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What Others are Saying

Gsry D.

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Great quality, quality hand stitching, property tanned leather and great paper. What more could you want? Keep these journals out of the rain and they will last a lifetime!

Julie L. B.

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I got the large size in hopes my MacBook would fit inside with a couple pens, a file folder and my daily planner. It works and I am so pleased!

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LePak Jr Convertible Backpack Messenger Bag

LePak Jr Convertible Backpack Messenger Bag

163 Reviews

$597.00

Description
Options
Product Video
Our Materials
Personalization

Le Pak Jr is a full grain leather messenger bag which converts into a backpack. BUT, not like any convertible that you've ever seen.
This convertible not only meets high durability standards but it is the first convertible I've seen that will carry as comfortably as a full blown backpack.
That's because of the 2 inch wide contoured shoulder strap which articulates 3 different ways to fit more comfortably on your shoulders and move as your body moves.

My 10 years as a Search and Rescue and National Ski Patrol volunteer have shown me that the one uncompromising characteristic of a backpack is how comfortably it will carry your stuff and
FACE IT... the skinny non contoured shoulder straps they put on other convertible messenger bags/backpacks I have seen just DO NOT cut it! The product video below shows a lot of the details of this bag and also explains the inspiration and origins behind it.

It took 20 years to develop the skills and proprietary techniques to make this bag and
it's the combination of those 20 years of skill building combined with my 10 years of experience with Search and Rescue which have gone into making the perfect convertible Messenger Bag/Backpack.

THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENT:
The problem with every Convertible I have seen is that they are either too small to get the job done or they come with a "token" shoulder strap conversion which just cannot handle and carry the weight comfortably.

One essential element to carrying something on your shoulders is COMFORT.
This is one of the MAIN issues I spent the last 3 years addressing by developing and field testing on several backpacks I made... building a shoulder strap configuration which would carry your load with comfort.
So, whether your backpack shoulder straps are permanent or removable as in this conversion, they will carry your load with comfort and will not break down with extended use. DIMENSIONS:
14h x 11w x 3-1/4d inches (inside space). This will hold a 15 inch laptop plus a whole lot more. Snap in DROP POCKET:
8h x 6w inches
2 pockets in front
1 secret pocket in the back

COMPRESSION STRAPS: Recently upgraded from webbing to leather.
2 - 18 inch straps for side
2 - 28 inch straps for bottom
The worst thing is having straps which are too short. So we made ours long.
Your bag comes with 2 sets (total of 4) full grain Italian Leather 1 inch wide compression straps with adjustment hardware.
UPGRADE: These straps are shown as black webbing in the photos and video but have been recently upgraded to full grain Italian leather straps which we make in our studio.

SHOULDER STRAPS FOR BACKPACK CONVERSION:
NEW upgrade for this bag is the shoulder strap adjustment straps. Formerly in webbing, we now use leather straps with 8.5 inches of adjustment in 1/2 inch increments.

LEATHER COLORS: both are about 2.2mm thick.
Rustic Brown is our standard leather. It's full gain leather tanned in Italy exclusively for us.
Bison is a newer leather for us and tanned in America from Bison and not Cow. It has more striations and neck type wrinkles (everyone's favorite) and more pullup which gives this newer leather a greater rustic potential.
Bison leather is soft but has more body than the Rustic Brown to start. So, the breakin period is a little longer before getting near paper soft.

At this time this bag is available in either our Rustic Brown or Bison only. These are heavier leathers, are very durable, dependable and will wear for many generations.

Remember to watch the product video of this Convertible Messenger Bag/Backpack, including how I came to make this and the inspiration behind it.
The Product Video shows the old webbing compression straps and shoulder strap adjustments. The straps have been upgraded to all full grain Italian leather straps which we make in our studio.
See the Options tab above for more details.
When ordering you can choose:

COLOR: Rustic Brown or Bison

HARDWARE: Solid Brass in 2 finishes, Antique Brass & Nickel Matte

see the Our Materials tab above for more info on our leather and hardware
Shipping:
Our items are shipped with $9.95 flat rate shipping via USPS 1st class or Priority mail. Transit times are usually 2-3 days, counting Saturday but not Sunday.

Returns:
All of our items come with a 30-day hassle-free return policy.

Read our full policy here.

*Personalized and Custom items are not refundable.

GUARANTEED FOR LIFE, EVEN IF YOUR DOG EATS IT

Read more about our guarantee here.
While we are your Makers and you know exactly where your leather goods come from, it’s also important to know the source of the materials we use in making them for you. If you would like more info about our products and sources then let’s connect to discuss.

Italian Leather: Our Primary Ingredient

We are soft leather experts and have developed proprietary techniques for working with softer Chrome tanned Italian leathers.

Unlike the stiffer, belt like, Vegetable tanned leathers, our leathers are soft right out of the box. Like the blue jeans you wear that only get softer and more comfortable with age, our leathers will immediately conform to your lifestyle and develop a great patina over time, making your life’s adventures more memorable and meaningful.

Unbranded English Cow –Chrome/Oil tanned - Full Grain – Struck thru (dyed all the way thru the hide) Tanned in Italy – Unavailable anywhere else in the world.We worked with a 6th Generation tannery in Italy for 2 years to develop our proprietary leather.
View our Processes and Proprietary soft leather-working techniques

Hand-torn European Fine Art & Writing papers

We offer you a choice of 3 European, hand-torn papers: Arches Text Wove, Frankfurt White, and Frankfurt Creme.

