Herschel
Little America Varsity-Patch Backpack
This Herschel Little America Varsity-Patch Backpack is a 30-liter unisex daypack constructed from recycled polyester, featuring a drawstring main compartment with a metallic button flap, a padded internal laptop sleeve, a front zip pocket, two side water bottle pockets, and padded adjustable straps. Measuring 48 cm high by 28 cm long by 18 cm deep, it is suitable for commuting, school, and travel. According to user reviews, newer models have reduced back padding and laptop protection, and some durability issues with the drawstring and stitching have been reported.
- Material
- Recycled polyester
- Gender
- unisex
- Style
- casual, utilitarian, streetwear
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Handbags, Wallets & Cases
Color
Size
Specifications
A versatile recycled polyester backpack with varsity-style patch, featuring multiple pockets and a padded laptop compartment.
Padded laptop compartment, drawstring and button flap closure, front zip pocket, side water bottle pockets, adjustable padded straps.
- Material
- Recycled polyester
- Style
- casual, utilitarian, streetwear
- Occasion
- everyday, travel
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Dimensions
- 11 x 7 x 19 in
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Handbags, Wallets & Cases
Additional Attributes
- recycled polyester outer membrane and lining
- main compartment with drawstring and metallic button flap
- front zip pocket
- padded inner zip compartment for laptop
- two slit side water bottle pockets
- practical inner pockets
- grab handle and padded adjustable straps
- 30L volume
Product Insights
The Little America Varsity-Patch Backpack by Herschel (160 CAD) blends a classic mountaineering aesthetic with a heritage varsity patch and a hidden magnetic snap that secures the flap and resists opening under load, while using 100% recycled polyester that reduces environmental impact. However, compared to earlier versions, the current model has eliminated the striped liner, ascot-cap flap, long leather straps, and single-panel construction; buyers report thinner back padding, a laptop sleeve with reduced padding and no fleece lining (leading to protection failures), and stitching at seams and buckles that fails within months. The drawstring closure ring detaches and the pull-tab frays the string, the non-expandable side pockets steal interior volume when carrying wide bottles, and the side zipper for laptop access is awkwardly placed. At this price point, the combination of removed features and quality compromises makes the backpack widely regarded as poor value, despite its magnetic flap and sustainable materials.
Verified claims
- Padding
- Buyers report back padding is thinner and laptop padding is so weak the laptop audibly hits the floor.
- Access
- Buyers report the drawstring is hard to use, bottle pockets don't expand, and side laptop zip is awkwardly placed.
- Design
- Buyers report loss of the striped liner, ascot-cap flap, long leather straps, and single-panel construction.
- Value
- Buyers widely regard the current model as poor value due to removed features.
- Durability
- Stitching at seams and buckles fails within months of daily use.
- Drawstring closure
- Drawstring ring detaches and pull-tab abrades the string, causing fraying.
- Laptop sleeve protection
- Buyers report current laptop sleeve has less padding and no fleece lining vs older models, reducing protection.
- Side zipper
- Buyers find the side zipper for laptop access awkward due to shoulder strap placement.
- Closure security
- Flap's magnetic snap auto-secures, resists opening under load, and deters theft.
- Aesthetic integration
- Magnetic snap hidden under decorative metal button maintains classic mountaineering look.
- Heritage
- Patch design originates from early 1900s varsity athletic tradition.
- Trend
- Patches align with high-fashion runway trend and style with denim and outerwear.
- Bottle pocket fit
- Non-expandable side pockets; bottles wider than ~2.6 encroach on the 30L interior.
- Sustainability
- 100% recycled polyester from post-consumer bottles reduces energy 59% and CO2 32%.
- Closure system
- Drawstring expands for loads but one-hand hard; flap gapes when loose.
- Side pockets
- Side pockets steal internal volume when carrying wide bottles.
- Laptop compartment
- Fleece-lined sleeve; padding halved; side zipper awkward.
- Pocket layout
- Front pocket lacks organization; top lid has key clip; dark lining; multiple seams.
- Build quality
- Fleece-lined laptop sleeve, but laptop padding halved and stitching failures reported.
