Leather Duffle Bag a.k.a. The WaterBag

12.00

$849.00

(106 reviews) Write a Review

Design of This Leather Duffle Bag

This leather duffle bag is our most popular overnight travel bag and the most versatile one. It is just one solid giant piece of leather with no breakable parts like zippers, snaps, buttons, etc. Any place that might get stress has been reinforced with rivets or hidden polyester strapping between the leather. The reason it's built with just one solid piece of leather is to reduce the amount of seams (watch the video above with bull to understand this better). Since we sew at only five stitches per inch, there is more leather between the needle holes. You see, a sewing machine is really just a perforation machine and so the fewer the holes to start a tear or let water in, the better. So when it comes to seams, less is more.

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Full Grain Leather

The cow leather I chose for this leather duffle bag is the strongest there is (full-grain boot leather, but thicker). Leather is like a roof. The shingles are the toughest and most protective layer. Leather has what is called "Grain" and it makes up the top layer of the hide. Some companies shave off the top layer to get rid of scars and blemishes because they don't want to throw any leather away. That's money. But in doing so, they shave off the shingles from your roof. It's really dumb, but they do it. We don't. We use high quality leather with the full amount of grain still there to make all of our leather travel and overnight bags.

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A Durable Liner

The bottom of the leather duffle bag has a liner covered in tough pigskin, which is stronger than the cow skin. It gives it form, but is removable and the removable liner is covered in pigskin, which is stronger than the full-grain leather. Other bag makers might line the interior with some stylish cotton fabric or nylon material with a pretty map, but we wanted durability, and we think you do too. So pack in your clothes, gear, toiletries, and collection of cool rocks, these rugged bags can handle it.

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Thread to Keep The Bag Together

Our thread is super strong industrial marine grade UV resistant polyester thread. It's the most expensive for a reason. It's so strong and doesn't turn into dust like the half priced nylon thread does. Watch out for low quality companies that use nylon just to save a buck or two. When you want a leather bag to stay strong and durable, you want this thread.

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Hardware

Using 316 Stainless Steel for hardware is like killing a fly with a shotgun, but we've never once had a problem because of this hardware. A lone tear just dropped from the eye of a metallurgist somewhere. Our clips were tried and found they can hold up to a 750 lb bag of cats over a cliff without breaking. It's the kind of hardware people use when their life depends on it. Ocean and parachuting stuff. And the metal of fancy watches and iPhones. There's no other overnight leather duffle bag or any leather bags that we know of that uses hardware this complete.

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Functionality of These Leather Duffle Bags

We haven't heard of any other full grain leather duffle bags as versatile as this Waterbag. Let's go over some of the functionality, from the ability to go from a tote to a backpack, down to it's carry on approval.

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Leather Duffle Bags That Convert Into A Backpack

The shoulder strap makes it quickly to a backpack. So when you are going to be carrying your leather bag for a while, why not use it as a backpack? Unlike other leather bags you might find in some random department store, we thought this functionality would be important, and everyone loves it. When you have it on, you will barely feel it on your shoulders, and it will still look classy.

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Carry-on Approved Travel Bags

As carry on luggage, it is within all international limits. This leather duffle bag fits into all overhead compartments and under the seats. It's our go-to travel bag for sure. Just be aware, with as much class and style this quality bag brings to the room, you will probably have to stand around answering questions about it and yourself.

Details

100 year warranty
Backpack Mode
Ideal for 5 Days of Travel
Carry On Approved

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Unfolded: 20" X 18" X 9"
Folded: 20" X 14" X 9"
Shoulder strap: 34" - 59"
Weight: 7.0 lbs

MATERIALS

Full Grain Leather
Pigskin Insert
Custom Stainless Steel Hardware
Industrial Marine-Grade Polyester Thread

1
Not What I Bought

Purchased this bag in Nov 2016. I was under the impression it would eventually water and look like the ones Dave used in his videos in the super cool distressed and uneven tobacco color. The so called tobacco finish I received did not look like it came off a rustic 100 year old sewing machine or the like. The tobacco I received was more like a chestnut with a plastic feeling finish. It will never wear into anything like the ones you see in the video or the first pic of tobacco where it has those uneven tones. Mine looks like a cookie cutter production line with no distressed uneven tones or a velvet feel. Guess it's my fault for keeping the bag longer than the 30 day return because I'm a very busy person . Customer service says they always say tobacco will come in different colors. My argument is that it's a completely different color and finish from what they advertised, not anything close to a 20% difference.

Posted by Alonso C. | Nov 19, 2018
5
Great

I needed a bag for traveling a week at a time. I'm a simple jeans t-shirt guy. This bag fits everything and then some. I unpack and use it for quick easy access to clean undergarments and socks when I'm at my destination. The biggest challenge with these saddleback bags is deciding which one to get. I recommend hitting a department store with a tape measure. Finding the right size. Then finding the saddleback that fits best. I almost bought the doctors bag , which would have been a mistake for my needs. I bought this when SB had a brown leather sale. Don't hesitate. Dopp kit coming soon.

Posted by Alton V. | Nov 19, 2018
5
Get it!

I love this bag. The versatility is its best feature. When it is packed, and buckled up for a day or more, you can pull the belts to make it even smaller. The color (tobacco) was rich. It is well made and gets better looking with the miles. I've received a lot of compliments.

Posted by Alvin H. | Nov 19, 2018
5
A work of art

I've had my eye on this bag for about a year now. With an African trip coming up I felt it was prime time for a new purchase. Sadly, both sizes of the Tobacco Waterbag were out of stock. While on the page ready to purchase the Utility Duffel, I thought, eh what the heck, I'll check the status of the Waterbag today just to roll the dice, you never know. Lo and behold, the medium was in stock in tobacco flavor! I immediately maneuvered a remove-and-add and waited a few days for it to arrive. This is my second SBL purchase, the first being a DCB Thin Front Pocket Briefcase, which I adore. The tobacco is gorgeous, and the build exudes superlative quality. I have no doubt this will fit over a week's worth of clothes and sundries. I'm also confident that it will last a century--it's a rugged piece that is sure to endure years of use and abuse. The multiple configurations and size make for a very versatile piece that will be your favorite bag in no time. Stop waiting and deliberating, it's worth the extra money, you'll never need another similarly sized bag in your life! Also, it's true, just looking at it is enough to give me a dose of wanderlust. I'm in love!

Posted by Amanda | Nov 19, 2018
5
Brilliant!

I love Large Dark Coffee Brown water bag! Wherever I travel I get comments on it. If you plan on using it as a carry-on I would recommend the medium instead. I have flown a ton with it as a a carry-on, but I usually have to sweet talk a gate agent to get them to look the other way for my very slightly oversized piece of carry-on(don't try to put it in the sizing bin, it wont fit). It travels every week with me in my car, a touch big for me as a true overnight bag.

Posted by Amber C. | Nov 19, 2018

Featured ITEM

Saddleback