Lo & Sons The Rowledge Review: Luxe Backpack Worth the Investment
Product Review Summary
Lo & Sons is well-known in the travel space for their functional designs that combine eco-friendly materials with high-quality construction. After testing out The Rowledge, it’s clear this backpack will stand the test of time and is worth the investment.
Ratings
-
★★★★★
Lo & Sons is known for their stylish and smartly designed bags, which are perfect for travel. The Rowledge, with its chic design and thoughtful features, lived up to the hype.
-
★★★★★
The front pocket as well as the top handles are made from leather that’s soft to the touch. The rest of the backpack is made from water-resistant nylon and the laptop compartment has special zippers that are designed to keep water out of the laptop sleeve. Overall, I was incredibly impressed with the durability and loved the combination of leather + nylon that gives this backpack a very chic, yet practical look and feel.
-
★★★★★
This particular backpack comes in two sizes (small and large). I ended up getting the large which according to the Lo & Sons website, measures 11.5” wide, 16.5” high, and 6.75” inches deep. I used this backpack during a week-long trip and was able to comfortably pack my laptop, laptop charger, journal, 2 books, pens and a highlighter, sweatshirt, and camera.
-
★★★★★
Whether you’re an avid traveler or just have a lengthy commute to work, The Rowledge is a wonderful investment. The backpack starts at the hefty price of $465 for the small and $485 for the large. Even though it’s more expensive than other backpacks, the exquisite design and thoughtful features are what makes it worth the money.
-
★★★★★
Lo & Sons is one of the leading travel brands committed to being environmentally conscious. Their commitment to environmental responsibility by ‘doing no harm’ means that they're constantly seeking ways to improve their supply chain and the lifecycle of their products. The brand has made a few notable efforts to be eco-friendly. They’re working with The Renewal Workshop to stop textile waste from heading to landfills and have downsized their packaging, ensuring all packaging materials are 100% recycled materials.
Pros:
Made from high-quality leather + nylon that gives this backpack a very chic, yet practical look and feel
Removable organizational insert
Expandable water bottle pockets
Pass-though sleeve that slides over suitcase handles for seamless travel
Bottom stabilizers that ensure it stays upright
Cons:
Bit expensive when purchased at full price
We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). These are 100% honest & unbiased reviews that we stand behind. You can read through our full affiliate disclosure here.
Lo & Sons is a family-owned business with a range of multi-purpose products that are perfect for work, travel, and nearly anything in between. Our first encounter with Lo & Sons was when we reviewed the Catalina Deluxe bag, where we quickly fell in love with the brand. Read on for our full review and final thoughts about this luxe backpack.
Lo & Sons: What To Know About the Brand
The concept for Lo & Sons was first incepted when Helen Lo went on a hunt to find the perfect bag for her busy travel schedule. However, every bag she purchased always seemed too heavy or too complicated in its design. Jan, Helen’s eldest son, encouraged her to try and make a bag for herself. While Helen appreciated the suggestion, she didn’t feel that she could take on such a big project — which is when Jan and Derek (her younger son) offered to help.
Jan started sketching designs and creating prototypes, while Derek worked on building the website and executing a marketing strategy. By 2010, the brothers had bootstrapped their business and made Helen’s dream a reality under the Lo & Sons name. Lo & Sons has since grown to become a globally recognized, beloved brand thanks to the tremendous functionality of their bags, as well as their commitment to reversing environmental damage via innovative design solutions.
Lo & Sons The Rowledge Backpack Review
I typically travel with a basic black backpack that has served me well throughout the years, but it definitely lacks chutzpah. Therefore, I was super excited to level up my travel gear with The Rowledge and take it with me on my week-long trip to the East Coast.
The following is a review of the Lo & Sons The Rowledge backpack and convertible tote, in the black exterior with gold hardware and camel interior.
Unpacking and First Impressions
Since I’ve ordered several items from Lo & Sons over the years, I was excited to see the package appear on my doorstep and knew what to expect. In the past, I remember being underwhelmed when a basic brown box with packaging inserts and no additional marketing or messages were included inside. But I eventually learned that the minimal packing was intentional. The brown box I received was custom-made to be more cost-efficient and to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. What’s more, all their packaging is now made from 100% recycled materials (that are also 100% recyclable).
The backpack also came with a white bag for storage. I appreciated this small detail since I’m working on making all my investment pieces last by properly storing them when they’re not in use.
Quality of Materials
The quality of materials was the first thing I noticed when I removed The Rowledge from the packaging. The front pocket as well as the top handles are made from leather that’s soft to the touch. And can we talk about the smell? I’m a sucker for new-leather smell and The Rowledge 100% delivered on this. The rest of the backpack is made from water-resistant nylon and the laptop compartment has special zippers that are designed to keep water out of the laptop sleeve. As someone who has PTSD from damaging my laptop with a leaky water bottle, I especially appreciated this feature. Overall, I was incredibly impressed with the durability and loved the combination of leather + nylon that gives this backpack a very chic, yet practical look and feel.
