11-YEAR-OLD SADDLEBACK BAG REVIEW: The Ultimate Leather Briefcase?

* SHOP this bag in 4 leathers: bit.ly/34XfCgE
* 11 ways to save money on boots: stridewise.com/best-boot-deals
Saddleback makes the most talked about leather bag in menswear - well, in the casual heritage category. And golly, is this a casual bag, but no other company has made its mark in this niche like Saddleback. The leather's ultra thick, the bag is ultra heavy, the product is ultra expensive, but, as the company's slogan says, They'll Fight Over It When You're Dead.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an 11-year-old bag from a buddy of mine, who has been conditioning his with Venetian Shoe Cream. I compared it with the darker bag I got earlier this year.
00:00 Intro
01:38 The Large Briefcase
02:02 Saddleback's Leather
05:00 Saddleback's Briefcase Construction
08:44 Saddleback Briefase Price
10:03 Saddleback Briefcase Pros and Cons
#saddlebackleather #saddlebackleatherreview #saddlebackbriefcase

[@blitz34]

Looks like something I would use to carry a million dollars while running from a psychopath across West Texas during the 1980s.

[@Stridewise]

YES 👏👏👏

[@jaredhurtado7684]

No country for old men

[@cspteja]

What’s in the satchel?

[@samgarland3493]

After watching this review, I ordered one of their wallets to kind of test the leather. I love it! Thanks for tuning me into this brand, and now I’ve got an ambitious wishlist in the works.

[@Case16710]

The raw edges are absolutely a cost saving measure. As a leather worker, I can tell you it adds a lot of processes and time to finish the edges. Nicer products always have finished edges. Filson bags are at least as rugged, but they always finish their edges. Btw, love your reviews. Super informative, entertaining, and concise. Really appreciate the historical and process background info you always give about the companies and tanneries as well.

[@les_edc]

I absolutely agree with edges taking much longer to finish. One of the reasons leather artisans finish edges is because sealing the edge prevents moisture from seeping into the fibers of the leather and producing mold or making the leather smell funky after getting wet. So leaving the edges raw could theoretically reduce the longevity of the leather itself.

[@Toddmeister1422]

Been a few months, but if one were to purchase one of these, could they finish the edges themselves?

[@TheLifeontheropes]

@@Toddmeister1422 depends on what kind of edge treatment you wanted to give the leather and how it's shaped. Burnishing properly could be difficult depending on the angle or shape the leather might be in. If you just wanted to paint it with some edgekote that should be possible though, it just wouldn't look factory/professional.

[@coastlife1790]

Got one of these for my wife 5+ years ago and she loves it. She gets asked about it all the time. It is a little heavy but she handles it just fine and she is pretty small herself. I appreciate the transparency they have about where it is made.

[@bettersteps]

I purchased that same coffee briefcase a few years ago. Best money I ever spent. What an incredible bag. I've been happy with every single Saddleback purchase I've made. And, I've purchased many product from Saddleback. They're also one of the best gifts you could give.

[@Murhamdilah]

Love the sheen on that chestnut briefcase. I have the same bag from the same era with cow suede lining. I now carry dcb square backpack. Love the protective thick leather.

[@blackbearddmh1277]

Another excellent review!

[@Tommyboy0670]

Great Review! I literally have this exact same Briefcase! I can confirm it's heavy, but bulletproof! I've actually worn the straps as a belt on numerous occasions when my coffee deprived ass forgot to put one on before leaving the house in the am.!

[@philostopher8625]

That 11 year old bag is identical to mine. Same bag and color, and I've had mine since 2009. They're worth the money. Great review.

[@EnvoysoftheAtomicAge]

Great review of a very nice and durable bag.

