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Home » Accessories

Saddleback Leather Company’s Backpack/Briefcase Preview

Posted by Forge42 on June 12, 2008 – 6:11 pm
closeThis post was published 1 year 4 months 28 days ago which may make its actuality or expire date not be valid anymore. This site is not responsible for any misunderstanding.

I recently found myself in the market for a new briefcase.  After some extensive web searching, I came across www.Saddlebackleather.com  It is a small, family owned and operated company based out of Texas.  They specialize in leather goods of all types.  Their website is full of some of the most entertaining (yet simultaneously, effective) advertising copy I’ve ever encountered.  With a slogan like “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead.”, it seemed that the company had a lot of character.  I, personally, like working with smaller companies if I can choose to do so.  This company seemed like a really interesting organization that just happened to be offering a bag that appeared to be just what I was looking for.

The bag itself is like none other I have ever seen.  Rugged is the first word that came to mind when I saw it.  And yet, the simplicity of the design gave it a certain elegance such that I don’t think it would be out of place in the professional world.  In reading about the briefcase, it is clear that it was designed for one thing above all others: durability.  It almost seemed that the fact that it was nice looking was just a pleasant byproduct.  I also really liked the fact that it could be turned into a backpack, which is my preferred form factor when traveling.  That versatility is what finally pushed me over the edge into ordering one.  I got the large (16″) briefcase in light tobacco brown.

So, I’ll be reviewing it.  I plan on living with the briefcase for the next few weeks.  I’ll use it as my daily bag to work, on travel, and points in between.  My desire for this bag is that it truly be the last bag I ever own or even need.  I want it to be used at work, in airports, on camping trips, and on trips to take the kids to grandma’s house.  High expectations, for sure.  Specifically,  I’m interested in several things:

  • Is the build quality really as sturdy as claimed?
  • Will the backpack feature really work on a daily basis?
  • Will it accommodate all of my gear, including a laptop?
  • Are all the pockets, flaps, straps, and buckles designed to be user-friendly?
  • Will my kids really fight over it when I’m dead?

Ok.. so, maybe I won’t test the last one (at least, I hope not!).  But, the others are fair game.  Head on over to saddleback’s website and browse around a bit.  If there’s something you’d like to know about the bag as I’m testing it, let me know in the comments.  I’ll try to check back in on this post to see if anyone has any suggestions.  I should be back in a month or so with the review.

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  • dw
    Bought a dark tobacco brown 16" briefcase two weeks ago. First of all, I have been through quite a few briefcases in the past: Bosca, Willis & Geiger, Filson (rucksack), Patagonia Messenger, and some cheapies. I've carried bags like these both in and out of office settings and through *many* air miles domestic and international. I have to say, that I am really impressed with the build on this one.

    There is an extensive use of rivets (copper and aluminum) and most are doubled up. Where Filson puts a single brass rivet, these guys use two side-by-side copper or a single massive aluminum rivet. The belting is all doubled leather with a nylon webbing reinforcement. I believe the shoulder strap could easily support my weight if I had to hang from it. Additionally, the belts are made extra long to allow items to be strapped on either the top or bottom of the bag.

    It like the interior being only two compartments. It is 9" deep which allows each compartment to be used for more than just papers / folders. My Nikon SLR fits perfectly face up in the rear compartment. I've even used it to carry a few grocery items in from the store like a 1/2 gallon milk. The inside pockets are high enough that items don't get lost. They are big enough that you aren't limited to just a calculator or cell phone or pens. I carry a point & shoot, harmonica, large swiss army knife, first aid kit, and flashlight. The outside pockets could be slightly larger IMHO to accommodate water bottles easier but they serve the purpose as they are for cell phone, notepad, etc. The inside leather strap is strongly riveted to the divider and has a strong clip for keys, etc. I have a USB drive on mine.

    Inside is lined in pig skin which seems really durable when I use a simple scratch test. The handle is beefy. I was impressed to see that they lined the leather used for the handle although it will never see the light of day.

    In the end, you could use this for just about anything. I could see using it for an overnight business trip: in one compartment change of shirt, razor, toothbrush, toiletries, and change of tie. In the other: laptop, chargers, papers. I could also see using it for a tool bag on a 4x4 trip just about anywhere!

    PS- 16" size works great for legal-sized docs.
  • LCG
    I just purchased and received my medium dark coffee brown Saddleback briefcase. I am a 50-ish female who walks the line between corporate appropriateness and creative individualism and wanted a bag that could do the same.

    This Saddleback briefcase is great. Rugged and distinctive. It IS heavy. While it can hold everything but the kitchen sink (and you might be able to squeeze that in!), I'm not sure I could pick it up once loaded. This thing weighs 6.5 pounds empty, but it did say that clearly on the Saddleback website. Nonetheless, it is definitly the nicest (and the LAST) briefcase I will own, and I'm thrilled with it. I also think the weight/cardio program to increase upper body strength to be able carry it is an added bonus.....
    really.... It's a great bag and I will keep it and enjoy.
  • Doug
    Today I received my Saddleback medium dark coffee brown briefcase . My first impression is great. The bag is what I expected and more. I was nervous when I made my purchase because of an unkind article I read. Now, I really don't care where this bag was made, maybe because I am a middle-aged man who can't notice the details of stitches or maybe I just like rugged stuff.

