Stitch Explorer Backpack
Born from the spirit of vintage military packs, this backpack is a testament to grit, durability, and timeless design. Handcrafted from custom leather made for Madison Stitch by the legendary Hermann Oak tannery, this isn’t just a bag; it’s a lifelong companion, crafted to stand the test of time and the elements. The rugged, vegetable-tanned leather is similar to traditional harness leather but has been heavily oiled, waxed, and hit with extra tallow, resulting in a feel that’s soft to the touch but tough as a well-worn saddle. It’s leather that only gets better with age — a rarity in an era of disposable goods.
This pack is no lightweight. With room enough for a 15” laptop and a full internal pocket system, it’s built to carry your essentials — laptop, peripherals, and whatever else you need on the journey. The solid brass hardware, crafted in the USA, is as real as it gets, no cheap metals or flimsy substitutes. And the locally-harvested black walnut logo is the final touch, grounding this bag in heritage and authenticity.
Details:
Hermann Oak Oiled Harness Leather: Tanned the old-fashioned way, this leather undergoes a three-month process of natural tannins and tree bark, making it tough, eco-friendly, and visually striking.
Solid Brass Hardware: American-made, no compromises, adding the weight and substance you can feel.
Locally-Harvested Black Walnut Logo: A nod to classic craftsmanship, tying this pack back to its roots.
Available Colors: Chocolate and Black — timeless shades for those who value utility and style in equal measure.
Dimensions: 14” x 11” x 4” deep, with adjustable backpack straps designed to handle the load comfortably.
Built for those who don’t just walk the beaten path but create their own, the Explorer Backpack is ready for wherever the road may lead — a bag that only grows better with each journey, each scuff, each story.
Designed by our founder, John Pryor.
Born from the spirit of vintage military packs, this backpack is a testament to grit, durability, and timeless design. Handcrafted from custom leather made for Madison Stitch by the legendary Hermann Oak tannery, this isn’t just a bag; it’s a lifelong companion, crafted to stand the test of time and the elements. The rugged, vegetable-tanned leather is similar to traditional harness leather but has been heavily oiled, waxed, and hit with extra tallow, resulting in a feel that’s soft to the touch but tough as a well-worn saddle. It’s leather that only gets better with age — a rarity in an era of disposable goods.
This pack is no lightweight. With room enough for a 15” laptop and a full internal pocket system, it’s built to carry your essentials — laptop, peripherals, and whatever else you need on the journey. The solid brass hardware, crafted in the USA, is as real as it gets, no cheap metals or flimsy substitutes. And the locally-harvested black walnut logo is the final touch, grounding this bag in heritage and authenticity.
Details:
Hermann Oak Oiled Harness Leather: Tanned the old-fashioned way, this leather undergoes a three-month process of natural tannins and tree bark, making it tough, eco-friendly, and visually striking.
Solid Brass Hardware: American-made, no compromises, adding the weight and substance you can feel.
Locally-Harvested Black Walnut Logo: A nod to classic craftsmanship, tying this pack back to its roots.
Available Colors: Chocolate and Black — timeless shades for those who value utility and style in equal measure.
Dimensions: 14” x 11” x 4” deep, with adjustable backpack straps designed to handle the load comfortably.
Built for those who don’t just walk the beaten path but create their own, the Explorer Backpack is ready for wherever the road may lead — a bag that only grows better with each journey, each scuff, each story.
Designed by our founder, John Pryor.
Born from the spirit of vintage military packs, this backpack is a testament to grit, durability, and timeless design. Handcrafted from custom leather made for Madison Stitch by the legendary Hermann Oak tannery, this isn’t just a bag; it’s a lifelong companion, crafted to stand the test of time and the elements. The rugged, vegetable-tanned leather is similar to traditional harness leather but has been heavily oiled, waxed, and hit with extra tallow, resulting in a feel that’s soft to the touch but tough as a well-worn saddle. It’s leather that only gets better with age — a rarity in an era of disposable goods.
This pack is no lightweight. With room enough for a 15” laptop and a full internal pocket system, it’s built to carry your essentials — laptop, peripherals, and whatever else you need on the journey. The solid brass hardware, crafted in the USA, is as real as it gets, no cheap metals or flimsy substitutes. And the locally-harvested black walnut logo is the final touch, grounding this bag in heritage and authenticity.
Details:
Hermann Oak Oiled Harness Leather: Tanned the old-fashioned way, this leather undergoes a three-month process of natural tannins and tree bark, making it tough, eco-friendly, and visually striking.
Solid Brass Hardware: American-made, no compromises, adding the weight and substance you can feel.
Locally-Harvested Black Walnut Logo: A nod to classic craftsmanship, tying this pack back to its roots.
Available Colors: Chocolate and Black — timeless shades for those who value utility and style in equal measure.
