality with functional modern design. Each Rucksac is made in the USA using water resistant waxed canvas and full-grain leather that’s sourced from a small tannery in New England.

We found that at 20 liters the Rucksac makes a great daypack but might be a bit too small for multi-day travel. Yet those looking for a reliable EDC backpack will appreciate the padded 15-inch laptop sleeve and multiple internal pockets for easy organization of daily items.

A unique feature is the side zipper that gives you access to the main compartment. Note that this zipper doesn’t allow you to access to the laptop sleeve and you will still have to go through the main opening to access your laptop. This is our only small gripe with this backpack as quick access to your laptop or tablet would have been preferable.

Construction-wise this backpack is pretty heavy duty and its weight of 3.5 pounds plants it on the heavier side for a backpack of its size. But this is just something that comes with the territory of using robust materials. The leather detailing extends to the bottom making the Rucksac a great choice for anyone looking for a real leather bottom backpack and the waxed canvas is very heavy-weight to prevent tears and rips. The Nutsac Rucksac just feels like a quality backpack when handled and this is what really sets it apart from other mass produced bags.

We recommend the Nutsac Rucksac to anyone looking for an American made backpack that can take some abuse over time. The design is timeless, the construction quality is top-notch and you really can’t go wrong with Nutsac’s lifetime guarantee.

What we like

• Rugged construction made with full grain leather and waxed canvas - two materials that only look better with age

• Great variety of smaller pockets for organization

• Timeless rucksack design

• Nutsac offers a lifetime guarantee

What we don’t like

• Side zipper opening does not give you access to laptop sleeve - have to go through the main opening to access laptop.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19″ (H) x 13″ (W) x 5″ (D)

• Capacity: Approx. 20L

• Materials: Water resistant waxed canvas, full grain leather

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 15”

Where to buy

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Topo Designs Rover Pack

The Rover Pack is Topo’s premier daily carry rucksack. From its laptop sleeve and thoughtful pocket placement to its tough nylon construction - the Rover Pack is designed to be a companion for both daily commutes and outdoor exploring.

Topo Designs describes the Rover Pack as the “Goldilocks of rucksacks - not too big, not too small, not too fancy, not too simple.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

What we like

• Expandable rucksack design can hold more than it looks. Main compartment is deep and spacious.

• Stylish yet iconic vintage-inspired design. Available in over a dozen colors.

• Lightweight yet built tough with premium nylon materials.

What we don’t like

• No admin compartment with slip pockets for small items like pencils, charging cables, etc. Very small items float around in zip pockets.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 17” H x 11” W x 4.5” D

• Capacity: 20L

• Materials: 1000D Nylon, 420D Nylon Pack Cloth, 420D Recycled Nylon

• Laptop Sleeve: Up to 15”

Where to buy

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Burton Annex Backpack

The Burton Annex is a versatile everyday backpack inspired by vintage rucksack designs. What you won’t find in the Burton Annex is a complicated backpack with too many pockets and compartments. Instead Burton decided to keep things simple with a deep and roomy main compartment that stays true to its vintage rucksack inspirations. Side pockets are available for smaller items while a laptop compartment can be accessed from the main compartment or the back.

At 28 liters, the Burton Annex is the larger cousin of the Burton Tinder backpack in both size and design.

What we like

• Multifunctional backpack that’s great for school, outdoor activities or short trips.

• Front straps can be used to fasten things like a yoga mat or jacket.

• Laptop sleeve with separate tablet sleeve in main compartment.

What we don’t like

• Main compartment is one big abyss. Easy to lose smaller items and it can become a hassle to find things at the bottom of the bag.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 20” H x 10.5” W x 7” D

• Capacity: 28L

• Materials: Varies by color

• Weight: 2 lbs

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 17”

Where to buy

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Topo Designs Daypack

The Topo Designs Daypack is a versatile daily carry bag for work, school or the hiking trail. Designed to be a true path to pavement backpack, the Daypack features everything you would need for both city life and outdoor adventuring with a laptop sleeve, internal pockets, side water bottle pockets and plenty of loops and tabs for attaching things to the outside of the bag.

The Topo Daypack comes in a few flavors: The premium Daypack Heritage Canvas (Made in the USA), Daypack Tech and the more affordable Daypack Classic.

What we like

• Beefy YKK zippers

• Tough nylon construction makes the bag feel sturdy and incredibly well-built.

