Herschel Supply Co.: Lessons for Backpack Manufacturers & Retail Buyers

1. Introduction

Herschel Supply Co. is a globally recognized lifestyle brand known for its modern-classic backpacks, travel gear, and accessories. With its roots in design simplicity and timeless appeal, the brand has become a favorite among urban commuters, students, and trend-conscious travelers.

2. Brand History & Founding Story

Founded in 2009 by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack in Vancouver, Canada, Herschel was inspired by the small Canadian town of Herschel, Saskatchewan—where three generations of their family once lived. The brand was created to deliver well-designed, detail-oriented backpacks with broad, nostalgic appeal.

3. Signature Styles & Iconic Products

  • Little America™ Backpack – A flagship silhouette blending mountaineering style with modern needs.
  • Settlement, Heritage, and Retreat – Sleek profiles and strong urban functionality.

Each design incorporates vintage-inspired shapes, faux-leather straps, and internal tech sleeves—showcasing Herschel’s mastery of form and function.

Little America Backpack on model
The iconic Little America™ Backpack: beloved by students, commuters, and creatives.

4. Target Market & Brand Positioning

Herschel’s audience includes millennials, Gen Z, students, and professionals who value design, affordability, and storytelling. Its pricing sits in the mid-tier, offering what many describe as “affordable luxury.”

With strong direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce and retail strategies, the brand maintains control over its narrative and pricing while partnering selectively with global stockists.

5. Material & Manufacturing Approach

Herschel utilizes durable materials like polyester, cotton canvas, and EcoSystem™ recycled fabrics to ensure long-lasting performance and style. The brand emphasizes quality control, detailed stitching, and functional linings across all products.

Recent sustainability efforts include:

  • EcoSystem™ line: bags made from 100% recycled post-consumer water bottles
  • Minimal packaging and carbon-conscious shipping

6. Collaborations & Limited Editions

Herschel has created collectible series with:

  • Disney and Pixar
  • Star Wars™
  • Coca-Cola®
  • Independent artists and illustrators

These limited releases build brand equity and open doors to new demographics. The collaborative strategy blends retail buzz with community storytelling.

Herschel x Disney Collaboration Backpack
Herschel x Disney Collaboration: Playful details and collector appeal.

7. Global Reach & Retail Strategy

Herschel operates across major global markets, with flagship stores in New York, Toronto, and Hong Kong, along with strong presence in department stores, lifestyle retailers, and online platforms.

Its omnichannel strategy integrates social commerce, wholesale, and brand-owned channels.

Herschel flagship store interior
Herschel’s curated retail spaces reflect its lifestyle branding approach.

8. Why It Matters for Backpack Manufacturers

For OEM backpack makers, Herschel’s success provides strategic insights:

  • Brand consistency across collections builds consumer trust.
  • Packaging & presentation matter—inner lining designs and story tags enhance perception.
  • Storytelling sells—even for functional products like backpacks.

→ Learn more about our OEM Backpack Manufacturer Services

→ Explore options for Sustainable Backpack Materials

→ Discover our Custom Branding Services

9. Trends & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Herschel is tapping into:

  • Urban commuter demands for function + fashion
  • Increased eco-conscious buying habits
  • Innovation in materials, tech integration, and limited-edition collaborations
Hidden Features in Herschel Bags
  • Fleece-lined sunglass pockets
  • Hidden tech compartments
  • Pass-through luggage sleeves

Comparison Table: Popular Herschel Backpacks

Model Size Volume (L) Material Key Features
Little America™ 45 x 28 x 16 cm 25L EcoSystem™ Recycled Padded laptop sleeve, drawstring closure
Retreat 43 x 30 x 15 cm 19.5L Polyester Magnetic strap closures, front pocket
Heritage 46 x 30 x 14 cm 21.5L Polyester Canvas Diamond detail, internal sleeve

10. Conclusion + Call to Action

Herschel Supply Co. is more than a backpack brand—it’s a case study in lifestyle branding and product storytelling. For sourcing managers and OEM partners, understanding what drives this success is key to developing products that resonate globally.