Sizing and Fit
This particular backpack comes in two sizes (small and large). I ended up getting the large which according to the Lo & Sons website, measures 11.5” wide, 16.5” high, and 6.75” inches deep. I used this backpack during both flights and while out exploring the East Coast and was able to comfortably pack my laptop, laptop charger, journal, 2 books, pens and a highlighter, sweatshirt, and camera. When boarding the plane, I was also able to consolidate my carry-ons by fitting my entire purse inside the main pocket.
Features
During the entire week I traveled with The Rowledge, I kept finding new features that had me saying, “damn, they really thought of everything.” There are so many hidden gems to this backpack, but these were some of my absolute favorite features:
1. Removable organizational insert
The main pocket comes with an organizational insert that has several clever compartments to keep you organized. I found a spot for my highlighter and pen and appreciated the 2 interior drink pockets that are located on both sides. The best part? You can remove the insert altogether by removing the snap closures. This came in handy when we decided to go to the boardwalk, where I easily swapped out the insert to create more room for my travel towel and travel sunscreen.
2. Top stash pocket
In between the main pocket and the laptop sleeve, there’s a small stash pocket that’s deep enough to fit your wallet or cellphone. Whenever I make my way onto an airplane, I always find myself fumbling to stash my phone and boarding pass away when getting into my seat. I loved this feature because it made it so easy to slip away my phone and then retrieve it once I sat down.
3. Expandable water bottle pocket
My 28 oz YETI water bottle is one of those travel essentials I can’t live without. However, in the past, I always had to slip it into the main backpack pocket since it’s so big and doesn’t typically fit in most water bottle pockets. But that wasn’t the case with The Rowledge. I was skeptical at first but was pleasantly surprised when I unzipped one of the water bottle pockets and easily slipped my travel water bottle right in. Such a win.
4. Pass-through sleeve
The back panel has a pass-through sleeve that can be either zipped closed and used as a pocket, or unzipped allowing you to slide over suitcase handles for seamless travel. I first saw this featured on the Catalina Deluxe bag and was obsessed. Having the option to consolidate bags takes the extra tension off my back and provides me with peace of mind when I’m exploring a new area I’m not familiar with.
5. bottom Stabilizers
This backpack was so thoughtfully designed that it solved an issue I didn’t even realize bothered me so much. You know when you pack your backpack full and when you go to sit it down, it falls forward? The Rowledge has 5 stabilizing pegs at the bottom, so no matter how tightly you pack it, it always stays upright when you set it down on the ground. This feature had to be one of my favorite surprises that added to its overall charm.
Sustainability Efforts
Lo & Sons is one of the leading travel brands committed to being environmentally conscious. Their commitment to environmental responsibility by ‘doing no harm’ means that they're constantly seeking ways to improve their supply chain and the lifecycle of their products. The brand has made a few notable efforts to be eco-friendly. They’re working with The Renewal Workshop to stop textile waste from heading to landfills and have downsized on their packaging, ensuring all packaging materials are 100% recycled materials.
Value for Money
Whether you’re an avid traveler or just have a lengthy commute to work, The Rowledge is a wonderful investment. And I’ll reiterate, an investment. The backpack starts at the hefty price of $465 for the small and $485 for the large. However, I’ve noticed Lo & Sons is great at running sales every few months (Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.). I personally signed up for their newsletter to get a heads up when they’re running a new sale so I can cash in on the savings.
Even though The Rowledge is more expensive than backpacks I’ve purchased in the past, the exquisite design and thoughtful features is what makes it worth the money. It’s one of those backpacks that I know will last me a lifetime.
The Bottom Line
After a week-long journey that included two cross-country flights and several road trips, it’s hard to say anything negative about this backpack. Although it’s on the pricier end, the thoughtful design and practical features make this backpack a travel staple.
Lo & Sons The Rowledge FAQs
Are Lo & Sons backpacks worth the money?
Lo & Sons prides themselves on their functional designs that combine eco-friendly materials with high-quality construction. Although their backpacks can get a bit pricey (many hover at or over $300), reviewers agree they’re worth the money and make a very wise investment.
How do I clean my Lo & Sons backpack?
If needed, Lo & Sons recommends spot cleaning backpacks, but only with a small amount of distilled water applied gently with a soft cloth. Also, avoid exposing leather items to too much moisture, because this will cause damage to the leather.
Do Lo & Sons backpacks come with a warranty?
Yes, Lo & Sons offers a free, one-year warranty on all purchases. The warranty covers any damages or defects that occur within the first year of your purchase, and if you have an issue arise after the one-year mark, the Lo & Sons team will still be happy to help.