How Many Types Of Leather Bags Are There? The 10 You Need

There are different types of leather bags in the market for several purposes. Bags help us simplify and carry on with whatever we need to do. It is something that we need for both aesthetic and functional purposes. There are specific kinds of bags for each type of activity you might encounter. Here we have included some of the commonly used types of leather bags.

13 Common Types of Leather Bags

1. Leather Backpack

This type of leather bag is one of the most popular types. It provides a convenient way to carry all sorts of things. From very small backpacks to huge ones, backpacks come in various styles and sizes. A backpack is primarily carried on your back or is worn on your waist. A leather backpack is a large bag used to carry things on your back. It is usually larger than a bag pack. A backpack is designed to hold more stuff than a bag pack.

2. Waist bags

Waist bags are worn around the waist and are smaller bags. Waist bags are often used by women who don't like to carry bags on their backs. Waist bags looks better and feels more comfortable. It is one of the reasons why people prefer wearing a small bag on their hips.

3. Leather clutch & handbag

Leather clutch bags are carried without any sort of strap. Clutch bags can be made from leather, canvas nylon, plastic, etc. Handbags have straps, and they are bigger. These handbags can be carried by hand and come in different sizes and shapes. Depending on where you plan to wear the bag, each one serves its own purpose.

4. Leather pouch

The leather pouch is usually closed at one end by a zipper. The pouch has been used since medieval times. It used to carry items in a bag made from a drawstring. Leather pouch has become a versatile tool that is used to hold small items either as a handbag or organized inside larger bags. This type of small bag is great for holding pens, keys, coins, and other small items.

5. Leather cross body & shoulder bag

Crossbody bags can be carried on one shoulder or across the shoulder through a single strap. Leather messenger bags, satchels, and duffel bags are all included in a crossbody bag. These bags are popular as they allow you to carry multiple bag types in one place. Depending on what you need to carry, you easily switch between them. Crossbody bags are called slash bags as they allow women to wear a skirt while carrying a bag on their shoulders.

Shoulder bags can work well with different styles. It can hold most of your accessories and tools for beauty needs. It comes with a different shape that you can choose from. There are various colors available for shoulder bags that you can choose from according to your outfit. These types of leather bags come in a wide range of colors, including black, dark brown, blue, and light green, to complete your outfit.

6. Leather athletic & functional bags

This is one of the types of leather bags that serves specific functions. It can be carried out in many different ways. A small traveling pouch is designed to be worn on your body and hidden under your clothes. Camera bags are designed to be attached to your belt or hung around your neck. There is a leather travel bag that is designed to be carried over the shoulder and is usually used to store clothing and toiletries.

7. Leather luggage bag & trunks

It is one of the types of leather bags that are primarily used for carrying personal belongings during travel. These bags are large enough. A duffle bag is an example of this type of leather bag. It is larger than a suitcase and has two handles. Duffle bags are made of heavy-duty materials that last a long time.

Trunk boxes are made of wooden base trunks that are covered with various types of protective and decorative materials. These boxes were often made with a small brass knob on top and were made in many different sizes.

8. Leather wallets and purses

Smaller bags are used to hold and access monetary items. Wallets and purses are used to carry money and everyday personal items like keys, wallets, phones, etc. Purses have a zipper on top for easy access and come in different sizes. Some purses have straps, and some are designed to be worn on the waist, while some are designed to be attached to a belt loop.

Wallets are designed to carry cards and cash. It is generally bigger than purses and worn on the hip or at the side. Wallets have compartments for holding credit cards, identification, and receipts.

9. Leather hobo bag

This type of leather bag are similar to a duffle bag. Hobo bags are equipped with wheels for easier movement. And this is made from durable fabrics. Hobo bags are used for carrying heavy loads and are popular amongst travelers. One can use hobo bags to carry sports gear, camping supplies, or anything you need to transport.

10. Nonwoven leather bag

These types of leather bags are popular type and classic—nonwoven leather bags made from raw leather material. The material is sorted by thickness after the leather is cleaned and tanned. This leather is completely waterproof as the final product is provided a protective layer after it is dried.

11 Leather Laptop Bags

Genuine leather laptop bags are among the most desirable options for laptop owners. Leather laptop bags are much superior to the more commonplace tote bags, messenger bags, and briefcases. But picking the best leather laptop bag is no picnic in all candor. With so many options, you may come up against some difficult decisions. Think over what kind of leather bag you like, such as a messenger bag, briefcase, backpack, etc. That's how many distinct varieties of leather handbags there are.

Any bag large enough to hold your laptop is technically a laptop bag. However, if we're being picky, there are backpacks that are made just to carry computers. But these days, laptops have their own special compartments in many bags. A variety of leather laptop bags are shown here. They both serve the basic function of keeping computers secure when out of sight, but each has its own unique features and benefits. Even while the bags' structure and leather aren't as high-end as that of premium laptop bags, they should last far longer.

