I've been looking to buy a backpack and carryon bag for traveling in the BIFL approach. As I've been researching I've found a few bags at Saddleback I love, mainly because of the style. Some examples:

https://saddlebackleather.com/leather-backpack-front
https://saddlebackleather.com/leather-duffle-bag-water

In general I like their style a lot. However, I am also seeing a ton of... controversy around them being overpriced, misleading marketing, etc.

But what I can't find is anything that is a similar style and size but either 1) cheaper or 2) similar style with better quality. If they are overpriced I feel like I should find either products of a similar style and pricepoint but higher quality or similar quality and cheaper.

Before I pull the trigger on some Saddlback products are there other brands for bags (specifically backpacks and carryon sizes) that I should be looking at?

Comments

MonstahButtonz t1_iufui9r wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:21 AM

#363,040

Can't speak to other brands, but I have a wallet from them and the build quality is impeccable. I'd imagine the bags follow suit.

Handball_fan t1_iug14fa wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:12 AM

#364,763

I have the one in the second picture but when l bought it it was called a “ water bag “ , it’s over 10 years old now and been all over the world but it’s a bit big for weekend trips.
l also have a briefcase bag but I find it too small for most things so it just stays in my work truck with pens pads and my industry bylaw.

have you looked at Col Littleton leather goods ?

Suburbking t1_iug1m96 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:16 AM

#364,912

Unfortunately, I don't think they have any real competition unless you get someone to custom make you something...

HagOfTheNorth t1_iug8t34 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:12 AM

#366,813

I know most people consider Fossil a fashion brand, but their leather bags are pretty good. For something more artisanal, a quick search found Rock Cow Leather Studio

Due-Calligrapher-720 t1_iug96c4 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:15 AM

#366,919

I don’t have much knowledge on saddleback but I bought from WP Standard which does a lot of quality weather products for a much more reasonable price. I bought a messenger bag from them maybe like 5 or so years ago and it’s still in great condition.

https://wpstandard.com/collections/all/products/panam-duffle-bag?variant=39611089911945

https://wpstandard.com/collections/all/products/the-roll-top-backpack?variant=16381252534323

old-hand-2 t1_iuhlhtz wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:08 PM

#379,270

Expensive? Yes.

Overpriced? I don’t think so.

These are some of the best made leather bags in the market. They’re beautiful, durable, and warrantied for 100 years. You can’t really lose by purchasing a bag like that. It’s like buying proper kitchen cutlery, all-clad pots and pans (or cast iron), or other well crafted products. You’re buying superior quality.

demosthenesss OP t1_iuhw4l0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 1:41 PM

#382,561

Replying to Handball_fan (#364,763)

I have looked at Col Littleton! They seem too... fancy for me stylistically. I like the more rugged style that saddlback has.

demosthenesss OP t1_iuhz105 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 2:03 PM

#383,430

Replying to HagOfTheNorth (#366,813)

ooooh that's something that is a lot more similar style!

[deleted] t1_iuie765 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 3:49 PM

#387,861

[removed]

Muncie4 t1_iuiea7h wrote on October 31, 2022 at 3:50 PM

#387,900

You are obfuscating a few idiots for a ton of controversy, let's not do that.

They raised their prices and told everyone beforehand and why. Internet asshats, who couldn't run a lemonade stand, then got mad and decided they were overpriced.
They changed how they process their leather and told everyone beforehand and why. Internet asshats, who know zero about leather, then got mad and decided that aesthetic changes impact lifespan.

These are the issues you speak of. Want Saddleback look for Kmart pricing? EBay or google can find you many sources, usually from India, that have direct copies or companies that use the same aesthetic. Are they BIFL? One never knows. But Saddleback is BIFL. Your call.