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If you’ve ever had the urge to examine a few zippers (preferably your own), you might have noticed something strange: nearly all are branded with the letters “YKK”. It’s almost surprising more people haven’t noticed – after all, a little research reveals they’re embossed onto half of the zippers on the planet.

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Don’t worry, it’s not a reference to the early 2000’s Y2K crisis. YKK, or Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha/Yoshida Industries Limited, is a Japanese company that has been crafting zippers since the 1930’s. YKK is the most prolific zipper maker in both the US and the world. Though cheaper zippers exist, most mid-to-high range clothing makers still prefer to use YKK. However, it hasn’t always been this way.

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How YKK became YKK

Though it’s strange to imagine life without them, zippers are actually a recent invention. The modern zipper was created in 1914 by a Swedish immigrant in Hoboken, New Jersey. Before this, people kept their clothes fastened with long rows of buttons or hook-and-eye closures, which were time consuming to open and close (you can still find some hook-and-eye closures on modern bras). Though the zipper was an innovative and time saving breakthrough, it took a while to catch on. Early handmade zippers often broke, popped open, or rusted, as metal was the only material available.

Most of these problems were solved when Talon, the first major zipper manufacturer, burst onto the scene in the 1920’s. The company grew steadily throughout the early 20th century, first putting zippers on boots and pouches, and later on pants and dresses. Little did they know, however, that a challenger was arising on the other side of the globe. Tadao Yoshida was a young apprentice at a bankrupt trading company in Japan. After it folded, the owner gifted him the business’ remains. Yoshida rebranded the company, changed its name from “San-es Shokai” to “YKK” (the Yoshida Manufacturing Company), and relocated his headquarters to Tokyo. It was only a matter of time before he set up a factory in New Zealand, and then headed for New York.

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At first, the idea of unseating Talon seemed ludicrous. After all, they were making 70% of all zippers in the United States. However, YKK’s willingness to innovate and establish factories outside of Europe and the US (where zippers were cheaper to manufacture) propelled them forward. Talon, the former zipper god that ruled the US zipper industry for over forty years, was now left with a paltry 7% of the market by the early 2000’s. Their descendants can blame YKK, which by contrast, now operates in 60 countries worldwide and makes over 7 billion zippers annually. YKK was even featured in OutKast’s song “So Fresh, So Clean”, with the lyrics “YKK on yo’ zipper, lick you like a lizard when I’m slizzerd.”

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What makes YKK zippers the best of the best?

Like any business, clothing companies aim to cut costs, so it’s surprising that they still prefer YKK. After all, with a recent surge of cheaper zippers made by newer companies in China, why not switch? 

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It comes down to quality. YKK has thrived due to founder Tadao Yoshida’s philosophy known as “The Cycle of Goodness.” Yoshida frequently told employees that “no one prospers unless he renders benefit to others.” YKK trademarked this philosophy with the US government, and it can still be found on their website today. It explains the reasoning behind YKK’s drive to keep their standards high and their prices low.

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YKK has always thought outside of the box. Their legendary quality originates from their custom-made zipper machines. When he started YKK, Tadao Yoshida wasn’t able to find a machine that met his standards, so he set out to build his own. Today, the details of how YKK’s machines work are still a closely guarded company secret and machines aren’t their only customized innovation. When his thread began to develop knots and his supplier could not create a knot-free version, Yoshida decided, yet again, to break from conventional wisdom and craft his own. 

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Today, YKK makes everything onsite, down to the boxes that their zippers are shipped in. This is unusual in manufacturing. A 1998 Los Angeles Times story on YKK reported it “smelts its own brass, concocts its own polyester, spins and twists its own thread, weaves and color-dyes cloth for its zipper tapes, forges and molds its scooped zipper teeth …” Complete ownership of every aspect ensures that each ingredient is well made, and allows retailers to sell the zipper for less. 

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Cheaper options exist for clothing makers who want to cut corners, but higher-end brands tend to stick with YKK for their track record of reliability. In an interview with Slate Magazine, fashion designer Trina Turk, whose clothes are sold at high-end retailers like Neiman Marcus, explained, “There have been quality problems in the past when we’ve used cheaper zippers… Now we just stick with YKK.”