- Practicality
- At $160 CAD, magnetic flap offers one-handed access, but drawstring frays and side pockets limit use; price is premium over alternatives.
Product record
- Title
- Little America Varsity-Patch Backpack
- Brand
- Herschel
- Price
- 160 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Front view of a top-flap backpack with twin vertical webbing stripes, twin faux-leather buckle straps on the flap and front pocket, two side slip pockets, sewn-on varsity-style patches, and a contrasting brown base.
- Overall silhouetteTall rectangular backpack with a rounded top flap that covers the main compartment and a front flap-over pocket; sides are straight with visible side slip pockets.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.04 · w 0.88 · h 0.92 (high) - Top flapSingle large curved top flap with two vertical webbing straps running over it and stitched top seam near the flap edge.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.04 · w 0.72 · h 0.28 (high) - Front buckle strapsTwo brown faux-leather strap assemblies descend from the flap across the front, each with a rectangular antiqued brass-tone buckle and stitched strap ends that continue past the buckles.
2 regions
x 0.30 · y 0.18 · w 0.12 · h 0.54 (high); x 0.58 · y 0.18 · w 0.12 · h 0.54 (high) - Twin webbing stripesA pair of vertical woven stripes (yellow with a narrow white edge) run from the top of the flap down over the front, positioned immediately inside each faux-leather strap.
2 regions
x 0.35 · y 0.06 · w 0.08 · h 0.76 (high); x 0.57 · y 0.06 · w 0.08 · h 0.76 (high) - Front pocketSquare front flap pocket located below the main flap, with its own flap and two faux-leather strap accents and a sewn rectangular fabric brand label centered on the pocket flap.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.50 · w 0.64 · h 0.34 (high) - Side pocketsOpen vertical slip pockets on both left and right sides integrated into the body, finishing near the bottom seam.
2 regions
x 0.02 · y 0.44 · w 0.14 · h 0.44 (high); x 0.84 · y 0.44 · w 0.14 · h 0.44 (high) - Bottom/baseContrasting brown base panel with a slightly textured finish stitched to the main body along a horizontal seam.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.84 · w 0.88 · h 0.12 (high) - Varsity-style patchesThree sewn patches on the flap and upper front: a triangular pennant with script text on the upper left flap, a tree-shaped patch with an 'H' on the upper right flap, and a small shield-shaped patch with '09' beneath the flap; stitching outlines are visible around each patch.
3 regions
x 0.20 · y 0.12 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.53 · y 0.12 · w 0.12 · h 0.14 (high); x 0.42 · y 0.40 · w 0.16 · h 0.12 (high) - Top carry loopSmall woven top carry loop centered at the backpack crown in a yellow color matching the stripes.
1 region
x 0.47 · y 0.02 · w 0.06 · h 0.06 (high) - Fabric textureTightly woven textile fabric for the main body with a matte finish and visible weave at close inspection.
- Front label text“Herschel”
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.72 · w 0.12 · h 0.06 (high) - Shield patch text“09”
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.38 · w 0.16 · h 0.12 (high)
Other
Studio product shot centered on a light neutral background with even lighting and soft shadowing beneath; no props or human models visible.
- Background and lightingEven soft studio lighting on a very light gray background producing minimal shadows and clear even exposure across the backpack.
- Shot compositionBackpack centered in frame, photographed straight-on with the full front visible and a small margin of background around all sides.
- ShadowingSoft diffuse shadow directly beneath the backpack indicating overhead lighting; no harsh highlights or glare.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.88 · w 0.44 · h 0.08 (medium)
Colors
deep forest green· main body fabric#1D3B3Bmedium saddle brown· faux-leather straps and accents#8C4B34dark brown· bottom base panel#6B3D2Dgolden yellow· vertical stripesoff-white· stripe edgenavy blue· left pennant patch#1B3C3Ccream· shield/number patchmaroon· number on shield patch- Overall silhouetteTall rectangular backpack with a rounded top flap that covers the main compartment and a front flap-over pocket; sides are straight with visible side slip pockets.
