For a deeper dive, read more about The Details
FAQs
Contact us via Live Chat or by email (carry@ismbags.com)
SHIPPING & RETURNS
When will I receive My Bag?
Due to the ongoing supply chain crisis, bag delivery times may depend on the bag style and your shipping location:
United States & Canada
- Large & Small Gold Accent Bags: 4-7 business days + Free Shipping
- Large Black Accent Bag: 6-10 business days + $75 Shipping (due to extremely low stock and shipping from Hong Kong)
Asia
- All Bags: 4-7 business days + Free Shipping*
Europe + Rest of World
- All Bags: 4-7 business days + $55+ Shipping*
*All bags sent outside of the USA are DDP, which means you don't have to pay for any duties or taxes upon receiving your bag
We thank you for being patient with us as a small business during these times!
Where do you ship to?
All 50 states of the U.S.A. We also ship to Canada, parts of Europe, Asia, and Australia. If you're in a country that you don't see on our shipping page, send us an email at carry@ismbags.com and we'll figure out a way to make it work!
What kind of payments do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards as well as PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, and Afterpay (for more about Afterpay, click here). All payments securely processed and we do not store any payment related data. Credit cards are processed through Shopify Pay and Stripe.
What is your return policy?
We want you to love your bag and know it’s something you’d want to carry everyday, so we offer a 30 day return window with a money back guarantee. If at any point during the 30 days you don’t feel like it’s a good fit, we’ll send you a shipping label and a full refund upon return of the bag. Please note there will be a $35 restocking fee for all returns. There is no restocking fee for exchanges. In order to be eligible for a full refund, the bag must not be used and come with its original packaging.
To start the returns process, please email us at carry@ismbags.com with your name and order number and we will send you a return shipping label.
For International customers, we aren't able to cover the return shipping costs at the moment, but the 30 day return window and refund still applies.
How do I exchange the bag for a different size or color?
Your bag should fit you and your items perfectly! If you find that your bag is too big or too small or if you would like to try a different hardware color, we offer free exchanges. We'll send you a free shipping label as well as send out your replacement bag.
Send us an email at carry@ismbags.com and let us know which bag you'd like to make an exchange for! We can also help recommend a size that fits you prior to purchasing the bag. Feel free to reach out to our team via the live chat or email.
How does the lifetime warranty work?
We’ll cover your bag, for life! That means each bag is guaranteed by a limited lifetime warranty that covers any manufacturing defects and damages to zippers, leather, straps, and any functional features that you need to carry your bag. If there are any issues, we’ll either fix them to you or send you a new bag. It's our way of standing behind the quality of products that we make.
THE BAG
What is the bag made of?
We use high quality, full grain-leather made from a reputable tannery in Taiwan. The zippers are from YKK, a Japanese manufacturer known for quality zippers that last a lifetime. Both the Nylon exterior and interior polyester twill are sourced from a supplier in Taiwan. We added a water-proof layer of coating to all of our materials so that you don’t have to worry about moving around in a drizzle.
Because we use full grain leather, no two bags are made the same way. This means there might be slight variations in the way your bag looks from the ones we use in the photos. But, we guarantee the same level of quality and craftsmanship for all of our products.
Why do your bags cost less than other full-grain leather bags?
With the ISM backpacks, we chose to use full-grain leather as it's the highest quality of grain found in leather since it has the least number of imperfections.
Full-grain leather is made from animal hides that haven't been treated yet via sanding or buffing. Because it isn't trimmed or shaved it's a type of leather that's closest to its natural state, making it durable for long term use.
We wanted to use leather that would last (it's why we stand behind our lifetime warranty) so full-grain leather is a perfect fit. It’s an incredibly strong type of leather and has patinas that will develop beautifully with age and is less stain-resistant than other types.
Our leather bags cost the same to make as brands that sell them for 3-4 times the price of ours. Since we sell directly to you, there's no added markup that you normally pay for brands that sell in retail stores.
How do I take care of full-grain leather?
Our products are made to last. But to make sure it looks as good as new for a long time, we recommend using a leather conditioner to polish the bag and keep it looking new. If you're looking for a quicker fix, you can also wet a towel/cloth in warm water and gently wipe the surface of the leather and nylon to remove any dirt or marks.
If you’re not actively using the bag, it’s best to store it in the dustbag we provide or in a cool location, away from sunlight.