• Cool throwback mountaineering design. Lots of color options.

What we don’t like

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19” H x 11” W x 5” D

• Capacity: 21.6L

• Materials: 1000D Recycled Nylon, 210 Recycled Nylon Liner

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

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United By Blue Rift Pack

United By Blue offers a versatile backpack for everything from short hikes to city commuting with their Rift Pack. The backpack is made of a tough water repellent polyester with vegetable tanned leather accents to give it a vintage heritage flare. At 25 liters, the Rift can hold a fair amount in its main compartment without being too bulky.

What we like

• Water repellent polyester makes this backpack durable enough for outdoor wear, travel or city commuting.

• Plenty of organizers for smaller items.

What we don’t like

• Front outside pocket is fastened by a magnet which doesn’t feel too secure.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19” H x 14” W x 7.75” D

• Capacity: 25L

• Materials: 100% Recycled Polyester with water repellent finish

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 17”

Where to buy

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Timbuck2 Tuck Pack Backpack

Timbuk2 offers a back-to-basics rolltop backpack with some modern flare with their Tuck Pack. Some modern upgrades to the classic rolltop design include a side access padded laptop compartment and organizers inside the main compartment. Side pockets are perfect for water bottles or bike locks making the Timbuk2 Tuck a great option for daily urban carry.

What we like

• Good small/mid size backpack for everyday commutes. Stylish enough to be worn just about anywhere.

• Rolltop style allows for more storage vertically.

• Side access to laptop compartment so you don’t have to undo the rolltop to access your tech.

What we don’t like

• Outside pockets (side and front) can be hard to access when the main compartment is full.

• Clip that secures the rolltop is made out of plastic. Not sure how that will hold up over time.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 17.1” H x 15.4” W x 6.30” D

• Weight: 1.5lbs

• Capacity: 20L

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

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Kaukko Outdoor Backpack

Another day, another cheaper Herschel Little America alternative. Kaukko heavily borrows from the popular Herschel backpack down to the red and white striped fabric lining and branded woven label placement. We once heard that imitation is a form of flattery.

But the Kaukko Outdoor Backpack is actually a pretty solid deal. At under $50 you get a medium sized rucksack with a laptop compartment, plenty of pockets and countless color options. And the backpack is actually pretty comfortable even when loaded thanks to its padded shoulder straps and back making the Kaukko Outdoor Backpack one of the better cheap “vintage rucksack” style backpacks out there.

What we like

• Cheaper backpack for those who don’t want to spend the money on more expensive brands.

• Side pockets and compression straps are a nice touch.

What we don’t like

• It feels “cheap” especially when compared to higher quality backpacks.

• Fake leather straps aren’t the best quality.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 18.5” H x 11.8” W x 6.3” D

• Capacity: 22.4L

• Material: 600D Polyester

• Weight: 2.1lbs

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15.6”

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

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Burton Tinder Backpack

The Burton Tinder is a bold everyday pack that takes its style cues from heritage rucksack designs. But don’t let the vintage style fool you, the Tinder is filled with modern features such as a padded laptop compartment and ergonomic shoulder straps.

At 25 liters, the Burton Tinder is very much the smaller cousin of the Burton Annex backpack in both size and design.

What we like

• We like this as a medium sized daily carry commuter backpack for those who don’t need tons of storage room.

• Lots of color and pattern options to choose from.

• Laptop sleeve with separate tablet sleeve in main compartment.

What we don’t like

• Plastic buckles to snap close the main compartment feel cheaply made.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 20” H x 13” W x 6” D

• Capacity: 25L

• Materials: Varies by color

• Weight: 1 .8 lbs

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

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Vaschy Classic Rucksack Backpack

There is no point in tip-toeing here so let’s call this backpack what it is; a cheap backpack for those who like the Herschel look but don’t want to pay Herschel prices. Vaschy introduces a competitively priced Herschel Little America alternative with their Classic Rucksack backpack and it surprisingly doesn’t suck.

So what exactly do you get with such a cheap backpack? Surprisingly, more than you would expect. The bag’s main compartment has a slightly bigger carrying capacity than the Herschel Little America. It also has side pockets for water bottles, smaller pockets inside the main compartment, and a mesh pocket inside the front pocket - all things that the Little America doesn’t have. Although you shouldn’t expect a “quality” backpack here, the Vaschy Classic Rucksack backpack is decent enough considering the low price.