[@brunonjezic6208]

Great strap trick! I made extra hole on the end of the strap on my vintage plummer bag to lose hangy strap

[@randynovick7972]

I have a chestnut saddleback briefcase (for about 10 years) and it's wonderful. While I have not been working in the office, lately, it goes with me to work every day and on every trip I take. I always carry 1 or 2 laptops and a couple notebooks, plus chargers and other office stuff in it, and there's room for all of it. Yes, it looks a bit beat up but it gets conditioned every other year or so and it's got character. I have no complaints other than 1) that the straps are fiddly and because they wrap all the way round the bag, the parts that are in contact with the ground (when you set it down) do scuff and wear, and 2) the "backpack" feature is a gimmick and if I wanted a backpack I'd buy a backpack, so when they give you 2 dinky shoulder pads for the backpack gimmick you end up squishing or sliding the two together to make a semblance of a long shoulder pad for the strap. I asked for a long shoulder pad from them but no dice -- you have to get one made by someone else to get one. For Pete's sake, Saddleback, just make a large shoulder pad for people to buy as an add-on! Anyhow, worth every penny I paid. Bought a side-pocket duffel from them, too, which is great for short trips. Same good quality.

[@TimGrant_at_Villa_Valmont]

I have two of their bags, sent to the UK, soI picked up some tax, on top of the price. Yes,n they are expensive. 15 years later for the first one I bought (messenger/backpack) which has had tough use and every working day, and it draws only positive comments, whilst being a great bag. No failures and I am very happy with the design, quality, and utility. I have even been stopped at airports (by Americans) asking where I got it.

[@saradtomlinson764]

I have two saddleback bags... slim briefcase medium in chestnut and the large front pocket in lighter leather. They are both beautiful bags. used them during extensive travel for work previously. I think they do wear it nice. That being said... I switched to a filson 24 hr briefcase about 4 years ago... I haven’t touched my SBL briefcases since. Although... after watching this video, maybe I’ll break them out. For what its worth, I’ve also put the filson through the ringer and think it’ll last a VERY long time

[@MegaMmm4]

I love Saddleback’s products. That being said, I never purchase them new. Their prices are just far too ridiculous to warrant that. I hunt online for lightly used models. I bought my large classic for $280. At that price, it’s a must have.

[@Stridewise]

Hard agree, that's a great thing about heritage stuff: you can buy them used and it's still good. The big Filson coat I'm wearing in the video I got on eBay myself!

[@CrispyFrenFry]

I do the same thing with vintage shoes so long as there is not much wear to the insoles.

[@johnschumacher8584]

Hey, I got the Alden Indy in CXL and I noticed that heel gap you were talking about. Can you see the nails with a light in that gap or is that just me? Love you channel and have bought RM Williams because of you!

[@jobro524]

Great value for the money

[@derfdswed]

I have had one for ten years. Still love this bag and it does look better with age... but I want to get something a bit slimmer and a lot lighter when I don't want to lug this thing around

[@vinmarz]

I purchased a medium slim briefcase a few years ago and eventually stopped using it because the bag is heavy. But i guess with the thick full grain leather it has no choice but to be hefty

[@stephenmiller6237]

I absolutely love mine. I have a few other pieces and even joined their club.

[@troberts1945]

I have their "Beast" giant duffle. It is absolutely fantastic and built to last. I have used it in several 30 day driving adventures. Highly recommended.

[@Stridewise]

Monster bag! It must weigh a billion pounds when it's loaded up

[@clamum]

I dunno, it's expensive but is incredibly durable, crazy warranty. I don't care for that weight either. Conflicted on this one, for me. I think the weight is actually the biggest con for me, not the price. Seven lbs empty? Yeesh. Cool review though thanks bruh

[@Stridewise]

You'll get so jacked carrying it around though bro

[@clamum]

@@Stridewise LOL good point! Do some frickin goblet squats with that mother scratcher in place of a dumbbell!

[@NorthStarLeather]

Hi Nick! Great review. I've never had much of a complaint with Saddleback's build quality or their leather (it's funny they're so mysterious about their source unless maybe they source from more than one tannery, there's clearly a "Le Farc" logo in one of their videos. Yes they are way overpriced for what they're putting into it (one of the reasons I've got a couple bags in the works). My huge problem with Saddleback is that (as far as I can tell), they're responsible for the myth of "Leather Grades" (and specifically "genuine" being a specific type of bad leather). Their viral video you mention is 80% misinformation that they're using to claim that what they use is the "absolute best" and everything else is inferior. You've done a post on it and know that a "corrected" leather from a good tannery beats a full grain leather from a lesser one any day. The "not fully tanned" is also nonsense too, shoot me an email and I'll send you a picture of the white edges of the calf Alden uses.

