I’m the kind of person who’ll happily fly business class in relaxed leisurewear. Give me the lie-flat seat, the good food, and a little low-key luxury over anything that feels unnecessarily formal. I love the finer things. I just don’t need them to announce themselves.
That philosophy extends to everything I carry.
The best everyday essentials hit a sweet spot: polished enough for the boardroom but practical enough for the commute, thoughtfully made but easy to live with.
Which is partly why I was drawn to the Harber London Office Backpack. Good looks are one thing. Having your back is another.
Constructed from a technical fabric made from 100% recycled plastic bottles (how cool is that) and trimmed with rich, full-grain leather, it’s a collision of two very different worlds. One half brings low-maintenance utility and everyday ease; the other brings texture and refinement.
It’s a nuanced take on modern luxury—and a slightly risky one. Pair two materials this contrasting and you either get a masterpiece of balance, or a bag suffering from a full-blown identity crisis.
So, where does the Harber London Office Backpack actually land? Can it pull off the balancing act in real life, from Monday morning meetings to airport lounges?
Here’s what you need to know before giving it a permanent spot on your back.
Office meetings. Travel companion. The Harber London Office Backpack has read both job descriptions, and it's qualified for each. Recycled fabric and full-grain leather give it a look that's distinctive without trying too hard, while padded device compartments, ten well-placed pockets, and a trolley sleeve make it a genuinely practical everyday carry with a travel-friendly side.
At a glance
- Capacity
- 18L
- Dimensions
- 43 x 29.5 x 14 cm / 16.9 x 11.6 x 5.5 in
- Weight
- 1.30 kg / 2.9 lb
- Laptop
- Fits laptop up to 16 inches
- Tablet
- Padded sleeve for tablet up to 13 inches
- Materials
- Water-resistant fabric made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, full-grain leather, and aluminum buckles
- Pockets
- 10
- Colors
- Black, mocha, camel, olive
- Made in
- Spain
- Warranty
- One year
- Price
- $519
What we loved
- A refined, unisex design where water-resistant recycled fabric and full-grain leather genuinely complement each other
- Ten pockets, including padded homes for a 16-inch laptop and a 13-inch tablet
- Comfortable shoulder straps: leather on top, padded neoprene underneath
- A luggage trolley sleeve that frees your hands at the airport
- Handcrafted in a solar-powered workshop in Spain
What could be better
- Sliding a 16-inch MacBook Pro in and out takes a little care around the zipper
- The side pockets suit slimmer water bottles; chunkier designs may not fit
Why can you trust Luxe Digital? At Luxe Digital, we’re not just digital explorers—we’re seasoned travelers who’ve put dozens of bags through their paces in busy airports, packed trains, and winding backroads. Our editors live for the journey, and it shows in every recommendation.
At Luxe Digital, we’re not just digital explorers—we’re seasoned travelers who’ve put dozens of bags through their paces in We even created Luxa Terra, a space dedicated to the art of traveling well and with intention. For more on how we test products, explore our approach to buying luxury through our HAPPY philosophy.
This isn’t our first time putting Harber London to the test: we’ve also lived with the brand’s RFID Legacy Bifold Wallet and its Leather Overnight Bag.
Harber London Office Backpack review: A work bag that refuses to pick a side
Family-owned and based in London, Harber London has built its name on pairing old-world craftsmanship with clean, modern design. Fitting, then, that its Office Backpack relies on a quiet duality of its own.
Unboxing: A bag for your bag
The work backpack arrives tucked inside a branded canvas tote. It’s a clever touch—and one you’ll actually keep rather than shove into the back of a closet. It’s perfect for storing the bag dust-free when it’s out of rotation, or taking down to the local farmers’ market.
I always respect packaging that serves a purpose long after the unboxing moment.
Materials & craftsmanship: Recycled meets refined
The first thing you notice is the play on textures and the contrast between the two main materials.
The main body uses a surprisingly tough, water-resistant fabric crafted from 100% recycled plastic bottles. It’s rugged without feeling like heavy-duty camping gear, and it holds its structured silhouette even when empty.
Then comes the rich full-grain leather detailing, which instantly elevates the look. It adds warmth, depth, and—best of all—the kind of leather that ages gracefully, picking up a unique patina the more you travel with it. Sustainability and handmade savoir-faire, working side by side.
