Buy It for Life: Is a $760 Carry-On Worth It?

Until a few months ago, I’d never heard of Saddleback Leather Company. But today, I’m looking at a $760 leather duffel bag that appears to be from another century. The Deep Pocket Leather Duffle shines with heavy hardware and sturdy stitching that could have been inspired by the 1800s.

And frankly, barring some sort of over-the-top disaster, I expect it’ll still be going strong into the 2100s, well after I’ve moved on from this mortal plane.

So, having had this overbuilt duffel bag for just a couple of months, approximately 0.17% of its 100-year warranty lifespan, I’m only slightly qualified to speak to its longevity. But I do have some opinions on it as a product, as you definitely should like it if you get one.

Because I’m pretty confident that you’ll never wear it out.

In short: The Saddleback Leather Company Deep Pocket Duffle is a super-durable, yet handsome, bag. Built with full-grain leather, heavy metal buckles, and leather straps, there are very few, if any, possible failure points. With a 100-year warranty, its longevity is all but assured. However, it is very heavy, and users will give up some capacity compared with modern, synthetic bags. It is expensive, but comparably priced to similar full-grain leather bags on the market. The brand also has some critics. We’ll get into that more later.

Compare it with the competition in GearJunkie’s guide to the best duffel bags.

Saddleback Leather Company Deep Pocket Duffle Review

Before getting into the details of the build, I’d like to talk about my first impressions of this specific bag. Once I had it in my hands, it triggered a lot of emotions. When it comes to burly build, this thing is legit!

Grab the handles, and you feel thick leather under your fingers. This isn’t the lightweight material used on budget leather items. Instead, it’s obviously built for longevity first and foremost. That feeling will double when you pick it up. The bag is substantial.

Next, pull the thick leather strap that closes the main compartment and unlatch the buckle. It takes a good tug to move the leather and disengage the hasp. When it falls open, the metal clinks solidly. The 316 stainless steel feels cold and strong.

With the buckle open, I reach to pull open the main compartment. It snaps open with authority, revealing a wide, open space to load gear. I notice the tiny “Personal Bible” stashed inside the pack and scratch my head.

Next, I open the side pockets. Again, each leather pull is thick and stiff. I’ll quickly learn that these do break in and soften up with a little use, but out of the box, each piece of leather is stout as can be. My first impression is that, yes, this pack will last a very long time.

Loading This Hefty Pack

Then came the time to load the pack. I had a work trip to Los Angeles from Denver, a perfect opportunity to pack it full of gear for a few days. Three changes of clothes, a pair of shoes, and a few toiletries filled out the main compartment. I put socks and underwear in one of the side pockets. In the other, I dropped a couple of T-shirts and shorts for workouts on the road.

I quickly realized that the bag won’t carry quite as much as other travel packs that I use and own. It’s just so burly itself that the bag — which is built to fit TSA carry-on requirements — takes up a fair bit of space on its own.

But for a long weekend, it was definitely suitable. Just don’t expect to use it for weeks on the road unless you travel with minimal clothing.

I lashed the bag shut and headed to the airport. There, I found that it carried relatively well for a shoulder bag with a single sling. It certainly is heavy, especially while loaded, and doesn’t carry as easily as a backpack.

But it’s pretty comfortable in that the side that faces your body is smooth, with the pockets projecting away from you.

Heft for Longevity

I’ve mentioned the weight a few times, and it’s an obvious double-edged sword. You have to carry the weight, but it does lead to a long lifespan.

I weighed it on my scale, and it came out to be a little over 7.5 pounds — empty. For context, that’s heavy. It weighs approximately three times that of the similarly sized Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway 55L Duffle. So keep that in mind; you’re carrying a lot of weight just in the bag with this bad boy.

Of course, that’s both good and bad. The good is that most modern bags will indeed wear out over a few years of heavy use. The $175 Cotopaxi is a darned nice bag, but having used similar models from the brand, I know it will have a limited lifespan. The Saddleback will outlast it.