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What are the different kinds of zipper options?

Not every YKK zipper says “YKK”. The company is willing to customize zippers to meet the needs of manufacturers, so many YKK zippers only feature the name of the clothing company that makes the item. Many manufacturers mix zipper types. For example, the ISM backpack features a plastic waterproof zipper for the laptop compartment, but a metal zipper with a custom pull tab for the main compartment.

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Another way the YKK zipper may seem like it’s not a YKK zipper is their slider: The typical slider often used by YKK is a flat piece of metal with a circular cut out near the bottom, but in reality there are many different varieties. For instance, the ISM bag has a more 3-dimensional shape, as well as a less commonly seen metallic gold or silver finish. We also include a leather pull tab for additional ease of use.

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Though clothing like jackets and jeans usually only include one zipper, bags and backpacks will often use two. A head to head zipper means that you have two sliders, giving you the freedom to create smaller openings (useful if you just want to slide a hand inside and grab a wallet). It also means that the sliders are easier to access, so you can sling a backpack off one shoulder while you pull one of the sliders with your right hand.

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One out of every two zippers in the world is a YKK zipper. However, they’re not evenly distributed. You’re more likely to find YKK on a high end handbag from Chanel than a coin purse at Old Navy. Companies that value quality over quick savings still reach for YKK, despite cheaper zippers being available. YKK makes over 7 million zippers a day in over 1500 different styles and 427 standard colors. Superior quality at an affordable price point means that YKK is the go-to zipper for mid to higher end brands, including luxury fashion houses like Prada and Gucci. You can also find YKK zippers on bags from ISM.

They say that the best way to understand a person is to look inside her bag. The items we choose to carry can reveal who we are to the rest of the world. When it comes to packing your work bag, it’s all about maximizing utility. Bag space is limited, and you can’t carry everything.

That’s why we polled over one thousand of our customers to discover the most common objects that people keep in their work bag. They range from the sort of stuff you would expect (chargers) to less common items (favorite chocolate bars). If you’re having trouble deciding what to keep (laptop) and what to toss (assorted coins that don’t fit in your wallet) this insight into the psychology of the average professional might help. From the least commonly to most commonly carried items in a work bag, can you guess what’s in the top 5?

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15. Others – 5.1%

For all the objects that aren’t big enough to have their own label and not small enough to be left out entirely. Here’s to the ‘Others,’ from the Nintendo Switch to a Lucky Rabbit’s Foot.

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14. Shoes – 27%

Over one quarter of all respondents carry a pair of shoes in their work bag. Life hack for saving space (and time) – consider storing an extra pair of sneakers at your office or at the gym. You’ll thank yourself when you forget them that one time.

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13. Tablet – 30.8%

Tablets are an incredibly common and convenient alternative to the heavier laptop. If you’re looking to carry light, a professional tablet can provide you similar functionality at a fraction of the weight. Many of the respondents carry both a laptop and tablet in their bag as well.

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12. Clothes – 31.5%

Whether it’s an extra jacket for those windy days or a set of gym clothes, packing some extra clothes is popular with over 31% of our customers. The only downside? They can eat up space and add unnecessary weight. Consider limiting yourself to lighter clothing made of materials like jersey, or renting a locker at your gym.

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11. Books – 39.5%

Reading a physical book can be a gem in this age where we’re constantly addicted to screens. If you want to save space, also consider a kindle or e-reader. You can download a kindle app to your phone and it will sync with your desktop or tablet apps.

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10. Papers – 46.5%

This is a work backpack, after all. Luckily, the workplace is becoming more and more digital, so a paperless future is entirely possible!

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9. Pouches – 47.2%

Pouches are a great way to stay organized, especially when you’re on the go. From your tech pouch to your coin purse to your makeup pouch. Make organizing work for you and prevent clawing around your bag when you need to find that one thing.

