Backpacks aren’t purely used for their utility today. People like to make a style statement with whatever backpack they’re carrying around. So, it’s important for companies to not only ensure that their backpacks are extremely functional but to also ensure that they aesthetically appeal to the audience they’re targeting.
One company that’s been accomplishing this tightrope walk quite well is Herschel. Even though they’ve been around for just about a decade, they’ve grown exponentially and have been able to capture a solid market share in this short span of time. We’re going to delve a little deeper into their backpack offerings and give you a lowdown on some of our favorite Herschel backpacks!
Image | Name | More Info |
|---|---|---|
 | Best for Men Buckingham | |
 | Best for Women Nova Mid-Volume | |
 | Best for Kids Survey Kids | |
 | Best for Youth Heritage Youth | |
 | Best for Travel Travel 30L Backpack | |
 | Best for Everyday Travel 20L Daypack |
Table of Contents
Buckingham Backpack
A rare blend of style and functionality. To the men out there, whether you are a backpacker who often gets lost in the wild or you prefer urban locales, the Buckingham backpack from Herschel will suit your needs.
Built based on a sturdy design, this backpack brings together the wild mountaineer and the suave cosmopolitan man. It even has a laptop sleeve if you are a guy who travels a lot for work. Even though we have said it is our favorite pick for men, the design is fairly unisex with hints of rugged.
To the ladies out there, do not let stop you from checking it out. Continue reading to see if this bag will be your faithful companion in your future travels.
Source: herschel.com
Features
Benefits
Buying a Herschel Buckingham backpack is an astute choice if backpacking makes a regular appearance in your planner. The 33-liter capacity allows you to pack comfortably for over a week. The main compartment is quite large and deep without any disturbances that take up space.
Whether you are a guy who folds his clothes or rolls his clothes or believes in packing cubes, the main compartment is dynamic enough to suit your needs. The laptop sleeve also sits comfortably in the main compartment can fit a laptop up to 15” in length.
The contoured shoulder straps make carrying easier despite the number of things that you stuff into your Buckingham backpack. The polyester fabric also makes it water-resistant to an extent, protecting your belongings until you find cover from a sudden downpour. It also makes it easy to clean.
The extra compartments and side pockets mean that you can access important documents, wallet or headphones easily without having to loosen the drawcord.
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The Herschel Buckingham backpack is as royal as its name sounds. We love it for its strapping athletic design and ease of use. Herschel also offers this backpack in almost twenty different colors that you can choose from.
Who says you cannot be stylish when hiking in the wilderness? Despite the price, this backpack gets a double thumbs up from us.
Nova Mid Volume
Small, trendy and cute as a button, perfect for your day out in the city. For the ladies out there tired of having to readjust your tote bags on your shoulder over and over again, Herschel’s Nova is there to save your day.
Perfect for all your belongings, whether you are out for a day exploring a new city or a short overnight trip, the Nova backpack with its multiple color options is there for you.
A perfect amalgamation of professional and fashionable, you can proudly carry the Nova into a business meeting and later to your friend’s party. Carry on reading to see how this bag stands up to the hype.
Source: herschel.com
Features
Benefits
Why do you need a Herschel Nova backpack? There are a lot of reasons why.
One, you can be assured of the quality considering the reputation of Herschel.
Two, this backpack promises the style quotient of a tote minus the discomfort of carrying it for longer periods of time.
Three, the main compartment is quite spacious without a lot of divisions. So you can fit your things the way you want.
Four, the laptop sleeve that can fit up to a 13” laptop.
Five, the large double grab handles allow you to just pick up the bag on the go instead of it strapping it to your back all the time.
Six, the polyester makes it water-resistant and easy to clean.
Seven, you have tons of color choices.
Eight, it is competitively priced. Do we need to go on?
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Stylish, trendy and perfect for short day trips, that is our verdict. An ideal replacement for a traditional handbag, the Herschel Nova can fit your 13” laptop and a few other things perfectly. What we also love is that Herschel does not target only women for this but has enough color choices that would also grab the attention of the metrosexual man.
Survey Kids
Herschel has also carved a niche for itself by expanding into the children’s market. The specially designed and crafted bags take into account balance of weight and how comfortable it needs to be so that your toddler does not feel discomfited whether he/ she is on his/ her way to the park or the preschool.
The Herschel Survey bags, designed specifically for kids, can comfortably hold a cup, some snacks, a drawing book, and other basic necessities if you are planning for a lovely day at the park.
Continue reading to see if this bag is perfect for your child. Who says your five-year-old cannot play it up in style?
