Every man wants a big leather bag. The kind of bag that travels with you all over the world and gets all beat up. The kind of bag that ages gracefully and wears its scars proudly.
I’m talking about a bag that smells of musk and adventure, a bag you pass down to your children.
Maybe that’s just me. I’ve always loved leather goods. Not the cheap bonded leather stuff, but the real thing. Whether it’s a wallet or a sofa, I just love the smell, durability and inherent manliness of cowhide.
So, naturally, when it came time for me to ditch the backpack and start carrying a real working man’s bag, I wanted leather.
Choosing the Right Leather Bag
There are plenty of options, from the slim and sleek to the big and bulky.
But most of the bags I liked were too big. I’m a small guy, and at just under 5’6″, most “manly” looking bags make me look anything but.
Saddleback makes some of the toughest, manliest leather goods in existence. How tough are they, you ask? Well, they come with a 100 year guarantee.
Born from necessity, they were created to withstand serious punishment. In fact, they become more handsome over time, no matter what you throw at them.
Needless to say, I fell in love immediately with the saddleback brand and the aesthetic if their products.
satchel | shirt | sweater (similar) | pants | shoes
But I was hesitant to buy one because I thought it would too be big for my svelte frame. I work so hard to make sure my clothes fit properly and flatter my body type, so the last thing I need is some oversized bag dwarfing my 130 lbs frame.
However, I was surprised to discover that Saddleback actually carries several bags that are great for shorter men. Bags that are still tough and manly, but scaled down in size so they don’t look gigantic on smaller gents.
My favorite is the round satchel in size medium.
This is the bag Indiana Jones should have carried.
It comes in three different sizes – small, medium and large. The medium is 12 inches wide and 10 inches tall, which is big enough to carry most everything you need for daily travel.
It will fit a tablet. But if you wanted to carry a laptop, you’d have to size up or choose a different bag.
It can be worn across the body or as a backpack, and it comes in four gorgeous colors. I’m partial to Chestnut.
It’s a rich medium brown with just enough red to add character without drawing too much attention. The hardware is a shiny chrome metal that feels very substantial.
This bag isn’t appropriate for formal business use. I wouldn’t take it to a job interview or carry it while wearing a dark suit. But it can definitely be dressed up a bit, especially if you ditch the strap and carry it like a briefcase.
Of course, it works perfectly with more casual outfits.
This bag is great for those days when you’re going to be out and about – running errands, relaxing at a coffee shop or on a date around town. It will hold a tablet but not a laptop.
For example, here’s what I might be carrying around on any given day:
- Keys
- Notepad + pen
- Travel coffee mug (I love this one)
- Lunch (sandwich, apple, water)
- Umbrella
- Earbuds
The best thing about this satchel is the fact that it satisfies my craving for a tough, manly leather bag, without making me feel like a little kid carrying around his dad’s briefcase. It fits me, and when it comes to style, fit is everything.
If you want a bag like this one, check out Saddleback today.
Would you carry this bag? Leave a comment below!
Adam says
Great company. I’ve carried their slim wallet for years!
Lenny says
What about leather weekend bags? What size (dimensions) would you use for yourself? I’m about the same height and weight as you, Brock.
Davidnjee says
Who won?
Brock says
John D. from Portland, OR!
rusthawk says
I’d take it on a road trip to new orleans.
Jonathon Byson says
Sweet bag, to walk with class around town. Cheers to TheModestMan!
Chailattezz says
Awesome post Brock!
Davidnjee says
Final post. I’ve wanted one of these bags for years. I’d take it with me everywhere everyday. Here’s to good luck!
rusthawk says
I would carry it when I travel.
Davidnjee says
I’d take it on a night on the town.
Brady says
I would take it to school every day.
Davidnjee says
I think I’d take this with me to the library
rusthawk says
I would take it with my pretty much everywhere.
Blake says
Exciting. I never win things though. Always wanted one of their bags. SOMEDAY 🙂
Davidnjee says
Today, I’d take it bird watching
Jonathon Byson says
Seems nice, and I like it
Brady says
I would take this bag everywhere.