Dimensions: 14” x 11” x 4” deep, with adjustable backpack straps designed to handle the load comfortably.
Built for those who don’t just walk the beaten path but create their own, the Explorer Backpack is ready for wherever the road may lead — a bag that only grows better with each journey, each scuff, each story.
Designed by our founder, John Pryor.
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Our backpack was designed by our founder John, who wanted to finally replace his old college backpack with something cooler.
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Handcrafted in the USA from full-grain, vegetable-tanned steer leather sourced from our local tannery, Hermann Oak. Each bag is cut, edge-finished, and constructed by hand in our downtown Kansas City studio.
To create the rugged, distressed look in the leather, the tannery dips their English Bridle leather into a vat of hot oil and tallow overnight. Once removed, the leather changes to a darker color and develops a “pull-up” effect, where the leather lightens in color when pulled or stretched. Wrinkles, stretch marks, and ripples in the leather are highlighted, creating the rugged aesthetic we find so appealing.
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We are so confident in the quality of our leather bags that we offer a lifetime guarantee. If your bag ever breaks or needs repair, we will fix it for free.
What is covered?
Our lifetime guarantee covers all defects in materials and workmanship. This means that we will repair or replace your bag if it is damaged due to a defect in the leather, stitching, or hardware.
What is not covered?
Our lifetime guarantee does not cover damage caused by:
-Accidental or intentional damage (for example, your five-year old decided to take a butcher knife to your nice leather bag).
-Improper care or maintenance (for example, you left your bag outside in the sun for several days and now it’s super dry. We will help bring it back to life, but we won’t be able to accept exchanges).
-Normal wear and tear (normal wear and tear is a good thing!)
How to contact us
If your bag needs repair or replacement, please contact us at service@madisonstitch.com. We will need to see your order number or last name under which the order was placed. Please provide a description of the damage and a photo or two. We will then send you a return shipping label and instructions on how to send us your bag.
We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible products and service. Even if you feel like your situation may not qualify for an exchange or free repair, please still reach out to us; we can help bring your bag back to life. If you have any questions about our lifetime guarantee, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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We offer FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING to any domestic location in the USA. For international deliveries, please contact us — we are able to ship outside the USA, but shipping charges vary.
Our studio is open on Monday to Friday 10-5pm if you prefer to pick up in Kansas City. Most of our orders are now shipped within 1-3 days. When your order leaves our studio we will send you an email together with your tracking number.
Read more about shipping & delivery policies.
Questions? Contact us at service@madisonstitch.com.
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—Made in our downtown studio in Kansas City, Missouri.
—Made from Hermann Oak’s full grain, vegetable-tanned leather. With minimal care, the leather will last generations. Just polish 1-2 times per year with leather lotion.
—Constructed with solid brass hardware sourced from metal suppliers in the USA.
—Dimensions: 6” x 6” x 2” deep.
—Adjustable backstraps with solid brass buckle hardware.
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With minimal maintenance, the leather from Hermann Oak will last generations.
Keep it clean: The best way to prevent damage to your leather is to keep it clean. Wipe it down with a damp cloth regularly to remove dirt and dust. If your leather gets dirty, you can use a mild soap and water solution to clean it. Be sure to dry the leather thoroughly after cleaning it by blotting it with a cloth (do not wipe)
Condition it regularly: Vegetable tanned leather needs to be conditioned once or twice a year to keep it soft and supple. You can use a commercial leather conditioner or make your own by mixing equal parts of neatsfoot oil and beeswax. Apply the conditioner to the leather with a soft cloth and let it soak in for a few minutes. Then, buff the leather with a clean cloth. If your leather gets wet, dry it as soon as possible. Do not leave wet leather in the sun or near a heat source. Dry by blotting a thick rag over the wet spot; do not wipe.
Avoid extreme temperatures: Extreme temperatures can damage leather. Avoid exposing your leather to direct sunlight or extreme heat or cold.
Be careful with chemicals: Chemicals can also damage leather. Avoid getting your leather wet with harsh chemicals, such as bleach, a harsh cleanser, or gasoline. Avoid using polishes or creams that contain silicone. Silicone can coat the leather and prevent it from breathing, which can lead to cracking and drying.
Store it properly: When you are not using your leather, store it in a cool, dry place. You can also put a cloth between the layers of leather to prevent them from sticking together.
Oils: The leather is hot-stuffed with oil, tallow, and wax. While we pre-treat the surface of the leather to remove any of the oils from the surface, initially you may see some bleed-off of the oils and waxes in the leather on to your clothing. This is normal, and will not permanently stain your clothes. After several uses, the leather will stabilize and no more bleed-off will occur.
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Products in their original conditions and including the original packaging can be returned or exchanged within 14 days from receipt. You can read more about our return policies here.