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8. Food/Snacks – 56.4%

Lunch in the city can be expensive. Just ask anyone who’s paid $15 for a sandwich on top of their $4 coffee. Packing lunch can be a great way to cut down some costs and some snacks throughout the day help satisfy those cravings too! Apples and oranges usually cost less than a dollar each, and they’re far lower in calories than the pseudo-healthy granola bars you might buy from a vending machine.

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7. Notebooks – 62.5%

One of the best way to remember things is to write it down. You can save space by switching to an app like Notion, the “notes” function on some phones, or by using a Google Doc to jot down your thoughts. 

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6. Headphones – 63%

Listening to music is a great way to make your commute more enjoyable. Airpods are the obvious space saver, but if you don’t want to skimp on sound, over the ear headphones might be worth their weight. Some people also carry a set of wireless and over the ear headphones for different use cases.

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5. Phone Charger – 67.1%

You can’t listen to music without a charged phone. That’s probably why the majority of people carry their charger with them in their bag, like the ISM Leather Charger.‍

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4. Computer Charger – 71.9% 

When you bring your own laptop, a charger is essential. If space in your bag is tight, consider purchasing an additional charger and leaving it at work. Labeling it is a simple move that saves the headache of finding your charger later.

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3. Water Bottles – 73.8%

We’re all probably dehydrated so it’s important to drink enough water throughout the day. Not only are reusable water bottles convenient, but they are better for the environment. You can fit more into your bag with a compact model, like ISM’s flat water bottle.

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2. Keys – 78.4%

The real question is – how is it possible that nearly one quarter of respondents don’t carry keys? How are they getting into their house?

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1. Laptop – 90%

The vast majority of people carry a laptop in their workbag. After all, this is the early 21st century and these are the working tools of the trade.

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When you’re looking for a new work bag, an essential feature is the bag’s durability. Whether you’re commuting to work or on the road again, you want to be prepared for any situation. 

Just like how the different grades of leather can have some confusing terminology, the same can be said about a product’s water-resistant properties. Oftentimes, the terms “waterproof”, “water repellent”, and “water resistant” are used interchangeably, when in reality, each term has a pretty different meaning.

Here’s a TL;DR — waterproof products can be completed submerged in a pool of liquid without suffering any leakage. Water-repellent goods are made with technical materials that repel water, like a Gore Tex jacket. Something that is water-resistant will keep your belongings safe in a drizzle, but probably isn’t ideal if you’re stuck in a heavy thunderstorm without an umbrella.  

Here are some things to consider in detail: 

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What’s Water-Resistant?

A water-resistant bag is better than a non-resistant bag at protecting your valuables. The downside is that it’s the least effective of all three waterproofing options. If you’re looking for an ultra durable bag that you can take to the mountains, you’ll probably want to look for something more technical. 

The main upside to choosing a bag that is water-resistant instead of water-repellent or water-proof is that water-resistant bags (like the ISM Backpack) can be constructed with a wider variety of materials like leather, nylon, canvas, or polyester. To get the water-resistant property, these bags have a layer of a special coating added that helps to repel water. 
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What’s Water-Repellent?

Water repellent bags are the next step up if you need more water protection. While a water resistant bag can work well in a light drizzle, a water repellent bag can work in a heavy storm. 

Most bags classified as “Water Repellent” are made of tightly woven fabric that is similar to, or stronger than, the weave on a water resistant bag. It is usually more effective at eliminating any microscopic holes, which gives off the appearance of water being literally ‘repelled’ from the material’s surface. 

The downside is that because of their water-repellent properties, they can only be made with a limited range of technical materials, meaning that more wearable fabrics like leather, nylon, or canvas can’t be used. 

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What’s Waterproof?

A waterproof bag is reserved for bags that can withstand extreme downpours and complete underwater submersion. Many of these bags are made by companies that specialize in outdoor wear, like Patagonia or The North Face. Fashion and style options in a waterproof backpack are secondary to their utilitarian function — including the way that the bag is constructed. 

Most waterproof bags will also have a roll-top closure. This allows manufacturers to get rid of zippers, which are a liability even if they are waterproof due to the holes they can create. This type of closure is often useful in hiking or backpacking gear.

