Classic Briefcase

This bag is asking to be taken arround the world, to have some stories and adventures. I think it's made to resist the elements of earth and time

One of my good friends got me on to the Saddleback brand and I have been a fan since. I now have the medium wallet, moleskine cover and now the medium classic briefcase all in the coffee color, and I don't know where to start!! I was worried that I did not buy the right size since Dave says guys over 6 feet should look at the larger briefcase but, I am quiet happy with the medium. When I first got it I had to put all my everyday essentials in it and I accomplished that with plenty of room. I will be happy with this bag for a long time!

This bag is utter perfection. I have the XL in Coffee, and carry my laptops (note...Multiple Laptops), power cords, routers, and I STILL have enough room for a change of clothes, toiletries, and a first-aid and survival kit.

I am always getting compliments on this thing -- I've literally had people stop me in the street to ask where I got my bag from.

To my future wife: You'll have to be okay with polygamy, because this bag is my first love.

I've had a tobacco brown medium bag now for about 6 months. My beautifuly Johnston and Murphy bag now sits in the corner. I love this bag! I carry my 15" laptop in it all the time. I use the straps and wear it as a backpack all the time for work. Get complements all the time. Fits under an airplane seat. Best thing? I strap it to my motorcycle to and from work when I ride. I did struggle with the caribiner type clasp for the straps: they would not stay screwed on tight. So Bettsy at your shop had me sent it back and you're putting the clasp on it. Terrific! I just had you send me some Chamberlain's leather milk to condition and maybe darken it a bit (coffee brown). Now I'm starting to lust after the backpack...dark coffee brown...gotta be. Thanks for a great product! Jerry.

I've had my bag for over a year now and it's the BEST briefcase I've ever owned! It's getting worn in and more supple every day. I switch from briefcase to knapsack mode often and it is so fast and easy to do that it's hard to believe. Fits perfectly underneath airline seats and in overheads. It is AWESOME!!!!!

Several months ago I purchased the medium classic briefcase in tobacco brown and each day I grow more and more fond of it. The briefcase is built to last. I received several compliments on it and will continue to refer others to the Saddleback website.

The medium size works well for me. I am 5'10" and weigh about 165lbs. I am not an academic but rather work in a hospital. Subsequently, I don't need room to carry large textbooks everyday but rather carry my iPad, a notebook for notes, and assorted other knick-knacks like a point and shoot camera. The medium size is sufficiently large enough to accommodate everything I need to carry on a daily basis without being too heavy. As the website recommends I too would suggest a medium for someone equal to my size who doesn't need to carry around their office.

I went with the tobacco brown color because I believe it will show the marks of use over time and in doing so it will acquire more character.

I highly recommend this product and company for anyone looking for a quality briefcase that is capable of lasting a long, long, long time.

I purchased the large Classic Briefcase about four weeks ago. My brother calls it a "man bag", but every time he sees it he wants to smell the bag. He may not know why, but I do. It is the memories of youth brought back. The first thing I do whenever I pick the bag up is smell the leather. Nellie Fox and Roy Sievers fill my mind and I am transported back to those days of playing summer work-up games with my Nellie fielders glove and Roy first base glove. Used those same gloves for the rest of my playing days, Babe Ruth, high school and college.
What the hell does this all mean? I don' t know for sure, but I do still have those gloves after 48 years and hope to have this bag at least as long. Being 62 that will not happen, but I do know this bag has brought more feelings and memories and future memories than anything I have purchased since those gloves. Thank you Saddleback folks, there just may be magic in your bags..

I travel the Midwest for work. I wanted something durable but nice - but I never expected so many comments. But not because it is ostentatious - because it is so cool. People immediately comment on the quality and ask if it is new. I reply nope and it gets better and better over time. My main goal was not to be everybody else with the same cheesy bags. So I will admit I was totally impressed in the extreme high quality of this bag. Begrudgingly I recommend it but not too much because I like being unique! In fact once on a plane the guy in the middle row looked down and saw my bag on the left and the thinner version on the guy to the right. He was sold by the end of the flight.

i wast alot of money on stuff that i use all the time and it dont llast. The Classic Briefcase is the best bag i ever got in my life i take it every where i go i love this bag.This bag is big and it looks awesome i like how it turns in to a backpack that comes to use for me alot. I go out my way to tell every one i meet about this web site i tell them that it is run by a hard working very loveing people around you cant find many people like this this day and age and i let them know how awesome all the stuff is and how well made there items are.

