I have carried an SB messenger bag for work every single day for the last 16 years . Yes, I looked at all the new designs throughout the years and, while they were all beautiful, the messenger was exactly the minimalist bag I needed. Got plenty of other items like an iPad case, small folio and small wallet, but never had a real desire for another bag. My messenger is still going strong and still gets compliments every so often. So, why replace it, right? Well, I just happened to come across this bag on the day of SB's 20th anniversary, it immediately caught my eye and knew this would be the one to use for work. This is definitely the nearly perfect combination of elegance, retro design and minimalism that appeals to me. The hardware is solid and the build is amazing, keeping with the traditional SB style. I say nearly perfect because I think, and this is just my OCD need for organization, that the front pocket could use two small internal compartments to help sort small items. But that is just me.
Other than that, I am simply in love with this bag. I got it in Dark Coffee Brown.
The customer service is amazing and the personal approach to business makes SB a company that others could learn from when it comes to dealing with customers. For example, the bag was late in shipping and I was getting worried. I reached out to them explaining why I was anxious about getting this bag and they got back to me right away explaining the reason for the delay. Not only that, but when the bag arrived there was a personalized note written on a piece of leather thanking me for my business and how glad they were my messenger bag now had a "friend". Really a touching gesture and the note is now a bookmark that I use on my work journal.
So, this is now my EDC bag. I am getting compliments already including how wonderful my office smells because of the leather.
Thank you Saddleback for your dedication to perfection and approach to business. You made, what I thought would be a hard decision, an easy one.
Everyone, get this bag!

My first impression was that the bag is much smaller than I was expecting, some of my customers refer to it as a "murse". Doesn't bother me at all, I prefer my traveling office to stay compact and organized. I also have the Deep Pocket Leather Duffle and didn't want two bags of similar size like with the larger briefcases.

Warning: my laptop is tiny, slightly under 12" wide and fits snug with about 1/2 inch of space on each side. The main compartment is sized perfectly for standard 8 1/2" X 11" file folders but legal sized paper will need to be folded.

The secondary pocket holds a lot and I like that it shares the single closing strap. I carry a stapler, pens, highlighters, 50 pack of gum, knife, & charging cables and it is still easily navigated.

The only thing on my wish list would be a keychain holder on the inside.

I put my 14 inch MacBook Pro in behind the divider made for it in the main compartment. Then notebooks or papers go in the center main compartment. The front section is for my lunch and my doo-dads. There is plenty of room for my needs. I like the ease of using the openings on both compartments. There is only one strap to buckle or unbuckle - - Brilliant!! I am not a big person and this briefcase is perfect for me. I trust it and enjoy it. An excellent product all around!!

This is my 2nd SB bag and probably 6-7th briefcase. I still use my Tumi Cordura for travel as it’s more functional when you need versatility but I’m really impressed. As far as a simple sturdy but elegant briefcase goes how could you get better? The Gladstone top and pocket are precise and the whole bag is typical SB built like a tank. The shoulder strap works nicely although I probably won’t use it much. The Tobacco leather is a perfect reddish blonde and it smells so good it makes me wanna drink whisky and I don’t drink. Saddle up cowboys this is it.

Perfect size for all my needs. Front pocket fits four 16oz water bottles and all my snacks, and main body fits my surface pro and stethoscope with room for papers or a book. Lots of comments already.