Our Favorite Japanese Backpacks Right Now

We’re a little obsessed with Japanese design, and especially their backpacks. But there’s a good reason. Well, several actually. You’ll find some of the best carry craftsmanship in the world coming out of Japan. Brands that live and breathe meticulous attention to the details. Minimal design that pairs gear back to the essential. Not to mention a melting pot of styles, from cutting-edge streetwear aesthetics to old-school outdoor-inspired looks and playful colorways.

So we wanted to celebrate the Japanese brands nailing it, stepping up strong with new releases worthy of our collections. Discover our favorite Japanese backpacks right now…

MAKAVELIC x GO OUT Lo Tech Daypack (~US$143)

Technical materials? Check. Simple, classic daypack lines? Tick. MAKAVELIC delivers with this collab pack, teaming up with GO OUT Magazine to create the Lo Tech Backpack. The pack features X-Pac fabric, but flipped in reverse in a multicam camouflage pattern, offering excellent protection from the elements while celebrating that radical ‘X’ pattern.

F/CE 950 Travel BP (~US$172)

F/CE has over a decade of experience behind them, and they put it to good use with the 950 Travel BP. Designed for overnight trips but versatile enough for everyday use too, the pack features a tough 950D Cordura nylon construction with nods to heritage packs. And with a solid range of pockets on offer too, it’ll appeal to users who like to keep essentials well organized but close at hand.

Indispensable ECONYL Backpack (US$215)

Indispensable combines urban style and sustainability in one with their ECONYL Backpack. It’s made with recycled nylon and combines an understated silhouette with handy organization including a padded laptop sleeve. The versatile design also lends itself to a variety of uses, from work commutes to weekend adventures.

MAKAVELIC Orbit Daypack (~US$219)

The Orbit Daypack offers a tough crossing over of urban and military styling. A wide choice of pockets and webbing attachment points give you the flexibility to tailor your gear setup just how you want it, while the wide opening makes it easy to reach interior contents too.

hobo Nylon Tussah Backpack (~US$239)

hobo has been crafting bags since 2004 – inspired by 19th-century traveling American journeymen who carried all their possessions with them. However, hobo blends this inspiration with Japanese urban style and practical design, creating functional and attractive pieces like the Nylon Tussah Backpack. The nylon pack combines texture and casual draping style in a simple and versatile design that moves easily between multiple uses and environments.

Fredrik Packers Stiff Backpack (~US$241)

When it comes to crisp, sleek silhouettes in Japanese backpacks, they don’t get much cleaner than the Fredrik Packers Stiff Backpack. The pack blends a boxy silhouette with a wide opening for convenient access and offers an interior 17″ laptop sleeve. And you can rely on the pack to withstand daily use with ease thanks to its tough handmade construction featuring 500D Cordura nylon and recycled leather.

AS2OV Cordura Dobby 305D Round Zip Backpack (~US$258)

Looking for a pack that balances urban style, bomber build, and travel/EDC flexibility? Look to this AS20V pack to get the job done. You’ve got a choice of convenient pockets, along with a comfy and durable build, wide-opening access to the main compartment, and separate laptop storage. Plus plenty of space for short trips or days when you need to carry larger loads. Fun fact: AS20V’s parent company UNBY, INC was launched by master-piece’s design and PR team, so there’s a lot of experience behind this brand.

Arc’teryx x BEAMS BOY Bespoke ARRO16 Backpack (~US$268)

The iconic Arro gets a bespoke makeover with this collaboration between Arc’teryx and BEAMS BOY. Dished up in a gray and black colorway with eye-catching blue and yellow zippers, the pack serves up urban style with flexible city/outdoor functionality. From urban commutes to outdoor trails, it’s a pack that handles multiple carry needs with ease.

master-piece Age Backpack (US$289)

master-piece have been making bags since 1994 and have made their name by producing collections of carry with a distinct signature flair. They nail the details every time, expertly balancing the ‘MSPC look’ and considered features. The Age Backpack offers a great mix of both, providing plenty of pockets for organization with an eye-catching use of colored panels.

BRIEFING NEO FORCE M MW (~US$294)

BRIEFING brings over two decades of experience to the table, fusing military toughness and utility with urban carry in Japanese backpacks such as the NEO FORCE M MW. The wide opening makes it easy to pack and retrieve items, while exterior pockets and webbing securely store quick-access essentials. The pack features durable Cordura ripstop nylon and an adaptable design for casual work settings and weekend use alike.