- 02
Product
Rear view of a backpack showing padded shoulder straps, padded black back panel, green main fabric, brown base, side pocket, top carry loop with yellow and white stripe, and external vertical zipper pocket on the rear side.
- View orientationRear-facing view of the backpack showing the back panel and shoulder straps.
- Shoulder strapsTwo wide, padded shoulder straps in dark green fabric with visible stitched channeling and sewn strap ends with adjustable green plastic tri-glide buckles.
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.12 · w 0.50 · h 0.72 (high) - Top carry loopFabric carry loop at the top with yellow and white horizontal stripes, forming a short handle above the straps.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.03 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high) - Back panel paddingBlack padded back panel with visible rounded ergonomic padding contours in a matte fabric.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.20 · w 0.36 · h 0.68 (high) - Main fabric color and materialDeep green woven fabric forms the main body and straps, with a slightly textured matte finish.
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.06 · w 0.70 · h 0.86 (high) - Base panelBrown fabric base panel wrapping the bottom edge, contrasting with the green body.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.84 · w 0.62 · h 0.16 (high) - Side pocketOpen side slip pocket on the left side in matching green fabric, positioned above the brown base.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.46 · w 0.22 · h 0.38 (high) - Vertical zipper pocketA vertical zipper runs along the right edge of the back panel with a visible black zipper tape and a black zipper pull tab.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.20 · w 0.10 · h 0.60 (high) - Top flap and metal zipperTop flap visible folding over the rear with a short exposed metal zipper pull in a muted gold finish on the top edge.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.00 · w 0.50 · h 0.16 (medium) - Loose strap tailOne shoulder strap tail is extended and lies on the floor surface in front of the backpack, showing the strap webbing end.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.86 · w 0.36 · h 0.10 (high)
Other
Studio-style product shot on a light gray background with soft directional lighting producing a faint shadow beneath the backpack. Image is cropped to show nearly the full rear and right side of the bag.
- Background and lightingSmooth light gray background with even soft lighting and subtle shadow under the backpack toward the bottom right.
- Shot compositionThree-quarter rear angle, slightly elevated viewpoint showing right rear and strap details; product centered vertically and shifted slightly left.
- Image qualityHigh-resolution studio image with clear detail and no visible noise or motion blur.
Colors
deep forest green· main body and straps#2C4A45matte black· back panel#131313warm brown· base panel#7B4C3Byellow with white stripe· top carry loop#FCCB6Cmuted gold· zipper pull- 03
Product
Top interior view of a green backpack showing gathered drawstring opening, green pinstripe lining, an internal sleeve, a diamond white interior label, leather-and-metal strap detail, and a front exterior pocket edge.
- Top openingCircular gathered drawstring opening with fabric ruffle formed by the cord channel at the pack rim; the channel is the same green fabric as the exterior and interior lining.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.00 · w 0.90 · h 0.28 (high) - Interior liningInterior is lined in a darker green fabric with subtle vertical pinstripe texture visible across the main compartment and sleeve back panel.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.12 · w 0.64 · h 0.52 (high) - Internal sleevePadded internal sleeve/pocket visible against the rear interior wall, with a stitched top edge and a darker binding along the sleeve opening.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.20 · w 0.48 · h 0.42 (medium) - Interior labelDiamond-shaped white woven label stitched to the interior back panel.
1 region
x 0.61 · y 0.34 · w 0.16 · h 0.15 (high) - Front exterior hardwareTan leather strap loop and metal buckle hardware visible at the lower left of the frame, attached to a dark green exterior pocket.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.60 · w 0.30 · h 0.30 (high) - Small black webbing pullShort length of black webbing loop attached near the tan leather strap, likely used as a pull or fastener tab.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.58 · w 0.08 · h 0.16 (high) - Front pocket upper edgeUpper edge of an exterior front pocket visible below the opening, made from the same dark green woven fabric as the body.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.58 · w 0.60 · h 0.28 (high) - Interior stitching and seam tapeVisible horizontal seam and seam-binding along the interior back panel near the top of the sleeve, in a contrasting lighter stitch/tape.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.12 · w 0.55 · h 0.08 (medium) - Interior label text“Put Yourself Out There”
1 region
x 0.62 · y 0.36 · w 0.12 · h 0.09 (high) - Small brand script on label“Herschel”Partial
1 region
x 0.64 · y 0.42 · w 0.10 · h 0.06 (medium)
Other
Studio-style top-down product detail shot on a neutral light background with soft even lighting and minimal shadows; image crops the lower right of the pack.
