For the money this is a great backpack. I have a son who is very hard on backpacks, to the tune of using 2 per year! I decided on the leather thinking it might make it a full year. I was wrong, it lasted a full 3 years! The backpack itself is still in great shape, has weathered well, and is more soft than when we received it. The reason I had to get the second one was because the strap came loose. This from 3 years of abuse! All things considered, we got our money's worth from it. The backpack is still in such good shape that I plan on having the strap sewed back on and keeping it for myself since I've already purchased the new one for him. I highly recommend this product.