Ready to bring your brand’s vision to life? Contact us today to sample our high-quality OEM backpack solutions inspired by industry leaders like Herschel.

References

FAQs

  • Q: Does Herschel make eco-friendly backpacks?
    A: Yes, their EcoSystem™ collection uses recycled materials made from water bottles.
  • Q: Can I create a private label backpack like Herschel?
    A: Yes, we offer OEM manufacturing with custom branding options tailored to your needs.
  • Q: Are Herschel bags suitable for retail display?
    A: Absolutely. Their clean aesthetic and high-quality tags enhance shelf appeal.


Herschel Brand Story and History:

Herschel is a globally recognized lifestyle brand renowned for its stylish and functional backpacks, bags, and accessories. Founded by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack in 2009, the brand draws inspiration from their small Canadian hometown of Herschel, where they spent their formative years. The brothers’ entrepreneurial spirit and love for travel led them to create a brand that combines timeless design with modern functionality.

Herschel Product Features and Design:

Herschel products are characterized by their classic silhouettes, durable materials, and attention to detail. Each item is carefully crafted to meet the demands of daily life while maintaining a sense of style. From iconic backpacks like the Little America and Retreat to versatile duffel bags and wallets, Herschel offers a wide range of products designed for urban exploration and adventure.

Herschel Target Audience:

Herschel’s target audience includes style-conscious individuals who value both form and function in their accessories. The brand appeals to a diverse demographic, from students and young professionals to avid travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. Herschel’s versatile designs and high-quality craftsmanship make its products suitable for anyone seeking reliable gear for daily use or weekend getaways.

Herschel Social Responsibility and Sustainability:

Herschel is committed to social responsibility and sustainability throughout its operations. The brand prioritizes ethical sourcing and manufacturing practices, ensuring that its products are produced in facilities that adhere to strict labor and environmental standards. Additionally, Herschel actively supports various community initiatives and environmental causes, demonstrating its commitment to making a positive impact beyond the world of fashion.

Herschel User Reviews and Reputation:

Herschel has garnered widespread acclaim for its stylish designs, durable construction, and excellent value for money. Customers praise the brand for its attention to detail, practical features, and ability to withstand the rigors of daily use. Positive word-of-mouth and glowing reviews from satisfied customers have solidified Herschel’s reputation as a trusted provider of quality backpacks and accessories worldwide.
herschel logo.svg
history of herschel

Herschel Founded: 2009

Herschel Headquarters: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Herschel Website: https://herschel.com/

herschel backpack size guide

Herschel Backpack Size Guide

Herschel has a wide range of backpacks. We have organized Herschel’s official products and created a picture that covers the backpack size guide, material information, and related selling points of all backpacks.

Are you troubled by Herschel’s wide variety of backpacks and unsure which one to choose? The following image will give you a clearer understanding of all styles of Herschel backpacks. Helping you better choose the right backpack for you.

hersche classic backpack size guide

Herschel Classic Backpack Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Classic Mini:

Dimensions: Height: 11.5 inches * Width: 7 inches * Depth: 5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 2. Herschel Classic:

Dimensions: Height: 16.5 inches * Width: 12 inches * Depth: 6 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Classic Weather Resistant:

Dimensions: Height: 17.5 inches * Width: 12.5 inches * Depth:6 inches
Materials: Matte TPE coating 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 4. Herschel Classic XL:

Dimensions: Height: 17.5 inches * Width: 12.5 inches * Depth: 6.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

Hersche Heritage Backpack Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Heritage Kids:

Dimensions: Height: 14 inches * Width: 10.5 inches * Depth: 5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 2. Herschel Heritage Youth:

Dimensions: Height: 15 inches * Width: 12 inches * Depth: 5.75 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Heritage Field Trip:

Dimensions: Height: 18 inches * Width: 12.25 inches * Depth:6.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET Nylon Body Fabric

  • 4. Herschel Heritage Heavyweight Canvas:

Dimensions: Height: 18 inches * Width: 12.25 inches * Depth: 6.5 inches
Materials: Resin-coated 24oz Cotton Canvas

