Perfect for my commute

Carries my laptop, charger and notebook without feeling bulky. The front pocket is handy for the smaller things I reach for during the day.

Excellent leather

Feels substantial and looks great.

My everyday office backpack now

I bought the Josh because I wanted to replace a fabric laptop bag that worked fine but always looked too casual for meetings. This has been a much better fit for how I dress for work. My laptop stays separate in the padded sleeve, while the rest of the compartment has enough room for my notebook, headphones and the things I carry every day. After more than a year the leather has softened and developed some natural variation, which I like much more than the perfectly new appearance.

Useful front zipper

I keep my keys, cables and wallet in the front section. Much easier than digging around the main compartment every time.

A little firm at first

The leather was more structured than I expected when it arrived. It took a few weeks of regular use before it started feeling properly broken in. Eight months later it has softened quite a bit while still holding a nice shape.

Really nice bag

Simple, solid and well finished.

A good size for work

The dimensions work nicely for a daily laptop backpack. It's tall enough to give me useful space, and the 14 cm depth means I can carry a bit more than I expected without the bag becoming enormous. I normally have my computer, charger, notebook, headphones and a few personal items inside.

Laptop stays separate

The padded sleeve was one of the main reasons I chose this one. I like not having my laptop moving around against everything else in the bag.

Feels built to last

Everything feels sturdy.

Holding up extremely well

I've carried this several days a week for more than a year and a half. It spends a lot of time on trains, under my desk and occasionally squeezed into the car with everything else. The leather definitely shows that it has been used now, but in a good way. There are creases and subtle changes in the finish that give it much more character. The stitching, straps and zippers have all remained dependable, which matters much more to me than keeping the leather looking brand new.

Good internal layout

There are enough sections inside to keep my work things organized without having dozens of tiny pockets that I forget about.

Comfortable on the train

I have a decent walk at both ends of my commute and the adjustable straps make it easy to get the bag sitting comfortably. It stays fairly close to my back too.

Heavier than my nylon backpack

Full leather obviously adds some weight, and I noticed that immediately coming from a very lightweight nylon bag. After using it for a while I've adjusted to the difference. For me the nicer appearance and sturdier feel are worth carrying a little extra weight.

Looks sharp

Exactly the professional style I wanted.

Replaced my messenger bag

I carried a leather messenger bag for years because I liked how it looked for work, but having all the weight on one shoulder eventually became annoying. This gives me the leather look I wanted with much better weight distribution. The laptop sleeve is also more practical than the setup in my old bag. After a year of regular commuting, I have no interest in switching back.

Nice amount of space

The 14 cm depth gives it more usable room than some of the slimmer leather backpacks I looked at, but it still feels manageable for everyday use.

Great purchase

Very pleased with the quality.

Leather has aged beautifully

Mine looks noticeably different from when I first opened the box. The surface has softened, the darker areas have become richer and there are small creases from everyday handling. That's exactly why I wanted full-grain leather rather than something coated to stay perfectly uniform. Despite all the use, the backpack still holds its overall structure well.

Good for meetings

Looks much more appropriate walking into a client meeting than my old sports backpack. The design is understated enough that it doesn't draw unnecessary attention.

Love it

Clean and practical.

Organization is just right

Some work backpacks have so many compartments that I spend more time trying to remember where I put things. This one is simpler. My laptop has its padded sleeve, small items stay in the front or internal sections, and the rest goes in the main compartment.

Good size but not small

I wouldn't describe this as an ultra-slim backpack because the 14 cm depth gives it a decent amount of capacity. That's useful for me, although someone who only carries a laptop and charger might prefer something narrower.

Smooth zippers

The main zipper and front zipper have both been easy to use. They feel solid without being stiff.

Two years as my primary work bag

At this point I've probably carried the Josh hundreds of times. It has been my normal office backpack, traveled with me on work trips and spent plenty of time getting knocked around during my commute. The leather has developed a much richer appearance than it had when new, and it has softened without becoming floppy. More importantly, the main zipper, straps and stitching have all remained reliable. I bought it hoping to stop replacing cheap work bags every year or two, and so far it has done exactly that.

Comfortable everyday carry

Even when I have the laptop and a few heavier things inside, the straps distribute the load well enough for my walk to work.

Quality bag

Feels great in hand.

Front pocket is bigger than expected

I use it for the things I need throughout the day rather than opening the main section every time. It has made the backpack much easier to live with on a daily basis.

Professional without being too formal

That's the balance I was looking for. A briefcase feels too formal for my office most days, while a typical fabric backpack looks too casual. The Josh sits nicely between the two. The leather gives it a polished appearance but the backpack format is still practical for commuting. I've had mine for over a year and use it far more often than I expected.

Laptop fits nicely

The padded sleeve keeps my computer secure and leaves the rest of the main compartment available for everything else.

Solid construction

Nothing feels cheap.

Could use one more quick-access pocket

The existing front pocket works well, but personally I wouldn't mind another small exterior pocket for something like earbuds or a transit card. That's a minor preference rather than a major issue. The internal organization is otherwise very practical.

Still looks good after a year

It's definitely not pristine anymore, but I didn't buy full-grain leather expecting it to stay that way. There are small marks and variations from daily use and I think they make the bag look better. The structured shape has also held up well.

Good capacity for the size

The 29 cm width keeps it from feeling oversized, but the deeper main section gives me enough room for more than just my laptop.

Very happy

Would buy it again.

A lot of miles on this bag

Between commuting and traveling for work, mine has seen a lot of use over the last year and a half. It has been packed fairly heavily at times and hasn't given me any problems around the shoulder straps or zippers. The leather has become softer and more comfortable against my back, and the natural patina makes it look considerably better than when it was brand new.

Easy work setup

Laptop in the padded sleeve, cables in the front pocket and everything else in the main section. Simple layout that makes sense.

Comfortable straps

Easy to adjust and they stay where I set them.

Has become part of my routine

I bought this almost two years ago and barely think about the backpack itself anymore, which is probably the best compliment I can give it. I put my laptop and work things in it every morning, carry it on the train and set it under my desk. The leather has aged naturally and the bag has softened, but everything important still works as it should. It's simply become a dependable part of my workday.

Understated design

I like that there aren't logos and decorative pieces all over it. The leather and stitching are enough.

Bought it as a gift

I bought this for my partner after his old work backpack finally gave up. He wanted something that could carry his laptop but didn't look like a school or hiking bag. He started using this immediately and hasn't gone back to the old style. The front pocket and padded laptop section seem to be the features he uses most.