12 Leather Messenger Bags

You're heading in the correct direction if you want to get a leather messenger bag. As a laptop bag, a messenger bag is ideal. For the most part, this is due to how they're fashioned. The messenger bag might be considered tailor-made for computers. This explains why it has become standard equipment for laptop bags, particularly messenger bags made of leather. This is due to the durability and adaptability of leather bags. They are ideal for folks who carry gaming computers, which tend to be huge and hefty.

However, computers aren't often the primary carry-alls in messenger backpacks. Messenger bags, as the name implies, are used in the delivery of messages and other products. In this sense, you may also hear the term "courier bag" used for messenger bags.

However, a messenger bag now serves many more purposes than transporting packages. This kind of backpack has since gained popularity among students and commuters alike.

Although it is intended to be worn tight to the body, some people find it more comfortable to wear it slung over one shoulder and down to the hips. Students love it because it is convenient for setting down and picking up heavy objects like textbooks and computers. When compared to a briefcase, a messenger bag offers a more trendy and laid-back vibe.

13 Leather Briefcases

Going on from where we left off, a messenger bag is a casual choice of bag. While the very term "briefcase" connotes an air of serious professionalism when used with a leather briefcase. The term "brief" comes from the fact that attorneys usually use the case to carry case briefs to the court. The briefcase is a common way for executives, secretaries, and other office personnel to transport their most critical papers. However, a leather laptop bag would look fantastic in a briefcase. In this era of digitization, this is especially important to remember. It is becoming the standard to carry a laptop computer in a briefcase rather than a stack of papers.

The briefcase is similar in size and form compared to a messenger bag. However, the briefcase's solid boxy form sets it apart from the messenger bag. To make you seem more respectable and put together in a formal setting. Some contain separators, compartments, and pockets to keep things neater than the standard one large compartment.

The best source of leather

There is various kind of leather, confiding on their quality, and you must learn to distinguish between different types of leather. To do that, you need to know why certain materials last longer than others, why they cost so much, etc. The best quality leather bags depend on many crucial factors, including.

Type of animal and breed

Animals from different breeds will produce different types of leather. It will depend on their genetics and environmental conditions. Some insects grow in hot climates, and both the animal leave scars. But, in a cold climate, they don't suffer from pests as much. There are some breeds that are more suited for cold climates than hot climates.

American Goldstein breed of cow is known for producing very soft leather. They have thicker coats than other breeds. If you want to get the best quality leather, you should look for a cow that has been realized in a hot climate. The animal's age is another thing one should consider when buying leather. You could get thin coats from younger animals which are easier to work with. And thicker coats from older animals which are harder to work with.

Physical location and climate

Physical location and climate play a crucial role in determining what kind of leather you will end up with. You won't find many cows in a cold region surviving in those temperatures. But, you would likely see more cows in a warm area to withstand the heat. Another thing is that some part of the country is better suited for certain types of leather.

The portion of skin that was removed

You could find different qualities of leather from several parts of the animal. The lower portion is made from skinless cowhide with loose fiber to make up the leather. When the loose fiber is wet, it absorbs water and expands. Lower portions of the skin also tend to be marked by insect bites and scratches like barbed wire fences. You can remove the scars and wrinkles during the tanning process as they are permanent.

The upper portion of the skin contains collagen. It is something that gives the leather its strength. In the top layers of the hide, we can find collagen. The collagen becomes insoluble and turns into gelatin when the hide is tanned. It is the main component of leather. Because of gelatin, the leather gets its durability.

The layer of the hide that is uses

Within the hide, you can find different layers. It also has an enormous impact on the quality of the leather. The outer layers of the hide are used to make top-grain leather. The outermost layer is the thinnest and strongest part of the hide and is also expensive. The middle player of the hide is used to make full-grain leather. The middle part of the hide is the thickest and weakest part of the hide. The innermost layer is used to make the split leather which is the thinnest and softest part of it. Most shoes and boots are made from split leather.

Quality and skill of the processing and tanning

The quality and skill of the processing and tanning of the leather specify the quality of the leather production. The highest quality hides are used in respectable tanneries.

While cutting any hide while removing them from the carcass, one should be careful. The leather gets a smooth surface and even color with the reasonable skill of the tannery. It can prevent cracking and splitting of the leather.

Process of making leather

While making leather starts with raw materials life. The thickness and weight of the leather will determine the final product. The thinner leather is used in making jackets, furniture, moldings, and linens. The thick leather is used to make things like leather belts, knife sheaths, leather dog collars, etc. Leathers must go through four basic steps before they are ready for use. The first step is preparatory steps, then tanning, re-tanning, and finishing.

