The Top 3 Herschel Backpacks I Like
Welcome to my latest post all about Herschel Backpacks!
Following on from my first article in the new series of “The Top 3”, this time I’m focussing on Herschel backpacks.
One of the most difficult things about reviewing backpacks aimed at the non-sporting/hiking audience is the sheer diversity in styles and sizes that are multi-functional. Unless you’re reviewing backpacks based on the material for example (leather versus polyester), I’ve found it’s very different to attribute a particular backpack to a particular type of person or scenario where you’d use it.
For example, I think the growing trend in the technology sector has made it more commonplace for people to work from home. This, in turn, has created a much more casual business culture, which has allowed every aspect of fashion to change, and accessories such as backpacks/bags/briefcases being impacted by this are no exception.
If I’ve missed anything in this article, please feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below, I’d love to hear from you.
OK, let’s begin!
What makes people buy Herschel?
In case you’re not familiar with Herschel, the company was founded just 10 years ago by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack. Although based in Vancouver, Canada the Herschel name comes from the town where the brothers grew up.
Herschel’s main mission is to produce accessories that are not dated and that have a fine attention to detail. This is a great mantra when you’re designing and manufacturing backpacks because there’s so much you can do to set yourself apart if this is your strategy. I can’t think of a better example of this point than this exquisitely designed Little America – the checked pattern is just delicious!
Photo above from Hersschel.
The final point to make is about the demographic and target market that Herschel products appeal to. While the men’s section does seem clear in that it’s a young man’s brand, there’s much more flexibility in it for us ladies in terms of age group.
The Herschel Little America Backpack
First up in this article is the Little America backpack – an iconic Herschel product. In my opinion, this is a truly unisex backpack and with a wide array of different palettes and finishes, it really does have a theme for all occasions whether that be travel, work or play.
Photo above from Akoitonburger.
This backpack is a great companion for modern everyday life. You’ll find the top loading access to the main compartment easy to use with the drawstring rim being very useful for extra security and to help keep the elements at bay from the contents inside. The cross-hatched polyester weaving ensures that the exterior is of course water-resistant.
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The Little America Backpack – Specification
Made with the signature striped fabric that we all know and love. Padded lining and enough compartment space for a 15-inch laptop. Main dimensions are 50.8×17.8×28.6 (cm) and the weight (before you load it up) is approx. 680 grams. It comes with a well padded back and adjustable straps. One additional outside compartment. |
The 25-liter capacity is more than enough for most daily use and the padded compartment will do a fine job of storing a 15-inch laptop. There are two smaller pockets inside that are useful for additional tech paraphernalia such as headphones and your USB mouse. The buckle straps make sure that everything is nice and secure when it’s closed and there’s an additional external pocket on the front that has plenty of room – if you have a large laptop (as I do!) this is the ideal storage compartment for your rather oversized laptop power pack! The shoulder straps are also well padded which makes this backpack comfortable to wear, which is a very good thing when it’s loaded to max.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, a lot of Herschel backpacks are very much multi-functional and the Little America very much fits this category. This is definitely a backpack that’s equally at home accompanying you to work as it is for a casual weekend trip.
The Herschel Dawson Backpack
The first thing to say about the Dawson is to address the design – unlike the Little America, this is (in my opinion) a backpack very much aimed at the ladies. Why do I say this? The pyramid-like shape.
Photo above from Herschel.
As this backpack has two very useful external pockets, they are quite sizable and this changes the silhouette of the backpack and this does give rise to one minor niggle. The opening of the backpack at the top is a bit on the narrow side. If you’re a college student and you wanted to put a ring binder in here, you’d likely be disappointed.
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The Herschel Dawson Backpack – Specification
Made from polyester, this backpack will also house a 15-inch laptop in the main compartment. Dimensions are 33x17x48 (cm) and light in weight at approx. 450 grams. This backpack has a 20-liter capacity at the top end and has two additional external pockets on the sides. |
All that being said, this is a functional backpack and you are able to use it to the max from a working point of view if you needed to. You’ll find ample room for a 13-inch laptop (think MacBook) in the main compartment in addition to your purse, make and phone. The external pockets also add further substantial accessory carrying space. The straps are also comfortable (although not too padded) and easy to adjust.
The final thing to point out is that the closure of this backpack seems to split opinion down the middle in terms of security and that’s due to the magnetic clasps that close on the compartments. For those of us that are security conscious, this can be a deal-breaker for this backpack as the buckle straps are essentially just for show. That being said, if you’re on the other side of the fence and this isn’t something you worry too much about based on what you’d like to use this backpack for, then there’s absolutely no questioning this backpack in terms of style; especially with the wide array of colors you can choose from.
The Herschel Men’s Trail Barlow (Large)
Last but not least, we’ve got the Herschel Barlow. I’ve deliberately picked this design because it’s novel and gives us a bit of balance to the article; the first backpack was very much a unisex offering, the last one was for the ladies and this is definitely for the guys. That being said as you can see further down, this backpack also comes in Black which is ideal for more casual use, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Photo above from Surf Stitch.
As you can see, this is a heavy duty backpack in more ways that one. The Nailhead nylon is rugged and water-resistant. If you are the type of person that really needs to carry a lot of gear around with your then the Barlow provides the ideal solution and you’re going to be very happy with it.
The main compartment is cavernous with there being room for a 15-inch laptop (that’s larger than billed too) in addition to 2/3 textbooks and a couple of binders if you’re having to carry around a lot of books for college or work. The top flap of the backpack is closed and secured with a solid clasp. There are also two open side pockets for bottles of water (or anything you need close to hand) although it is fair to say that the more you load this backpack up, the less useful these can become as they become a bit tight, making it difficult to get items in an out easily.
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The Herschel Barlow Backpack – Specification
A tough and hardwearing backpack made of Nailhead nylon with a Cordura reinforced base, this backpack will also house a 15-inch laptop with ease. Main dimensions are 50cm high and 28cm wide with a weight of approx. 700 grams. |
One of the great features of this large backpack, as you would expect from something of this size and capacity, is how well the shoulder straps perform. While it is also helpful that the backpack has a chest strap too, the way the padded straps are made makes it easy to adjust them so as to evenly distribute the weight you’re carrying and this makes a big difference as the backpack gets heavier.
Photo above from Amazon.
Having this backpack in a more casual color (as above) certainly helps to make it aesthetically more appealing to guys wanting to use it for work. When in a more solid color, like Black, the bag looks nice and clean and has some sharper detailing lines which look the part.
On a final note, once again this a Herschel backpack that is very multi-functional. The additional rain cover that comes with it is a nice touch and will serve you well if you want to put this backpack into “sports mode” and take it hiking – which it’s more than capable of doing.
I hope that you’ve found this article on my favorite Herschel backpacks a useful read, please feel free to leave me a comment in the comments section below. I’m starting to build up the resources of the site now and so there’s plenty more backpack content and resources across the site. Don’t forget to check out our reviews on backpacks for guys, backpacks for the kids, and if you like the premium stuff, leather backpacks for men and women.
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