Comments on: Saddleback Leather Company Briefcase

By: Quinn

Quinn — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:41:39 +0000

Would you recommend the large thin briefcase for us in school? I would need to be able to carry about textbook or two at a time.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:05:30 +0000

@ Julie,
Thanks. You Rock.

Dennis

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:38:51 +0000

@Dennis sounds like you carry a lot of stuff. I’d suggest the large for you.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:37:11 +0000

@Julie

I’m 5′ 8″ about 200lbs and I can’t decide if I should get the large or the medium briefcase.

I travel a l ton for work and currently carry a 13 inch Lenovo for work, but you never can tell was the IT department is going to give you next, an iPad, a couple of Moleskins, power brick, bag of cables (although I making it smaller), LiveScribe pen in case, small key board from my iPad, a book, sunglasses with hard case and at times a GPS for the car.

What are your thoughts? I’ve been carrying a backpack for the last couple of years because most briefcases I’ve had won’t hold what I need. But I work for a company now that is a stickler for no backpacks. I refuse to pay the cost of a tumi alpha when SB makes such a good bag.

By: Shirish

Shirish — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:21:55 +0000

I removed all of the really heavy steel rings, and the weight dropped substantially. if you do not see yourself hanging things off the steel rings, remove them. Your shoulders will thank you.If you later feel the need, you can always use carabiners; they are much lighter and easy to take off.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:55:53 +0000

@Guan The medium sized briefcase isn’t too large, but it is heavy…

By: Guan

Guan — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:26:35 +0000

Hey Julie,

Did you find that the briefcase was a little too large for you? I am about the same build as you and I am worried that the medium briefcase will look too big on me. The 9 inch depth makes it look monstrous.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:26:27 +0000

@Brandon We’ve reviewed the Waterbag too
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/03/07/saddleback-leather-co-waterbag-medium-review/

By: Brandon

Brandon — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 01:05:44 +0000

Julie, GREAT review. I have been debating an SB for awhile now, and despite the snooty nature of some of our friends posting on your site and the clearly “I work for the company I am pushing” folks – the honest reviews and your review have convinced me to purchase. I will try to keep this site and post back when I have received the bag…

Out of curiosity if anyone out there has purchased the SB Waterbag, I would be interested in your thoughts…..

Best!

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:25:49 +0000

@Matt if by screaming you mean all capital letters, My review does not have them… If that’s not what you mean, then please explain.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:57:47 +0000

Julie, why were you SCREAMING throughout your entire review?

By: Gerald Wales.

Gerald Wales. — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 20:44:57 +0000

Ordered one today. Initially ordered the Xl in Black Carbon – then saw a picture on the web of a guy with the L and that looked big enough – so sent an email requesting a change. I have been hankering for one for years after a long search and given my current job a rucksack will not cut the mustard in e.g. Canary Wharf (London) for key meetings! My wife has also suggested i get the overnight bag (for xmas ) and I will do! It is clearly a quality product. As for weight – well – I’ll have to pick up some more weights and get in training for when it arrives ! Quality sells.

By: freddy

freddy — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:36:11 +0000

How on earth am i supposed to work out if i want to buy this bag!

Half the people on here either are against saddleback or love it so much they want to marry them

A lot of very fake feedback here…… a lot of fake feedback everywhere

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:34:47 +0000

@C.W. Saddleback bags are heavy to me because I’m a small person… 5’6″ 125lbs. Empty they are already bulky, but add your stuff and it was too much to lug around for me. Bigger people / men, will probably have no issues at all.

By: C.W.

C.W. — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 06:12:45 +0000

P.S. My previous post was meant for Julie.

By: C.W.

C.W. — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 05:57:07 +0000

This is my first time commenting here. I’m surprised people are still talking about this bag; It must be very popular. Concerning the weight, did you really find it that heavy? I would be using it (or a comparable one like the Vagabond Traveler) for school with my 3 ring notebook, textbook for class (Calculus, Physics, and the like) and a calculator. Any comments?