Even better? The story holds up under scrutiny. The leather is sourced from Leather Working Group–certified tanneries, the fabric carries Global Recycled Standard accreditation, and the bag itself is made in Harber London’s own solar-powered workshop in Spain.
The finishing touch? Custom, aviation-grade aluminum hardware. It’s subtle, tactile, and perfectly captures what this bag is all about: technical performance with a distinctly polished finish.
Aesthetic & design: Chic in contrast
I opted for the all-black, and it’s a masterclass in subtlety. Black is naturally the easiest option to throw over your shoulder regardless of what you’re wearing, but here, the mix of matte recycled fabric and rich leather gives it enough depth that it never feels flat or boring.
The silhouette strikes that elusive middle ground: clean and structured, but never rigid or boxy. It looks just as natural next to a tailored blazer as it does paired with my go-to travel uniform of sleek elevated loungewear. Boardroom or boarding gate, it seamlessly matches the energy of the room.
Turn it around, and the thoughtful design details keep coming. The shoulder straps feature full-grain leather on top, backed with plush neoprene underneath. Translation: the parts the world sees look impeccably pulled together, while the parts pressed against your shoulders are pure comfort. Every material has a clear job, and does it exceptionally well.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a contrasting light beige lining—a small detail you’ll deeply appreciate the first time you’re looking for a flash drive or lip balm at 30,000 feet. No more blind rummaging in a black hole.
Plus, the structured shell holds its refined shape even when it’s barely packed. Because honestly, nobody wants a bag that deflates the moment you take your laptop out.
Variants & colors: Shades of quiet
The Office Backpack comes in four quiet, low-key colorways: Black, Mocha, Camel, and Olive. The palette stays firmly in refined territory. It’s neutral enough to slot seamlessly into any wardrobe, regardless of the season.
For me, the all-black version gets the balance just right. It’s polished without being precious, the sort of design that doesn’t need to work too hard to look good.
Black
Check price: Office Backpack. Photo: Harber London Black at Harber London
Mocha
Check price: Office Backpack. Photo: Harber London Mocha at Harber London
Camel
Check price: Office Backpack. Photo: Harber London Camel at Harber London
Olive
Check price: Office Backpack. Photo: Harber London Olive at Harber London
Functionality: Ten pockets, zero rummaging
We ask a lot of our work bags. Look professional, carry our entire lives, survive the daily train sprint, breeze through security, and look good doing it. Most bags pick a lane. The Harber London Office Backpack insists on doing it all.
Think about the standard daily load: laptop, tablet, chargers, notebook, water bottle, umbrella, passport, wallet, keys—plus whatever random receipts and tech accessories join the party by 3 p.m. With ten pockets, everything actually has a home.
Up front: Two zippered pockets keep high-frequency items separate from the main compartment. The first gives quick access to the small stuff. Tucked directly behind it is a more discreet compartment featuring dedicated business card slots and a magnetic quick-release key chain (meaning no more blind key-fishing at the front door). It’s where I keep my wallet and phone during a busy commute. Completely hidden from passersby, but right where I need it.
On the sides: The expandable side pockets comfortably fit my LARQ Bottle on one side and a compact travel umbrella on the other. Chunkier, oversized water bottles might feel like a squeeze or even Mission Impossible, but for slim water bottles and travel thermoses, it’s a perfect fit.
Up top: A dedicated top pocket is pure convenience. Mine houses my iPhone, AirPods, and passport. When you’re shuffling through airport security lines or settling into a flight, having these within arm’s reach without unzipping the main bag is a major win.
Inside: The main compartment houses a padded laptop slot built for up to a 16-inch device, alongside a separate padded 13-inch tablet sleeve. There’s even an integrated stylus holder—though I use mine for my Montblanc Meisterstück pen. (Call me old-school, but working in digital hasn’t ruined the joy of good stationery.)
A quick insider note on fit: I carry a 16-inch MacBook Pro. It fits securely, but sliding it in and out requires a slight angle so you don’t graze the top zipper. It’s hardly a deal-breaker, but if you’re wielding a massive workstation daily, it’s worth keeping in mind.
On the back: Those leather-and-neoprene straps aren’t pure aesthetics. They offer real support. They’re comfortable to carry, with enough cushioning to make a difference when the bag is loaded with a laptop and the rest of the working day.
At 1.30 kg (2.9 lb), it’s not the lightest backpack on the market. But for a structured 18L bag with leather detailing and padded device compartments, the weight feels fair. The water-resistant fabric is reassuring, too, when the weather turns without warning.