  • 5. Herschel Heritage:

Dimensions: Height: 18 inches * Width: 12.25 inches * Depth: 6.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

hersche heritage backpack size guide
hersche nova backpack size guide

Hersche Nova Backpack Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Nova Mini:

Dimensions: Height: 12.25 inches * Width: 8.75 inches * Depth: 4.25 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 2. Herschel Nova:

Dimensions: Height: 16.5 inches * Width: 12 inches * Depth: 5.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Nova Jade Purple Brown:

Dimensions: Height: 16.5 inches * Width: 12 inches * Depth: 5.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 4. Herschel Nova Diaper Bag:

Dimensions: Height: 17 inches * Width: 12.5 inches * Depth: 6 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

Hersche Retreat Backpack Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Retreat Mini:

Dimensions: Height: 11 inches * Width: 8.75 inches * Depth: 5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 2. Herschel Retreat Small:

Dimensions: Height: 15.25 inches * Width: 11 inches * Depth: 5.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Retreat Field Trip:

Dimensions: Height: 15.75 inches * Width: 11 inches * Depth: 5.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET Nylon Body Fabric

  • 4. Herschel Retreat:

Dimensions: Height: 18 inches * Width: 11 inches * Depth: 6 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

hersche retreat backpack size guide
hersche little america backpack size guide

Hersche Retreat Backpack Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Little America Mid-Volume:

Dimensions: Height: 17 inches * Width: 11 inches * Depth: 5.25 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 2. Herschel Little America Mid-Volume:

Dimensions: Height: / inches * Width: / inches * Depth: / inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Little America Heavyweight Canvas:

Dimensions: Height: / inches * Width: / inches * Depth: / inches
Materials: 100% RPET Nylon Body Fabric

  • 4. Herschel Little America:

Dimensions: Height: 19 inches * Width: 11.25 inches * Depth: 7 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

hersche orion backpack size guide

Hersche Orion Backpack Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Orion Backpack Mini:

Dimensions: Height: 9.25 inches * Width: 8 inches * Depth: 3.75 inches
Materials: Lightweight wrinkled nylon fabric Genuine leather pocket

  • 2. Herschel Orion Backpack Mid-Volume:

Dimensions: Height: 15.5 inches * Width: 12 inches * Depth: 5.25 inches
Materials: Lightweight wrinkled nylon fabric Genuine leather pocket

  • 3. Herschel Orion Retreat Mini:

Dimensions: Height: 12.5 inches * Width: 8.75 inches * Depth: 5 inches
Materials: Lightweight wrinkled nylon fabric Genuine leather lid

  • 4. Herschel Orion Retreat Small:

Dimensions: Height: 16.5 inches * Width: 11 inches * Depth: 5.5 inches
Materials: Lightweight wrinkled nylon fabric Genuine leather lid

Hersche City & Kaslo Backpack Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel City Mid-Volume:

Dimensions: Height: 14 inches * Width: 12.75 inches * Depth: 5 inches
Materials: Matte TPE coating 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 2. Herschel City Backpack:

Dimensions: Height: 14.75 inches * Width: 12.75 inches * Depth: 6 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Kaslo Daypack:

Dimensions: Height: 16.75 inches * Width: 11 inches * Depth: 5.75 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 4. Herschel Kaslo Backpack:

Dimensions: Height: 18.5 inches * Width: 12 inches * Depth: 8 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

hersche city kaslo backpack size guide
hersche settlement survey backpack size guide

Hersche Settlement & Survey Backpack Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Settlement Quilted:

Dimensions: Height: 17.25 inches * Width: 11.5 inches * Depth: 6 inches
Materials: 100% RPET Quilted Fabric

  • 2. Herschel Settlement:

Dimensions: Height: 17.25 inches * Width: 11.5 inches * Depth: 6 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Settlement Diaper Bag:

Dimensions: Height: 17 inches * Width: 12.25 inches * Depth: 6 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 4. Herschel Survey:

Dimensions: Height: 16.25 inches * Width: 12.25 inches * Depth: 6 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 5. Herschel Survey Weather Resistant:

Dimensions: Height: 16.25 inches * Width: 11.5 inches * Depth: 5.5 inches
Materials: Matte TPE coating 100% RPET 600D Polyester

Hersche Other Backpack Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Pop Quiz:

Dimensions: Height: 17.5 inches * Width: 12.25 inches * Depth: 6.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 2. Herschel Seymour:

Dimensions: Height: 19.5 inches * Width: 12.5 inches * Depth: 7 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Rome Backpack Packable:

Dimensions: Height: 18 inches * Width: 12 inches * Depth: 6.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 70D Ripstop

  • 4. Herschel Pacific Daypack:

Dimensions: Height: 17.75 inches * Width: 12.25 inches * Depth: 5 inches
Materials: 100% 10oz Cotton Canvas

  • 5. Herschel Beatrix Backpack:

Dimensions: Height: 16 inches * Width: 11.5 inches * Depth: 5.25 inches
Materials: 100% RPET Twill Fabric

hersche other backpack size guide

  • 6. Herschel Roll Top Backpack:

Dimensions: Height: / inches * Width: / inches * Depth: / inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

herschel duffle bags size guide

Herschel Duffle Bags Size Guide

Herschel duffle bags come in various sizes to suit different needs, whether it’s for a weekend getaway or a longer trip. Here’s a general size guide based on their typical offerings:

Hersche Classic/Heritage/Novel Duffle Bags Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Classic Gym Bag:

Dimensions: Height: 10.25 inches * Width: 19.75 inches * Depth: 10.25 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 2. Herschel Classic Duffle Little:

Dimensions: Height: 9.75 inches * Width: 18.5 inches * Depth: 9.75 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Heritage:

Dimensions: Height: 12.75 inches * Width: 20.50 inches * Depth:13.50 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 70D Ripstop

  • 4. Herschel Heritage Weather Resistant:

Dimensions: Height: 12.75 inches * Width: 20.50 inches * Depth: 13.50 inches
Materials: Matte TPE coating 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 5. Herschel Novel Carry On:

Dimensions: Height: 10.75 inches * Width: 17 inches * Depth: 9.75 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 6. Herschel Novel:

Dimensions: Height: 11.75 inches * Width: 20.50 inches * Depth: 11 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

herschel classic heritage novel duffle bags size guide

  • 7. Herschel Novel Tech:

Dimensions: Height: 12.5 inches * Width: 20.5 inches * Depth: 11 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

herschel other duffle bags size guide

  • 7. Herschel Maia Weekender:

Dimensions: Height: 15.75 inches * Width: 18.5 inches * Depth: 10.25 inches
Materials: 100% RPET Twill

  • 8. Herschel Bennett Duffle:

Dimensions: Height: 13.25 inches * Width: 22 inches * Depth: 12 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

Hersche Other Duffle Bags Size Guide

  • 1. Herschel Strand Duffle:

Dimensions: Height: 14.25 inches * Width: 17 inches * Depth: 5.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 2. Herschel Strand Duffle Diaper Bag:

Dimensions: Height: 14.25 inches * Width: 17 inches * Depth: 5.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 3. Herschel Gibson Messenger Tech:

Dimensions: Height: 11 inches * Width: 15.5 inches * Depth: 5.75 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 4. Herschel Bowen Duffle Tech:

Dimensions: Height: 11.75 inches * Width: 17.25 inches * Depth: 8 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 5. Herschel Outfitter:

Dimensions: Height: 11 inches * Width: 20 inches * Depth: 11.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

  • 6. Herschel Outfitter Duffle:

Dimensions: Height: 12.75 inches * Width: 22.75 inches * Depth: 11.5 inches
Materials: 100% RPET 600D Polyester

key Takeaway: When choosing Herschel brand backpack and Duffle bags of corresponding sizes based on specific purposes, herschel have a lot of size to choose. You can check above Size Guide to choose your right bags. It’s important to note that sizes may vary slightly depending on the specific model and collection within Herschel’s range. Always check the product description for exact measurements and features to ensure it meets your needs