Whether you write, draw or do both... using anything from a fountain pen to watercolor brushes, you will have the perfect paper.

Our Standard paper is Arches Text Wove. The Frankfurt papers are our premium papers and while made more for fountain pens, work very well for water coloring too.

Our papers are all 120gsm in weight which give them the body you will love.
They will not feather or bleed with a fountain pen and are acid free. You can also watercolor on our papers. They take light and heavy washes well and will dry completely flat.

And because you can write on both sides with any pen or pencil, it's like having twice the amount of usable pages you would have in a book with thinner paper.

We also hand tear all of our papers from larger parent sheets to give you the rough, authentic and artisanal look and feel.

Solid Brass Hardware

Our hardware is all low lead solid brass

Low Lead means harder and stronger hardware.

Unlike much less expensive Zinc, Solid brass is not only strong and patinas well but the low lead content complies with California safety standards.

We have 2 finishes, Antique Brass and Nickel Matte and because we believe in building things the way you want them, we offer you the choice of hardware finish on all of our products. If you don’t see that choice then just ask us.

We want your tools in life to match your individuality without compromise and inspire your life’s adventures.

Threads and Cords

All kinds and all colors

Waxed Linen, Polyester and Nylon thread and cords are used to hand-sew our permanently bound journals and for creating the Solomon’s Knot on our Modular Journals.

We have all kinds of proprietary techniques for making our journals and you can learn them all with our DIY kits.

Ancient and Hand-carved Beads

The beads we use are anything but common.

Some of our beads are over 300 years old. Others are individually hand carved. Some are and rustic and tribal in nature while others are more elegant.

We use ancient African trade beads, Jade, Lapis, unpolished Tiger Eye, Jasper, Opal, solid bronze and Sterling Silver and are always adding to and changing out line.

See our Machine Demos
Personalize Any Item

If there’s one thing that really gets us off it’s making your item look totally cool and unique.

And, when it comes to Personalizing your item, nothing gets more personal and unique.
That’s why we offer so much more than just initials, a name or a short line of text.

While it’s impossible to list all the creative and different ways we can personalize your book, bag or cover, we tried grouping them into the categories below. Any and all of these can be combined so if you need something special then contact us.

Also, keep in mind that while we usually have standard placement for personalization, we can put it just about anywhere on your item at your request. There is no additional charge for that but you do need to tell us.

See our Personalization Gallery for Ideas

3 Initial, Full or Multi-line Personalization

included in the ordering options for most journals and covers

3 Initial Personalization... the simplest and most popular choice.

If you get a cover or a journal with 3 Initial Personalization, at our discretion we will usually include a matching leather bookmark and will personalize it with the same 3 initials.

Full or Multi-line Personalization includes up to 15 spaces, counting the spaces in between the words or name.

But just in case you are really close, we let you fudge 20% more by letting you add up to 18 spaces. When entering your desired pesonalization please remember that what you enter is CaSE sEnseTIve.

We can put more letters on a single line but if it goes over the space limit then it will need to be entered as an additional line and will be charged accordingly.

Symbols

We have a Unique & Growing collection of Symbols which we can put on your item.

To see the full collection just click on the BUTTON below.
When ordering a Symbol we give you the choice of adding up to 3 initials directly below it.

Symbols can also be combined with a Patch but must be ordered separately.

See Symbols Collection

Patches

Leather Patches are one of the most Unique forms of personalization we know of and nobody that we know of does it.

This is where we create a leather patch, put whatever you want on it… a Symbol, up to 3 full lines of type…. basically, whatever you would like, and sew the patch onto your item. Because setup on these can take a long time, we typically make at least 2 just in case we make a mistake. But we usually don’t so in that case we will either just give you the second one or sew it onto your bookmark (if it's included) and if it fits.

Combinations & Variations:
We can combine patches, Symbols, Single or Multi-line Personalization in whatever way/s you would like.

There are near unlimited variations and we do our best to make your patch look as cool as possible.
But if you have certain placement needs or desires then you can just let us know.

See our Personalization Gallery for Ideas

Custom Logos and Graphics

If you have a logo or graphic you would like debossed into your item or on a patch then we can do that too.
The max size is 5x2 inches. We send out to have a special metal die made which can be used over and over again.

Custom Metal Casting

beads, logos, findings and more...

We have partnered with G&S Jewelry Mfg. in Albuquerque to vacuum cast your wildest dreams in just about any metal you would like.

We can make just 1 or many pieces for you.
This is great if you want to create a journal and use your own custom bead design for your own Unique series of modular journals.
It can be a corporate logo or a family crest, a meaningful symbol between you and your loved one... almost anything you would like.

Creativity is your only limit.
So let your imagination run wild and contact us with your idea.
You can watch our on location video to learn more and give you an introduction to the process. Just click the button below.
Watch our Custom Casting Video

Shipping Details

Our products are individually hand-crafted to order and shipped directly to you.
There’s never unsold inventory, no middlemen and no high markups.
All of these savings are passed on to you so you get
the best in style, materials and craftsmanship
at a fraction of traditional retail prices. Win-win.