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

5
Great Versatile Travel Bag

I own a medium Waterbag in Tobacco. My purpose in purchasing was to have a bag that could be used for 2-3 days trips to see family and for short business trips. This bag will definitely work for such trips. But this bag will also do more. I recently took a week long (seven days) trip to China to visit friends and see the land. Because I wanted to be unhindered, I did not want to have checked luggage and only go with carry on. So I pulled out my medium Waterbag and packed it with seven days worth of clothes (using packing cubes). I cinched the the three straps down and the final dimensions were within carry on guidelines by the airlines. The medium Waterbag fit within every one of the three planes' (ranging from a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 to a Boeing 787) overhead compartments. For some people the only downside will be carrying the bag through the airport. It has a handle and strap. I carried the bag throughout the Beijing airport for three hours when transferring from international to domestic air travel. I was tired at times, but never burdened. If you are looking for a bag to see family for a few days or to see the world for a week, the medium Waterbag is your travel companion.

Posted by L M. | Nov 19, 2018
5
Perfection in leather

I'm from Switzerland and have been looking for perfection in leather work for a long time. Finally I found it here at Saddleback leather. I use this waterbag for all sorts. Gym .... school, travel bag and even when I'm on customer tour. if you open the package then there is a WOW effect. The bag is so beautifully processed and above all very rustical. there will never be any tearing or the like. I do not regret the purchase. It even went so far that I ordered more items. in my 2nd delivery. I thank the Saddleback team for the great work. best regards from little Switzerland

Posted by Alon A. | Nov 19, 2018
5
The Best Travel, Camping, Whatever You Need, BAG!!

I ordered the medium tobacco waterbag and fell in love with it! This is by far one of the nicest leather bags I've owned. Going on a short 2-3 day trip, this your go to bag. Going for a longer trip, the large waterbag is for you. I even purchased the larger waterbag for those longer trips. You will not be disappointed! It's sturdy and very well made! Worth every penny! Everytime I am on the website and see this bag, I want to buy it even though I own both. :)

Posted by Alyssa M. | Nov 19, 2018
5
Best thing since sliced bread!!

Wow I just opened the box from SBL and was not disappointed. I got the large waterbag in tabaco brown. From the second I opened it the color and the hardware was everything I ever dreamed of. Worth every penny! I travel quite a bit 2 weeks at a time and this bag fits everything I need. All they need to make now is a Dopp kit and I'll be set for life!

Posted by Alvin K. | Nov 19, 2018
5
What a beautiful hunk of leather!

I struggled for a while trying to decide between this, the duffle bag and possible the front pocket backpack. Without having a store or way to compare them in person side-by-side, I finally got the "go big or go home" attitude and bought this in Tobacco Brown. I was running out of time because I had a weekend trip coming up and I really wanted my new Waterbag for this trip. Being that I ordered it on a Wednesday, I opted to pay an additional almost $50 for the 2nd day air shipping. That was my only mistake! And a costly one! It didn't arrive until the following Monday and I was broken hearted! Please keep that in mind before you pony up for UPS. Back to the bag... Do not let "Medium" fool you. This thing is massive! I have a waxed canvas duffle bag that I measured to be 20" and I figured this would be a similar size. I was wrong! I think I can fit 3 of my old duffles into this one Waterbag! I'm actually afraid I will struggle to fill it! As everyone else states: it is gorgeous, it is built like a tank, it is a huge piece of leather, but I was slightly surprised that it looks slightly feminine if completely unfolded, standing tall with the sides sticking out. It resembles a womans tote if the sides are not tucked in. Other than that, I am impatiently waiting for my next trip so I can finally use a bag that costed as much as my first car.

Posted by Alysia D. | Nov 19, 2018

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