Julie Baird says
I own a small one of these. This medium would be even more functional. I’d take it to the library.
Davidnjee says
I can’t think of a place I wouldn’t take this.
rusthawk says
I’d be thrilled to own it and would use it constantly.
Davidnjee says
To the movies and the grocery store.
rusthawk says
I would take it with me everywhere.
Anthony says
Love the bag!
Jonathon Byson says
Awesome Bag!!!!!
Davidnjee says
Everywhere. Everyday.
Liam says
Man that sweater/jacket is pretty sweet. Looks like a harrington a bit. Dig the tab.
rusthawk says
To visit my sister in the deep south.
Davidnjee says
To Africa
Jonathon Byson says
This is a sweet bag, great for my traveling needs!!!!
WM Gardner says
Everywhere. I wouldn’t be ashamed of having to carry things around, just gentlemanly take work with me and so on.
jaredbonnit says
Definitely an amazing daily use bag. It’d be taken pretty much everywhere.
Davidnjee says
Hiking these bags are awesome.
Brady says
This would definitely be a bag I can bring to work with me daily.
KnightOwl73 says
Where would I take this bag? To and from work, every day, plus on work trips.
Lou says
That bag is my new best friend. Let it be mine.
rusthawk says
I would definitely consider gifting it to my son, for use at his job.
Davidnjee says
Canada!
Brock says
Sorry 🙁
Davidnjee says
I’m not in Canada; I’d just take it there on trips 😉
Drew says
That is a great looking bag.
rusthawk says
Hm …I would take it to the great NW to visit my daughter.
Mark says
As a seminary student, I would take this bag with me everyday to class. Products made with great craftsmanship and care are a joy to use!
Andrew An says
Saddleback makes the most amazing products! Love their stuff!
Brady says
I have been looking for a bag that would fit my stature, for sure taking it to law school.
vanc says
Nice find.
Davidnjee says
I’ve been looking at these bags for months. I’d take it with me to maine.
Alyssa W says
This is great! Thanks for the opportunity!
Joseph Daniel Talaiver says
I love my SBL and always talk about it’s quality to anyone I meet… If I had this bag it would go from the boardroom to the workroom to the back deck of a fishing boat and hiking too…
giovanni Escobedo says
Great bag. I will check the rest of the bags out.
Victor Turrado says
Really awsome bag. And nice review! Perfect for take it around town.
Mario Figueroa says
Excellent article!
rusthawk says
I’d take it my next trip to New Orleans.
JohnnytSnow says
This would become my go-to bag
Ian L says
Hope I win!!
Chandrapaul Latchman says
This bag looks awesome! Hope I win!
SameerN says
Looks nice
Justin M says
This is the kind of bag that begs to be taken on an Indiana Jones style adventure. Awesome.
rusthawk says
I would take it with me when I travel, anywhere!
Ryan says
I’ve been coveting a Saddleback bag for years. Great giveaway Brock!
I’d take this bag… probably everywhere around town. And then some.
Chukwukere Ekeh says
This would be perfect for grad school and work.
Doug Hislop says
What a great bag.
Josh says
Great bag! This would be awesome to take to and from work each day.
Andrew Terry says
Came over from Masculine Style. I would love to win a Saddleback satchel.
Raphael says
Immodestly stylish.
Joseph says
Thanks for putting this together!
Brady says
I would take this bag with me to law school next August.
Matt Hanshaw says
Great looking bag. I have heard so many great things about this company. Hope to get some personal experience with them one day.
Justin M says
I have several Saddleback products and they’re simply unmatched.
Jon Esslinger says
Looks awesome and I appreciate your style.
Brandon says
This would absolutely be a work bag for me. I don’t have to wear a suit, so this is perfect. This would definitely go to every client meeting I have. No more simple padfolio.
Aik says
Nice post!
yeonjoonhwang says
I love all leather goods (full grain only of course). The way they age and develop character is even better than raw denim. Wish I could afford Saddleback’s bags!