I've had this briefcase for a couple years now and it is just getting better. Took it to a doctor's appointment and the doctor was so impressed he got one for himself.

As others have stated, this bag is very strong and carries a lot more than you think it can. I've used it both over-the-shoulder and as a backpack, and in either mode it is comfortable and easy to access. The appearance just gets better with use, and it is pretty much indestructible.

This was the first bag I purchased from Saddleback. Since then I've bought a couple more plus several accessories for me and have given a bag as a gift. Every other bag I've looked at either on-line or in person has been a poor second choice to this one.

And it's quite pleasurable but a bit heavy THOUGH I knew that. Few will tell you it's the best looking bag they have ever seen but it's a lot more. Its terribly functional. The small two pockets attached to the center partition hold my fat credit card laden wallet (saves my pants), work badge, pen, 1.75x glass readers and calculator, all within a few moments availiability anywhere, even with the strap on shoulder. The thick leather lap always seems to drop down nicely against the bag's front side without having to buckle it. A valued feature for easy access. Next , the inside front main pocket. This is used for sunglasses and tons of other stuff like a multipurpose tool and tiny LED light. Impressive space. The inside back main pocket is used for a good 3" thick of files, to-do lists and magazines. The outside end pockets each hold a disposible rain parka, one for me and one for my friend being discussed here.

You need to understand this bag is easy walk-off prey at the urban supermarket and to address that, an improvised (purchased separately) two hook leash system with rope has been devised to hook one of the bag's rings to the food cart. They won't know it's there...

One bit of minor concern is that the side strap hooks are rubbing both sides of the leather flap even with the round ends of the strap hooks turned out. In this configuration the strap hook's latch mechanisn just misses the top edge of the flap, my only concern here is the strap hook accidently disengaging. Some permanent leather wear after several years at these two locations is expected, not a killer for overall functionality.

Overall an absolutely great buy with it becoing an intergral part of my everyday work existence. What price for that excellence, eh ? My daughter is getting the same for her college graduation after she saw mine, its already hidden in the barn. I just wish that a future special edition be made with a few of those extra rings absent for those that do not intend to backpack the world, in other words "KISS". Of course, Saddleback will need to provide me with the 1st one to test out...brown large please :) .

I have wanted a bag like this before I even heard of Saddleback Leather. When I found Saddleback on Art of Manliness, I was amazed at the look and quality, but I couldn't imagine paying that much for a bag. However, I have been seeking to apply the principle of buying quality and using it for life. Knowing that I had wanted the bag for years, I knew I wouldn't get tired of it. So, I saved for several months and finally purchased my back in January of this year.

Since then, it has been across the continent with me. I have taken it to business meetings, ministry appointments, and even converted it into a backpack as I hiked to work without my car one day.

The bag is everything I hoped it would be. It fits my personality, communicating manliness, professionalism, and adventure. I get several compliments on it every day, and I can't imagine not owning it now. It already has a lot of stories. Can't wait to make more and hand this bag down to my son one day as a badge of honor.

Truly and sincerely and truthfully: Fantastic stuff, better than pix and vids can depict I picked chestnut and boy it looks wonderful The texture feels very sturdy and thick, virile, but not aggressive. The construction looks like it is indeed waranty-able for 100 years. I dont like the swivel clips (to open, one needs to unscrew them and it can be a hassle as the screw needs to be properly aligned) and will see how to change them, but thats a matter of personal taste/mania. I would use ones used in sail boats, so I know they are rust-proof and sturdy. The briefcase is so big, one could use it as a travel bag. It doesnt fit in my motorcycle trunk so I've had to use the shoulder strap and turn this beast into a back pack to drive back home, which is real cool, actually. I didnt feel the heavy weight when it was turned into a backpack. Big can be good, though: I like the fact I can slide my nylon computer pouch inside one of the two compartments. I dont have toworry about my mac being shaken around inside the briefcase. One thing I'd have loved is a few slots for pencils and pens in one of the two inside pockets. And maybe a slot to put business cards in. Again minor stuff, that I almost feel ashamed to mention in light of the overall fabulousness of this bag. Conclusion: Im getting ready for more stuff from these fine people.