Source: herschel.com
Features
Benefits
We understand that you are all the more careful and discretionary when choosing things for your kids. This section will tell you why this bag is a great choice for your child to carry.
If you had noticed the dimensions of the bag, you would have seen that the bag is practically a square. This is a conscious design choice for the bag to be well balanced on those teeny-tiny shoulders. Anything your kid chooses to carry can be arranged side by side so it does not put too much pressure on the back.
The signature striped lining is quite eye-catching and is very easy to clean which makes your life simpler. The magnetic closures are quite strong, so you do not have to worry about your child accidentally spilling the contents of the bag. It is also extremely durable, considering the quality of the brand, so you can recycle it and use it later for short trips as well.
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
It is ideal for your child, a well-crafted cute backpack that does not get super heavy. It is easy to clean which is a huge bonus for the parents. Consider buying this if you are a parent who takes their kid out on a lot of small excursions.
You can also consider this to satisfy the child in you. The backpack would work as an excellent replacement for a purse.
Heritage Backpack Youth
Very similar to the parent design, the Heritage Backpack for older kids is a scaled-down model that will suit your teenager. With its hip and happening designs, you will definitely be the cool parent buying things your teenager will be happy to take to school.
The color choices that Herschel gives are also fantastic. It is also made playground friendly so you do not have to worry about rough usage, dirt or any of the other damages you normally worry about. It is extremely sturdy and quite easy to clean.
Perfect for a laptop and a few books, the Heritage Backpack will definitely make your everyday school trips simpler.
Source: herschel.com
Features
Benefits
You might ask why should you spend on a branded backpack for a teenager or any child when you know they are going to use it roughly. The answer is simple.
Herschel guarantees that the bag is durable and designed for rough use. So, which would you prefer? Investing in one good quality backpack that will stay for long or go for cheaper knock-offs which you will have to keep replacing?
Secondly, the Heritage youth bag comes with sternum support that is detachable. Use it on days when the bag is particularly heavy and remove it on days where you feel your child does not need it.
Thirdly, the designs are quite in vogue, following Herschel’s trend of minimalism. Check the different designs that are available on Amazon and let your child walk with their head held high into school.
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Whether it is everyday use for school or for occasional travel, Heritage Youth backpacks are a phenomenal choice. It is has a great combination of style and comfort which your child is going to love.
Plus who says you cannot sneak your child’s backpack out for a short trip once in a while? Once you see the bag, you are going to want to do it.
Herschel Travel Backpack
For the tech fiends out there, this bag is particularly crafted for your travel needs. This sturdy unisex bag is practical, minimalist and has a lot of space for your laptop, tablet and other belongings.
With multiple compartments, you even have slots for your cameras, lenses, or any of a million things that you might want to carry. It can easily be attached to your suitcase or any other luggage, making it the perfect companion for travel.
Whether you are traveling for work or on vacation, the Herschel Travel backpack can suit your needs. Carry on reading if you want to know why we consider it the best for travel.
Source: herschel.com
Features
Benefits
The Heritage Travel backpack is a rewarding choice on many accounts. One, the 30-liter capacity allows you to pack quite a lot of things in your backpack.
Secondly, the sleeves in the main compartment are ideal if you are traveling with a lot of tech gear because the fleece-padded back will protect them. The padding also reduces the impact of falls. So, if you end up dropping your backpack, you do not have to worry about the safety of your laptop. Even so, the sleeves will ensure your things do not get dislodged.
The front compartment also comes with an organizer so you can pack your wallet, passport, and other essentials neatly. The side mesh water bottle pockets are a huge advantage too. And, when you are traveling with more luggage, you can simply slide this backpack onto the handle of your suitcase and drag it across the airport easily.
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The Herschel Travel backpack is a great choice if you are a frequent traveler. This backpack has been built in a way to carry heavy loads while keeping it convenient. The unisex design and exceptional execution make it worth the price.
Just remember to allocate a budget if you are planning to get one and make sure you are picking the right one because Herschel also has a 20-liter variant available in the market.
Travel Daypack
The slim Herschel Travel Daypack is every minimalist’s dream. The design at the outset is extremely modern and trendy. It would fit right in, whether it is a professional space or a casual day out in the city.
It is a design that has been scaled down from the earlier model, the Travel Backpack, for convenience of everyday use. This backpack is specially crafted with enough organizational divisions that will essentially allow you to replace your briefcase with this bag. They have literally thought about everything!
Carry on reading to see why we think this is the best for everyday use.