    The bag is darker in colour than the pictures published. I like that. The hidden compartment in the bottom is a real bonus, especially since it's in the unexpected part of the bottom (on the inside, in the back). What pleases me most is the thumbs-up from my wife and kids. (They usually call my other bags "murses" or man-purses.) This seems like it will wear well with both of the sexes without discrimination. Finally, Saddleback did not lose their cool when I kept pestering them with what seems now like unnecessary questions. Kudos to them.
  • apple usr
    on the about us page, they clearly say that while dave was living in MEXICO he found a leather craftsman to make him a bag, it is the same bag that he sells now. i initially thought that dave made them himself as well, but the fact that they are made in mexico is a small point, it allows the bags to be sole for cheaper b.c labor is less costly. the bags are amazing and worth the money. you will be happy.
  • Maybe I should have read some more before I ordered one of saddleback briefcase.
    I got the impression the family made the bags in America. If the bag is not what they advertised I will return it. I trusted them when payed more than five hundred bucks.
  • apple usr
    i have gotten to know this company through my corespondance with them via skype (look them up). the resoning for the discounted prices on ebay, is that they believe that everyone LOVES to find a deal on what they want. with this being TRUE, they offer these deals in a venue that people go to most often, ebay. this is a reasonable buisiness practice because they are offering the same great product for their potential customers as a reduced price, but you have to work for it, put in the leg (finger) work. they are amazing bags, and people and are not being "unfair" or "unethical" as stated above, they are simply offering people a discount much as other companies do, this is NOT a reason to question the company.

    also, as far as the quality, dave, el presidente as they put it, is always reviewing the quality of every bag and that is where the "seconds" come from. if the bags have a mis-measured strap or flap or excessive marking on the leather, they are offered at an additional discount BUT with the SAME great warrantee. this is amazing and shows that the company stands behind their product no matter what it looks like.

    take this as you may, but this is an amazing product and company and worth the purchase.
  • Mike
    I recently purchased a breifcase style bag from Saddleback. It was a "second" on Ebay and I nabbed it for half price. There was no way in heck I was paying $400+ for it.

    First of all, it's a great bag. I should have purchased a size bigger, but it's better this way. I won't pack so much stuff. It was a "second" because the flap was cut long, which was exactly what I was looking for. I knew I would load up the bag and the long flap has work out well.

    Second, yea the company seems odd. The dumb stories remind me of J. Peterman from Seinfeld. These bags are really made in Mexico, not in the owners back shed. So just remember, you aren't buying a US product. I also have seen their odd attempts at pricing on Ebay which is why I waited for a long time on a cheaper "second".

    Lastly, I've had great luck with mine thus far. No issues. A few "hey where did you get that" at meetings. I carry a small laptop so it works as I planned.
  • Grand Pierre
    I own 3 Saddleback bags and a pouch. I have 2 briefcases (different sizes) and a messenger bag.
    I am pleased with each of them and they're worth what I paid for them. My only criticism is that they are heavy. They are definitely solid and will undoubtedly last a long time.
    I have some concerns about the credibility of the company. While they insist their bags are of the highest quality standards, they do offer "seconds" on eBay. They also offer some of their regular items at a discounted price at their eBay store. These are not auction items, but are offered as "Buy it Now" at the discounted price. On the face of it, there may be nothing wrong with this practice except that they do not offer the same pricing on the company site. Unless you ask, they won't tell you about the price differences on ebay. They seem to be prepared to sell the same item at a higher price to customers on one site vs another. You'll have to decide for yourself whether you think this is ethical. When I questioned them about it, they didn't seem to see anything wrong with the dual pricing. They feel it's up to the customers to do their own research when looking for the best deal even though they're doing business with the same individuals.
    They are introducing some new items that, up until now, I was considering. My confidence in the company has been shaken. They may be growing too fast and maintaining the same tight quality control from the factory could be an issue. I no longer trust everything that I read on the site. It's a shame because I would very much like to see them succeed. I believe people who make purchases are becoming more cautious. If you involve yourself in practices that could be considered unfair, they'll hesitate and possibly buy from someone they trust more.
  • Charlie Tuna
    I am in the market for a new bag with similar requirements to those you mentioned. I am very much interested in your review. Always happy to support a small company, especially with great quality.
  • Forge42
    @offbeatmammal: I'll be sure to look into ease of access in my full review. :)
  • I wonder how TSA friendly it is. How quick and easy to get a laptop in and out when at the security theater checkpoint...
  • Steve Laser
    Great find. I love working with small companies as well. I look forward to your review.
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