What Bag From Saddleback Leather

[Brian C]

I know it ultimately comes down to what I want but I was just curious as to what the forum thinks is the best choice for a 6'2 male looking for a bag to carry anything from books and journals to ammo when shooting and anything in between. Thanks. Oh, and not looking like a purse is important.

Edited March 9, 2013 by heraclitus682

[Letsdisinfect]

I bought a Large classic BC a few years back and it ultimately was too big for everyday use. I bought a large satchel and haven't picked up the briefcase since.

[WillSW]

I'm a 6' male who has had the large briefcase for over two years and use it just about every day to carry books and journals and anything else I need to carry, because most things fit. It's not a light bag, but during the week I carry it predominantly by the top handle (attache-style), switching to shoulder strap if I need two hands, and on weekends I switch to backpack mode. Occasionally I think "maybe I should have a less big bag" but usually I think "what a great bag!". But yeah, it's not light, but it will never look like a purse and will always be a great thing. And you'll get very used to people complimenting you(r bag), which you may or may not enjoy.

[Ecriveur]

Large classic briefcase in black - lots of room, very rugged construction, not at all purse-like and easy to carry for a 6'2" man.

[jkingrph]

I just got the large Classic briefcase and like it. It most definetly does not look like a purse.

[geruvah]

I have the medium classic briefcase in chestnut. This was back when it was brand new.

http://i.imgur.com/J2zZW.jpg It's aging really nice since then.

 

Saddleback actually tells you what size you should get if you want to go by your height. But if you're looking to store a laptop in it, my 15" Macbook Retina Pro just about fits in the medium.

[Shangas]

I haven't purchased a saddleback bag (but boy they sure look sweet...). I'd say the briefcase would work best. Either Large or Medium size. They look like the most versatile of their products, as far as an everyday-carry bag goes.

[warblerick]

I have the medium classic briefcase in chestnut. This was back when it was brand new.

http://i.imgur.com/J2zZW.jpg It's aging really nice since then.

 

Saddleback actually tells you what size you should get if you want to go by your height. But if you're looking to store a laptop in it, my 15" Macbook Retina Pro just about fits in the medium.

Thanks for that photo. I am thinking about a round satchel in chestnut, and the color on their webpage is not really acurate. This pic gives me a better idea on the color, which I think is perfect for me.

 

Thanks again,

Rick

[maryannemoll]

My, my, that is a gorgeous briefcase. Thanks for whetting my appetite!

[Xqmano]

Dark coffee brown large classic. Mmmmm looks so nice.

[JTJohnson17DO]

The Wife has the medium sized Brief case in Chesnut while I have the Large Brief Case in Tobacco.

 

I have had mine for the last 5 years and it has been used every single day for hauling books, paperwork, laptops, cameras to and from the hospital and on vacation. It's just starting to get broken in at this point.

 

Jeremy

[NickedMick]

I have owned a large Classic Briefcase in Tobacco for about 5 years. I am 5' 7" and the bag is probably a bit too big for me, but I had a larger laptop at the time of purchase. As someone else noted, the bag is heavy (8 lbs). All of the briefcases are deep (9 inches). I am a professor, so I can load up my computer, pens, academic journal, library books, lectures and exams with no problem However, it already weighs 8 pounds and adding only half of that junk quickly adds weight.

 

I am thinking about ebaying it or giving it to a friend and getting a satchel. It is half as thick and a third lighter. The widths, however, are very different. A large satchel is about as wide as a medium briefcase. I am also going to glue up some cardboard to the bag dimensions in order to determine the proper size.

 

My bag has the pigskin lining, but the next will have suede even if it adds a little weight.

 

My girlfriend once asked me if I had a fire escape plan. I looked at her and said, "Throw a chair threw the window. Toss out the cat, the laptop, and my bag." Apparently, I was supposed to rescue her too. Oops.

[geruvah]

It's okay. The bag will survive the fire. Maybe it'll break in then.

[gwoodbridge]

I have the large in dark coffee, and it fits everything I could possibly need in the course of a day...laptop, journals, orchestra scores, batons, notebooks, and pens. It's like a portable desk. I've had it a year and it shows hardly any signs of use save a few scratches. And, as mentioned before...it turns heads. I love it. I'm saving up for a thin briefcase for times when I don't need to carry so much...and after I get another pen

[AlecG]

I'm sorry to say, had one, but didn't like it. Was heavy and not very good to carry around. Instead of making the load appear lighter, it made it look heavier!

I prefer my fogg e-flat bag, or an diamond creek bag if I want a nice leather bag.

[Brian C]

I'm sorry to say, had one, but didn't like it. Was heavy and not very good to carry around. Instead of making the load appear lighter, it made it look heavier!

I prefer my fogg e-flat bag, or an diamond creek bag if I want a nice leather bag.

 

I am starting to have my doubts about the weight of these things. Because of that I am leaning towards the messenger bag or the satchel.

[Brian C]

I'm sorry to say, had one, but didn't like it. Was heavy and not very good to carry around. Instead of making the load appear lighter, it made it look heavier!

I prefer my fogg e-flat bag, or an diamond creek bag if I want a nice leather bag.

I like the fogg bags. Might have to look into this option.

[Trebor]

I've had a large briefcase in chestnut for about... a year and a half, two years now? Something along those lines. I use it exclusively on a daily basis (I'm not a very imaginative man; it's too much trouble rotating out many different types of bags... that and since I'm a poor student, I lack the money to build up a collection of bags).

 

It's pretty much as advertised. Saddleback bags are very rugged and VERY attention grabbing (in the good sense), so if you are worried about it not looking manly enough, don't. I've gotten compliments all the time and one of my fellow students actually asked me what my bag was and ordered one in my presence after I told him it was a brand called Saddleback (this was about three weeks ago).

 

Having said all of that, this bag, like what others have said, is a bit heavy and unwieldy. It weighs in at 8 pounds, which may not sound like much, especially if you are a bigger guy. However, when you take into account that 8 pounds is before you load in things, it can get a bit heavy. I'm not saying you're gonna struggle significantly to hold this thing, but if you have to walk long distances carrying the bag (stairs?), this may make a difference. It's also relatively large, and getting it in/out of the car isn't the easiest thing in the world. I typically keep bag in passenger seat, then attempt to take bag out as I leave the car, without opening the passenger door, and it's a slight struggle every day. Again, nothing deal breaking, just something to be aware of.

 

Also, I would say that it's a bit more of a casual bag as opposed to professional. So, if you're a lawyer and you need to be in a rigidly conservative environment, this bag may not fit the bill. That and the stupid D-rings keep on clinking. And there are... so... many... D-rings... always clinking...

 

I'm personally looking at other options when I get enough money. I guess it's a combination of the above (weight, bulk, and styling) but the bag I'm looking at it 2-3x the price of a Saddleback, so it'll have to wait until I graduate and get a real job.

Edited March 18, 2013 by Trebor

[jkingrph]

I have had my large, chestnut bag a little over a week now, and have nothing but comments about how nice it looks.

[AlecG]

I like the fogg bags. Might have to look into this option.

 

Fogg's are seriously nice, as wel the couple that makes them, as well their products. It's made to order for you, and if you want there are (some) options for custom work.

I've been carrying my e-flat today with a heavy laptop (2,5kg Toughbook) and lots of other stuff. Total weight is 7,5kg. My wife took me to Ikea and it weight a lot, but didn't hurt me like my Saddleback, Diamond Creek, Crumplers or Tom Bihn (although the ultimate strap from Tom is serious good as well).