The Backpack

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.

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.

Useful Links
Where We Make Our Bags
Why We Use Full-Grain Leather

To make sure your bag 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.

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How To Care For Your Leather Backpack

The Large Backpack can fit up to a 16” Macbook Pro in the laptop compartment while The Small Backpack can fit up to a 13.5" 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.

To make sure your bag 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.


Useful Links
Find Your Fit Quiz
A Review By a Bag Expert
What's In The Bag of a Travel Blogger
Bag Unboxing & Review

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.

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.

Useful Links
Everything You Need To Know About Waterproofing

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.

As we've grown ISM over the past year, we've learned that some customers with smaller frames found the Large Backpack's straps to be too long for their frame. So to create the perfect fit, we offer a complimentary strap tailoring service for your backpack, where we'll alter the straps based on your height and size. If you're interested in having your straps altered, you can email or text us and we'll do it within 1-2 business days.

Useful Links
Message Us To Get Your Straps Shortened
A Pocket Guide to Bag Straps

If you're based in the U.S., free shipping normally takes anywhere from 2-7 days via FedEx (we ship our bags from our office in San Francisco). Order by 4pm PT and we'll ship out your bag on the same day you place your order!

For faster delivery options, we have overnight shipping and 2-3 day guaranteed delivery options available for $25 and $15.

Due to limited supply, we can only offer 1 bag per person.

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Track Your Delivery

All of our shipping includes pre-paid duties and taxes (DDP) so you don't have to pay for anything when you receive your bag. We have standard and express international shipping options available:

Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan
Free Shipping (4-8 days) — Free
Faster Shipping (2-4 days) — $25

Everywhere Else
Fastest Shipping (4-7 days) — starts at $35

If you have any questions on international shipping rates or if your home country is not on this list, send us a message at carry@ismbags.com — we can help find a solution that works for you.

We want you to love your bag and know it’s something you’d want to carry everyday, so we offer a 30 day trial. Once you receive your bag, you’re free to wear it, work with it, and try it out! If at any point during the 30 days you don’t feel like it’s a good fit, we’ll take it back, no questions asked. We'll provide you with a free shipping label if you're based in the U.S. and if you’re international, all you'll need to cover is the shipping cost.


Please note that while we want to give you ample time to try out your bag to make sure it's right for you, as a small business that manages and ships all inventory in-house, a $20 minimum restocking fee will be applied to all returns. Please note that while Packs can be exchanged for a different bag size or color, the battery, desk Pad, and bottle are final sale.

In order to accept your return, returned bags must be in good condition, and sent with the original packaging which includes the ISM black box and dust bag enclosed and shipped in an external cardboard box. Returned bags with cosmetic damages may result in a higher restocking fee and returns that are missing one of the two packaging items mentioned are subject to a deduction from your refund.

To start the returns process, click here.

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 help@ismbags.com and let us know which bag you'd like to make an exchange for!

If your bag is the right size but the straps are too long for your frame, we also offer a complimentary tailoring service where we'll adjust the straps for you, free of charge. To have your bag straps shortened, send us an email and we'll take care of it asap!

Useful Links
Start An Exchange

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.