With Kin & Sole every piece begins with a story — and for us, it starts with my brother. He was full of life, unapologetically himself in every way. He didn’t care about fitting into boxes or living by anyone else’s rules, almost to a fault. He was fiercely loving and deeply loyal. Rough around the edges yet always down to earth, he took risks without hesitation and embraced life on his own terms. He had a way of making you feel seen, heard, and loved, just as you were.

This collection is meant to embody that same spirit in every piece we create — bold, honest, and made to journey with you wherever life takes you. Just as he lived authentically, we choose to keep our product images minimally edited. The leather’s natural texture, the grain, and even the small imperfections remain visible, because real beauty doesn’t need heavy filters — it needs truth.

What Makes This Special

Why Leather?

We believe a great bag is an investment, not a temporary accessory. That’s why we carefully select the materials that make up our products.

  • Beyond Synthetic Materials: While materials like vinyl or nylon can be inexpensive, they often lack the character, durability, and timeless appeal of genuine leather. They can tear, scuff, and break down over time, but a quality leather bag only gets better with age. Our leather is chosen to withstand the rigors of daily life and develop a beautiful, unique patina that tells your story.
  • Choosing the Best Leather for the Job: Not all leather is created equal. For our Heritage Backpack, we chose 100% genuine buffalo leather because it is renowned for its strength and exceptional durability. It's tougher than traditional cow leather, making it the ideal material for a bag that is designed to be a lifelong companion. This is a deliberate choice we make to ensure that your backpack can carry your essentials and your story with quiet confidence for years to come.

Made to Order

In a world of fast fashion and mass production, we choose a more deliberate path. Our Made-to-Order process ensures that every Heritage Backpack is a unique piece, crafted with intention and care.

  • Quality Over Quantity: We don't keep a warehouse full of pre-made bags. Instead, we select from the finest hides and begin crafting your backpack the moment you place your order. This allows our artisans to focus on every detail, from the hand-cutting of the leather to the final stitch, ensuring the highest level of quality. Unlike mass production, where corners are cut and materials are wasted, our thoughtful approach ensures we use the best parts of the hide and minimize unnecessary waste.
  • Crafted for You: This process requires a little more time, but the result is a bag that is truly made for you. When you receive your Heritage Backpack, you're not just getting a bag; you're getting a legacy piece, handcrafted with quiet confidence and built to last a lifetime.

What's the Difference Between Our Bags?

You may have noticed a price difference between the Heritage Backpack and some of our other bags, like the ones featuring school logos. This is because each bag is crafted with a specific purpose in mind, and the Heritage Backpack includes premium features that set it apart.

  • Elevated Materials and Features: The Heritage Backpack is an elevated version of our design, featuring premium touches that enhance its durability and functionality. It includes an interior padding to help the bag retain its structured shape, as well as discreet magnets in the back to secure the shoulder straps when you want to carry it as a briefcase. The Heritage Backpack also includes a specialized leather care kit, designed to help you maintain the bag's beauty and ensure it lasts for years to come.
  • The School Bag Difference: Our school-branded bags are designed to provide a high-quality, durable option for everyday use while being accessible for students and alumni. To make them more affordable, they are made with a more streamlined design that does not include the premium features found in the Heritage Backpack.

In short, the Heritage Backpack is an investment in a luxury item, crafted with additional features and attention to detail that make it a truly exceptional and long-lasting companion.

The Soul Behind Sole

Kin & Sole was born from love, loss, and legacy. My brother lived life with an unshakable authenticity — never hiding who he was, never waiting for permission to take up space. That same courage is what drives this brand. Every bag carries a piece of that spirit: honest, imperfect, and beautifully real. Because when something — or someone — is made with love, it doesn’t fade. It endures.