Saddleback Leather Co. Medium Thin Briefcase – $461.00
Editor’s Note: Our arts & culture correspondent, Ben Madeska, has owned his Saddleback thin briefcase for two years now. Click here for his review after the first year. Click here for the first review when it was brand new.
It has been another year with the Saddleback thin briefcase without any real damage or wear, other than the strap (more on that below). I’m officially at the point where I take the quality of this case for granted. Same as last year, the only care I’ve given it is to wipe it down with a wet rag and apply leather conditioner once.
In the past year I moved cities and changed careers, so the way I use this briefcase has changed. No more walking to work with my laptop in it through sun, rain, and snow, day after day. It’s an occasional bag now, and more recreational. I’m more likely to put a book and camera in it on the weekend than a laptop and files. I’ve also now had the opportunity to convert the briefcase to a backpack for biking, which is a truly useful, if not entirely comfortable, feature.
This was also my briefcase of choice for a few rounds of job interviews, with one interviewer complimenting it and asking questions. It does get noticed, which may or may not be what you’re after. (Note: I did not get that job. Apparently work experience and education still play some role).
Apart from the normal accumulation of scratches and scuffs, the only wear I’ve found on the case itself is the end of a single thread that has begun to come undone. It’s still firmly knotted in place though, so I’m not expecting any problems. The copper rivets have oxidized to a dull brown and the nickel d-rings remain bright and shiny. The pigskin lining is holding up even better than the exterior leather with very few scratches at all, and those coming from the times I’ve crammed in too much equipment. For the record, you can fit a DSLR camera in there, though it’d probably fit better if you remove the lens first.
The one busted thread after 2 years of solid use.
There does continue to be noticeable wear on the shoulder strap clips. The metal on metal rubbing that happens while walking with the bag slung on my shoulder has created fairly deep groves in the clips. I mentioned this last year, and it is something that Saddleback has offered to replace. I actually fully intended to get them replaced earlier, but somehow another year slipped by (see the earlier mentioned move and career change). Truth is, it’s not something I think about until I sit down and start looking closely at the bag for damage.
Wear on the clips from metal on metal friction.
Over the past two years, this case has been perfect for commuting to work and spending the day out in the city. I’ve also done some long-distance travel with it – planes, trains, and automobiles – but I no longer consider it my first choice for those multi-day trips. That’s not to say it’s a bad choice, it’s incredibly sturdy and has protected my various electronics well while crossing time zones, but it can be cumbersome when space is at a priority. Depending on how I’m travelling, I often want something with less bulk and with better, more secure organization. Big, open pockets and no zippers or snaps to break are definitely selling points for Saddleback products, but sometimes I need more compartmentalization.
This will continue to be my go-to bag for daily use for the foreseeable future (98 more years in their 100-year warranty), and it’s by far the best-looking piece of luggage I own, but it’s not the last bag I’ll ever need.
Own a Saddleback? What model and what’s your experience been like? Have alternatives? Leave it all below.
My wife got me one of the medium bifold wallets for my birthday about a year and a half ago. It was incredibly stiff at first, but it’s thoroughly broken in at this point, with no real signs of wear and tear. It’s been my only experience with Saddleback so far, but this is definitely something that will be handed down to a grandson one day.
I have one of the slim card wallets from them (don’t see it on the website anymore) and I love it. It’s been a very good buy for me.
I bought one of these based on your 1 year review, and after 5 months I’m loving it still. Thank so much for these updates. It looks like it’s really built a fantastic patina and some of the fresh scratches in it are fading into the leather.
I have a medium classic briefcase that is almost 2 years old and love it. I choose to go with the suede lining option over the pigskin and it has not shown any wear and the bag is taking on a nice shape. I also have a couple wallets and notepad holders from Saddleback as well.
I have the same bag, going on my 3rd month with it. I love it. The metal links for the strap sometimes squeak, but other than that it’s prime.
I have the medium Bifold wallet, and the Large Notepad holder. I think both are pretty well made, but I have kind of mixed feelings about each of them.
