Leather Tote Backpack
About
Sandqvist approaches the hybrid tote-backpack category with their characteristic Scandinavian restraint, producing a bag that transitions between carry modes without telegraphing its versatility through complex external hardware. From the front, the clean vertical proportions and minimal detailing read as a structured tote suited to professional environments. Concealed within the back panel, padded straps deploy when circumstances favor hands-free carrying, transforming the same object into a functional backpack for commutes, transit, and extended walking.
The leather selection demonstrates Sandqvist's material philosophy. Full-grain hide receives a tumbled finish that produces a surface texture with visual depth and tactile interest while maintaining the suppleness necessary for a bag that opens and closes repeatedly throughout daily use. This is leather that arrives with character rather than requiring years of wear to develop personality, yet it continues to evolve through handling, developing highlights at stress points and a general patina that records ownership.
At 14.5 liters, the interior volume accommodates the realistic contents of urban daily carry: laptop, notebook, water bottle, small accessories, and the inevitable accumulation of items that accompany work away from home. Organization remains deliberately minimal, avoiding the visual clutter of excessive pockets while providing essential separation between items that benefit from dedicated placement. Hardware throughout employs materials selected for longevity and quiet operation, zippers that glide smoothly and closures that engage securely without requiring force.
The Stockholm studio's design ethos rejects trend-chasing in favor of objects that perform consistently across years rather than seasons. This tote backpack embodies that philosophy, offering a carrying solution refined enough for client meetings yet durable enough for daily cycling and public transit.