[@DT-vc7hd]

I love saddleback bags, I should as I own quite a few. I have no regrets, but I acknowledge that there are plenty of other great brands to choose from at their current price points. If they ditched the excess D rings (especially on the bottom), I think their designs would be near perfect (for me).

[@kle2217]

Is there a way to make the bag a little thinner by tying the bottom D-rings together?

[@adithyaabhishek8042]

Beautiful 🤯

[@corensam]

Big fan of the design, and boy is that leather thick. A bunch of lawyer buddies of mine love them.

[@Stridewise]

Oh nice! Good to know that this bag makes its way to formal situations

[@santiagoricoy1313]

Just out of curiosity, do they have a preferred color? Chestnut seems appropriate, but also black.

[@corensam]

@@santiagoricoy1313 I've seen brown mostly.

[@aaronm9139]

Nice review. Just a couple of comments on the Mexico issue. The hides are from quality USA cows. They do tan them in Mexico though. There are a lot of skilled Mexican leather workers in León so it helps with keeping a stable workforce I imagine. Also, they are not a sweat shop. They give their employees pay and benefits well beyond what other leather manufacturers do. Their distribution warehouse has plenty of full time USA workers as well so all that adds expense.

[@thecapone45]

Can confirm on the Leon leather thing. I was actually born there and have known about the history of the town and the association with leather making. I’m not sure exactly how much they’re getting paid, but speaking from knowledge of the people there, this would be a preferable job to some of the other things they could be working at. Idk, just as someone who once lived there and has family there, I can’t see myself thinking SB is out there being the bad guy.

[@mannymm7887]

@@REB4444 you’re know nothing about leather at all. Not even the slightest. The highest quality leather products that you can buy in North, Central, or South America comes from Mexico and specifically León, Guanajuato. Boots, belts, wallets, bags, anything really and they excel at boots. I can go there right now and buy a pair of Lucchese boots for less than half the price directly from the source. Mexico is literally known for making the highest quaintly leather goods. The most expensive Lucchese boots are made in Mexico for a reason. P

[@thechief043]

That's one monster of a bag.

[@rantingcullinarian]

The bags are great, people. If you're on the fence. Just make sure you get the right one for your needs. You may not need the Large Briefcase. The Flight Bag is beautiful. Find the bag that fits you.

[@actontreadway1168]

I had a slightly different briefcase model which is maybe a dozen years old. It’s great, but I gave it to a friend because I figured he’d enjoy it more.

[@Stridewise]

Very altruistic of you :)

[@aznlemonboy]

Which satchel and page will you be reviewing? Huge fan of their stuff

[@Stridewise]

The mailbag! Yes, their bags are fantastic.

[@RG2k07]

As of this writing, saddleback is having a sitewide 25% off sale. I ordered me the satchel.

[@Zofer-1920]

Great review! I deliver mail by horse in the 19th Century and need a leather bag 💼 😜

[@Stridewise]

Glad someone caught that joke, i thought it went under the radar a bit haha

[@malfaris82]

tried them long time ago and didn't find them as practical as Filson bags, they are so bulky and heavy and stiff, they might need 11 years to soften. however I must say they have great customer service , as always great review.

[@Joseph_yy]

What’s the watch? They looks so nice I couldn’t stop looking at it through out the video lol

[@Stridewise]

you're in luck! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJSWen2GeMpggpo

[@xxflamezxx1able]

Satchel and page has some interesting bags too, they look better than Saddleback and are vegetable tanned.

[@Stridewise]

Hah I just filmed the review! Totally different bag.

[@xxflamezxx1able]

@@Stridewise yeah for sure, which one did you get?

[@saish9225]

You should do marlondo leather bag review.

[@Stridewise]

I should! i visited frank clegg's factory recently got a video coming up in a week

[@saish9225]

@@Stridewise Thanks for the reply! I have already subscribed looking forward for more awesome reviews!