I bought mine back in 09. When I first bought it, I was overly cautious with the handling of this bag. Not so much anymore. I use it at least 5 days a week. More if I'm out of town, which is a lot. I've taken this bag all over the United States. I've crammed it full with items and have truly tested out the stitching. I've jammed it under countless airline seats (I have a medium size). I've had airline stewardess offer to take it off my hands. It has been thrown into the back of countless rental cars. It has been jammed behind the seat of our work truck. It has ridden in many elevators. To every location I've gone and every hotel I've stayed at, this bag has been by my side.

I just opened the box of my new Classic Breifcase in size large and I am speachless! This bag is what I have been looking for for years and now its mine! I love, Love, LOVE it! What else can I buy now! If you ever had any reservations about the quality of this product, there is no reason for it. Just buy it and you will see why everyone LOVES this stuff!

Medium classic briefcase. Carbon black. A friend of mine turned me onto SBL last year. I blame him for my obsession with my bag (and everything that followed: large belt pouch, card sleeve, and big leather wallet. All carbon black). This bag is a tank for sure. It could be bullet proof, but I'm not going to test it. I jam it full of my daily essentials: notebooks, files, electronics, waterbladder, first aid kit, etc... As I train for my ultra-distance runs, I drop 40lb weights in it and hit the stairclimber. The bag laughs. I throw up. I take it everywhere: Flight attendant-sir may we check that bag for you? Me- this bag doesn't leave my side (or my back, mostly). Besides, first class has more room, thanks... Flight attendant: oh, enjoy your flight sir! I beat the hell out of this bag, and it still looks brand new...I've got work to do... Thanks Dave.

Notice, as you read these reviews, that anything below a 5 out of 5 star rating is rare sight. Why? Because these bags are absolutely amazing! The bag is a work of art. You will turn heads when you walk into a room with it. Everywhere I go, people ask about the bag and want to see it. I've had it for 4 days and I already have 5 co-workers thinking about buying one. This is the type of purchase you will be proud you decided to make. You will look for excuses to carry around stuff with it. If you are on the fence like I was about buying one because of the price, think of it as an investment that you'll use for the rest of your life. I look forward to reading your review of the leather once you buy it :-). Warning: Be aware of which size you need. I ordered a large and my 15 1/2 inch laptop just barely fits. It has enough room for books, a binder, pens, laptop charger and a few other things with the laptop in it. If you need more space, I would definitely suggest getting the extra large - or getting one of his backpacks.

Great briefcase! I look at it everyday because I'm so amazed by the craftsmanship, texture, and the details of the bag. I love the smell of it too. I'm going to hike Mt. Fuji with my med tb briefcase this summer.

Ok I'll admit I have not had this bag long. I was very skeptical once I took it out of the box. It was super heavy and much larger than expected. In addition, the leather was so stiff that I could barely put my daily essentials in the bag. Don't be discouraged! Just roll up your sleeves and give it a good beating--it will soften up. I sat on mine for a while and then bent every corner I could. Once it's softer, the bag will readily go from very thin when empty to massive when full. I like that because it means this bag can be used for many situations. Overnight trip? You bet. Day on the town? Easily. Board meeting? Prepare for compliments.

The firt time I took this bag out it was for a career fair. I think I got 5 compliments in about 3 hours. In addition, this thing is a great conversation piece. Although the bag was heavy, I was able to lug it all over Manhattan comfortably for a day. And finally, although I didn't think it would be classy enough to use with a suit, it is far beyond what most men carry for business.

I'll also say that getting a breifcase will be a huge adjustment for someone (like me) who still uses their backpack from college. You will not get the same versatility here, nor will you get quite the same amount of room. In order to be happy with this bag, you have to give up a lot of the conveniences of your old backpack (super light weight, zippers, additional comfort, extra pockets). In the end, it is probably going to be worth it because this bag is way more classy and will last forever.

And I'll just say that I also tried the slim breifcase and found it to be too small. It was a lot lighter, but could not hold as much stuff. It also did not have exterior pockets for things like water bottles, meaning you would have to basically sacrifice a whole compartment for food and drink. So I would recommend the classic because it is far more versatile than the slim, and equally as attractive. But it depends on your needs.

Bottom line: get one of these right now and don't look back.