How much stuff can my bag hold?
The Large Backpack can fit up to a 16” Macbook Pro in the laptop compartment while The Small Backpack can fit up to a 13" laptop (we also added a double layer of padding to keep it safe). The inside compartment holds around 17L of volume, which we’ve found can store a pair of shoes, clothes, and the smaller items you’d carry every day. The front pocket is great for those small items that you need quick access to, like gum, subway cards, and everything in between.
How comfortable are the bag straps?
When designing the straps of the ISM Backpack, we wanted to combine comfort with a refined and sleek finish.
To make the straps feel as comfortable as possible, we decided to use a combination of memory foam (technically known as EVA foam) and mesh padding. Both materials provide function — the foam gives structure and shoulder support, while the mesh provides some breathability, especially when carrying your bag around all day.
When you're wearing a backpack, the straps are one of the first things that people notice about your bag. So to create a professional look and feel, full-grain leather is used on the outer part of the straps. Extra details is added around the leather trims, like the way the straps are connected to the bag. The devil is in the details.
One of the things we found frustrating about most backpacks is that the fabric used to adjust the straps normally dangles around your chest. For a work backpack this isn't ideal, so we designed a more minimal solution that achieves the same function.
The ISM Backpack straps can be lengthened or shortened by adjusting the strap buckle. Once it's set to a certain length, there's no extra bits hanging around. While we feel that this is the best way to achieve both form and function, one possible downside is that it might take a bit more time if you're someone who needs to constantly adjust the strap length throughout your day.
Is the bag water-resistant or Water-proof?
One of the biggest differences when it comes to a waterproof vs resistant vs repellent backpack is the zipper. Most water-resistant and repellent bags use a non-waterproof zipper, leaving gaps that can allow small amounts of water to leach in.
Instead of compromising on form or function, we used a mixture of water-resistant and water-proof materials in the ISM Backpack. The water-resistant coated full-grain leather and nylon exterior keeps the essentials in your main compartment safe from a drizzle, while the water-proof zipper guarantees that your laptop and tech don’t get wet. Another plus is that it blends in with the bag’s design keeping it minimal and discreet.
By using a regular metal zipper for the main compartment and front pocket, the bag keeps its minimal and stylish appearance, compared to a bag that uses only water-proof zippers.
Will the dedicated laptop compartment keep my tech safe?
A separate waterproof zippered laptop compartment is one of the main features in the ISM backpack. The large backpack fits up to a 16-inch laptop, while the small backpack fits up to a 13-inch laptop
In the inside, we added layers of memory foam padding in the laptop pocket that extends all the way to the bottom of the bag so that even if your bag falls on the ground, your laptop will be safely protected.
The laptop compartment section is also protected with waterproof YKK zippers so that you never have to worry about your laptop getting wet when it rains. We wanted to make a laptop bag that didn't look like a laptop bag so the zippers themselves are minimally discreet.
Where are the bags made?
The bags are made at the same factory as brands like TUMI, Longchamp, and Armani. We source the highest quality materials and spend time obsessing over the details so that we can provide you with a better bag than you paid for.
THE BAG
Where Can I buy ISM Products?
At the moment, mainly on our website and select online retailers like Garmentory and Amazon (only the Large Bag in Black is available on Amazon ). One of the reasons we’re able to offer our bags at this price is because we sell our bags directly to you and don't have to add in a 'wholesale margin' if we were to sell to retail stores.
What are Your Sustainability INITIATIVES?
All of our bags are made with the highest quality materials and are made to last for years. We support slow fashion and the idea of buying quality products that last a lifetime. Keeping with our mission to support a circular economy, we are undertaking a new sustainability initiative to resell and recyle ISM bags. Be a part of our email list for updates on this latest effort for our environment!
CAN I RESELL THE ISM BAG?
Each ISM Backpack is designed to last. It's why many of our customers also choose to resell their bag years after they first purchase it. You can find a secondhand ISM Backpack on Ebay, Poshmark, Grailed or any other second hand marketplace.
WHO IS BEHIND THE ISM TEAM?
Our founder, Justin, came up with the idea for ISM as a frustrated freelancer working out of coffee shops who wanted a better solution to his everyday carry. Now we’re a small team of creatives based out of San Francisco and Los Angeles. We're always on the lookout for like-minded individuals, if this sounds like you we'd love to chat! Send us an email at carry@ismbags.com.