Source: herschel.com
Features
Benefits
The Herschel Travel daypack is smaller compared to the Herschel Travel backpack so the choice between the two depends completely on your usage.
If you are looking for a sturdy backpack that is affordable and that you can use every day, the daypack would be a better choice considering your everyday items would fit more snugly into this. Other than this, all the benefits of the travel backpack are applicable here as well.
The fleece padded back and laptop sleeve keeps your laptop safer than most other backpacks in the market. The multiple compartments have been structured and executed keeping in mind your convenience and packing needs. It is also priced much lesser than the travel backpack.
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The 20-liter Herschel travel daypack is a safe bet. The quality of the brand is assured, the size is optimal and there are enough pockets for you to keep your everyday things neatly organized. The padded back and shoulder straps make it easier on your back and shoulders even when the bag is fully loaded to its capacity.
Despite their foray into making backpacks for kids, Herschel has definitely not forgotten its adult audience.
The Herschel Supply Company
Herschel is one of the household brand names. In today’s world, it is practically impossible to go around the city without noticing its logo on a backpack or some piece of apparel. What are its roots? How did it grow?
Continue reading to see the trajectory of this trend-setting company.
Humble Beginnings
It was in the year 2009 that brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack put all their plans into action. They set up shop in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada that would make backpacks, other luggage, hats, and a few other accessories.
The choice of name for the company is also replete with nostalgia. The Cormack brothers named their company after Herschel, a tiny little village in Saskatchewan with a population of about 30 people, where their great grandparents had settled in 1906. In a span of a decade, the company had risen to become a dominant player in the world market.
The Success Story
Five years after its humble beginning, the company reported a growth rate of 35% in 2014-2015 and expected to maintain it at around 30% in the following years. How did this happen? Today, the brand has over 10,000 points of sale. How did this happen? How were Jamie and Lyndon Cormack able to carve a space for themselves in the market?
The answer lies in a combination of nostalgia and lifestyle. A certain sentimentality to the past is a big part of what defines Herschel products.
The logo by itself used an old-time font and has an air of wistfulness about it. The striped lining which is a signature feature of Herschel bags is also a nod to the mill workers of the past. The nostalgia is also intertwined with a sense of adventure and therefore, you guessed it right, backpacks!
Another significant factor that contributes to the brand image is that of lifestyle. The Cormack brothers had observed that backpacks were often thrust into the realm of sport. In some sense, we owe it to Herschel for bringing it back into a regular lifestyle and modernizing it to suit our needs.
Herschel’s products essentially combine nostalgia and modernity. With subtle design elements, the Cormack brothers have managed to modernize the old and create a brand value and feeling that rests on the collective memories of the people. With names like Little America, it is fairly clear what they are trying to do.
What Makes Them Popular?
This Canada-based company began by creating a revolution in backpacks before it expanded to include other kinds of bags and accessories. Here is a list of reasons why they shot to fame as quickly as they did.
Who Is Their Target Audience?
When the company first began in 2009, they targeted the ultimate “travel consumer”. They wanted to be the ones who would provide bags for all your travel needs: short trips, long trips or everyday use. They branched out within that space to provide different designs for men and women.
Over time, the company also included children in their list of prospective consumers. Good quality backpacks for children as a market space was sparsely explored and the Cormack brothers expanded to fill that gap as well.
Today, everybody can find something that suits his/ her needs with Herschel’s Supply Company.
What is Their Price Range Like?
Customers of Herschel’s bags are clearly divided on this question. While the flap covers and magnetic closures are huge selling points, there is a visible division when it comes to the price.
One half of the group strongly believes that you pay for the quality, for the brand value and for the engineering that has gone into it. That the bags are totally worth it. The other half does find Herschel’s a tad overpriced.
For products ultimately being manufactured in China, the company charges quite a bit for something their parents and grandparents probably used.
However, there is no definite answer.
A Lot of History in a Small Bag
It is a fairly common reaction that people listen to or read with a wistful smile when they come across the Saskatchewan story. The Cormack brothers have been clever enough to market it as well. Their ten-year-old company is now tagged on to a history that spans over a century.
The brand name, Herschel, is built upon this history. But it is not just about the brand name! Without quality, without keeping up to modern times, no brand can carve a niche for itself. And that is what they have done.
They have played a major role in bringing backpacks into the realm of lifestyle. They promise and keep up a combination of utility, style, and durability.
That being said, Herschel has been and will continue to be a household name for backpacks. Whichever backpack you choose from the list above, you’re not going to be disappointed.
Resources:
Business Insider
The Guardian
