Win it: The Blue Claw Co. USA Made Leather Weekender

Blue Claw Co Made in the USA “Bronson” Leather Weekender – $495

Travelling used to be a blast. You’d motor on up to the mountains. Or you’d hop on a plane and head on vacation. Even the verbs were fun. Now most of the population slugs their way through traffic in uninspiring wheeled boxes, or they put on their most comfortable crocs & sweatpants, and drag-arse onto a sardine can with wings.

One bag isn’t going to change all that. But this new addition to Blue Claw Co.’s lineup might just remind its owner that the fun of a getaway begins not when you arrive at your destination, but well before that. Maybe even when you pull out the good luggage to start packing. Sweatpanted-croc-coach-flying-cranks be damned.

Made in the USA of USA sourced leather. 

Blue Claw really went for it on this one. The entire thing is made in the USA, and the leather is even sourced from here in the states. And it feels amazing. Outrageously soft, but still thick, with a noticeable but not rigid grain. It’s the kind of leather that some big-name, fancy pants designer would almost certainly charge a second mortgage for. According to the Blue Claw guys, it’s a custom leather that took quite a bit of time to develop. And how it feels in your hands is the reward for that patience.

The leather looks soft, because it is soft. All hardware is solid brass.

All of the hardware on the bag is solid brass. And the extra wide zipper opening, with it’s claps and d-rings at the edges, makes for easier packing and unpacking.

The rip-stop liner is fully-sewn to the interior of the bag (so it’s secure and there’s no puckering of billowing from loose fabric), and you get one interior pocket for small items. Brass feet keep it slightly elevated off the ground, and expect the leather to age and pick up a nice patina over time.

1944 cubic inches, but seems to pack more. Probably because of how flexible it is?

At 18″ w x 9″ d x 12″ h, it’s not the biggest thing, but it “feels” bigger? Like you can pack more in it than other duffels of this size. That’s probably the softness of the leather coming into play here. It’s the leather that really makes it flexible/easy to stuff your gear into. So just around 2,000 cubic inches, but should do well for a weekender. Plus, it’s carry on approved.

Available in either the rich brown shade shown here, or a lighter, almost walnut-like leather. Ships free. $495 is steep for a lot of us. But if you’re the type who wants to buy something made in the USA that’s gonna last, then it’s a luxury investment worth considering.

Enter here to win the Bronson Leather Weekender from Blue Claw Co. shown above. Deadline for entry is 12:59 PM ET on 8/4/15. Many thanks to Blue Claw for sending along their newest bag for a review and giveaway!

UPDATE: Congrats to C. Dawson who won the random drawing for the new Bronson Weekender from Blue Claw Co. Thanks again to Blue Claw for passing along their newest bag for a review & giveaway!