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Consider The Trade Offs

The tradeoff between form and function lies in the materials and construction – any seams between fabric can create opportunities for water to seep in. 

The restrictions put in place to eliminate every possible drop of water means that your design options are limited with waterproof or water-repellent bags. If you only intend to use your bag in a drizzle or even a heavy downpour, this is probably a bit of an overkill. 

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The Best of Both Worlds — Waterproof Zippers

One of the biggest differences when it comes to a waterproof vs resistant vs repellent backpack is the zipper. Most water-resistant and repellent bags use a non-waterproof zipper, leaving gaps that can allow small amounts of water to leach in. 

Instead of compromising on form or function, we used a mixture of water-resistant and water-proof materials in the ISM Backpack. The water-resistant coated full-grain leather and nylon exterior keeps the essentials in your main compartment safe from a drizzle, while the water-proof zipper guarantees that your laptop and tech don’t get wet. Another plus is that it blends in with the bag’s design keeping it minimal and discreet.  

By using a regular metal zipper for the main compartment and front pocket, the bag keeps its minimal and stylish appearance, compared to a bag that uses only water-proof zippers.  

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What Works For You?

Though a stylish, affordable, light, and fully waterproof backpack is ideal, it’s rare to encounter and unnecessary to seek. Water-resistant backpacks with special zippers and materials can offer you nearly identical coverage in a heavy downpour, and they come with a more versatile design aesthetic. 

It turns out that you don’t have to sacrifice form and function. 

Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too. 

The story of how the zipper came to be and its rise to the top of the clothing industry is a surprisingly complicated one.

Elias Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine, was the first to patent the idea for a “continuous clothing closure” in 1851, but the popularity of the sewing machine prevented him from investing in the venture.

It wasn’t until Whitcomb L. Judson set out to save the world from the tedious task of buttoning their boots each morning that the concept of the zipper was pursued.

Originally named the Clasp Locker, Whitcomb L. Judson’s design consisted of two rows of hook and eye fasteners with a slider. However, the original slider was poorly designed and rejected by the public. Judson improved on his design by stamping the metal clasps onto fabric first which made it easier to fasten, but the new design continued to pop open unexpectedly and never found commercial success.

The original Patent for the zipper that Judson received in 1893 (Photo: Wikimedia)

WHO INVENTED THE MODERN ZIPPER?

What we are familiar with today as the modern zipper, was finally created by Gideon Sunbeck in 1914. Sunbeck, an engineer from Sweden, was working for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on the Niagra Falls project when he was first approached by Peter Aronson of the Automatic Hook and Eye Company.

Why would Sunbeck leave such an established position for a lesser known company with no foreseeable future?

While visiting the Automatic Hook and Eye Company, Sunbeck met Aronson’s daughter, Elvira. Sunbeck was smitten and joined the company in an effort to gain her favor.

Automatic Hook and Eye Company moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania, where they went to work on the modern day zipper under the creative engineering of Sunbeck.

He also went on to eventually marry Elvira. Even in the very beginning, the story of the zipper had a thread of romance and sexuality that still flows through it today.

Sunbeck’s design consisted of two rows of interlocking teeth brought together by a slider that works similarly to how a Ziplock bag works.

However, this model, named Hookless No. 1, still had some kinks to work out: It was costly to make and quite impractical due to its wear and tear on the fabric.

The Hookless No. 1 patent by Sunbeck, it was the first zipper that had interlocking teeth like in the zippers we use today. (Photo: Hoboken Historical Museum)

Sunbeck continued to work on the design, focusing on creating something easy to use and affordable to make in bulk.

What he came up with is what we now know as the modern zipper.

WHEN WAS THE ZIPPER FIRST USED?

The new zipper model was first used by the U.S Army on money belts for soldiers during World War I. After the war, it found initial commercial success when it was used as a fastener for tobacco pouches.

The second design was simply named Hookless No. 2 until the onomatopoeia loving marketing team at the B.F Goodrich Company released the Zipper Boot in 1923, which received its name after the noise it made when zipped up.

For the first time, the zipper was fashionable and highly coveted by those who could afford the new revolutionary footwear.

