You walk through a foreign city for hours, hop on and off the metro, take a seat at a terrace, and duck into a museum. During a city trip, your bag is not an accessory but your base camp: you carry everything you need that day with you. The ideal bag is large enough for the essentials, small enough to forget you’re carrying it, and made to look just as beautiful after five cities as it did when you set out. vegetable-tanned leather is ideal for this, in our view: it grows more beautiful with use and develops a patina that literally records your travels.
What makes a bag suitable for the city?
A good city-trip bag meets a few sensible requirements. It keeps your valuables safe, remains comfortable all day, and suits whatever you’re doing, whether that’s visiting a museum or having dinner. With handmade leather, there’s an added benefit: the material lasts for years, so you make a one-time investment in a bag that still has countless journeys ahead of it.
The very best choice mainly depends on how you travel. Do you prefer to move lightly and nimbly through the streets, or do you want to be prepared for anything the day might bring? Are you traveling alone or with your family, with all the extra belongings that entails? Below, we’ve listed the three bags best suited to a city trip, so you can easily find the right one for your pace.
The crossbody: hands-free and secure
For most city trips, a crossbody is the smartest choice. Because the strap runs diagonally across your body, your hands are free for a map, a coffee, or your phone, while the bag stays close to you, even on a busy street. Choose a size that has room for your phone, wallet, keys, and a small bottle of water. You rarely need more during the day. View our shoulder bags for styles that fit the bill.
The backpack: for an active day
Heading out for a full day, with an extra layer of clothing, a guidebook, or a camera? A leather backpack distributes the weight evenly across your shoulders. It’s ideal if you do a lot of walking or tackle the hills of a city like Lisbon or Prague. Our backpacks combine that space with a silhouette that also looks at home with a dinner outfit.
The weekend bag: for getting there and back
The journey itself calls for something different from the city. For the train or plane, a spacious weekend bag is ideal: large enough for two or three days’ worth of clothing, yet compact enough to use as carry-on luggage. Once you’re in your hotel room, unpack it and head into the city with your crossbody. Our weekend bags were made with exactly that rhythm in mind.
Practical tips for the journey
A few things that make all the difference during a city trip:
- Choose one that closes securely. A zipper or sturdy fastening keeps your belongings safe in busy crowds.
- Plan for layers. City weather changes; a bag with a little extra room for a folded jacket is worth its weight in gold.
- Keep your leather dry. vegetable-tanned leather can handle a shower, but wipe it dry afterward. A small care product in your suitcase helps; read our leather care tips.
- Think about the little extras. A leather pouch or cardholder keeps your documents organized. Take a look at our accessories.
One bag, many cities
The best thing about a leather bag for your city trips is that it grows along with your travel history. Every scratch, every change in color from the sun, and every spot where your hand touches the strap contributes to a patina that makes no two bags alike. While a cheap bag looks worn after a few trips, a well-made leather bag only gets more beautiful. That is exactly why we make them the way we do: craftsmanship designed to last for years.
Unsure which model or size to choose for your next trip? Take your time browsing all bags or compare the styles that suit the way you travel. Take it with you, and let the city leave its mark.
