What People Think
Clean Design Lines, Big, and Beautiful
EXCEEDED my expectations!
First concern was the size. Even though the video showed the packing, the problem is I'm 6'4 290 pounds and all my clothes are XX or XXXL. So when I see videos, I'm always skeptical about my size clothes. First thing I did was just a little test to see how far I could push it. In my first test, I was able to pack:
1 Pair Cowboy Boots
1 Pair Jeans
1 XXXL Hoodie
5 XXL Sweatshirts
5 underwear & socks (shoved in the boots)
I had to push down to close and pull tight to cinch, but sure enough, all that fit! And, it looked great on the outside even when that stuffed. With all that, even though the deep-pocket design is meant to go inwards toward the bag (and the inside was stuffed), I could still cram a few more socks and underwear into the front pockets with no sweat.
That's not a practical packing list, but I wanted to test how many bulky things I could throw at it and it exceeded my expectations. It looks so deep when the Gladstone is open, but when closed, the profile is really unassuming and all that was still easy to carry. It's as wide as my carry-on is tall -- almost exactly, and no doubt designed that way to fit on airplane overheads.
The weight is not bad at all. Lighter than I expected for a bag that can hold that much.
On to color. Here, I agonized. I have a front-pocket briefcase that is 10+ years old and it's tobacco. Pictures are really hard to use for color because lighting changes the look so much. In the end, I wanted something that would fit the mood of a classy mountain resort hotel, which for me was either the Dark Coffee Brown or the Chestnut. The Chestnut seemed right, but in some of the pics it looked so... red! Well, I bit the bullet because some of the pics looked exactly like what I wanted and I could not be more happy with the choice! It is nowhere near overly red. It's beautiful, warm, and exactly what I was hoping for! (Though I know color perception and preference are so variable from person to person!)
In summary, This bag is lighter than I expected, holds more than I expected, and the Chestnut Brown is as beautiful as I expected.
The only thing to nit pick is, while the Gladstone opening is exactly what I want, it is obviously more narrow than spreading wide a cloth duffel bag. For clothes in my size, just means I have to turn the clothes as I'm putting them in vs putting them in flat through the opening. How small of a nit is that?! But just for completeness of the review, I figured I'd throw it in there.
What a bag!!
Deep Pocket Duffle
As for the construction of the Deep Pocket, it is a functional piece of artwork that smells absolutely divine. I am a very picky person and I could not find a single flaw with this bag. I have a small collection of SBL items and have been most pleased with every single purchase. I will be so happy to use this alongside my older Tank as they nearly match and are of such high quality. Bite the bullet; cry once, buy once and get this bag. You won't regret it.
A tank!
Product Details
Carry-On Approved
Dimensions (W x H x D)
20” x 12" x 9” (OUTSIDE)
Pockets: 7.5” x 8"
Weight: 8lbs.
Design Of This Full Grain Leather Duffle Bag
I designed this 20” long leather duffle with 6” deep INSET pockets that stick out of the front an inch or two and sink in four or five inches. This makes it fit nicely into overhead compartments on planes. If the pockets were SEWN ON and stuck out of the front six inches, the duffle bag would be as much of a hassle as owning a boat, plane, or vacation home. Let a friend or relative own those things. You own this.
Over-Engineered Leather Duffle Bags
The Deep Pocket Leather Duffle is over-engineered. The Gladstone closure eliminates breakable parts like zippers, magnets, snaps, and buttons from being used. Over time leather stretches, but we reinforce all stress points with rivets and hidden polyester strapping to prevent this.
The two front pockets also utilize the Gladstone closure, making them unlike any travel duffle bag we have ever seen. They can hold an excessive amount of things. Like all your mini travel size personal care bottles, all your charging cables, passports, and other important documents, or even socks and undergarments.
Materials in our Full Grain Leather Duffle Bags
We only use the highest grade and strongest leather on this travel duffle bag, called full-grain leather. What is full grain leather, you ask? Well, the easiest way to explain it is that it doesn’t have any top layers shaved off of it. A great analogy I like to use is comparing the top grain of leather to the shingles on a house. The top grain (shingles) is the toughest and most protective part on the cowhide (roof). We don’t shave any layers off of our leather; we like the strength and character it offers. The leather we use is mineral tanned with Chromium (Cr). Chrome tanned leather is the most corrosive resistant leather you can get, which means your leather Front Door Duffle bag is corrosion resistant as well.
Our custom 316 stainless steel hardware can be used if your life depends on it. It’d be what you would want, as a matter of fact. If you google it, you’ll be incredibly impressed, but metallurgists give me some pretty crazy looks when I tell them it’s what I use on our bags.
The inside, opposite the two front pockets, has a big open pocket made from pigskin, which also lines the entire interior. Pig skin is even stronger than the full-grain leather we use.
We sew it all together at only 5 stitches per inch using incredibly strong polyester thread. We do this so that there is more leather between the needle holes and fewer holes to start a tear. And our thread will not deteriorate like nylon thread when the sun hits it.
Functionality
There are so many cool features on this leather duffle bag. First and foremost, the mid-18th century Gladstone Bag closure we used on the main compartment and the two front pockets is built for a lifetime of use. This came from a time when zippers weren’t a thing yet, and they needed to keep the leather bag closed for travel. When opened, it stays open, and it’s really wide, so it’s easy to dig around when you’re trying to find that surprise gift you brought to give your significant other.
I put holes all the way out to the tip of the three straps that secure the closures. This way, you can cram-pack every crevasse and still be able to strap it securely closed.
What It Fits
Carry-On Approved
3-5 days of travel
A Perfect Size Leather Carry On Travel Bag
This is a great size duffel bag for a few day business trip or a quick getaway. You can fit enough in here for about 3 to 4 days for one person. Or pack for two, take your special someone on a weekend trip, and leave the suitcase at home. You can fit your clothes, toiletries, and other essentials and belongings, throw this over your shoulder, and be ready to go. And unlike other bags, this one is classy, stylish, and at the same time, durable and rugged. With the durability this one has, it will last at least 100 years. I don’t think you can say that about your last overnight bag.
Adjustable Shoulder Strap
We know some people are of different heights, so we made this with an adjustable shoulder strap. So if you want to wear it right below your shoulder, that is your prerogative, or if you want it down to your waist, you have options for your particular style. And with our serious stitching and hardware, you will not have to worry about it breaking, even if you have it loaded with several hundred pounds. Although if you have that much stuff in it, the shoulder straps are the least of your concerns.
Difference In Genuine Leather Duffle Bags and Full Grain Leather Duffle Bags
Full Grain Leather Duffle Bags use the strongest and most protective part of the cowhide, whereas genuine leather duffle bags just means it has leather of some type. It can be leather with all of the good outer layers shaved off, or it can be a cheap manufacturer that uses bonded leather and calls it genuine. It could also be said that it contains genuine leather, meaning cheap leather is used somewhere in it. That is why it is good to be educated before grabbing some cheap duffle bag at the department store that says genuine leather. You want thick full grain leather if you want it to last. That is the highest quality you can get.
Saddleback Leather Co Makes Full Grain Leather Bags
We only make full grain leather bags, not because we want to brag or because it costs more, but because we want our leather bags to last generations. We want you to be able to pass down your leather duffle bag to your children or grandchildren.
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