While the zipper had become common on boots and pouches, due to the harsh metal components, a tendency to get stuck, and rust, it was not a popular addition to clothing until the introduction of the plastic zipper in the 1930s.

Even then, metal zippers were sometimes used for men’s trousers, but any material zipper was considered inappropriate for women due to the insinuation that the clothing would be too easy to remove should the need arise.

The undergarment industry still tried to use zippers, especially for corsets but was met with resistance by groups who found the zipper vulgar. In the rare case where a zipper was used on a women’s dress, it was usually concealed behind a fold to avoid controversy.

Daring designers like Elsa Schiaparelli and Edward Molyneux boldly featured zippers on their fashion pieces in the 1930s and 1940s, sometimes when one was not even necessary, to make a statement and be avant-garde.

In the late 1930s, the U.S military once again adopted the zipper, this time for their uniforms during World War II. More modern plastic zippers were used as there was a high demand for metal during this time. In fact, regulations on the production of metal zippers greatly affected the Automatic Hook and Eye Company, which by this time had changed its name to Talon, Inc.

Once the war ended, Talon was able to return to producing zippers, but the company never fully recovered. The town of Meadville was devastated as the local economy had come to depend on Talon and the factories that employed a majority of the community.

The town of Meadville, Pennsylvania, where the first zippers were produced via mass manufacturing

In spite of a slow start and a rocky past, by the 1940s the zipper could be found all over the world and was especially well received in England, France, and Germany.

WHO SELLS ZIPPERS?

With the zipper’s global popularity came several production competitors, including the company, the YKK Group. Established in Japan in 1934, the small company originally made zippers by hand. In the post-war years, YKK continued to grow, while Talon still struggled to regain the momentum it had before the government regulations interrupted production.

By 1991, the YKK Group had become a global powerhouse and was present in 42 countries. Their international presence and high-quality standards made YKK the leader of the industry.

While one of the early issues with the zipper was its design flaws, YKK took zippers to a new height by improving the design and ensuring consistency. The company built machines specifically designed to make high-quality zippers that are still kept a secret to this day. All manufacturing takes place inside YKK, including the boxes used to ship the zippers.

A zipper can literally make or break a garment, and YKK’s quality control enhanced their dominance in the market as products owners began to depend on their reliability.

YKK also took the zipper industry to new levels by offering a variety of colors, styles, and materials. These new features allowed designers to use zippers in creative new ways.

Riri, a high-quality zipper company, formed in Switzerland in 1936, has also stood the test of time by providing a variety of well-designed zippers at a reasonable cost. Riri is best known for its technically savvy craftsmanship and received the Swiss Technology Award in 2004 for the revolutionary Storm zipper. The Storm zipper is ideal for outdoor and tactical purposes as it is made of a lightweight plastic that is resistant to water and UV rays.

Whether for function or fashion, the zipper is a common feature on a variety of everyday items and led by the YKK Group, it has grown into a 13 billion dollar a year industry. YKK is considered the best in the business, and they produce over seven million high-quality zippers each year.

YKK, the leader in zipper manufacturing, changed the industry with its modern design, durability, and ranges of styles

Zippers have become a staple in the fashion industry, and a well-placed zipper can make or break an outfit. A zipper can be used on a piece of clothing to add a sense of strength and sexuality, such as the leather jacket worn by Marlon Brando in The Wild Ones or the fully operational zipper on the cover The Rolling Stone’s album, Sticky Fingers. It can also be used to create a seductive feminine feel, such as a zipper running along the back of an evening gown.

A well-placed zipper causes a delightful juxtaposition between the modern aesthetic look and the primitive curiosity of what hides behind it.

In addition to the fashion world, the zipper has even been to space. Nasa first used them during the Mercury and Gemini space programs, and later for the Apollo mission. The lightweight material and easy to use functionality made zippers an ideal choice when designing the spacesuit.

A QUALITY ZIPPER: WHAT MAKES IT GOOD?

Obviously, astronauts need a great zipper, but the real answer is everyone deserves a fabulous and dependable zipper they can rely on. A great zipper should not only enhance a product but also add security and solidity. Some will even have a waterproof or lock feature.

