The WaterField Bowery Leather Backpack is now available at $549 from sfbags.com. This San Francisco-crafted leather backpack combines heirloom quality with modern tech functionality. If you’ve been looking for a professional-grade backpack that improves with age rather than falling apart, this deserves your attention.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $549
Where to buy: sfbags.com
Why This Product Actually Matters
Here’s the thing. Most backpacks today are designed to last maybe two or three years before the zippers fail, the fabric tears, or the straps give out. You replace them, repeat the cycle, and never think twice about it. The Bowery takes a different approach entirely.
WaterField handcrafts each Bowery Leather Backpack in their San Francisco workshop using full-grain leather that actually gets better looking as it ages. According to WaterField founder Gary Waterfield, “It’s an heirloom quality backpack with 21st-century functionality, designed to grow even more beautiful with time.” The leather develops a natural patina that tells the story of your travels and daily use.
The best feature is the self-finding Fidlock magnetic buckle. This isn’t your typical backpack closure. The dual-layer leather flap snaps shut automatically with a satisfying magnetic connection, no fumbling required. It closes on its own but requires specific knowledge to open, making it essentially theft-proof for anyone unfamiliar with the mechanism. When closed, the flap shields all zippered compartments from weather and unauthorized access.
Real-World Use Cases
This backpack shines for professionals who move between environments throughout the day. Architects carrying a 16-inch MacBook Pro plus iPad for client presentations. Photographers managing laptop and tablet for on-location editing. Business travelers who need a workstation setup that transitions from airplane to hotel to meeting without looking out of place.
The angled main zipper runs from top rear to bottom front, letting you grab your laptop without fully opening the bag. Stand at airport security, unzip partway, slide out your MacBook, done. No digging through the entire contents. When you do need full access, the zipper opens wide with a gold interior lining that makes everything visible even in dim light.
Tech protection goes beyond basic padding. Dedicated padded sleeves hold a 16-inch MacBook Pro and 13-inch iPad Pro separately, keeping them from scratching each other. Closed-cell foam padding along the bottom and back protects electronics from impacts while maintaining the backpack’s shape even when empty. A translucent mesh pocket includes a designated AirTag slot so you can track the bag if it goes missing.
Daily organization stays clean with a multi-pocket front compartment that fully unzips. Pens, AirPods, phone, chargers, and cables each get their own space. A sewn-in key leash secures keys in an open pocket, protecting other contents from scratches. The collapsible water bottle sleeve holds bottles up to 3.5 inches in diameter and tucks away flat when not needed.
What’s Good and What’s Not
PROS:
- Handcrafted full-grain leather develops natural patina and improves with age
- Self-finding Fidlock magnetic buckle provides one-handed automatic closure
- Angled main zipper enables laptop access without fully opening bag
- Padded sleeves accommodate 16-inch MacBook Pro and 13-inch iPad Pro separately
- Closed-cell foam padding protects electronics and maintains structure
- Made in San Francisco with quality control at every production stage
CONS:
- $549 price point is substantial investment compared to synthetic alternatives
- 3 lbs weight is heavier than lightweight nylon backpacks
- Full-grain leather requires occasional conditioning to maintain quality
Should You Buy This?
If you’re tired of replacing cheap backpacks every few years, value American craftsmanship, and want something that improves rather than deteriorates with use, the Bowery at $549 makes sense. Remote workers who carry serious computing power daily will appreciate the laptop protection and organizational system. Frequent travelers benefit from the theft-resistant closure and luggage pass-through.
Price: $549
Where to buy: sfbags.com
The total cost of ownership perspective matters here. Three $150 synthetic backpacks over six years costs $450 and generates landfill waste. One $549 leather backpack that lasts decades and can be repaired costs more upfront but less long-term while looking better each year.
Skip this if you prefer lightweight synthetic materials, want the absolute lightest carry option, or prioritize fashion over function. Also skip if you’re not willing to occasionally condition the leather to maintain its quality.
Bottom Line
At $549, the Bowery represents WaterField’s commitment to creating products that outlast disposable culture. The backpack has passed FCC, CE, RoHS, CEC, and ERP certifications meeting international environmental and safety standards. Construction quality includes CNC-machined aerospace-grade aluminum alloy hardware and anti-fingerprint coating on the leather.
The self-finding Fidlock buckle, angled laptop access zipper, and thoughtful organization system show that WaterField designed this for actual daily use rather than just visual appeal. Colors available are Black, Chocolate, and Grizzly, shipping now from sfbags.com with a 24-month warranty and customer support.
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