On the move: One of my favorite details for travel is the 19 cm luggage trolley strap on the back. Slipping it over your suitcase handle takes the weight completely off the shoulders during a long layover. It’s a subtle addition, but it’s precisely what elevates a slick office bag into a true travel companion. And if you travel regularly, you’ll know that small conveniences compound.
Care & maintenance: One material stays put, the other ages gracefully
There’s a satisfying duality in how this backpack wears over time.
The technical recycled fabric is virtually bulletproof—built to resist spills, wipe clean easily, and look brand new for years. The full-grain leather, on the other hand, is designed to evolve. It deepens, softens, and develops a rich patina with every trip, picking up character along the way.
Low-maintenance utility on one side, timeless aging on the other. It’s the rare bag that somehow looks both fresh out of the box and beautiful lived-in.
Price: Not an impulse buy
At $519, the Harber London Office Backpack isn’t an impulse purchase. It’s a price at which I’d expect thoughtful design, quality materials, and a bag that earns its place in my daily routine.
Full disclosure: I am the exact opposite of an impulse shopper. I will happily spend hours researching a potential purchase, weighing specs, and dissecting pros and cons. I rarely part with my money unless I’m confident I’ll get plenty of use out of something.
A daily carry, however, is one of those rare items where the math works in your favor. When a bag holds your entire professional life five days a week and doubles as your carry-on over the weekend, the equation shifts from a luxury splurge to a low cost-per-use workhorse.
The Office Backpack by Harber London is easy to justify: eco-conscious recycled fabric married with full-grain leather, ergonomic padded straps, dedicated dual-device sleeves, an intuitive layout, and ethical handcrafting in Harber London’s Spanish workshop.
The craftsmanship is evident the moment you touch it, and I respect a design that manages to feel luxurious without ever trying too hard.
Check price: Price: Not an impulse buy at Harber Londonat Harber London · Trusted luxury retailer
Who is the Harber London Office Backpack best for?
I’d recommend the Harber London Office Backpack to professionals who need their everyday carry to do more than one job. Think client meeting at 10 a.m. and a flight at 6 p.m.
I’d hesitate if your priority is an ultralight backpack, if you carry an unusually bulky laptop, or if you’d rather spend less on a bag that serves a single purpose. And if you carry a larger water bottle, check its dimensions against the side pockets first.
For the right person, though, this is a laptop backpack that bridges several parts of everyday life without making any of them feel like an afterthought.
Alternatives to the Harber London Office Backpack
For more options, our guide to the best travel backpacks compares the wider field.
Troubadour Apex Backpack: Smart engineering over leather craft
Its sleek, structured silhouette, recycled FortiWeave fabric, and discreetly integrated pockets give it a polished, almost architectural look, while clever details such as a suspended laptop sleeve, an easy-access shoulder-strap pocket, and a luggage sleeve make everyday commuting and business travel a breeze. It’s less about leather craftsmanship and more about smart engineering, with a five-year guarantee adding to its appeal.
See our Troubadour Apex Backpack review for more details.
Check price: Troubadour Apex Backpack: Smart engineering over leather craft at Troubadourat Troubadour · Shop with confidence
Bellroy Transit Workpack 20L: Relaxed everyday utility
Think less boardroom polish, more relaxed everyday utility. The Bellroy Transit Workpack offers a slightly roomier 20L capacity in a casual, functional design built around easy organization and life on the move. It doesn’t have quite the same refined, leather-accented feel as the Harber London, but that’s part of its appeal: it’s an unfussy work-and-travel companion that puts practicality first, at a more accessible price point. A good choice if you’d rather spend less on a backpack that works hard without dressing up.
Check price: Bellroy Transit Workpack 20L: Relaxed everyday utility at Bellroyat Bellroy · Easy, secure ordering
Where to buy the Harber London Office Backpack
The Harber London Office Backpack is available directly from Harber London’s website, which ships worldwide.
Changed your mind? Harber London offers a 60-day return policy for refunds or exchanges, provided the bag meets its return conditions. Return shipping is generally the customer’s responsibility, and international orders may incur additional customs duties or import taxes.
Learn more about the brand in our dedicated Harber London brand profile.
Check price: Where to buy the Harber London Office Backpack at Harber Londonat Harber London · Wide selection of styles
Where to buy
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Frequently asked questions
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