Owner review roundups
What owners say after they buy
For each bag, we read public owner feedback, from first impressions to years-later reports, and summarize the patterns in our own words. We haven't tested these bags ourselves, and we don't earn commission on links. How we summarize reviews.
Briefcases
BriefcasePositive with caveatsSaddleback Classic Briefcase
Saddleback Leather · About $600 to $900 by size
Owners who've carried it for years say it's close to indestructible and ages beautifully. The most common regret is weight, and a few wish it had more modern laptop padding.
- BriefcaseMostly positive
Buffalo Jackson Roosevelt Leather Briefcase
Buffalo Jackson Trading Co. · About $300 to $380
Owners rate it highly for its rugged look, craftsmanship and practical layout. The trade-offs they mention are stiffness when new, weight, and a laptop sleeve that suits laptops up to about 14.75 inches.
Messengers
MessengerMostly positivePolare Full Grain Leather Messenger Bag
Polare · About $150 to $220
Buyers generally praise the leather, the look and the smooth metal zippers for the price. The recurring cautions are color rub-off early on and laptop fit on some sizes.
- MessengerMixed
Rustic Town Vintage Leather Messenger Bag
Rustic Town · About $60 to $110
Buyers like the rustic look and the price, and many are happy with the stitching. But reports on smell, scuffing, strap thickness and quality consistency are mixed.
Duffles
Totes
ToteMostly positivePortland Leather "Almost Perfect" Tote
Portland Leather Goods · About $100 to $150
Owners love the soft full-grain leather, the price and the color choices, and many carry it daily. Watch for an unstructured, slouchy shape, the open top, and occasional smell or shape issues on arrival.
- TotePositive with caveats
Madewell Transport Tote
Madewell · About $170 to $200
Long-term owners say it holds its shape, softens nicely and lasts for years. The caveats are dye transfer on lighter colors, an open top, and leather that one buyer felt was more corrected-grain than full-grain.