- Shot compositionTop-down angled close-up focusing on the pack opening and interior; lower right of the backpack is cropped out of frame.
- Background and lightingEven, diffuse lighting on a light neutral background producing soft shadows and a clear view of textures.
- Image qualityHigh-resolution detail with visible fabric texture and stitching; no motion blur.
Colors
forest green· exterior fabric#2C433Ddark pinstripe green· interior lining#234A3Dwhite· labeltan leather· leather strapblack· webbing pull- Top openingCircular gathered drawstring opening with fabric ruffle formed by the cord channel at the pack rim; the channel is the same green fabric as the exterior and interior lining.
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
5 threads · r/malefashionadvice, r/backpacks, r/BuyItForLifeReddit users broadly criticize the newer Herschel Little America backpack for its quality decline and missing features, while older models are praised for durability.
While older models receive strong praise for longevity, the newer version faces persistent criticism over reduced padding, missing iconic features, and questionable durability, leading to a generally negative leaning but with some positive notes on added features like bottle holders and side laptop access.
Themes
Use Cases
- Daily commuting and school
- Travel
- Hiking and outdoor activities
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Hex
Seen as a better quality alternative to Herschel, especially in similar price range.
vs Everlane
Recommended as a better value with higher quality.
vs JanSport
Mentioned as a cheaper, more durable alternative, though some find JanSport bags too small.
vs Fjallraven
Suggested as a similar style alternative; some users find Fjallraven bags too small.
vs Old Herschel Little America
The older model is widely considered superior—with better padding, iconic striped liner, and sturdier build—while the new version is seen as a cost-cut downgrade.
Source Threads
Durability issues with Herschel Little America
I would never, ever buy another Herschel bag. The one I own fell apart very, very fast. Way too fast for an $80 bag. I know 80 bucks isn't exactly high-end but it isn't low end either. See that metal ring where the drawstring goes into the bag? It falls off and frays after a small amount of use. Where there is stitching (around the fake buckles), the bag will eventually develop holes where the cheap stitching is. All of this happened to mine within ~3 months of regular use.
u/[deleted]r/malefashionadviceView thread →
Detailed comparison of old vs new Little America: shrinkflation and quality decline
It seems you're the only person on the internet who shares my concerns! I too had a beloved circa 2016 bag (little America) that finally wore out. I bought a replacement directly from Herschel because I know their quality is worth the cost. When I received the bag, I didn't notice any "improvements", but rather some **downsides attributed to shrinkflation:** **1.** **No red/white striped liner.** Instead, the interior matches the exterior. Herschel's entire design philosophy and brand image revolves around this unique feature that is rooted in history. Now their bags look like cheaper imitations of their past selves. **2. No padding on the backside.** Herschel little America bags always had comfortable aerated padding on the shoulder straps AND the back. The new bags only keep the shoulder padding, meaning the backpack slides and sways from side to side as you walk. I find myself adjusting the bag and the straps every time I wear it like I can never get it "just right". **3. Laptop padding reduced by 50%.** The strangest of the changes IMO, Herschel removed their infamous soft microfibre laptop sleeve, arguably the most favoured component of their product/brand. This was done under the pretence of adding a side entry zipper for easy access. Now, with less exterior padding to begin with and now the removal of 1/2 the protective lining, my laptop is that much more exposed. With the old bag, I feel like I could toss it across the room with my laptop inside and everything would be fine. Now I find myself setting my bag down slowly because I often feel the "thud" of my laptop hitting the floor as only one layer of fabric separates the two. While the side zipper seems beneficial, I don't find it useful because the shoulder strap location makes it awkward and more difficult than opening the bag normally. **4. Worse drawstring material + new pull tab.** Once a pleasurable experience, opening the bag's main compartment is now a drag (literally). The previous drawstring was smooth and the fastener was easy to use. Now the fastener is a "pull tab" which intends to make opening the bag easier, but it does the opposite. My new bag won't open/close properly unless I pull quickly and with significant force. They overcomplicated the experience. I leave permanently open because it's so unpleasant and pulls the drawstring fabric leaving it mangled and ragged. I really want to like the bag because Herschel has always been my brand of choice. The added water bottle holders and new upper compartment are great, but the entire bag feels like the "lite" version of their previous bags. After a few months of owning the new bag, I bought the original version new from someone on Marketplace for $40 and I'm actually amazed at how much better the bag was previously. It felt like a Herschel bag the was it used to be. Comparing the two versions of the bag made me aware of these differences I may not have noticed otherwise. The marketplace bag is my new daily and I'm throwing the other piece of trash in the bin. I don't know if these quality reductions are to increase profit or keep the price from increasing due to rising production costs. Either way, I'm still a Herschel enjoyer but I will stick with their original high-quality products.
