This guy is older and is now discontinued, but with the backpack rage, the Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Mabillon Backpack deserves another look. It shows very little wear, which really speaks to the quality of Louis Vuitton’s Epi Leather!
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EXTERIOR OF THE LOUIS VUITTON EPI LEATHER MABILLON BACKPACK
Size
The Louis Vuitton’s Epi Leather Mabillon Backpack measures 11” x 9” x 3.5” with a shoulder strap length of 18”.
Epi Leather
The Epi Leather is the most durable product I have ever encountered and with a little care, it resists peeling, fading, or rubbing. In addition, you do not have to worry about scratches or scuffs, which is amazing since it is leather. Just make sure you do not drag it over sharp surfaces.
The Epi Leather has a beautiful three-dimensional wave pattern that is painted with a color-matching coating. The horizontal wave pattern has mild tonal differences between the elevations and grooves of the coated leather. This makes it so visually appealing! In addition, I love to glide my hand over the grooves of the leather and feel the details of the intricate pattern. More importantly, Epi Leather is rigid, strong, and structured. Whatever style of purse you buy in this type of leather will have a very defined shape, which is especially great for a backpack.
Shape & Structure
The backpack has an elongated rounded top portion with a flat bottom. At the sides and the top of the backpack is a wraparound two-way zipper that allows the bag to open wide, especially with the gusseted side restraints. The sides of the backpack that contain the zipper are composed of smooth leather rather than the Epi Leather. Thankfully, the zipper and remaining hardware are all a striking gold-color. Additionally, each zipper pull folds over onto a raised tab where you can insert a lock to prevent a pickpocket from opening your backpack. This is great if you want to keep the contents of your purse secure while you go on a daylong hike through a busy city.
In addition, the Mabillon Backpack has two shoulder straps that each have five holes to lengthen the straps, a shiny brass buckle, and two leather loops to hold the straps securely in place. As well as functioning as a backpack, the adjustable straps extend long enough to allow you to use this bag crossbody. Talk about hands-free versatility! The bag also has a unique brass top handle that helps you hold the backpack while you zip it closed. Also, there is a rear zipper pocket that you can position closest to your body to keep your license and bank cards handy, yet secure. Finally, the bag is stamped with a discreet Louis Vuitton logo on the bottom right corner.
INTERIOR OF THE LOUIS VUITTON EPI LEATHER MABILLON BACKPACK
The inside of the Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Mabillon Backpack is lined with a soft dark gray microfiber suede-like lining. It has held up so incredibly well over the years. Inside there is a single slip pocket and a d-ring to hold your keys. The interior slip pocket is similar in size to the exterior rear zippered pocket. Both pockets may hold a smaller cell phone, but they will not fit my large Samsung Note. They can also easily accommodate a slim card case for your license and other cards, but not much more.
My backpack originally had a washable textile lining in both the rear and interior pockets. Over the years, the washable lining started to peel and feel slightly sticky. Louis Vuitton gave me the option of replacing it with the same lining or using the microfiber that adorned the interior of the purse. I opted for the microfiber and I am satisfied with my choice. The microfiber is strong, easily cleaned, and I do not have to worry about it deteriorating in the future.
The Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Mabillon Backpack is roomy enough to accommodate all my daily essentials. I can easily fit my Pochette Accessories, Victorine Wallet, Key Pouch, and a travel camera with room to spare. On top of that, I can also add a small card case to the rear pocket!
MAINTENANCE
There’s a reason Epi Leather bags and small leather goods are so popular on the resale market. They require little care and remain new looking for years. As far as maintenance, my first line of defense is to wipe the Epi Leather with a damp cloth. For more in depth cleaning I use the Cadillac Select Premium Leather Care Kit. First, I use Cadillac’s Premium Leather Cleaner and then immediately wipe on the Premium Leather Lotion to keep the leather well-conditioned. The kit also includes a Water & Stain Protector spray, but I do not use that on the Epi Leather. You can buy this wonderful product from Amazon! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases – Please see our Policy Page for more information.
Please click on the following link to buy the kit from Amazon: https://amzn.to/35l6j7i
WHERE TO PURCHASE THE LOUIS VUITTON EPI LEATHER MABILLON BACKPACK
The Epi Leather Mabillon Backpack has been discontinued by Louis Vuitton, but you can still find some great pre-loved ones at TheRealReal.
*Affiliate links to follow – Please see our Policy Page for more information.
This one at TheRealReal has been recently reduced to $676.00, and it is in very good condition: https://www.luxeaholic.com/MabillonBackpack
This is the least expensive one I have seen in this condition. Usually they go for around $895.00 at TheRealReal. If the one I listed is sold, just click on TheRealReal link below and once you get to the site, a quick search should reveal plenty more to choose from:
https://the-realreal.2pxhba.net/Yx5om
CONCLUSION
The Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Mabillon Backpack is a great understated backpack that is perfect for everyday use. Not to mention how wonderful it is for travel. It is comfortable and stays on your shoulder unlike some other fashion backpacks. I love that it fits everything I need, including my travel camera. You can read about my favorite travel camera (the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS) here:
With the holiday season fast approaching, I love switching to a backpack to brave shopping with the crowds. That way, I have my hands free to hold my coffee and peruse the holiday deals. If you are looking for a classic alternative to the Louis Vuitton Palm Springs Backpack, you might want to take a look at the Epi Leather Mabillon Backpack. It is a solid choice.
