Comparing two types of REN leather rucksacks.

Our fashion changes depending on the weather, our destination, and the occasion. And within that, bags exist as a companion that stays close to our fashion.

When we say "bags," there are tote bags that come in handy on days when we have a lot of luggage, mini bags that accompany us to formal restaurants, and rucksacks that free up both hands on active days.

Among the many types of bags, rucksacks tend to give off a sporty impression, so there's an image of them being used somewhat apart from elegant occasions.

For adults who wish for a rucksack that can be used even at work, without disrupting a calm and composed atmosphere—that wish is fulfilled by the REN leather rucksacks we're introducing this time.

What makes leather rucksacks appealing?

First, let's think about the good points of rucksacks:

・Carrying it on your back reduces the felt weight of your belongings

・You can carry it with good balance across both shoulders

・With both hands free, long journeys are easier, and you can carry other things too

As a container for carrying things, rucksacks offer outstanding functionality compared to other bags. When you consider ease of carrying and the burden on your body, rucksacks really do seem like the best option.

However, it's also true that precisely because of this functionality, rucksacks carry an image of being "something used for travel or when carrying a lot of luggage" or "something valued for outdoor activities," and many are made of sporty nylon materials or have rugged designs suited to such occasions.

What allows such rucksacks to shine in a much wider range of situations is a rucksack made of leather.

A leather rucksack goes well with a suit, and it also matches an adult woman's outfit nicely—one of its joys is that you can carry it without looking too young or casual.

Recommended for both men and women: REN's two leather rucksacks

Currently, ZUTTO is featuring two types of REN leather rucksacks, each available in two colors.

These two leather rucksacks each give a slightly different impression due to differences in size and the leather used.

True to REN's dedication to the leather they use, both rucksacks make ample use of quality leather, giving them a substantial, weighty feel. Though similar, these two rucksacks differ in various ways—let's take a closer look.

Day Rucksack Mid

---

The Day Rucksack Mid holds a generous amount of luggage and is a comfortable size for men and taller women alike.

It fits an A4-size item without the corners catching, and even a 15-inch laptop fits inside. Goat leather is highly durable, so the bag resists losing its shape even with heavy items inside—it can hold up to 7kg of luggage. We recommend this one for those who always carry a lot of belongings, or anyone looking for a rucksack for work.

The REN original leather used here, called BARE, is tanned simply with a minimal amount of dye and oil in order to bring out the natural grain of the goatskin. This slightly larger rucksack is perfectly suited to this leather, which shows off a natural sheen on the surface and beautiful drape as it falls.

【Key Points of the Day Rucksack Mid】

・A design and size that's easy for both men and women to use

・Its height makes it easy to fit large files or PCs over 15 inches (no dedicated PC pocket)

・Fabric-lined interior, with a zippered pocket

・Belts on both sides let you adjust the thickness of the rucksack

・Made with goat leather that's soft and glossy right from the start

Day Rucksack City

---

The Day Rucksack City, on the other hand, is a smaller-sized rucksack that's easy for women to carry. Just as its name suggests, it has a certain refined, urban atmosphere about it. This comes through in the rucksack's size and shape, as well as details like its gleaming zippers and hardware. It's a rucksack perfectly suited to adult women.

The leather used here is also a REN original, called HALLIE, a pigskin leather. Its sheen is understated, and when you touch it, you'll notice a matte texture unlike typical leather. Its natural coloring, reminiscent of watercolor paints, blends easily into any coordination.

【Key Points of the Day Rucksack City】

・A smaller size that fits comfortably against a woman's back

・A wide gusset makes it easy to fit a bento box

・A large interior pocket (fits a 13-inch PC)

・Interior lined with the flesh side of the leather (suede-like texture)

・Pockets on both outer sides

・Belts on both sides let you adjust the thickness of the rucksack

・A matte texture and natural coloring

Between the Mid and the City, the Mid has more height, but interestingly, the City actually has a wider gusset.

Both bags let you adjust the thickness with a belt, but the gusset at the bottom measures "18cm" for the City versus "16cm" for the Mid. If you're carrying a bento box, the City is more stable and easier to fit it into.

What does a well-loved item look like after a few years? An aging report

One of the joys of using leather is watching it age. That said, "aging" isn't a single, simple process—it varies depending on the type of leather, and even more so on how often and how the item is used, so it's hard to say definitively "this is how it will change." Still, let's take a look at what happens over several years—something hard to imagine from the brand-new state before purchase—by asking a staff member who uses a REN leather backpack to show us theirs.

First, a staff member who uses the【DAY TRIP Daily Backpack Mid BLACK】.

Years of use: 3 years (used almost daily for about 1 year)

This is a mid-sized backpack made from BARE, REN's original goat leather.

Looking first at the aging of the leather's surface, comparing it to a brand-new item, you can see that the color has changed quite a bit. Of course, there's individual variation in the original color of the leather, but after spending 3 years together, the sheen has increased and the color has lightened. (The difference in zipper color is due to a specification change.) The goat leather was soft and easy to hold from the start, but after 3 years it feels even more supple. The draping of the leather on the front of the backpack is more visible now, as if it reflects the time spent together with its owner.

Next, let's address a concern unique to leather: "Won't the leather stretch out?"

It's easy to end up putting heavy items in a backpack, but looking at the belt area, while you can see signs of wear from use, there's no indication that the leather has stretched out. 

Next, let's look at the aging of the Daily Backpack Mid in a different color, ecru beige. This one has been in use for 5 years and is still going strong. The ecru beige color tends to show more variation, so the depth of color compared to new differs from item to item. But according to the person who uses it, "The sheen is completely different from when it was new." Even after 5 years of use without any special care, the fact that the leather shows no dryness or cracking speaks to the high quality of REN's leather.

Looking closely, you can find small scratches and marks, but both backpacks have aged really beautifully. The remarkable thing about leather is that even after years of use have softened and worn it in, it never feels like damage.

▼Product page here