Zippers not only hold together garments but also hold in our most precious possessions. That is why dependability is key for all pieces but is an especially important feature on handbags, backpacks, and totes.

The significance of the quality of a zipper on a backpack or laptop bag cannot be overstated, especially considering what an everyday bag holds inside and what the zipper protects. Quality craftsmanship is crucial when it comes to laptop backpacks, which is why at ISM, we only use premium YKK zippers from Japan.

At ISM, we use YKK for all of our zipper hardware, including a water-proof zipper

See the Backpack

When designing the straps of the ISM Backpack, we wanted to combine comfort with a refined and sleek finish.

To make the straps feel as comfortable as possible, we decided to use a combination of memory foam (technically known as EVA foam) and mesh padding. Both materials provide function — the foam gives structure and shoulder support, while the mesh provides some breathability, especially when carrying your bag around all day.  

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When you’re wearing a backpack, the straps are one of the first things that people notice about your bag. So to create a professional look and feel, full-grain leather is used on the outer part of the straps. Extra details is added around the leather trims, like the way the straps are connected to the bag. The devil is in the details.

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One of the things we found frustrating about most backpacks is that the fabric used to adjust the straps normally dangles around your chest. For a work backpack this isn’t ideal, so we designed a more minimal solution that achieves the same function.

The ISM Backpack straps can be lengthened or shortened by adjusting the strap buckle. Once it’s set to a certain length, there’s no extra bits hanging around. While we feel that this is the best way to achieve both form and function, one possible downside is that it might take a bit more time if you’re someone who needs to constantly adjust the strap length throughout your day.

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As we’ve grown ISM over the past year, we’ve learned that some customers with smaller frames found the Large Backpack‘s straps to be too long for their frame. So to create the perfect fit, we offer a complimentary strap tailoring service for your backpack, where we’ll alter the straps based on your height and size. If you’re interested in having your straps altered, you can email or text us and we’ll do it within 1-2 business days.

A bag made with real full-grain leather like the ISM backpack is made to last for years, especially if it’s regularly taken care of. To make sure your leather bag lasts for the duration of its use, this is one method for cleaning and ensuring your leather bag’s longevity:

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1. Remove dirt and dust

Use a shine cloth, brush, or damp towel to wipe down any dirt and dust that appears on your backpack. This works for the leather parts of your bag as well as the nylon portion. Over time, you might notice white marks appear on the nylon from pressure points and these can be easily removed with a slightly wet towel.

2. Apply a leather cleaner

If your bag has small scratches, applying a leather cleaner can help remove some of the visible marks. Add a small amount of leather cleaner to the surface of the leather and using a shine cloth or soft towel, use circular motions to cover the affected areas.

3. Use a leather conditioner

Adding a layer of leather conditioner on top of a cleaner can help condition the bag by keeping the leather membranes soft. Similar to how you’d apply a leather cleaner, use a shine cloth or soft towel to rub the conditioner across the leather surface.

In leather goods, the grade and quality of the end product are largely determined by the type of leather grain used. At a high level, leather grain can be categorized into two main categories of leather — “fewer imperfections”, and “lots of imperfections.”

One common misconception with real leather is what the different grades of quality actually mean. Much of the confusion can come from the way that these leather types are referred to, like how “top grain” leather to the outsider might seem like the highest quality of leather when it’s actually only the 2nd best grade of leather behind full-grain leather.

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The 5 Types of Leather in order of their quality level are:

1. Full-Grain Leather

The highest quality of grain found in leather as it’s closest to its natural state. It’s an incredibly strong type of leather and has patinas that will develop beautifully with age.

2. Top-Grain Leather

The second highest quality grain of leather after full-grain leather. It’s easier to work with than full-grain leather and is also used in bag making. Top grain leather has a sanded surface where the leather’s outer layer is sanded to remove imperfections found in the hide.

3. Corrected Grain Leather

A medium grade leather grain. It is fully sanded down and an artificial grain is added for aesthetics. Because of the extra layer of added artificial grain, it can be made in a variety of colors and finishes.

