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Leather might not be the first material you go to when picking a travel bag, but we have to admit — leather bags look really good. Though a very popular choice for smaller items like purses or messenger bags, leather can actually work well for travel, as it's a highly durable material if you maintain it regularly.
If you're intrigued by the idea of a leather travel bag but don't know where to start, we've rounded up our favorites across a variety of styles, from wheeled carry-ons to classic duffels. Though they may be more of an investment than other types of travel bags, leather luggage pieces are undoubtedly chic, and that makes them worth the price tag.
It has protective metal feet.
There aren’t many color options.
Leather bags are an investment, so you'd be wise to pick one that has a timeless look. This Royce weekender hits that mark — and many more. The price is on the lower end for a bag of this size — and this quality — and it even has metal feet to keep the rich material in tip-top shape whether it’s tucked into a trunk or overhead bin.
The structured cylindrical body has two rounded handles and a removable shoulder strap and, while the zipper isn't quite a wrap-around, it still opens wide enough to fill the spacious compartment with ease. The duffel is made from pebbled grain leather for a soft texture, and it comes in black, tan, taupe, and blue. Plus, if you buy this bag directly from Royce, you can personalize it with initials or a full-name monogram for free.
Price at time of publish: $750
The Details: 20 x 17 x 8 inches | 4 pounds
It comes with a hanging travel kit.
It only has two wheels, so it’s not a spinner — and it only comes in one color.
Polycarbonate, who? Forget synthetic or even aluminum rolling carry-ons — why not opt for a luxe leather trunk? This wheeled suitcase, which comes in a caramel hue, takes design cues from classic travel trunks, but modernizes it with a telescopic handle and two wheels. It even comes with a hanging travel kit.
It's important to consider, however, that leather can definitely be damaged during travel, so we recommend keeping this as a carry-on and not checking it. That said, it's designed to take some bumps and bruises without breaking. It also comes with a nylon ripstop cover that you can use to protect the bag both when it's not in use and if you have to check it.
Price at time of publish: $945
The Details: 20 x 14.5 x 6.5 inches | 9.9 pounds
It's capable of hanging three to four suits.
This "naked" leather is designed to weather over time.
Garment bags are designed to protect the clothing within them, and this wheeled leather garment bag by Piel Leather will certainly get the job done. You can fit three to four suits in the removable garment sleeve, which has an extension for longer garments. There are also two front pockets for additional storage.
The garment bag is made from "naked" leather, which is designed to develop a patina over time from the oils from your hands for that worn leather look. It comes in two colors: saddle and black. And you can add a monogram, full name, or laser engraving to personalize it.
Price at time of publish: $730
The Details: 21 x 17 x 5.5 inches | 10 pounds
It's on the pricier side.
For a duffel-style garment bag that can double as a gym bag or even a work bag, this is a solid choice. And truthfully, it’s more of a carry-all than it is a garment bag! It has space for up to three suits within the Italian cotton garment sleeve, but if you pack a little lighter on the suit front, you can also fit shoes, shirts, and even a laptop. There are multifunctional side pockets that are ideal for toiletry bags, shoes, or laptop chargers. The duffel is made of vegetable-tanned Italian leather and comes in brown, tan, and black. You can personalize it with embossing or laser engraving — monograms, names, dates, and even logos can be added.
Price at time of publish: $1,195
The Details: 21.7 x 13 x 9.8 inches | 4.63 pounds | 45 liters
Unlike most leather luggage, it comes in bright colors in addition to classic ones.
It has a limited capacity.
Backpacks are far friendlier to your shoulders than bags with single shoulder straps, and since leather is typically quite heavy, a leather backpack may be the best luggage option for you. This one by Detroit-based brand Shinola is an ideal all-purpose backpack. While it's sleek enough for work, it can also be used for travel or the gym. Inside, the bag has a padded laptop sleeve that fits devices up to 15 inches, plus pen pockets, two larger open pockets, and a zipped pocket. There's also a front exterior zip pocket and a back exterior zip pocket. Unlike the other bags on this list, this one comes in two fun colors — golden and bold orange — as well as classic tan and black.
Price at time of publish: $1,095
The Details: 17 x 10.4 x 6 inches | 3.9 pounds | 17 liters
It's a timeless silhouette — and it comes in nine colors.
It doesn't have feet, so it rests directly on the ground or another surface.
This luxe weekender has the perfect cylindrical shape to give its internal compartment as much space as possible, allowing you to carry just about anything you need in style. In order to access that compartment fully, the zipper wraps around the bag slightly to create a wide opening. And that zipper is a double zipper with a lock, so you can secure your belongings with ease, too.
One of the standout features of this leather weekender is its color range: there are nine options, ranging from indigo to camel. To get those colors, Lotuff tans its leather with vegetables — and tumbles it for softness. The one thing to note is that there are no feet on this bag, so when you put it down, it'll be flush against a surface. But this is a durable, well-crafted bag made from high-quality leather, so as long as you clean it regularly, it should maintain its condition. Plus, it's guaranteed for life.
Price at time of publish: $1,200
The Details: 12 x 19 x 9 inches | 4 pounds
It has a fully padded laptop compartment.
For a small bag, it's rather heavy.
One of the best ways to mitigate the weight of a leather bag? Put it on wheels! This rolling underseat briefcase, which comes in black and tan, is the ideal bag for someone who wants to stay organized. The main compartment has dividers to keep your files neat and a fully padded laptop compartment for devices up to 15.6 inches in size. Beyond that, it has a zip-down organizer on the front with pockets for cards and pens, and it has an additional front zippered pocket. The telescoping handle can be fully retracted into the bag, allowing you to carry it with the two handles.