But having carried the Saddleback, the tradeoff is on your shoulders. Expect a little more workout on long jaunts through the airport.

Fine Print on the Build

Saddleback Leather Company gets a lot of scrutiny on places like Reddit. I spent some time researching the brand, and it gets both love and hate.

Many consumers appreciate Saddleback’s buy-it-for-life approach to consumerism. The brand has a solid warranty and is generally quick to respond to repair requests, should they arise.

But critics note that Saddleback’s marketing can cause confusion about leather quality, both in its own products and in those of other brands. Some also dislike its unfinished edges, hefty price, and religious messaging (as noted in the included Bible above). I’m not here to cast that kind of stone, but it’s worth noting.

When it comes to the physical product, which is manufactured in Leon, Mexico, it’s hard to argue about the quality, though. From the factory, the Saddleback Leather Deep Pocket Duffle is a beautiful piece.

Saddleback uses “full-grain leather,” and has a very informative rundown of the various types of leather and tanning practices on its website. In short, that full-grain leather is the full thickness of the hide, which has not been shaved, and is extremely durable. I’m not going to get into those details here, but the “in short” is that this stuff is really tough, yet beautiful.

Alternatives

When it comes to heavy leather duffels, Saddleback is indeed expensive, but don’t expect to find high-quality alternatives for cheap.

Indeed, the Filson Heritage Leather Medium Duffle rings in for a whopping $1,300, making the Saddleback look like a real value. There aren’t a ton of brands building full-grain leather duffels like this, but with a little searching, I found a few brands like ColsenKeane with offerings around $800. Col. Littleton makes another that’s priced at $975.

So clearly, a full-grain leather duffel isn’t going to come cheap. And given that it clearly takes some serious skill and materials to manufacture, I’m not surprised.

So what should you do if you’re on a budget? Well, if you opt for waxed canvas, which is also extremely durable and could arguably also last a lifetime, Frost River’s Explorer Duffel Bag, made in Duluth, Minn., scratches a similar itch for $260. The Filson 48-Hour Tincloth Duffle is a nice option, but it still costs $500.

So when it really comes down to brass tacks, the Saddleback Leather Company’s Deep Pocket Duffle is priced competitively for what you get, dare I say a great value when you figure it should last for a century. And what you get really is gorgeous.

So It’s a Carry-On?

The short answer is yes. Saddleback builds the bag to airline specs. It measures 20x12x9 inches unpacked, exactly carry-on specs.

The longer answer is “maybe.” In use, I didn’t have any problem carrying the bag onboard. I also didn’t have trouble fitting it in an overhead compartment. However, the bag does push the limits of carry-on size. I measured the bag once loaded, and it was just a touch larger than regulations allow, mostly due to the pockets protruding a little when stuffed full.

This can happen with most any carry-on bag when loaded heavily. But it’s worth noting. As with any airline situation, your experience will probably vary.

Who Should Buy a Saddleback Leather Bag

I’ve focused on Deep Pocket Duffle here, and frankly, I really like it. The bag is a great size for trips of up to a week, provided you don’t have heavy jackets or big boots to lug around. The deep pockets do provide some organization for socks, underwear, or gym clothes, and toiletries. And you get one nice big space for most of your gear, which is how I like to pack.

However, Saddleback produces a wide range of bags and accessories. From belts and wallets to backpacks and briefcases, it uses the same heavy-duty manufacturing. Everything carries a 100-year warranty, and the mantra, “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead.”

Personally, I love the concept. And I very much like the bag. It’s unique and has gotten compliments during the one and only trip I’ve taken with it. If anything, it’s almost too nice. I’d be worried about drawing attention in sketchy places.

But if you value long-lasting equipment that you buy once, and then own forever, this is a brand worth investigating. Its bags, like the Deep Pocket Duffle, are a big investment. But if you plan to use them for decades, they’ll pay you back many times over.