Striking and stylish backpacks for men, authentic and sustainable

What is a Men's Backpack?

A men's backpack is a sack-shaped bag that is traditionally carried on the back with two shoulder straps. This design is advantageous for longer travels as it evenly distributes the weight of the luggage across the back and shoulders. People have valued these benefits and features for over 5,000 years, as evidenced by findings from the Neolithic period.

A men's backpack is the most popular type of luggage, primarily due to its high utility. It serves as a practical companion for travel, everyday use, sports, trekking, or even as a substitute for a handbag. Backpacks are also excellent lightweight bags for biking and motorcycle trips.

Backpacks with laptop compartments are ideal for work, school, or college.

What are the Dimensions of a Men's Backpack?

A men's backpack can come in various sizes, as they are made in different designs for various purposes. However, the dimensions of an average backpack usually fall within the following ranges:

Height: 40 cm - 50 cm, Width: 20 cm - 30 cm, Depth: 15 cm - 25 cm

It's important to note that these backpack sizes are just averages, and there may be models that deviate from these ranges depending on the brand, features, materials, design, model, and intended use. There are small daypacks for everyday use, medium-sized backpacks for hiking, and large travel backpacks for longer trips or outdoor adventures.

What to Consider When Buying a Men's Backpack?

The selection of the right backpack largely depends on its intended use. Both the features and the size or volume should be tailored to suit the purpose. Our vintage backpacks are primarily designed for day trips, known as daypacks, and are less suitable for longer journeys. For day trips, we recommend backpacks with a capacity of 20-30 liters.

The size of the backpack should also match the body size of the wearer. The length of the backpack's back panel should not exceed the wearer's back length. When trying on a backpack, the shoulder straps should be adjusted so that the backpack ends above the lower back.

If you are looking for a companion for longer journeys, we recommend the "Dale" backpack. It offers two advantages: it's spacious and waterproof. Its main compartment volume ranges from 40 to 60 liters, providing ample space for clothing for 4-6 days.

The choice of the right outer material depends on the intended use and the price. "Canvas" material (pure cotton) is lighter and more affordable but less rigid than leather. On the other hand, leather gives the backpack a sophisticated look but comes with a higher price tag.

The decision regarding designs and colors also depends on personal preferences and the intended use. For nature outings and wildlife observation, it's generally advisable to opt for subdued colors like green or beige for a more inconspicuous appearance. However, for all other backpacks, any colors that bring joy are acceptable.

What Types of Backpacks for Men are Available?

There is a wide variety of products designed for different purposes and activities. Here are some of the most common types of backpacks:

Daypack:

A small, lightweight backpack for men that is ideal for daily use, whether at school, work, or leisurely strolls in the city. A daypack is perfect for a day trip, which is why it is often referred to as a day pack.

Hiking or Travel Backpack:

This type of backpack is specifically designed for hiking, vacations, trekking tours, and world travels. It typically offers more comfort, details, storage space, and useful features such as hip belts, back systems, carrying systems, chest straps, ventilation, or additional attachment options for accessories.

Laptop Backpack:

A specially designed backpack with a padded compartment to securely carry a laptop and other electronic devices.

Roll-Top Backpack or Bike Backpack:

These backpacks for men are ergonomically designed and feature a rollable top edge, which makes them highly flexible. Roll-top backpacks are also perfect for carrying sports equipment.

School Backpack:

Backpacks with ample storage space, specially designed for school or university use, to carry books, notebooks, and other school supplies. Ideally, models in this category are lightweight and have a compartment for a laptop. However, the items in our current range are not suitable for children under 12 years old.

Military Backpack:

Rugged backpacks valued by military personnel and outdoor enthusiasts for their durability and features. They are also perfect for recreational hiking, boasting a cool look.

Are DRAKENSBERG Men's Backpacks Inspired by Vintage Military Backpacks?

Indeed, our classic army-style backpacks bear similarities to military looks and designs. However, we draw stronger inspiration from the civilian form of mountaineering backpacks for our style. In terms of quality and functionality, our designs match the classic military backpacks without a doubt.

What is the Best Brand for Men's Backpacks?

DRAKENSBERG products are anything but ordinary. Sustainability is not just a marketing statement for us; it's an integral part of the appearance and characteristics of our products. Our mission is to create authentic travel companions that could have been made similarly 200 years ago, using natural materials such as pure cotton, full-grain and vegetable-tanned leather, and YKK zippers, without the use of polyester or nylon.

Currently, there are no established brands for men's backpacks that serve as a model for us. Even major brands still rely on traditional chrome tanning and manipulate leather surfaces. The widespread use of plastic lamination, which imitates higher leather thickness with foam inserts, is also prevalent in the industry.

The term "vegan" leather often conceals common plastics. Rarely do you find leather-like materials that are genuinely 100% plant-based. Unfortunately, the term "natural leather" is currently overused, and for us, leather reinforced with foam is not "natural leather" but rather inferior.

In the 21st century, a high-quality backpack should convey a genuine and honest feeling and not make empty promises. At DRAKENSBERG, we largely avoid plastics. Neither our leather nor our canvas is laminated with plastic, and our fabrics do not contain nylon or polyester. The leather we use is sustainably vegetable-tanned, although we occasionally use chrome as well. This makes our backpacks authentic creations with style and character.

Are DRAKENSBERG Men's Backpacks Waterproof?

Most of our bags are not waterproof or water-resistant.

Water-resistant models include "Adam" and "Dale," made of waxed cotton. These models can withstand moderate rain and are also exceptionally rigid due to the incorporated wax in the outer material.

For the rest of our range, we deliberately maintain a natural and non-impregnated state for authenticity. However, our men's backpacks can be relatively easily treated for water resistance for everyday use. Colorless waterproofing sprays for leather and textiles, such as IMPRÄGNOL Universal Waterproofing Spray, are suitable for this purpose. Alternatively, our cotton fabrics can also be treated with wax, such as Dr. Gee's Waterproofing Wax. We recommend testing the wax on a discreet area of the material before applying it to the entire bag. Please note that the color of the material may darken slightly after the application of waterproofing wax.

For full 100% waterproofness, a bag must be entirely made of plastic.