Herschel Supply Co. Review: Quality Material, or just stylish?

Duffel bags, backpacks, fanny packs, oh my! 

Aside from reliable travel luggage, a quality travel bag is necessary for any traveler. Herschel has built a reputation with its classy and functional designs. It’s known for producing long-lasting, vintage accessories with a modern twist.

If you’re looking for a new travel bag for your next adventure, let’s take an honest look at what Herschel offers. This review covers all the pros and cons of Herschel bags to help you decide if they’re worth the investment.

If part of the reason you’re looking for a new bag is that you’re preparing for a backpacking trip, then use this ultimate packing list to ensure you don’t miss anything!

What is Herschel Supply?

Founded in 2009, Herschel Supply Co. is a Canadian lifestyle brand specializing in travel accessories. Its products include backpacks, duffel bags, wallets, and more. Herschel’s signature style is vintage-inspired designs mixed with modern functionality.

Herschel Supply has a clear target audience in mind: travelers, backpackers, and digital nomads. Its tagline, “Put Yourself Out There,” is dedicated to those seeking a modern adventure.

The company also prides itself on its commitment to sustainability. It uses environmentally-friendly materials in many of its products, launching an Eco collection in 2021. Herschel aims to have all its bags made with recycled materials by 2024.

Online Shopping With Herschel Supply

Herschel has a convenient and well-organized online shop. 

With the ability to sort your options by color and feature, it’s pretty easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. This function is convenient if you already know what you want.

Just be careful where you click while scrolling! I spent a few minutes confused as to why nothing was coming up. I then realized I had accidentally sorted everything by an unavailable feature.

If you don’t have one product in mind, keep scrolling for a rundown of the more popular selections.

Popular Products From Herschel Supply Co.

Backpacks

Backpacks are by far Herschel’s most well-known product. What’s special about Herschel backpacks, you ask? It’s the focus on style and practicality. Herschel backpacks are a go-to choice for their comfort, eco-friendliness, and cute vintage style.

The Good

Many storage options: With lots of pockets and compartments, organization comes easily. Most Herschel backpacks feature a dedicated laptop sleeve lifted from the bottom compartment. This saves you from those cringe moments when you drop your bag and feel your laptop soaking up the impact. 

Comfortable: Herschel backpacks have ventilated padding on the shoulders and a back cushion. So you can conquer the world without feeling the weight of the world.

Versatile: Herschel offers plenty of size, color, and style options. Whether you’re a commuter or a world traveler, you’ll be able to find something from its wide selection.

The Not-So-Good

Costly: Although durable and long-lasting, you’ll pay the price for it. It may not be best for those traveling on a budget or if you value functionality over appearance. Mini backpacks average $45, whereas classics like the Little America will run you $120+.

Most aren’t water-resistant: This is certainly something to consider if you’re expecting rain on your travels. Some models, like the Little America Backpack Pro, solve this common complaint.

Few external pockets: A glaring example of Herschel’s “aesthetics over practicality” mantra. The lack of external pockets isn’t a huge deal for some. But personally, I like the convenience of having my water bottle on hand. 

Again, some models do offer this, so be sure to utilize the website’s sorting feature to check.

Fanny Packs

Herschel has stylized them as “hip packs,” but let’s face it—they’re fanny packs. Whatever you call them, these bags can be a chic and handy addition to your travel repertoire.

The Good

Hands-free and versatile: The Herschel hip pack comes with adjustable straps. So you can wear it around your waist, across the chest, or over your shoulder. This gives you easy access to your essential items without digging through a purse or bag.

Water-resistant: Herschel hip packs have a weather-proof design. This means you can pack your valuables without worrying about water damage.

The Not-so-Good

No inside compartments: Unlike Herschel backpacks with many internal compartments, Herschel fanny packs are the bare minimum. Some feature a useful key clip, but that’s pretty much it.

Hard to access: One of the Herschel hip pack’s greatest pros is that it’s weather-proof. This is also its greatest annoyance, as the giant zipper makes it just that bit tougher to reach your stored items.

Duffel Bags

Herschel duffel bags are great for longer journeys and offer expanded room without sacrificing style! 

The Good

Spacious interior: Herschel duffel bags are roomy yet still the perfect size to fit as an overhead carry-on. Most duffels also offer a separate shoe compartment. No need for the old “shoes in a plastic bag” trick!

Beautiful design: The duffel bags have a sharp and clean exterior, contrasted by a bold and colorful interior. They’re guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go.

The Not-so-Good

Unreliable strap: The strap buckles’ plastic material tends to squeak, especially if loaded down. You’ll want to be careful about overloading it, as the flimsy metal clips may potentially snap off.

Unreliable zipper: In the same line as the strap, overloading the bag can quite easily cause problems with the zipper. However, this may not be an issue if you’re careful not to overpack.

Are Herschel Bags Worth It?

I would say yes—for the right traveler!

Herschel products are the real deal, with trendy designs and high-quality, sustainable materials. They’re an excellent fit for anyone looking to up their travel accessory game.

On the other hand, Herschel serves a somewhat general travel market. And it has a clear specialization: backpacks. So you might find your options and budget somewhat limited by what Herschel has to offer. Especially if maximum functionality is your objective or if you’re looking for other travel accessories.

Our Rating: 3.9/5

Pros:

• Stylish yet practical
• Sustainably crafted & community-focused
• Backpacks are durable
• Plenty of useful features

Cons:

• More expensive than other brands
• Sometimes lacks QOL features (like water bottle pockets)
• Fewer options for non-backpack products

Stay Organized with Pilot!

If you’re looking for a spiffy bag to be your travel companion for the foreseeable future, then Herschel is your guy. But if you’re looking for specialized travel gear, you might want to research more options. 

Packing cubes are another helpful product for staying organized on the go.

Once you get your travel accessories sorted, be sure to check out Pilot for all your planning needs!