7 Best Herschel Bags of 2025

The Herschel Pop Quiz Hip Pack is a sleek urban essential that delivers hands-free convenience with eco-conscious flair. Built from 600D recycled polyester, it’s tough enough to handle daily commutes while reducing environmental impact — a win-win for style and sustainability. The waterproof front zipper keeps essentials dry during sudden downpours, and the adjustable webbing strap ensures a snug, bounce-free fit whether you’re biking through the city or navigating a crowded festival. It solves the universal struggle of juggling phones, wallets, and keys by offering secure, accessible storage right at your hip.

In real-world use, the Pop Quiz shines during active urban adventures — think walking tours, short hikes, or transit-heavy days where minimalism wins. Its main compartment is compact but smartly laid out, fitting a phone, small wallet, and keys with room for a power bank or lip balm. The tonal stripe liner adds a subtle pop of brand identity without screaming for attention. While it won’t carry a full work kit, it’s not meant to — this is streamlined utility, perfect for leaving bulky bags behind. Just don’t expect to fit larger items like a tablet or umbrella.

Compared to the bulkier Heritage Duffle, the Pop Quiz is all about agility and simplicity, trading capacity for mobility. It’s the ideal pick for those who value lightweight freedom over storage volume — students, travelers, or fitness goers needing quick access to essentials. For anyone seeking a compact, sustainable, and stylish way to go hands-free, this belt bag outperforms its size, offering more thoughtful design than similarly priced rivals like the Classic Crossbody — without sacrificing durability or aesthetic.

The Herschel Heritage Tote Bag redefines what a tote can be — blending premium craftsmanship with eco-smart materials in a package that’s as functional as it is refined. Wrapped in recycled twill fabric and accented with vegetable-tanned leather, this bag feels substantial and luxurious, elevating it beyond typical canvas totes. The reinforced padded base prevents sagging and adds durability, while the trolley sleeve transforms it into a smart travel companion that slips neatly over suitcase handles. It’s built for professionals who want sustainability without sacrificing sophistication.

On the go, the Heritage Tote proves its worth with exceptional organization — the fleece-lined 15″/16″ laptop sleeve offers plush protection, and the dual water bottle pockets are a rare and welcome touch in a tote. The internal hook-and-loop strap keeps cables or tablets from sliding around, and the zippered front pocket secures wallets or passports. It handles heavy loads well thanks to its structured base, but prolonged shoulder carry can strain without a crossbody option. Still, for office commutes or weekend trips, it balances form and function flawlessly.

When stacked against the Classic Backpack, the Heritage Tote trades backpack comfort for polished versatility and superior material quality. It’s not as hands-free, but it’s far more professional-looking and travel-ready. Ideal for urban commuters, business travelers, or eco-conscious creatives, this bag delivers long-term value through thoughtful design and durable construction — outclassing lighter bags like the Portland Packable Tote in resilience and refinement.

The Herschel Cove Messenger is a commuter’s dream — a rugged, intelligently organized bag built for the daily grind. Its padded floating sleeve cradles 15″/16″ laptops with precision, shielding them from sidewalk jostles, while the hook-and-loop tech strap keeps power banks or tablets from bouncing around. Multiple internal organizer pockets make it easy to separate pens, cards, and chargers, turning chaos into order with a glance. The zippered front and top lid pockets add layers of security, perfect for transit riders who need quick access without risk of pickpocketing.

In real-world testing, the Cove excels on bikes, buses, and trains — its durable build shrugs off rain and pavement scrapes, and the smooth zipper operation means no fumbling during rush hour. The saddle brown leather accents age beautifully, adding character over time, while the body maintains structure even when packed. However, the single strap can dig into the shoulder during extended wear, and the lack of a back panel cushioning makes it less ideal for long walks. It’s best suited for short-to-mid distance commutes, not all-day hikes.

Against the Classic Backpack, the Cove offers a more professional profile and better front-access organization, but sacrifices balanced weight distribution. It’s the smarter choice for urban professionals who want a sleek, secure way to carry tech and essentials — outperforming simpler bags like the Pop Quiz in functionality while maintaining a sharp, office-ready aesthetic. It’s a commuting powerhouse with just enough style to turn heads.

The Herschel Classic Backpack is a laptop-carrying champion that blends eco-conscious design with everyday practicality. With a floating sleeve for 15″/16″ laptops, it offers reliable protection without bulk, and the 30L capacity gives ample room for textbooks, gym clothes, or a day’s worth of gear. Made from recycled 600D polyester, it’s tough enough to survive rough handling while aligning with sustainable values. The Prusik cord zipper pulls aren’t just stylish — they’re glove-friendly and easy to grip, even in the rain.