Just getcha some!! Pull the trigger. Quit thinking, "man it's so expensive though." I started with the iPad case and then a little card holder, gadget sleeve and now I've got the classic BC in medium chestnut. OMG! Got it off Dave's Deals but I honestly don't see why it was discounted. Not complaining though. Anyway, my next purchase will be the pouch and then the large pad holder and.... Like I said, just getcha some!!

Just got my back, was one of Dave's deals. Dave must be aweful picky since I cannot find any flaw at 10 feet let alone 2 feet but thanks for the discount. Have traveled last 14 years and went through God knows how many suitcases and laptop backs/backpacks. Not any more love this case and will be my last one. Built to last, worth every penny and don't be scared about Dave's deals.

How often does a product exceed your expectations? This SB briefcase is awesome and will do just that even if you are tough to please! I have had this briefcase about a month (my 2nd SB product) and it rocks.

I ordered the medium because I was concerned about the weight once I got it loaded down. I can carry my 15 inch laptop, an iPad, several files, and only have one of the two internal sides full. Yet, it is not the weight that sticks out in your mind when carrying it but the solidness of the product. It is built to last and a by-product is that it will get noticed by your peers and fellow travelers.

It is a significant upgrade from the standard black nylon computer bag that the IT guys seem to love to issue everyone. I carry it for work and travel and it delivers!!!

I had one person I was working with insist that I place it in his car trunk when on a call because he did not want to deal with the hassle of a police report when someone broke into the car to steal my SB briefcase!!

The toughest part of the choice to buy this bag for me was I wanted the suede lining but I did not want to wait the extra time to get my bag. Buy this briefcase today!!! Youwill not be disappointed.

Having tried many bags as backpack for my bicycle commute I attest that the SB Classic Briefcase is the best bag I have ever used. I own the large classic as I am a big man. I carry laptop, books and the necessities of life such that the combined weight is considerable. Herein is the magic. Thanks to the design features of the bag the weight is distributed evenly across my back so the bag is comfortable. The straps have large pads so they do not dig into my shoulders. The conversion from satchel strap to backpack strap is simple. The effect of tightening the two side straps around the bag is to round out the base so that the leather base of the bag is not sticking into my back. It is waterproof. The weight moves with my body as opposed to what happens with any pannier system.

Thanks to this bag I no longer have to pack a cycle bag as a separate entity to my work bag. The two are one and the same.

I've had my XL Classic Briefcase in Tobacco Brown for about a month now. This is a big piece of luggage as advertised! I'm 6'3" and 250# and this is about all I would want to carry on a regular basis. The weight of the bag itself is not an issue. The Cordura rolling bag that this Briefcase replaces actually weighs more than this XL Briefcase. The only issue is that you can pack a LOT of items in the Briefcase and might be tempted to overload it. With a full load of 17" laptop, power supply, cords, security cable, extra phone/charger, Franklin Classic day planner, 50 pages of files, and a small sundry bag, the weight is 24.5# which begins to wear on you in the long haul. Without the thick and heavy day planner, it could be snugged down to about 2/3 the thickness if needed with much reduced weight. I still have room for a change of clothes and toiletries and use this as an overnight bag. For everyday in-office use the Large Classic Briefcase might have been a better pick, but the XL gives me the flexibility of an overnight carry on bag.
Fits in overhead bins of large airplanes just fine, as noted in other reviews. If you are worried about being asked to gate check this bag, point out that other passengers are bringing far bulkier bags onboard and jamming them into the overhead bins, and that it can go under the seat in front of you if necessary.
This is a great bag that does everything Dave says that it should. Be prepared for admiring comments!

I bought a classic medium briefcase off of Dave's Deals at 15% off. I cannot find anything wrong except a three inch bubble on the inside cover pigskin just above the handle. It is so small an issue, and you would have to have the case open to see it. I have it loaded up with a 13 inch MacBook Pro, an iPad in the back pocket, a pocket size Daytimer, all kind of cables in a cable bag, also Dave's Deals. Pens, papers, the works, and there is still room to add things. It is not heavy at all for me. I know leather. The workmanship is excellent. You cannot buy a better case for the money. For this to be a Dave's Deal, they must have very high standards. This case is so worth it. Thank you Saddleback, I will be a returning customer.