Preparatory steps

The leather need to be prepared for the tanning process. This process includes roving unwanted raw ingredients from the skin. If you want high-quality leather products, you may perform the following process.

Soaking

The cured hide is soaked in water for several minutes to several weeks. It features moisture lost during salting and helps to remove dirt, debris, blood, and animal fat. It should be soaked long enough to allow the hide to absorb the necessary amount of water. If leather is soaked in too much water, the leather will swell up and crack.

Fleshing

Through this process, the fat cells are removed from the skin. Then, it is passed through a mechanical device to remove the fat muscles and meat from it. The meat has been processed then salting, drying, or fermenting happens. When the processing hide is finished, it may be split into different types of layers.

Un-hairing

The hair removal is done with tools such as rollers and razor blades. This is usually performed at the same time as fleshing. Removing the hair is essential because it prevents the hide from absorbing water from the hair follicles.

Pickling and de-pickling

The hide needs to be cleared and soaked in acids to avoid decomposition. To preserves hides for several months, stronger pickling agents are used. When the pickling is done, the hide is soaked in sulfur dioxide to lower its pH. The Sulphur dioxide reacts with the protein structure of the hide. With this, the hide loses some of its strength and flexibility.

Liming and de-liming

Liming is a process that loosens the fibers and allows the skin to soak up various tanning chemicals. Through liming, the skin softens and absorbs more chemicals. Then they are soaked in a solution made up of water and ammonium sulfates. It reduces swelling by removing excess water from the skin.

Bating

The end of the lining process is bating. Through beating, all the impurities are removed from the skin and give it a soft feel.

De-greasing and bleaching

Sometimes water-based products and solvents are used to cleanse the akin of excess oil. Care should be taken as these solvents can be harmful if inhaled. Bleaching makes the hide colorless. Chemicals agent are applied to break down the collagen finer network making the hide lighter in color.

Tanning

The process of tanning makes the leather more durable. It turns the protein of the raw hide into a reliable material. Mineral tanning, vegetable tanning, and glutaraldehyde tanning are the three main types of tanning.

Vegetable tanning

Vegetable products have been used in tanning for thousands upon thousands of years. Tannin is used, which is found inside the bark, leaves, and branch of three species. It gives the leather its characteristic colors and textures. Vegetable tanning produces high-quality, durable, and long-lasting products. Tannins are applied to the leather to create products such as saddle bags or holster belts.

Mineral tanning

The most common tan is mineral tan. It is quick, affordable, and less time-consuming than other types. This tanning process is an inexpensive and faster way to produce leather than the traditional vegetable tanning process. This tanning process creates an unfavorable environmental effect by using large amounts of acids and other chemicals.

Aldehyde tanning

For aldehyde tanning, glutaraldehyde compounds are used in tanneries. Because of its light cream shade, it is also known as wet white leather. The tanned leather can easily be machine cleaned as it is water-absorbent and soft.

Re- tanning

With re-tanning, the tanned leather converts into marketable products.

Drying and shaving

After the tanning process is done, the tanned leather goes through another step to remove any remaining moisture. Then the skin residue removes and makes the hide's surface uniform.

Splitting

The thick leather cuts into one layer at a time through a splitting machine. The top layer produces high-quality leather products and is the most expensive.

Dyeing and fat liquoring

Leather is then dyed by color. For dyeing, water-soluble dyes are used as they penetrate the fibers. Then wax or oils are applied between fibers to keep them soft and flexible.

What kind of leather is used for leather bags?

Full grain leather

The top layer of cowhide is used to make full-grain leather. This leather has retained its natural toughness and its imperfections, as there are not any surface alterations or splits. Full-grain leather is the best quality and the only type suitable for saddle bags. This type of leather is difficult to work with this leather material. Full-grain leather has the affinity for absorbing oil from the skin and developing a patina over time.

Top grain leather

This is the second highest quality leather. The top layer of the hide is usually removed to get the top grain hide. Top-grain leather is softer and more flexible than a full-grain. Top-grain leather is used to make handbags, backpacks, and coats.

Corrected grain leather

Corrected grain leather is made by removing the outer layer of the hide. The bottom layer is also sanded to smooth out rough edges, just like the top-grain leather.

Bonded leather

Bonded leather is made from leftover parts of animal skin. The dust and shavings are glued together by polyurethane or rubber on top of a fiberglass sheet. Then is sprayed with paint to look like real full or top-grain cowhide.

Conclusion

Every leather bag has its own unique aesthetic and appearance. Every bag offers its advantages and disadvantages. The leather for making bags has its characteristics. You can choose the leather depending on what types of leather bags you want.