You’re walking into a high-stakes meeting. Your suit is sharp. Your shoes are polished to a mirror finish. Then, you catch your reflection in the glass door and see it: a neon-accented, nylon hiking pack strapped to your back. It kills the vibe instantly.
This is exactly why the johnston and murphy backpack has become a sort of "secret handshake" among professionals who are tired of looking like they’re about to summit Everest when they’re just trying to get through security at O'Hare. But here's the thing—most people think these bags are just about the leather. They aren't.
Actually, the real story is how the brand managed to shove actual utility into something that looks like it belongs in a corner office.
The "Not Just a Shoe Brand" Identity Crisis
For the longest time, Johnston & Murphy was the "President's shoe brand." Since 1850, they've outfitted every U.S. President from Millard Fillmore to the current administration. That's a lot of pressure. When they started making bags, everyone expected stiff, formal briefcases.
But the modern johnston and murphy backpack lineup—specifically the Rhodes and the XC4 series—shattered that. They realized that the "briefcase guy" was becoming the "commuter guy." You need your hands free for coffee or your phone.
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Honestly, it’s a weird transition for a heritage brand. They had to balance that old-world leather smell with the reality that we all carry 15-inch MacBooks and tangled charging bricks.
The Rhodes vs. XC4: Which One Actually Works?
If you're looking at a johnston and murphy backpack, you're probably stuck between these two. They look similar in photos, but they’re built for completely different humans.
The Rhodes: For the Aesthetic Purist
The Rhodes is the one you buy if you want people to ask, "Where'd you get that?" It’s usually crafted from full-grain steer leather or that vintage-look "antique cotton" with leather trim.
- The Good: It develops a patina. It gets better with age. The plaid cotton twill lining is a nice touch that makes it feel expensive every time you open it.
- The Bad: It’s leather. It’s heavier. If you’re trekking ten blocks in a humid DC summer, your back will know it.
The XC4: The Workhorse
The XC4 is their "extreme comfort" line. It uses 840-denier ballistic nylon. That’s the stuff they use for military gear. It’s water-resistant, lightweight, and basically indestructible.
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- The Reality: It’s less "CEO" and more "Project Manager." It’s built for the guy who actually uses the luggage sleeve to slide the bag over his suitcase handle every single week.
The One Major Flaw Nobody Mentions
I’m going to be real with you. There is one persistent complaint that pops up in owner circles, particularly with the Rhodes model. The straps.
While the leather is top-tier, some users have reported that the adjustable leather straps can be a bit... slippery. If you’re wearing a slick technical fabric blazer, the bag might try to go on its own adventure down your shoulder. J&M has tried to fix this with "non-slip" finishes on the underside of the straps, but it's something to watch out for.
If you're a "one-strap" carrier, this bag might drive you crazy. If you wear both, you're fine.
Why the Luggage Sleeve is a Game Changer
Most "fashion" backpacks forget that people who buy $300 bags usually travel. A johnston and murphy backpack almost always includes a trolley sleeve.
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It’s a simple strip of fabric or leather on the back. You slide it over the handle of your rolling suitcase. It sounds like a small detail until you’re sprinting toward Gate B12 and your bag isn't flopping around like a dying fish on top of your carry-on.
How to Not Ruin Your Investment
If you go the leather route, please, for the love of all things holy, don't just throw it in your closet and forget it. Full-grain leather is skin. It needs to breathe and it needs moisture.
- Condition it. Once every six months. Use a high-quality leather cream (even the J&M branded one works). It keeps the leather from cracking.
- The Water Test. These aren't dry bags. If you get caught in a downpour, don't use a hairdryer. You’ll bake the leather and it’ll turn into a Pringle. Let it air dry naturally at room temperature.
- Stuff it. When you aren't using it, throw some old t-shirts inside so it keeps its shape.
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Price?
You can find a johnston and murphy backpack for anywhere between $199 (on sale) to $350. Is it "better" than a $600 Tumi?
In terms of status? Maybe not. In terms of "value per year of use"? Absolutely.
These bags occupy that middle ground. They are more sophisticated than a North Face, but less "I'm trying too hard" than a designer European luxury bag. They are built for the person who wants to be taken seriously without looking like they’re carrying a museum piece.
Your Next Steps
- Check the size: Measure your laptop. Most of these fit a 15-inch laptop, but the "Slim Commuter" models are tight. If you have a bulky 16-inch gaming rig you use for work, it might not zip.
- Choose your material: If you live in Seattle or London, get the Hudson Waterproof or the XC4. If you live in a dry climate and work in a formal office, go Rhodes leather.
- Watch the sales: Johnston & Murphy is famous for their clearance cycles. You can often snag a $300 leather bag for $170 if you catch a seasonal shift or check outlets like Nordstrom Rack.
Stop carrying the gym bag to the boardroom. Your back—and your reputation—will thank you.