June 20, 2025

Crossbody vs. Backpack: Which One Wins Your Week?

Choosing a bag isn’t just about personal style, it’s about what your week actually looks like. Are you running from the train to a meeting with coffee in one hand and your phone in the other? Are you lugging gym shoes, a laptop, snacks, and still hoping to feel put together? Your bag should help you move through your day, not make it harder.

That’s why at Aimee Kestenberg, we design every bag with a real-life mindset. And when it comes to the question of crossbody vs. backpack, it’s not about which is “better”, it’s about which one fits your life, right now.

Let’s break down where each bag shines, and how to choose the right companion for your week ahead.

The Case for the Crossbody

A good crossbody does more than just free up your hands, it frees up your mind. No slipping straps. No bulky weight. Just the essentials, comfortably within reach and always where you left them.

Crossbodies are ideal for:

Errand-heavy days – When you’re in and out of shops, juggling grocery bags or kid gear
Travel – Great for keeping your passport, phone, and wallet close and secure
Light commutes – If you’re carrying the basics (wallet, phone, keys, charger, snacks)
Walking or city life – Keeps things streamlined and simple on the go

Take our Saddle-Up Crossbody, for example. It’s soft and slouchy, with a wide, adjustable strap that doesn’t dig. The size is just right, roomy enough for everyday essentials, but never overwhelming.

It’s the kind of bag that quietly supports your rhythm without slowing you down.

The Argument for the Backpack

Backpacks have come a long way. No longer reserved for students or trailheads, today’s leather backpacks, like our Madison Backpack, are sleek, stylish, and deeply practical.

Backpacks are great for:

Heavier loads – Laptops, chargers, notebooks, snacks, even a change of shoes
Longer commutes – Especially if you’re walking, biking, or on public transit
Hands-free freedom – When you really don’t want to carry anything
Balance and comfort – Distributes weight evenly across your shoulders and back

The Saddle-Up Backpack is a prime example of quiet function done right. With smooth full-grain leather, intuitive compartments, and easy-access pockets, it fits everything you need while still looking polished enough for work, brunch, or a travel day.

Design-First Functionality

At Aimee Kestenberg, we don’t just shrink or expand a design to create new silhouettes. We build each one from the ground up with intent. That means our crossbodies aren’t just small totes with a strap, and our backpacks aren’t oversized slouch bags. They’re built to support you.

You’ll notice:

Comfortable straps designed to move with you, not against you
Strategic compartments that eliminate digging and disorganization
Lightweight leather that holds shape without weighing you down
Secure closures where it matters (hello, zip-top peace of mind)

These small choices add up to big comfort, especially when your bag is with you all day.

Which One Wins Your Week?

There’s no wrong answer, but there is a better fit depending on what your day holds. Here’s a quick guide:

Need to carry tech or paperwork? → Go for a backpack
Running around town all day? → A crossbody will keep you nimble
Transitioning between multiple environments? → Both work, but lean into structure and versatility
Prefer a lighter load with easy access? → Crossbody wins
Want comfort and capacity for long stretches? → Backpack, hands down

And if your week shifts? There’s no shame in switching it up.

Final Thoughts: The Right Bag Moves With You

At the end of the day, your bag shouldn’t force you to compromise between style and utility. It should do its job so well you barely have to think about it. Whether you’re team crossbody, team backpack, or firmly in the “both, please” camp, the right leather bag is the one that understands the rhythm of your real life.

Explore our Crossbody Collection and Backpacks to find the piece that helps you move better, wherever your week takes you.