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4. Split-Leather

Considered a low grade of leather since it’s actually derived from parts of top-grain leather that are split (the fibrous part). This splitting process can be done numerous times (hence its name) depending on the thickness and quality level desired.

5. Reconstituted Leather

The lowest grade of the five types of leather, reconstituted leather is made from scraps of other types of leather-like top-grain or corrected grain leather and binding them with latex binders to simulate the appearance of genuine leather.

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With the ISM backpacks, we chose to use full-grain leather as it’s the highest quality of grain found in leather since it has the least number of imperfections.

Full-grain leather is made from animal hides that haven’t been treated yet via sanding or buffing. Because it isn’t trimmed or shaved it’s a type of leather that’s closest to its natural state, making it durable for long term use.

Compare this to other types of leather, like top-grain leather that’s taken from a layer of animal skin that contains lots of uneven marks (grains and corium). Because of these imperfections, top-grain leather goes through multiple layers of sanding in order to remove the marks to give it a smooth hand feel. Other lower grades of leather-like Split Leather are even made up of a mix of real leather and synthetic leather (PU), which makes it cheaper to produce and less durable.

We wanted to use leather that would last (it’s why we stand behind our lifetime warranty) so full-grain leather is a perfect fit. It’s an incredibly strong type of leather and has patinas that will develop beautifully with age and is less stain-resistant than other types.

We believe in creating great products using high-quality materials at a fair price made in world-class factories.

All of the suppliers and factories that we partner with are state-of-the-art. It took us a while to get to them, but we’re proud to provide you a bag made by the same hands as products made for TUMI, Coach, Longchamp, Armani, Boss, and more.

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Where an ISM Backpack Comes From:

Factory: DongGuan, China

Leather: Taiwan

Nylon: Taiwan

Lining: Taiwan

YKK Zippers: Japan

Other Hardware: China

How do people really feel about the ISM Backpack?

We wanted to find out.

To do so, we exported over 500 reviews from our Website, Instagram, and Twitter. 

The result is a word cloud that paints a candid picture of why our customers love (it’s the 2nd most used word!) using the ISM backpack and how they would probably describe it to a friend.

Note: We removed three of the most common words “ism” “bag” and “backpack” because they didn’t really add much to the visualization. 

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For a deeper look into the most commonly used words, here are the top 15 mentioned words, how many times they were mentioned, and how someone used the word to describe their bag.

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1. Looking (187 mentions)

“This backpack is exactly what I was looking for. It is full of utility. It has the style and durability that I need for everyday use. I’m using it as a small carry on bag for travel, going to work with books and laptop, and for running errands around the city. I’m quite happy.”

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2. Love (183 mentions)

“My first impression when I opened the box is that I love how they packaging their bag, they also included the dustbag just in case I need to store the bag somewhere. I also love the little details on the bag such as the stitching, rubber pad under the bag, memory foam strap, etc. , which made me appreciate how the company cares about their products.”

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3. Laptop (159 mentions)

“The separate laptop compartment makes traveling easy. Cannot express how much I love this bag!”

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4. Quality (146 mentions)

“This backpack makes it feel so light that sometimes I have to double check if I actually put it in there! The look is stylish and high quality. Worth every penny. Worth the hype!”

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5. Design (136 mentions)

“I really liked its minimalistic design and fancy feeling of it, and most importantly, it can hold 15″ laptop!”

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6. Work (129 mentions)

“It was a bag that I could proudly wear, seamlessly transitioning from work to the gym to the city.’

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7. Pocket (110 mentions)

“The pockets utilize all the available space in the bag, and it is incredible versatile, dressing up or down.”

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8. Fit (105 mentions)

“It’s lightweight, yet still fits everything (e.g. laptop, folder with papers, notebook, computer charger, phone charger, headphones, water bottle, writing utensils).”

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9. Really (102 mentions)

“Really happy I stumbled upon this backpack – will be using it for a long time.”

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10. Leather (94 mentions)

“Love the leather with gold accents, and how the front pocket doesn’t stick out.”

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11. Perfect (91 mentions)

“Perfect for work and travel. Not a ton of compartments, which makes it sleeker and less bulky.”

