Leather Duffle Bag a.k.a. The WaterBag

12.00

$849.00

(103 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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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
The others aren't wrong. This thing is great!

This bag came in my saddleback club membership. While I would choose a standard duffle over this design, I'm so glad it was sent in the pack. It feels fantastic, smells amazing, and I have used it for copious amounts of tasks. Entering into a sales office, 2 different women complimented the bag as it was being used to hold paperwork on that trip. Highly recommended by me.

Posted by Ben | May 28, 2025
5
Waterbag

This bag is awesome!! Would buy again!

Posted by Anthony Misso | Apr 22, 2025
5
Use It All of the Time!!

This has got to be one of the most versatile Saddleback Leather bags. I use it on quick trips as a carry-on bag, and it never fails to gain the admiration of at least one or two envious fellow travelers. I also use it in tote format on Costco trips where it gets filled to the top. Again, it never fails to earn praise at the register where the bagger is worried about wrecking the bag with heavy items until I tell them, "do your worst, it can take it." It makes the one tripper in me giddy when I haul my entire run all at once. It is perfect for loading all of the supplies for a day at the beach, and everything in between. This bag does it all!

Posted by Brett | Nov 16, 2024
5
HOLY GRAIL LEVEL UNLOCKED!

The Holy Grail of all SBL bags has been achieved, yall. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. Its a beaut, Clark! Dave/Suzette - Can you please market rear view mirror tree air fresheners in SBL scent. That'd be great.....?

Posted by Steve | Sep 03, 2024
5
Unbelievable.

I purchased the water bag with my club membership, which (for the 2024 selection) makes a perfect 3 piece matching set of luggage suitable for a long weekend (or a week in warm climates). This bag is seemingly magic in that it holds far more than it looks like it should. The night it arrived, I packed it with clothing for 5 days, plus two flannel shirts, a light jacket, towel, swim trunks,, a spare pair of shoes, my toiletry bag, and a pair of slippers. Believe it or not, there was so much room to spare I had 3 holes left on the straps!

Posted by Tim Pavlovcic | Jul 24, 2024

Featured ITEM

Saddleback