What we like

• Cheaper backpack for those who don’t want to spend the money on more expensive brands.

• Side pockets and internal mesh pockets are a nice touch.

What we don’t like

• Cheap construction and stitching proves that you get what you pay for.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 18” H x 12.8” W x 7” D

• Capacity: 26.5L

• Material: Water Resistant Polyester

• Weight: 1.59lbs

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15.6”

Where to buy

Buy on Amazon

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Herschel Supply Co. Little America

Founded in 2009, Herschel Supply Co. has exploded in popularity due in part to their introduction of timeless heritage bag designs for a new generation. The Herschel Little America has grown to become one of their best selling bags and it’s easy to see why. The backpack sports a vintage vibe yet is full of features that we have come to expect in a modern backpack.

These modern features include an internal media pocket with headphone port, a 15-inch padded and fleece lined laptop sleeve and ergonomic shoulder straps and mesh back padding. All of these features co-exist in a vintage style rucksack that looks like it’s straight out of the 1970’s.

The Herschel Little America is available in 2 different sizes; full size (25L) and mid-volume (17L). The specs and photos on this page are of the full sized Herschel Little America.

What we like

• Roomy main compartment makes this backpack great for school, commuting or light travel.

• It has a cool vintage heritage design yet it accommodates modern features such as sleeves and pockets for tech and padded comfort shoulder straps.

What we don’t like

• Material and build quality can feel cheap for the price. If you want a high quality heritage backpack, there are better quality options out there.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19.25” H x 11.25” W x 7” D

• Capacity: 25L

• Weight: 1.5 lb

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

• Top loading main compartment entry

Where to buy

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Fjallraven Rucksack No.21 Backpack

The Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 is a great multipurpose backpack that can be used for anything from a daily commuter bag to an outdoor hiking daypack.

Those who want a daily commuter backpack with a vintage-inspired heritage design will love the No. 21’s functional carry features such as a 15-inch laptop sleeve and outside pockets for water bottles and small items. The main compartment is large enough to hold a few books, notebooks and personal everyday items.

But it wouldn’t be a Fjallraven backpack without the ability to use the backpack outdoors. Unlike modern technical backpacks, the Rucksack No. 21 keeps things simple with a rucksack design that allows the main compartment to extend up instead of out. Add in Fjallraven’s G-1000 HeavyDuty fabric into the mix and you have a weather-resistant and tough bag that can handle casual adventures.

The Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 is available in 3 different sizes; Small (15L), Medium (20L) and Large (30L). The specs and photos on this page are of the medium sized Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21.

What we like

• Good multipurpose backpack; from school to outdoor carry

• Fjallraven’s G-1000 HeavyDuty fabric is tough, durable and weather resistant

• Cool vintage rucksack design available in a ton of different colors

What we don’t like

• Can’t fit too much in the medium size backpack, main compartment is deep but on the thinner side limiting what you can carry

• On the pricier side considering the size and features

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 17.32” H x 11” W x 5.1” D

• Capacity: 20L

• Weight: 2.11 lb

• Material: G-1000® HeavyDuty: 65% polyester, 35% cotton

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

• Top loading main compartment entry

Where to Buy

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Fjallraven Kanken Backpack

The Fjallraven Kanken is one of the most iconic backpacks in recent memory. Although first introduced in Sweden in 1978, the bag has only recently exploded in popularity thanks to its unique style, ergonomic design and endless color options.

But it's not all hype. We love this bag for it’s smaller form factor that allows it to be comfortably carried by people with smaller frames who normally have trouble with big bulky backpacks. The design is also versatile enough to be used as a school book bag, travel bag and everyday items backpack. Two side pockets allow you to carry a water bottle and umbrella while a smaller front pocket is perfect for little items such as keys, pens, and wallets.

What we like

• Spacious main compartment that opens 3/4 for full access to the things inside

• Size is perfect for women, kids or people with smaller frames

• Comes in over 2 dozen different color options

What we don’t like

• Shoulder straps can become uncomfortable if the bag gets too heavy.

• No organizers such as pen holders or key fabs for small items.

• The original Kanken does not have a laptop compartment (must go with an updated “laptop” version instead)

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 14.9” x 10.6” x 5.1”

• Capacity: 16L

• Weight: .7lb

• Material: 100% Vinylon-F

• Water resistant

Where to buy

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