Susan says
If you stashed away $10 or $20 from every paycheck, before long you would have the money, and be able to basically pay cash (i.e., pay off your credit card immediately). I save for almost everything this way and it’s amazing how fast the money adds up when you stash it out of sight. Good luck!
Seohyun says
I would take this to college classes.
gcalligrant says
+1
ZackPyle says
Yes, please!
Matthew Ferguson says
That looks like a nice casual bag that match nicely with my green road bike and casual university wear.
Ian L says
I’d take it to hell and back again . . . ok, maybe just to work everyday — but it’s pretty much the same thing!
IronMike says
I have always wanted a Saddleback bag, but just never pulled the trigger. With your help I won’t have to. 😉
Stevie Munz says
Now that is a bag. A fab bag.
Harry says
I have to agree. It is a great bag. Nice colour!
Jon says
Sweet bag
Pat says
I’ve been looking for a new work bag!
Chad says
What a great looking bag. It would go great will all 5′ 2.5″ of me!
Chad says
I travel all over the country for work and it would surely be with me.
ericher says
I would take this to Taiwan with me.
Mountain Evan Chang says
I wish they would make an offset strap (one end attaching on top, the other end attach on the side) as this keeps the bag from flopping around as much. Still… nice freakin’ bag!
Kevin A says
“This is the bag Indiana Jones should have carried.” I love this. Makes me feel like I can be high class and adventurous while exploring the outdoors.
Alex F. says
Good looking bag! Can it hold a lunch box?
Nick says
Can’t go wrong with Saddleback!
Rob says
I like it! Count me in.
And thanks for the blog. It has definitely helped me improve my style decision making
Paul71 says
I would take this bag to everywhere. Time to say good bye to my old backpack!
Patrick Kane says
I would take it to work, daily, and on business trips requiring less formal attire.
Casey says
I got my wallet from Saddleback. At first I didn’t like it but now it is growing on me. I just wasn’t used to the design at first but now I see how brilliant and convenient it is. I will never use anything else.
I would love to buy a bag from them as well but there are one or two other things a little higher up on my priority list. (gray suit and boots)
Thanks for the post- good stuff!
Casey
Jon Sabel says
This bag would be a constant companion at client meetings, for sure!
dictsonary says
Great review and photos! Love the size of this bag. Really hoping to get my hands on a Saddleback product soon.
Adam says
Great review. Their bags look amazing
Andrew G says
I would take this thing to work every day and on all my travels. It would be hard NOT to take it somewhere!
David says
That bag looks great!
David says
I’d take it with me to work every day; maybe the courtroom.
Brock says
Pretty sure you’d win every case.
tab says
That bag would look great on a short dude like myself.
Tom Chen says
Love the blog, ordered multiple times from combat gent and keep forgetting to use the code, but then I bought during the Black Friday sales.
Looking forward to reading more!
Cyrus says
You need to be a professional model. 😀
Great article. Going to try for the giveaway. Looks fantastic
Kenny says
Great review! My brother owns a bag from saddleback and has been telling me to take the plunge and get one. And I must admit I have been thinking about it. They are great looking bags, and he beats his up and it still looks great!
Thomas says
The blog is great. Hope I’m lucky or fortunate enough to win.
Calvin says
What a sexy bag!
Michael Weaver says
I’ve always been a big fan of saddleback. Glad to see the positive review, since I’ve heard some concerning stuff about a late drop in quality.
Allen says
Let’s hope I win!
Allen says
I would love to take this bag to Europe next year.
Luis Cruz says
Now thats what I call a bag.
Always loved leather bags but this one just speaks to me haha.
Bring just under 5’5″ Most bags look like well gym bags on me. So something compact yet practical is just the perfect way to go.
Plus being a computer technitian I move around a lot and I need to be prepared.
Something like this would work well with a nice tablet pc I think. Not as big as a laptop but just right.
Love the bag, love the blog. Keep on doing what your doing, cause for me at least, its helped a lot.
victorhlopez says
Great review. Hope I win!