Goyard Alpin Backpack: A Complete Review: Prices, Size Comparison & More

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Read our full review on the Goyard Alpin Backpack – including sizes, what fits, prices and pros & cons.

Goyard Brand History 

French luxury brand Goyard is the world’s oldest leather goods manufacturer still in business. The house was founded in Paris in 1853 by trunk maker François Goyard. 

Goyard was family-owned and operated until 1998 when Jean-Michel Signoles took over leadership of the company. In addition to increasing the number of Goyard workshops in France, Signoles opened additional retail stores in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

He also expanded Goyard’s color palate, adding red, orange, yellow, green, sky blue, burgundy, white, and gray. 

Although Goyard has grown considerably in the last 25 years, the brand is still shrouded in mystery as a result of its lack of advertising and eCommerce sales. 

Alpin History 

Goyard first released the Alpin backpack in December 2015. At the time, it was sold exclusively at a pop-up store in Japan called L’Excursion Goyard (the Goyard Excursion). Thanks to the model’s popularity, you can now find it at any Goyard boutique. 

As the name suggests, the Alpin backpack was inspired by the steamer bags Alpine hikers carried in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In that way, the focus of the bag is practicality, rather than attractivity. Still, there is a utilitarian elegance to this model. 

Alpin Description 

Like many Goyard bags, the Alpin features the brand’s signature Goyardine canvas material. The flap, top handle, and bottom are crafted out of Clamecy cowhide. 

The Alpin fastens with a drawstring and roller buckle. Lifting up the top flap reveals Alpin’s front pocket. Inside, there’s a card pocket, a pen pocket, and a multi-use pocket. You can access the main compartment by using the interior zipper. 

Inside the main compartment, there’s a 15-inch padded pocket and a half-circle stud where you can attach your keys. Additionally, D-rings on the sides allow you to add a strap for crossbody wear. 

Goyard Alpin Sizes 

The Alpin comes in two sizes: the MM (moyen modèle) and the Mini. We put together a table to help you compare the sizes. 

Goyard Style	Dimensions (inches)	Dimensions (centimeters)
Alpin MM	15.4” x 6.1” x 12.6”	39 cm x 15.5 cm x 32 cm
Alpin Mini	9.1” x 3.7” x 7.5”	23 cm x 9.5 cm x 19 cm

Which Goyard Alpin Size Is The Best Mini vs MM?

When deciding which size of the Alpin is better for you, think about the purpose of the backpack.

Are you looking for a hands-free bag that you can use while strolling around the city or when meeting friends? If so, the Mini is a great option for you – it’s big enough to carry your essentials and more, without being overwhelming.

If you’re looking for a work backpack or one that’s great for travelling, then the Alpin MM is the better choice – as you’re sure to fit a laptop in addition to your other necessities. The MM is also better as an unisex backpack – in case you want to share your Alpin with your significant other.

In conclusion – for an everyday bag/backpack, we recommend the Mini Alpin and for a work or travel bag, we recommend the MM Alpin.

What Fits Inside a Goyard Alpin? 

What fits inside the Alpin MM?

Thanks to its generous size, the Alpin MM makes a great work or day-trip bag. It’s large enough to fit a laptop (up to 15”) or tablet, an eReader or book, a bagged lunch, a sweater, a full-sized water bottle, and daily essentials (keys, wallet, phone, makeup pouch). 

What fits inside the Mini Alpin?

The Mini can fit an eReader or paperback book, a small water bottle, and daily essentials like a small wallet, keys, and a few hygiene items (hand sanitizer, cream, lipstick). 

Goyard Alpin Materials

Alpin’s body is made out of Goyard’s signature Goyardine canvas. This material is extremely lightweight, durable, and water-resistant thanks to its resin coating. 

The top handle, flap, and bottom are made out of Clamecy cowhide, a type of leather sourced from central France. Meanwhile, the hardware is palladium, a silvery metal from the platinum family. It’s often used on luxury bags thanks to its scratch-resistant properties. 

Inside, the Alpin has a fabric lining made out of a linen/cotton blend. 

Colors

The Alpin MM is available in five colorways: black, black & tan, green, navy blue, and grey. These colors are also available in the mini size, in addition to yellow, red, orange, sky blue, burgundy, and white. 

Goyard Alpin Prices 

Goyard is notoriously secretive about their prices. This makes keeping up with current prices a challenge. However, we’ve done our best to give you some estimates on the Alpin. 

The prices listed below are sourced from Goyard shoppers within the last year, so they should be fairly accurate. Please note that we weren’t able to get an up-to-date estimate on the price of the Mini in Euros. 

It’s also worth noting that Goyard might have released the Alpin MM in limited-edition colors (red, orange, yellow, sky blue, Bordeaux, and white). 

These colors aren’t listed on the website, but they could be available in boutiques. Apparently, they retail for €6,520.

Goyard Style	Price (USD)	Price (centimeters)
Alpin MM	$6,650	€5,020
Alpin Mini	$3,560 to $3,670	–

Read also: Full Goyard Bag Prices

Where To Buy a Goyard Alpin Backpack

Goyard makes it very difficult to buy its bags (or backpacks). If you don’t have a Goyard boutique nearby, your only option is getting it through a personal seller or through an consignment shop.

We recommend checking out Fashionphile, Rebag or Farfetch for guaranteed authentic Goyard backpacks. Alternatively, you can also check out eBay, but make sure you do your due diligence and you authenticate your backpack when you receive it.

Goyard Alpin Outfits and Inspiration

Pros and Cons of the Goyard Alpin

Pros: 

• Extremely lightweight
• Can be carried as a backpack or a crossbody 
• Holds a lot 
• Interior pocket is padded
• Timeless style

Cons:

• Bulky when carried as a crossbody 
• Straps aren’t as sturdy or padded as some would like 
• Leather top handle may detach
• Prices have gone up a lot lately 

Is the Goyard Alpin Worth Buying?

Look, we get it, backpacks aren’t for everyone. However, if you’re a backpack fan, or even if you’re on the fence, the Alpin is definitely a strong contender. 

Not only does it have a simple, yet elegant style, but it’s roomy enough to accommodate everything you need for a day out (especially the MM size). Plus, it has lots of interior and exterior pockets to help you keep everything organized. 

While we’re big fans of the Alpin, there are some downsides to consider. First, although it’s advertised as a versatile bag, it’s pretty awkward to carry as a crossbody. That might not be a deal breaker, but if you’re hoping for versatility, you might be disappointed. 

We’ll also mention that the straps aren’t particularly comfortable. Sure, they look pretty, but when you’ve got a full load on your back, you might want some extra cushioning.

Lastly, the Alpin is expensive and prices just seem to keep going up. It retailed for $4,300 when it was first released in 2016. Now, in 2023, it sells for $6,650. That represents a 65% increase. With that in mind, our advice is to buy now before prices go up even more.