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:01:05 +0000

@Zoe C. I’m only 3.5 inches taller than you, so I recommend the medium sized bag (shown in the review).

By: zoe C.

zoe C. — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 05:43:48 +0000

Hi, I’m5’2″ and I have a macbook pro. Should I get the medium or the large one?

By: Matt Fraser

Matt Fraser — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 12:14:11 +0000

Steve C

I got the Vegabond bags from ebay as well, and here is a link to my review of the bag with pictures:

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/119049-whats-your-favourite-manbag/page__view__findpost__p__1691558

It is far from a “cheap” chinese imitation! It’s an excellent bag that is in every way the equal of the Saddleback (unfortunately this includes weight too).

By: davebo

davebo — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 06:02:26 +0000

Wow this review has really stood the test of time, thanks for it. I had seen the Saddleback site years ago but put it off since the bags were so expensive, but recently was giving it more serious thought. After the review it really seemed like it was the place to go, but after visiting their site I just got turned off by how religious the founder’s blog seemed. I mean to each their own, but it was a real turn-off for me.

By: artymercy

artymercy — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:42:13 +0000

I had been looking for the perfect satchel for years and visited the saddleback leather website more times than is healthy. One of my concerns is weight. I am an artist who draws on the hoof, and like to have as little weight on me as possible. The saddleback bags, while visually attractive, seemed too heavy to begin with, especially as i fly frequently. I however found a fantastic, and reasonably priced craftsman in England, who not only makes practical, strong bags, but can also custom-make one for you (an will ship them overseas too!) He is also very friendly. Look at http://www.htleather.co.uk. I am ever so pleased with my satchel and recommend him to everyone.

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:44:27 +0000

This is a really nice looking bag that caught my eyes and I made it a point to get one. Fortunately, I was able to get something even better in terms of looks and durability coupled with excellent customer service from another manufacturer. Their website is http://www.glanor.com However, they are now selling only to retailers or through high-brand stores in malls. If you can lay your hands on one of these brands, I am sure you will agree with me that they are way better and more affordable than some of the really expensive brands out there.
Good Luck!

Jon

By: Steve C

Steve C — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:08:47 +0000

I got the Rustic Leather bull hide duffel bag that I’ve been lusting over and it is beautiful! It is sturdy and well crafted plus it matches my XL briefcase perfectly. I now have a great travel set. I got the duffel off of ebay for $314 (it was $299 but had somebody try and snipe it at the last minute). Anyway, I love it and can’t wait for my trip to Colorado in 2 weeks to test it out.

As for Daemmerung’s comment “Rustic quasi-spam”, I assure you that that I am not affiliated with rustic leather other than being a happy customer.

I looked at the Vagabond bags and they do look cheap. The text is horribly written and reads like a badly translated Chinese instruction manual, which was good for a chuckle. They really need a copy writer. Anyway from this, I believe the Vagabond bags are an inferior Chinese import.

By: Dave from Hawaii

Dave from Hawaii — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:50:22 +0000

Enough is enough Saddleback is simply an handsdown the strongest SOB out there an believe me I’m tough on everything I own jus ask anyone that knows me thank you Saddleback an Davek

By: Daemmerung

Daemmerung — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:48:50 +0000

A lot of Rustic quasi-spam popping up here. If you’re looking for a cheaper SB alternative, there’s also Vagabond Traveler. Google it yourself, I’m not linking there.

Also amused by the classist posing. “Fine British craftsmanship” indeed. The English make beautiful things, but so do our neighbors the Mexicans. The leathers in question have different kinds of beauty. You can like one and not have to piss all over the other.

I have two SB bags. One is an old style (two-rivet) briefcase, size XL. All of the standard complaints apply: it weighs a ton, and the shoulder strap is ridiculously long for shoulder use. If I had to remake the purchase, I would buy this bag in L instead of XL, as I am not quite Goliath. I nevertheless love this bag dearly. It is simple, beautiful (actually gets much more attention than I would prefer) and indestructible.

(I also have one of their older all-pigskin laptop bags, a style no longer offered. It is less impressive, and judging from its discontinuation the company agrees with me.)