Price at time of publish: $260
The Details: 13 x 17 x 7 inches | 6.5 pounds
Its grained texture creates a more casual look — and is less likely to show scuffs.
If you're seeking a designer label for your leather luggage, Alexander McQueen makes a chic black duffel that's perfect for short-haul trips and daily use. Of course, “designer” is usually synonymous with “big price tag,” and this particular bag is nearly three times as expensive as any other on this list. While its interior is spacious, there's not much by means of organization: there's just a small card slot so it’s best paired with travel pouches or even small packing cubes. On the back of the bag, however, is a zipped pocket that'll work for stashing your passport or boarding pass. One plus is that the bag is made from grained calf leather, which means it's less likely to show scuffs after frequent use.
Price at time of publish: $3,290
The Details: 15 x 19 x 7 inches
Its quick-stash exterior pocket comes in handy on flights and road trips.
It has more of a rugged look than a polished one.
Not all leather bags are outrageously expensive. This one by Quince, for instance, costs substantially less than the others on this list. It has a bit of a slouchier look thanks to its soft, full-grain Nappa leather, which comes in black and dark brown. But you can still fill it to the brim — Quince suggests packing three to six outfits inside. As for organization, the bag has plenty to offer: interior security pockets, a key clip, and a quick-stash exterior pocket that makes the bag extremely practical. It has two top handles and a detachable shoulder strap for carrying.
Price at time of publish: $200
The Details: 21 x 11 x 11 inches
Despite having “carryall” in the name, it’s not particularly large.
This go-to tote can be used for work or travel. It has a pocket for all your gadgets, plus a helpful strap to attach the bag to the handle of your suitcase. It has a padded laptop compartment that can fit up to a 15-inch PC or 16-inch MacBook, an interior zip pocket for small items, two media pockets, a pen pocket, and a key leash. As if that's not enough, the bag also has loops compatible with Tumi+ accessories, which can expand the capacity of your bag. Though the tote is made of leather, it's very lightweight at just over two pounds. Additionally, opting for an embossed monogram is free.
Price at time of publish: $795
The Details: 13.5 x 15.5 x 6 inches | 2.2 pounds
You essentially get two bags for the price of one when compared to many other brands.
If you can't decide whether you want a smaller duffel or a larger one, why not buy both? With this set, you get both a medium and a large duffle. Though the set is branded "his and hers," these are unisex bags that can work for anyone. The bags each include an adjustable shoulder strap, an exterior pocket, two open interior pockets, and one zippered interior pocket. As part of Leatherology's Timeless collection, the fine-grained, buttery leather comes in four classic colors: black onyx, brown, navy blue, and cognac. If you'd like to add a monogram, that costs an additional fee.
Price at time of publish: $745
The Details: 12 x 23.5 x 11 inches (medium duffel), 14.2 x 25.6 x 12 inches (large duffel)
It has numerous pockets and compartments to keep things organized.
It's heavy for a duffel.
One common flaw of duffels is that they're cavernous — which is great for stuffing tons of stuff inside, but terrible for organization. This duffel, however, is a delight for keeping your belongings in order. Not only does it have two shoe pockets sewn into the sides of the main compartment, but it also has an exterior pocket with a laptop sleeve, cord-securing straps, a key holder, and additional pockets for essentials like your passport. The tan leather is also water-resistant, adding to the bag's durability. Use it for business trips, weekend trips, or even as a gym bag. Oh, and did we mention this is also a garment bag?
Price at time of publish: $675
The Details: 22 x 11 x 13.5 inches | 5.1 pounds
When it comes to leather bags, you definitely get what you pay for in terms of quality. You should consider leather bags an investment and opt for a bag made from high-quality material with sturdy construction. It's worth researching brands to determine their products' quality — and then pick the brand that most resonates with you.
Leather bags come in all shapes and sizes, so you should consider what exactly you’ll be packing in it before investing in one. Keep in mind leather is a heavier material — this could not only affect weight limits for carry-on and checked bags, but also how comfy it is to carry.
If you're using your leather bag as a suitcase, you should prioritize something with large compartments to fit as much clothing as possible, or invest in packing cubes. If you're using the bag more like a briefcase, you'll want multiple pockets to store different items.
If you want to preserve the condition of these pieces, it's best to carry them on. Checked bags can be handled roughly, and the odds are your leather luggage will end up scratched or stained. If your leather luggage has already developed a well-worn patina, however, and you don't mind it getting beat up further, then you can check it. Just be sure that your bag is well constructed and made of quality leather — a low-quality bag may not fare so well if checked.
Leather is a material that is very prone to showing wear. Even if you’re careful, the chances are it'll develop a worn look naturally. That said, there are steps you can take to protect your bag while in transit. For starters, you should apply leather conditioner every few months. You can also use leather wax to help protect it from light scratches and moisture. If you must check your leather bag, we recommend protecting it with a cover, though it should be noted that this is not a foolproof method of protection.
Clean your leather bags regularly in order to keep them in good condition — simply use diluted vinegar or mild soap and warm water. Again, make sure to apply leather conditioner every few months to keep this material moisturized and supple (the necessary frequency depends on how often you use it). Finally, when you're not using your leather bag, keep it in a cotton bag and store it someplace dark.
T+L contributor Stefanie Waldek is a freelance travel writer with a decade of experience. For this article, she evaluated leather luggage pieces based on their features and appearance and read dozens of customer reviews.
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