On campus or during transit, this backpack proves its mettle with comfortable padded straps that stay put without digging in, even with a full load. The side water bottle pocket is perfectly sized for standard bottles, and the front zippered pocket keeps small items like keys or earbuds within reach. However, the back panel lacks airflow, making it warm on hot days, and the internal organization is basic compared to the Cove Messenger. It’s best for students or casual users who prioritize reliable storage over high-end tech organization.

Compared to the Heritage Tote, the Classic Backpack offers better weight distribution and true hands-free ease, though it lacks the tote’s premium leather and travel features. It’s the go-to for anyone who needs a durable, spacious, and eco-friendly carryall — outclassing budget options like the Crossbody in capacity and build while staying more affordable than the Heritage line. A true workhorse with timeless appeal.

The Herschel Classic Crossbody is a budget-savvy minimalist’s best friend, offering essential carrying power without the cost. Crafted from recycled post-consumer water bottles, it’s a small step toward sustainability in an entry-level bag. The adjustable webbing strap ensures a custom fit across body types, and the zippered main compartment keeps contents secure from crowds or quick grabs. Its front sleeve pocket is perfect for transit cards or phones — grab-and-go ready.

In real-world use, it’s ideal for errands, concerts, or travel days when you only need the basics — phone, wallet, keys. The compact silhouette stays out of the way, and the Prusik cord pull adds a touch of signature Herschel style. But its limited depth means it can’t fit larger items like sunglasses cases or a small book. It’s not built for tech or heavy loads — this is ultra-light utility, best for those who want zero fuss and maximum mobility.

Stacked against the Pop Quiz Hip Pack, the Crossbody offers slightly more structure and a cleaner front profile, though both serve similar minimalist needs. It’s the smart pick for students or teens wanting a low-cost, recognizable brand bag that doesn’t compromise on eco-materials. While it lacks the features of premium models, it delivers surprising durability for its price — outperforming no-name alternatives with thoughtful branding and reliable zippers.

The Herschel Heritage Duffle is a travel-ready powerhouse designed for weekend warriors and jet-setters who demand both style and substance. With a spacious 40L capacity, it easily swallows clothes, shoes, and toiletries for short trips, while the U-shaped zippered opening lays flat for effortless packing and unpacking — a game-changer compared to narrow duffels. Made from recycled 600D polyester, it’s tough enough for overhead bins and baggage carousels, and the removable shoulder strap lets you switch between hand-carry and crossbody modes on the fly.

In travel testing, the duffle shines with versatile carry options — the top handles are padded for comfort, and the luggage trolley strap on the rear lets it slide over suitcase handles, freeing up your hands at the airport. The front sleeve pocket is perfect for boarding passes or a phone, though it lacks internal compartments for tech. Without a dedicated laptop sleeve, it’s not ideal for business trips unless you pack a separate case. But for leisure travel or gym hauls, it’s a high-capacity hero with rugged good looks.

Against the Portland Packable Tote, the Heritage Duffle offers far more space and durability, though it can’t fold into itself. It’s the better choice for frequent travelers who want a long-lasting, structured duffle with premium leather accents and smart functionality. While heavier than packable options, it delivers superior organization and resilience — making it a smarter long-term investment than flimsier tote alternatives.

The Herschel Portland Packable Tote is a travel minimalist’s secret weapon — featherlight, foldable, and surprisingly functional. Made from 70D ripstop recycled fabric, it’s designed to survive being stuffed into a suitcase or backpack, then spring back into action when needed. The real magic? The internal hanging pocket doubles as a self-storage pouch — zip it all up, and the entire tote collapses into a compact bundle with a snap-down loop for easy hanging. It’s perfect for impromptu shopping, laundry runs, or as a secondary bag on vacation.

On the road, this tote proves its worth as a space-saving sidekick — the top-carry handles are sturdy, and the rear luggage trolley strap lets it hitch a ride on your suitcase. It’s not built for heavy loads — overpacking risks seam stress — but for light-duty tasks, it’s unbeatable. The zippered closure adds security over open totes, a rare plus in packable designs. Just don’t expect durability for daily abuse; this is occasional-use brilliance, not a workhorse.

Compared to the Heritage Duffle, the Portland sacrifices structure and capacity for portability, but wins in versatility. It’s ideal for travelers, eco-conscious shoppers, or anyone needing a compact, reusable carry-on companion. While it can’t match the duffle’s ruggedness, it outshines it in packability and convenience — offering smarter on-demand utility than any non-packable tote in the lineup.