Plenty of room

This holds quite a bit without feeling awkward on my back. I use it for work during the week and have enough room left over when I need to bring a few extra things.

Beautiful bag

The cognac leather looks fantastic.

Finally enough space for my workday

I tend to carry more than I probably need, so the smaller backpacks I've owned always ended up packed to the zipper. The Rowan gives me considerably more breathing room. My laptop stays in its own section, while the main compartment handles everything else I bring into the office. I also like having the front and side pockets for the things I reach for throughout the day. After more than a year, the leather has softened and looks better than when it was new.

Good laptop compartment

My 15.6-inch laptop fits in the dedicated section and stays separate from everything else in the bag. That's one of the main reasons I chose this model.

A substantial backpack

This is definitely more substantial than the lightweight backpack I replaced, which took a little getting used to. The padded straps help when it's loaded though, and I prefer having the extra capacity.

The side pockets are useful

Didn't think much about the side pockets when ordering, but I use them all the time. Nice having quick access without opening the main zipper.

Well made

Feels solid from top to bottom.

Has become my travel and work bag

The Rowan started out as my office backpack, but over time I've ended up using it for short trips too. The larger interior gives me flexibility that my old slim backpack didn't have. I can carry my normal work setup during the week and make use of the extra room when traveling. Mine has been used regularly for about a year and a half now. The leather has developed plenty of character, but the bag itself still feels dependable.

Comfortable straps

The padding is noticeable when the bag is full. I've carried it for longer walks without the straps digging into my shoulders.

More useful than my old backpack

My previous bag was slimmer and looked nice, but I was constantly deciding what to leave behind. With this one I don't have that problem. The 14 cm depth gives the main compartment useful space while the separate laptop section keeps my computer from getting buried.

Worth it

Very pleased with the purchase.

Good for business travel

I wanted one backpack that could go from the office to an occasional work trip without looking out of place. This has done that well. The structured shape looks professional enough for meetings, and there's more room inside than you would guess from looking at it straight on.

Cognac is a great color

The cognac has a lot of warmth and natural variation to it. Doesn't have that overly uniform appearance some leather bags do.

Bigger than my usual bag

I underestimated the difference between this and the smaller backpack I had been carrying. It felt fairly large for the first few days. Once I started using the extra room instead of trying to pack it like my old bag, it made a lot more sense. I especially appreciate the additional capacity when I have a longer day away from home.

Great organization

Laptop inside, smaller items in front, quick-access things on the sides. Easy.

A year of daily use

I've carried mine to work most weekdays for about a year. The leather is noticeably softer now and has developed the sort of natural marks I was hoping for. The main zipper, straps and stitching have all held up well. It feels broken in rather than worn out.

Right amount of storage

The front zip pocket is where I keep smaller things I don't want mixed into the main compartment. Between that, the side pockets and the laptop section, the organization works well without being excessive.

Looks good at the office

Large enough to be useful but still has a clean professional appearance.

The leather has aged beautifully

Nearly two years in and this bag looks completely different from the day it arrived, in a good way. The cognac leather has darkened in places and developed natural creases from regular use. I carry it rather than baby it, so it has been on commutes, road trips and plenty of ordinary days around town. Everything important has held together and I like the bag more now than I did when it was brand new.

Good daily carry

Plenty of room for what I bring to work without having to pack everything perfectly just to get the zipper closed.

Handles my commute well

I take the train several days a week and carry a laptop plus a fair amount of other work gear. The padded straps are comfortable and I like that the backpack keeps a structured shape instead of sagging when it's partly filled.

Nice leather

Feels substantial and looks even better in person.

Replaced two different bags

I used to keep a smaller backpack for work and another bag for days when I needed to carry more. The Rowan has basically replaced both. On an ordinary day I don't fill it completely, but having that extra room available is useful when I need it. The laptop compartment and outside pockets keep the larger interior from becoming a mess. It's been a very practical setup for me.

Chocolate looks excellent

Went with the chocolate finish and have no regrets. It's understated enough for work and the leather has a nice natural texture.

Leather starts out firm

Mine was pretty structured when it arrived and I initially wished it were softer. After several months it has relaxed considerably while still holding its shape. If you're used to softer leather bags, just give this one some time.

Solid

Feels like a proper backpack.

Good balance of size and comfort

I wanted the extra capacity but was worried a larger leather backpack might be uncomfortable once packed. So far that hasn't been an issue. The padded shoulder straps distribute the load well for my commute, and the 17-inch height works nicely for me.

Front pocket gets used constantly

That's where my keys, cables and other small things end up. Much easier than digging through the main section.

Good choice for someone who carries a lot

I'm one of those people who leaves the house in the morning with everything I might possibly need before getting home. A small minimalist backpack just doesn't work for me. The Rowan gives me a roomy main compartment while still keeping my laptop separate, and the exterior storage means I don't have to unload the bag to find something small. I've had it well over a year now and it has become an easy recommendation.

Good for short trips

I've taken it on a few overnight work trips and appreciated having the extra room. It works well when I want to travel with one backpack instead of carrying an additional bag.

Very happy

Exactly what I was looking for.

Doesn't look like a travel pack

That's what I like about it. There's a lot of usable space inside, but the exterior still looks clean enough that I have no problem bringing it into the office.

Great bag, but know the size

The Rowan is genuinely roomy, which is a positive for me most of the time. On days when I'm only carrying a couple of things, it's more backpack than I really need. If you want a slim minimal bag I'd choose something smaller, but if capacity is the priority this makes much more sense.

Workhorse

I've stopped worrying about being gentle with mine. It goes to work, gets put on the floor, rides around in the car and comes along whenever I travel. After a year, the leather has some character but the bag remains sturdy.

Organization without too many pockets

There are enough separate areas to keep the important things easy to find, but not so many that I forget where I put something. The laptop section, front zipper and side pockets cover what I need.

Two years later and still carrying it

This has probably seen more use than any backpack I've owned. I originally bought it because I needed more room for work, but it quickly became the bag I also took on road trips and short getaways. The leather has softened considerably and developed a nice patina over two years. There are marks from use, of course, but that's part of the appeal for me. The important thing is that it has remained dependable.

Good value

I spent a while comparing leather backpacks before ordering. The combination of full-grain leather, useful capacity and a separate laptop section made this the best fit for what I needed.

Room without the mess

Large bags can turn into a black hole if they aren't laid out properly. I haven't had that issue here. My computer has its own section, the front pocket takes the small everyday stuff and I use the side pockets for things I want within reach. That leaves the main compartment open for the larger items.

Comfortable even when full

The padded straps were important to me because I knew I'd be taking advantage of the larger capacity. They've been comfortable so far, even on days when the backpack is fairly loaded.

My husband uses it constantly

I gave this to my husband because his old work backpack was always completely stuffed. The Rowan has much more breathing room and he likes having a separate place for his laptop. He chose the cognac color and it has developed a really nice worn-in appearance over the past year. It gets used almost every weekday.