Porter Girl Cape Backpack (~US$301)

The Porter Girl Cape Backpack is a lightweight, 18L pack well suited to users with smaller frames or those looking for more compact Japanese backpacks. Porter’s expert craftsmanship combined with quality water-repellent nylon twill ensures this is a piece you’ll happily be using for years to come. The timeless, understated design suits both work and play, with a wide opening providing easy access to the contents.

master-piece Time Backpack (~US$330)

Forming part of master-piece’s Time series, this pack ticks all the boxes for a trusty everyday pack. It combines expert craftsmanship with rugged materials, useful organization, and an elegantly understated aesthetic that cleverly straddles the work/play divide.

BRIEFING STEALTH PACK MW (~US$357)

BRIEFING combines the convenience of backpack portability with the flexibility of tote carry in their STEALTH PACK MW. The versatile tote/backpack flexibility is complemented by multiple pockets and webbing attachment points, making it easy to organize smaller items. All brought together in a design that switches easily from work to play and back again.

Porter Parker 2Way Backpack (~US$368)

Porter’s Parker 2Way Backpack is pure Porter – simple, elegant and timeless. Tough but lightweight, the fabric helps provide a cushioning effect for the contents. Additional useful features include magnetic Fidlock buckles for quick, easy access and an interior laptop sleeve.

White Mountaineering WMBC × Millet Backpack (~US$389)

Tokyo brand White Mountaineering brings their outdoor-meets-streetwear style to this collaboration with French outdoor brand Millet. The backpack is made with Cordura nylon and offers laptop storage and a selection of pockets to neatly stash daily essentials. But the real hero here is the draping lid and celebration of patch art. Nice!

hobo Nylon Tussah Backpack Square (US$395)

Clean, understated style is front and center with this pack, which offers a pared-back silhouette that transitions easily from work to the weekend. The pack is made with a durable combination of nylon and pigskin suede and has a secondary rear compartment for added organization.

BAMBOOSHOOTS × Porter × B mark Yoshida Bespoke 3 / C CLIMB BACKPACK (~US$415)

This collaborative pack is designed to straddle city, camp, and climb use alike, with colorways inspired by the early ’90s. It’s made with a combination of 500D Cordura nylon and 420D nylon canvas. The adjustable back allows it to fit a range of body types, while the design nods to classic outdoor packs but can do double duty in urban environments too.

master-piece Potential Leather Trim Backpack (US$415)

The Potential Leather Trim Backpack is a dapper piece that’s great for the daily commute but also brings the style for weekend day trips. Expertly constructed in master-piece’s in-house factory, the water-resistant pack is tough enough for everyday use yet stylish enough for work settings. It offers a host of useful pocketing including a laptop sleeve to keep your gear tidy and accessible.

BRIEFING VERSATILE PACK XP (~US$462)

Versatile in name and nature, this pack is designed for active use in both urban and outdoor settings. Able to accommodate and organize a range of loads, the pack backs its functional and adaptable design with a tough, lightweight, and weatherproof X-Pac construction.

BRIEFING PROGRESSIVE HUGGER (~US$483)

Streamlined carry is the name of the game with the PROGRESSIVE HUGGER. The pack sits snugly close to the body, with a compact silhouette that’s well suited to crowded spaces such as busy city streets and public transport. Add in its rugged build and laser-cut PALS and you have a hard-wearing pack that’s got the edge when it comes to outer carry.

master-piece Rogue Backpack (US$595)

master-piece have forged a distinct aesthetic across their range, deftly blending Japanese street style with functional durability. Their Rogue Backpack nods to military influences with its tough Cordura ripstop and ballistic nylon build. Camo-print coated-cotton pockets are at the ready to store quick-access items, while a roomy main compartment conquers commutes, gym trips, overnight stays, and more.

Porter PX Tanker Field Pack 26 (~US$668)

Inspired by the Tanker series and the M1 Bomber Jacket, the PX Tanker Field Pack 26 nods to its military influences with a refreshing new daypack. Porter’s premium construction and quality materials ensure this bag is built to last. And given the few extra tricks, like removable front pouch and interior clear pouch… this is totally our favorite Tanker release to date!