[@navy4735]

way way wa too big, sold all of mine on ebay. I had one for about 7 years but it was just so damn heavy.you can check out Satchel and Page, Colonel Littleton, Beixar, Walsh Mt, Filson ....it really just depends on what your needs are, what your likes are etc.....for me SB was just too heavy but it took me 7 years to finally say....no more, cant do it anymore. I needed a briefcase that was practical.....if you are traveling the world etc or travel a lot..then SB briefcase Is gonna work good....I traveled a lot in the Navy and when I got out...so it was good , took a major bashing but withstood all that bashing around via flights etc

[@rockon21ful]

Beautiful and don’t think it gets much better than Saddleback bags for a guy😎👍💼

[@adeadcrab]

enjoy

[@charlesbronson240]

Idk man, for that price most people expect veg tanned with burnished edges. Or at least I do.

[@Stridewise]

They do indeed!

[@scalyscallion]

Are there any affordable alternatives for all leather briefcases like these?

[@Stridewise]

Check out cravar, they're made in Indonesia and crazy high quality but about half the price. not quite as big though but the leather is veg tanned. I am doing a video on mine soon, the FC 15

[@scalyscallion]

@@Stridewise oh wow awesome never heard of them. Looking forward to your review!

[@ljohnston5457]

Or you could look up Marlondo Leather. They make very nice bags also.

[@CrispyFrenFry]

Check out Marlondo, who uses USA sourced veg tanned leather manufactured in Asia.

[@ginzaboy8460]

I describe SBL as being outdoor gear for people who never go outdoors. I don't get the point of having a bag that can be bitten by crocodiles, but also weighs 7lbs empty. Obviously, if you're going out into the wilderness you're not going to be carrying a 7lb leather briefcase. And if you're just walking around the city, I don't see the need for a bag which is so tough and has D rings for situations which never really come up. Like, what are the D rings in the front even for?

[@Stridewise]

Lashing it to a horse, dude! I told you! ;) Yeah I mean a lot of guys just want a cool looking bag that'll last forever and this'll do that

[@John-dx8xn]

You can find Veg tan, made in USA/UK briefcase for under 600, I don't think saddleback is worth the money based on also quality, unfinished edges, lining is rough.

[@Stridewise]

Can you recommend a veg tan USA made briefcase under 600?

[@BacktotheOutdoors]

One reviewer described these bags as an exercise in form over function. Nice to look at, but impractical in every way. Way too heavy, too much work to open and close via the buckle. A Filson gives you the same rugged look while being more functional.

[@Stridewise]

Totally agree

[@nikhilsrl]

You should check out Marlondo if you are ok with Chinese made stuff.

[@MaxxSeemov]

Nice quality bag but the asking price is too high for a product made with chrome tanned leather and made in a country with cheaper labour.

[@mattblair2224]

But i wanna carry that pie now.

[@GulfbeachMateo]

$700 for a *CHROME tanned leather bag over Vegetable tan? Jeez

[@SpartanFarron]

Loved the idea of a rugged leather bag, but the weight is a huge con for me. The bag itself will likely be heavier than the contents.

[@Stridewise]

Well you can always get a smaller one, but the leather will still be thick

[@SpartanFarron]

@@Stridewise Yeah, but the heavier it is the less distance I want to travel with it. I went with Filson's canvas duffle and bags instead. Still has some heft to it, but better carry to weight ratio.

[@Stridewise]

@@SpartanFarron For sure! Filson has great satchels too. I just bought a duffle and I love how it matches my backpack haha

[@henryjarmuszewski660]

Please do a segment on Vegan boots-the top ten. What should I be wary of? Do you like Vegan boots?

[@Stridewise]

I'm actually working on an article on that Henry!

[@xrstopherpopp120]

I've had mine over 10 years as well, been on 3 continents, but then after my last trip to China I realized it's too heavy to lug around. That is the only Achilles heal of this bag. Imagine walking and airports all day and the bag itself is 10 pounds. Style does have a cost in this sense.

[@Stridewise]

hah excellent feedback

[@ahmedsalek976]

Ehm, eh Nick, mate, did you say a 100 year warranty?

