Backpacks are perfect for work. Four reasons why working men are increasingly graduating from business bags.
Backpacks are perfect for work. Four reasons why working men are increasingly graduating from business bags.
2023/09 HushTug Editorial Department
If you're an office worker, you need a business bag. For people of the generation who were strictly instructed about bags and clothing, it may be natural that they still use business bags today.
However, as the number of remote workers has increased dramatically in recent years, companies are becoming more flexible than ever and are beginning to move away from traditional dress code and culture.
When it comes to the "business bags" mentioned above, it seems that many people are choosing them based on different criteria than before.
Many people choose backpacks as their work bags.
Let me introduce myself again. My name is Nakajima and I am the manager of the showroom of the leather brand HushTug.
I usually talk to a lot of customers at the store, and the most common one is
"I came here because I was looking for a backpack that I could use as a business bag."
This is a customer.
In a survey we conducted, many of the people who chose backpacks said they would use them for work.
Why are so many people choosing backpacks over business bags? There may be a reason why people who used to take business bags for granted are regretting that they should have switched to backpacks sooner.
4 benefits of graduating from business bags and choosing backpacks
To answer these questions, we have compiled the top 4 "benefits of graduating from a business bag and choosing a backpack" based on the opinions of customers who have actually visited our stores.
Reason 1: Carrying luggage (especially commuting) becomes much easier
First of all, compared to regular briefcase-style business bags, many people feel that it makes traveling much easier .
Many people feel that traditional business bags make their hands tired easily when they put heavy items inside. On the other hand, while 2-way and 3-way business bags (which can be used as shoulder bags or backpacks) seem perfect in terms of functionality, many people actually find their designs unfashionable.
Additionally, many of those who choose 2-way or 3-way headsets are over 40 years old, and some people in their 20s and 30s said they dislike them because they give the impression that they are used by people older than them.
In that sense, backpacks designed for business situations are convenient for commuting by bicycle or train as they leave both hands free, and carrying them on your back also significantly reduces fatigue.
Reason 2: It can be used both on and off, so it's cost-effective
Another big advantage is that you can use it on your days off outside of work .
I think everyone has items, such as a wallet or a small case, that they carry with them both for work and for personal use, but if you have a bag that can only be used for work (or conversely, cannot be used for work), it can be a hassle to transfer your belongings to the other bag.
If you have a simple backpack, you can use it for personal use without needing to transfer any particularly heavy work tools, unless you have any.
Also, while genuine leather backpacks have a formal look and can be used for work, the backpack itself has a casual design so it will not look out of place when paired with casual clothes in private.
While carrying a business bag in private can often give a stiff impression, some people said that the appeal of a backpack is that it can be used in a variety of situations, regardless of outfit, location, or even era .
Reason 3: Genuine leather can be used for work without feeling out of place
You may be wondering, "Is it even okay to bring a backpack to work?"
This does not include cases where the rules are extremely strict, such as clearly stating that only handbag-type (briefcase-type) business bags are allowed within the office, but among the customers I speak to in the showroom , there are some who work in sales in finance or real estate, and who want to be careful about their bags because their clients are watching them.In fact, many of these customers choose backpacks, saying, "My documents are heavy, so I want to carry them on my shoulder. If it's too casual, it's not good, but a genuine leather backpack will be fine!"
We can also accommodate business trips of one or two nights.
When going on a business trip, many people carry two bags, preparing their clothes and overnight kit in a separate bag, or they transfer all of their belongings into the bag they use for business trips.
If you have a backpack with a certain amount of capacity, you can handle short business trips without having to change bags.
Reason 4: Genuine leather looks natural when worn with a suit or set
Although the Reiwa era has seen more freedom in terms of work attire, there are still many occasions where formal attire is required.
When using it as a work bag, a big advantage is that it can be paired with formal clothing such as suits .
The only downside to backpacking for work
The only drawback to choosing a backpack as your work bag is the price .
Compared to business bags, backpacks have many advantages, such as being able to be worn over the shoulder, but the backpack itself is actually a somewhat casual item in terms of its shape.
Materials such as nylon tend to look more casual, so leather products are inevitably the choice.
Furthermore, if you consider using it for daily work, genuine leather is preferable over synthetic leather, which deteriorates easily and tends to fall apart and peel, so the price tends to be higher.
Considering that a business bag is a formal bag to begin with, and therefore could be made of low-cost nylon, the price may be a major disadvantage when choosing a backpack for work.
What is your recommendation for a genuine leather backpack that can be used for work?
Actually, I am the manager of a leather brand called HushTug, and their backpacks are becoming quite popular as work backpacks these days.
The brand began selling in 2019, but the online store already has over 2,000 reviews, with an average rating of 4.7/5.0.
One thing that many people highly praise is its "high cost performance."
Normally, products are produced in factories and then shipped through several other companies before reaching customers, but HushTug manages everything from product planning to sales in-house, allowing us to offer genuine leather at affordable prices.
So, even though it uses plenty of Himeji leather, which is highly regarded in Japan, and is made by skilled Japanese craftsmen, it is sold at about half the price of other genuine leather brands, so even if I put aside my bias as the store manager, I can really recommend it in terms of value for money.
Another nice feature is that it has been designed with careful attention to detail to reach those areas that need attention .
- The lining is made of breathable mesh - There is also a side pocket so you can easily access small items such as your wallet
We also focus on ease of use for business people.
What's more, it comes with peace of mind support that allows you to return or exchange the product free of charge for any reason within one month of purchase, no matter how much you use it.
HushTug products are not sold in department stores or shops, so they can basically only be purchased through our online store.
・I want to try a backpack for work, but I'm not sure if it will suit me...
・I'm worried about buying online in the first place because the product might be different from what I expected.
For such people, we would like to reiterate that "for any reason, no matter how much you use the product, you can return or exchange it free of charge within 30 days ."
Since returns are free, you can never lose out, so if you're considering buying a new business bag, be sure to give it a try.
