Kyia

The main compartment holds 20 L : enough for books, your daily essentials and even a set of clothes. Inside, a zippered pocket, a mobile phone pocket and separate compartments keep order; outside, two side pockets take a water bottle or an umbrella. The bag measures 46 cm x 34 cm x 14 cm.

The leather flap is reinforced with rivets and held by a set of lace closures, with a zipper and hasp underneath. You get the retro look of an old expedition pack, and your items stay covered and held in place. It asks a few seconds more than a plain zip, and that is rather the point.

Yes. The shoulder straps are lined and reinforced, and the upper handle lets you carry the bag by hand when you step onto a train or slide it under a table. The full-grain leather softens with wear and settles into your shoulders over time.

A drizzle will not hurt it: oil-treated full-grain leather naturally resists light moisture. It is not a waterproof bag though. If it gets wet, let it dry before storing it, and keep the damp leather away from light coloured fabrics, as oiled leather can transfer a little colour.

Know what you are choosing: at 46 cm tall and 1.5 kg empty, this is a full-size pack in thick natural leather, not a dainty city bag. If you would rather have a different women's silhouette from our workshop, look at the AURORA ladies leather backpack; for a more contemporary style outside our range, the Leather Lid Backpack from Sandqvist is a fine alternative.

Very little is needed. Small scratches disappear when you rub them lightly with a cloth and a drop of vegetable oil; the marks that stay become part of the bag's story. The colour can vary slightly from batch to batch, and if the leather marks a light fabric while damp, it comes out in the wash.