[@Stridewise]

yes

[@ahmedsalek976]

@@Stridewise that's by far the longest warranty on a product I've ever heard about in my life. ( Lifetime warranty is not a specific number)

[@Moon11067]

I have the big mouth backpack. That monster is huge and weighs as much as a quarter of a cow. I don't carry it. I think I'll use it solely for traveling, nothing more.

[@metricdeep8856]

Chrome tanned edges don't burnish like veg tanned. Just BS. In my expereince of close to 10 years with saddleback....Chrome tanning somehow leaves the core material and skin wanting to separate or not seem to be homegenious...and you get bunching and cracking of the outer surface layer. You can see it in this vid. I've sent many items back due to this. I only buy the tobacco as this seems to resist this the most. I wish they offered veg tanned versions. Chamberlains doen't help this....nor anything else I've tried.

[@earthangel8875]

Correction: It's made in Old Mexico aka Texas. USA made

[@shirayasha]

not USA made, the old mexico is referencing Leon Guanajuato. It's a sort of leather town

[@Mrmojoman19]

Is that a mackinaw jacket

[@Stridewise]

Yes sir! Review coming up

[@themcmc]

What a nitpick to complain about the logo. It's so small and blends in. You think they should do no logo or branding period? Weird. Also be aware the logo and logo version is one of the ways SBL identifies if bags are legit and what era they are from, for warranty work.

[@110PRIMO]

México is well known for its excellent leather products and craftsmanship . Sadly this guy keeps mentioning that it's made in México like it's a knock, it is not.

[@navy4735]

Agreed.

[@rafareis5957]

It looks like a saddle. (Yes I know)

[@Zestypanda]

Four years later and they outsourced to India.

[@Stridewise]

Can you tell me where you heard that?

[@Zestypanda]

@@Stridewise Look up quagga llc, they white-label a lot of leather goods. They produce their leather out of India. Some brands choose to do complete White Label, they just put their logo on it. Some prefer to buy the bolts of leather and then cut it themselves, others will send quagga their pattern and they cut it, then assemble in USA.

[@mannymm7887]

If made in Mexico leather goods bothers you then you’re a fool. Mexico is known for being the best producer of leather goods on this side of the earth and probably internationally. The most Lucchese boots (For all the Americans) are made in Mexico for a reason. Because Mexican made leather goods are superior quality and Mexicans are known for their skill and craftsmanship when it comes to leather products.

[@hydroaegis6658]

Not worth it. The durability comes from the thick leather, not leather quality. It's nothing special imo. The "design" of it is a sneaky way to cut costs while making it sound like a design feature.

[@Stridewise]

Yeah, they're overpriced.

[@mikegwin2924]

Dave is so full of bull with his stories. It’s the stuff fiction novels are made of.

[@AhnDhyYhu]

There's no doubt that Saddleback Leather products are top-notch when it comes to their quality and appearance. However, there is one problem: none of their bags and backpacks can be locked to protect what's inside. In today's world, thieves are everywhere, and they won't hesitate to snatch valuables from tourist bags. The best defense against such incidents is to have a bag or backpack that can be locked at all times. Unfortunately, this feature is not available in any of Saddleback Leather's products.

[@Stridewise]

It's funny because being able to close a bag with three buckles is about the best way to prevent pickpockets, but if you're leaving the bag unattended I can see the issue

[@ryanrobicheaux3896]

Check the buy/sell/trade group on Facebook, you’ll spend about $450

[@cmiller7299]

The personality/politics of the founder ruined SBL for me.

[@Stridewise]

Yeah I spent a lot of time trying to decide how far I should dive into that but I thought it'd look like a hit piece if I did

[@CrispyFrenFry]

Now im intrigued! Looks like I'm off to this rabbit hole.

[@thatoneguy8064]

"made in Mexicaur"

[@rustyshackleford17]

For that price, they should use a superior leather...and probably US-made. Not to mention them jacking up their prices 30-150% overnight while using throwaway chunks of leather on the outside but claiming it was for "authenticity." I love the aesthetic but Saddleback is a crappy company.

[@corbinsanchez482]

nice mask

[@RigsLife]

Insanely overpriced

[@Stridewise]

It's not underpriced

[@sebs30v]

Way way too heavy, not very practical, cheap leather, over priced, so sorry.

[@Stridewise]

don't apologize to me