The wallet is nice, but really thick, even when empty, which is of course, a symptom of the thick leather. My bigger issue is that mine folds up crooked when it has bills in it, and the top edge of the bills stick out the top, no matter how far down you stick them. The thing just looks kind of sloppy.
The padfolio is awesome. Only real gripe I have is that it is really big, and doesn’t fit in most of my bags, which makes me much less likely to carry it.
I have several items from Saddleback (thin brief, overnight bag, iPad case, and small ammo case). I find that yes, they are stunning, but after some time using them I have come to the conclusion that this beauty comes at a price: the pieces are way too cumbersome! I almost wish they’d sell a “pre-distressed” version.
I understand that breaking them in is part of the charm, but seriously…
Since buying those bags I’ve bought several briefcases and duffels from Filson. I love them: handsome (though perhaps not as striking as the SB ones), practical, and have the same bulletproof, lifetime guarantee that SB has (and made in the USA!).
@manwithaM
http://www.manwithacapitalm.com
I have the same slim briefcase in the same color. Coming up on my three year anniversary this summer. I use it every day to carry my laptop to the office and back, and it also doubles as my briefcase for court appearances and overnight/weekend trips.
I think the leather has worn similarly, but I haven’t noticed as much wear on the clips. I don’t often look at them closely, though.
I love this briefcase, I get compliments regularly, and would absolutely buy it again.
Mine folds up crooked if I pull it out of my pocket and just set it on the table, but giving it a little nudge gets it to sit straight. I don’t consider it that big of a deal though, because for the most part, it’s in my pocket or on the nightstand, so no one’s really going to see it crooked in the first place.
Except the little men who live in my pocket… I’m mostly concerned that mine always has bills and stuff sticking out of it when I pull it out. Perhaps I need to jettison a few cards
Have you talked to their customer service about this? I haven’t experienced cards or bills sticking out, but you’re right that it could be entirely because of how much you’re storing. They seem pretty eager to please and I’m sure they’d offer to exchange it for you.
Also they changed the design on the attaching clips. Now its this.
I got the same bag – Medium Thin Suitcase in October 2012 right before Saddleback had to raise their prices. I felt that was a sign that I should act quickly. I am extremely pleased with the bag, and as another commenter noted, they have changed the strap clips to something more like a carabiner which seems more resilient.
I get tons of compliments as I use this as my daily work bag and my travel personal item. It was well worth the investment, but I would like to try and soften it up a little more quickly….
I’ve had the large classic briefcase for nearly 4 years now. It is my weekend travel bag and accompanies me on just about every trip whether it’s stateside or another country. It has a great looking patina on it now and I get complimented on it every time I’m out with it. On longer trips I’ve been able to pack a week’s worth of clothing into it and used it as a backpack so my hands are free. Great all around utility bag and I look forward to dying with it! LOL!
Broke down and picked up the medium thin briefcase last September before Saddleback increased their prices and it is now my day to day work bag. This time around I opted for the suede lining which is nice. Wish I went with the large instead of medium, but I can still cram what I need in this bag. I’ve never used the shoulder strap on it since I don’t think it’s necessary on this small of a bag, but having the option is always nice. It’s slowly breaking in, and I’m sure after this summer it will be even softer and more comfortable.
Regardless of what bag or color you go with, you really can’t go wrong with Saddelback. Their products are simply top notch.
Cheers,
M
I have the same bag, about the same age. Looks great (and I haven’t done anything to maintain it), and the only damage is to the end of the strap, where my puppy chewed on it. Appears to just be cosmetic, just a little more character.
Maybe I missed it somewhere, but what color is the bag? Is it the dark coffee or the chestnut reddish? Thanks!
Appears to be the Dark Coffee Brown, i believe the original review said so.
I have the same Saddleback thin briefcase and its been a center piece for my on the travel needs. Well worth the moola. Holds a MBPr, charger, mouse, and cell accessories without breaking a sweat. The bag pulls compliments everywhere it goes as well.
I am on the third year with my large thin briefcase and LOVE it. I also have a first gen Ipad case, a small wallet and a medium wallet. The wallets get lots of love but the briefcase and Ipad case get comments everytime I use them. TSA always comments on them when I fly.
I’ve had similar wear issues with the clip?
Great review, Ben.