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
Awesome Bag...

I never write reviews and I'm not going to write a book here, but I have to say that the Waterbag (medium) is an awesome bag that will probably last for the rest of my life. The quality, workmanship and detail is just A1. I'm a very satisfied customer with all of Saddleback Leather products. I have the MacBook Pro sleeve and the iPad case and I will be back to buy more from Saddleback Leather. The products are not cheap but as they say you pay for what you get. I can't imagine a better made bag and the quality of material used to make it. Now the reason why I bought the Waterbag is for numerous reasons. I will use it not only for travel but to keep my camera (DSLR) safe and dust free while driving and looking for things to shoot. Well let me explain. Before I kept my DSLR and 70-200mm lens on the front passenger seat so that I would have a quick access to my camera. Dust and sudden stops were just a big problem for me. Dust is self explanatory and sudden stops would send my camera flying off the seat. Well now with the Waterbag on the seat, nicely strapped, all I have to do is put my camera in it and fold the sides over and my problems are over. The DSLR stays dust free and not a chance that it will fly off the seat to the floor while braking. Thanks Dave for making such quality products. Keep up the good work and craftsmanship, hope your sales soar through the roof.

Posted by J K. | Nov 19, 2018
5
Jekyll and Hyde Bag

Large Tobacco waterbag. When this bag arrived, I was so excited and couldn't wait to get it out of the box. The materials, construction and finishing that typifies SBL were immediately apparent, and the smell gorgeous! As soon as it was fully unpacked and all of the packing materials cleared away,I had another look. As it is an 'unstructured' bag (by design) it sort of flops around when empty, looking a bit clumsy and sad. However, when you start to pack it with your stuff, it really starts to awaken and look like the exceptional piece of design that it is. I can pack this out with as much clothing and stuff as I need to last me a good couple of weeks travel and still easily roll the top over and synch the straps down - I don't tie it too tight as I carry some breakables, but it goes over very nicely. I am experimenting with folding the tops in rather than rolling it (buckle side fold over the top and strap side over the top of that - tucking the ends in) which seems to work really well. I am just under 6 ft, and the large bag is very comfortable. The only thing I miss is the option to change it into a backpack like the medium one, however potential loads would perhaps strain and stretch the leather too much (I am sure Dave has thought of this already!) Overall a great piece of design and of luggage. I can't recommend this highly enough. If you are wavering over the smaller duffles and this bag - I suggest you get this one. There are enough buckle holes in the strap to really wrap this up around whatever you put in it. Great bag, great quality - keep them coming guys!

Posted by Amanda C. | Nov 19, 2018
5
Use every weekend!

I use this bag every weekend going back and forth to my rural cottage from the city. It is perfect. I also own the Classic Briefcase, Beast and Front Pocket Pouch. All get 5 stars but this is the bag I use all the time. I am very happy with it.

Posted by Alvin B. | Nov 19, 2018
5
I'm in love!

I absolutely love my medium Waterbag. It's extremely versatile - it can pack as little or as much as you want, and if you take the pigskin insert out, it doesn't weigh that much either. It quickly builds up character as the unlined leather stretches and bends, making the bag look more rugged and beautiful as it ages. I haven't been able to personally take it with me on a trip yet, but my wife just used it for a weekend trip and immediately got a compliment from her friend. I can't wait to use it myself, but even as a bag just standing there on a sideboard as a part of the interior design, it just fits in beautifully. This is definitely not the bag you'll want to store in a closet when it's not in use!

Posted by Anonymous | Nov 19, 2018
5
Everyone should own a waterbag

I struggled between a classic duffle and the waterbag. I went wild and based on one of Dave's reviews saying the waterbag was his favorite I got it Remove the box it comes with and you can roll the bag up for the small airplanes that gate check luggage and fit overhead. Also you can load this bag up with over a weeks worth of clothes and toys more than a hardcover roller bag. The last carry on bag I will ever buy.

Posted by Amanda C. | Nov 19, 2018

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