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12. Functional (91 mentions)

“I wanted a backpack that is good looking and functional at the same time, and ISM Backpack was exactly what I looking for.”

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13. Straps (85 mentions)

“I like that this bag has built in shoulder support and the straps are comfy but still chic.”

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14. Carry (85 mentions)

“It’s comfortable to wear, can carry everything I need when I’m heading to work for the day, and I’ve been getting complements out on the street every week.”

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15. Compartment (81 mentions)

“The laptop compartment fits my MacBook Pro 15″ perfectly, and gives me an easy dedicated space to protect the most valuable thing I travel with.”

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No matter what your use case for a backpack, be it something for work, school, travel, or a weekend getaway — having something that is lightweight is always an important feature to look for.

The demand for lightweight backpacks derives from a few trends; how the digitization of our lives has allowed us to carry fewer objects around and how our changing work lifestyles have given way to more professionals carrying backpacks to and from work.

A lightweight backpack is ideal for optimizing around convenience and ease of use, whether it provides additional storage and organization for a day trip, or if its the one bag for travel.

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What Makes a Bag Lightweight?

A lightweight backpack gets its lightweight properties first and foremost from the materials and their construction. Many are made of technical non-woven materials like Nylon, or high-tech innovations like Dyneema (Dyneema is the world’s strongest fiber, the premium brand for Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene).

Nylon is a woven fabric like Polyester, that is easy to carry because of its light, but durable nature. The strength of a woven fabric is measured by its denier count — the main unit of measurement. Fabrics that have high denier count are thicker and more durable. Fabrics with a low denier count are softer, thinner, and silky (think a bedsheet). The denier count is particularly useful to know when evaluating a backpack’s weight since most heavy-duty backpacks are above 420D and can be upwards of 500+ denier.

When looking for a lightweight backpack that uses real leather, it’s best to choose a backpack that isn’t 100% leather all around, as leather can get quite heavy. This might look like a backpack that has leather trims, or is made up of a combination of materials like nylon and leather.

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The ISM Backpack uses a mix of full-grain leather and nylon materials. Giving it a professional and casual look, while remaining light and comfortable to carry.

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With a mix of materials like leather and nylon, you can still have certain parts of the bag constructed with leather to give off a more refined look, like the handles, shoulder straps, and interior trims. It’s the best of both worlds — the elegance of leather, but without the heavyweight of a full leather backpack. If a full leather backpack is more of a preference, then opting for a vegan leather backpack might be an option, since vegan leather is synthetically made and can be designed to be lighter than its real leather counterparts.

Another component of a backpack that can add or subtract to its weight is the straps and back panel. Typically instead of stiff foam or a stabilizer board made of polyethylene (which can’t bend or be compressed), many minimal backpacks instead use spacer mesh and low-density foam (more commonly known as memory foam). The end result is a backpack that optimizes for comfort and support without the bulk.

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What features can make a backpack lightweight?

A lightweight backpack is not intended for holding heavy items or filling to max capacity, its lightweight properties are designed for a convenient comfortable option for regular, everyday use. Though the features of a lightweight backpack may vary depending on its use case (e.g. a laptop compartment for work), there are some commonalities with how a bag is made that can add to its lightweight nature.

Common hardware features found in more outdoor bags like sternum straps or additional support straps aren’t found in as many lightweight backpacks for everyday use since they add weight without much functionality for their use case. The number of compartments and webbing used in the compartments is also fewer. Typically, a bag that is lightweight will only have one or two compartments, to allow for fewer zippers, pockets, hardware, and material use; all of which contribute to a backpack’s weight.

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With lightweight materials, it’s useful to have the weight of the bag closer and higher up against the body, which is often achieved via compression straps on the side and load lifters on top of the bag. In terms of volume, lightweight backpacks tend to be approximately 10-20 liters in volume, with 16-20 liters seeming like an ideal size; not too big or small, but just enough to serve its purpose.

The materials used are an important place to start when considering what kind of a backpack to go for as lightweight backpacks are a great way to literally “lighten the load.”