u/dailysciencefactsr/backpacksView thread →
New drawstring mechanism is frustrating and frays quickly
Hi, I have had my new one for < 9 months. Personally I found the new drawstring closure mechanism pretty irritating for me because it was impossible to open the bag with one hand. The string itself also started becoming frizzy (but didn’t fray or break) after about 2 weeks of the closure knob dragging up and down it. So now I just open and close the bag without using the knob, just like how I use a normal drawstring bag/pouch. Since my bag is big and deep with a magnetic front flap, I feel it would be difficult for people to snoop into it while I am in commute anyway.
u/plingalingalingr/backpacksView thread →
Pros and cons of the new Little America vs older versions
I have 2 original/older versions of Little America. One is regular size and one is mid-volume. Both black. I got them this year. Not sure what year they were literally made in. The newer version isn't bad. But it could've been better. Imo. Personally, I can't see myself getting it (as of now). Below are some pros and cons. PROS: -- Expandable side bottle holders -- Long horizontal pocket on the back of the backpack -- Long vertical side pocket for laptop. Cool design, keeps the laptops more secure and doesn't fall on other items in the main compartment. (Pro is that people might not notice it or not think something valuable is in there. Con is that it might be easier for other people to access) CONS: -- Added that long horizontal line on the opening flap -- Reduced the length of the leather straps at the top where the long line is -- Removed the red and white striped interior -- Added another 2 long horizontal line next to the exterior lower pocket (towards the bottom of the backpack) -- New phrase/slogan. "Put Yourself Out There". Boring, lame, and a bit annoying. Something about the brand or backpack series would've been better -- Looks more like a basic backpack I think they strayed a bit too far from the original. Overall, its not a bad backpack. Better than some others that are of a similar price. Let me know what you think based on your experience
u/slytherin-hawthornr/BuyItForLifeView thread →
New Little America is a downgrade: lack of padding, poor design changes
The new redesigned Little America is not worth the money imo. My first LA bought in 2017 is still perfect and is now being used as my hiking backpack. But I went out and bought a bunch of the OGs as soon as I heard about the redesign. Thankfully, the local sports store had them steeply discounted because they wanted to be rid of the last of their old stock. The removal of the back padding and the anaemic padding for the laptop sleeve are deal breakers for me. The bottle holders are also deceptive. They dont expand out, so you're still giving up space inside the bag. The pocket on the top flap is a security risk, so you can't carry anything of value in there. The new shape of the flap is also not ideal and looks awful from the sides. The older flap was shaped like an ascot cap and would go over the sides, so even if you didn't cinch your bag tight, it wouldn't gape open at the top. Also, the OG bag is made of a single panel that wraps around to the back panel/padding . The newer design uses smaller panels of fabric, which means you have more seams. Apart from looking uglier with all the stitching, the extra seams add potential points of failure. A few of the reviews also mention that the fabric feels flimsier but I haven't handled the new stuff myself...I recommend hunting down new old stock of the original version in brick and mortar stores or buying them off eBay.
u/VntgeGrlr/backpacksView thread →