The Rugged Romance of Saddleback's Leather Flight Bag (Review)

We're welcoming Troy Barmore back to the hosting seat with this review of Saddleback Leather Co, perhaps the best known company in the space of rugged, adventure-ready leather bags for men. Troy's reviewed their briefcase before — an 11-year-old one, if you can believe it — so there was no one better to take a look at what the company is up to today and tell us his thoughts on the smaller, more wearable, more useful, still very Saddleback-y Pilot bag.

00:00 The unique allure of Saddleback bags
01:49 Saddleback's Pilot bag features
03:29 Saddleback's leather quality
06:24 Saddleback's Pilot Bag: The Pros
08:58 Saddleback Pilot Bag: The Cons
09:55 Are Saddleback's Leather Bags Worth It?

#leatherbags

[exxie]

Great, now I want a Saddleback bag because Stridewise posted about it

[birdytiger]

I love this channel knowing full well I am unlikely to ever own any of it. This bag is like, a full dishwasher I could put in my house

[dasphoenixable]

I’ve owned saddleback bags in the past but always ended up selling them. I love the style of this bag, however for me if I’m buying a bag at that price point I would want veg tag (which I’ll admit is a personal preference) and at a minimum finished edges. I don’t really care where it’s made as long as it has good construction which saddlebag does. These days I feel like they have priced themselves above where they should be and with everything else on the market you can get similar quality at a better price.

[aaronwilson]

I've had this bag for four years. It's great; I use it everyday.

[Reviews-For-You.]

I agree - not a fan of the computer pouch. I use my flight bag as a professional pilot and it is just ever so slightly on the smaller side, but it still works. Like you said, it kind of forces one to be very deliberate in what they carry around with them. Your video reminded me that even after owning this bag a few years, I had never known what that "false bottom" flap was about. I LOVE that idea.

[stanbrown]

The owner is a great guy. He came out and greeted me like I was his most important customer.

[jamrbn]

I’m about to close out my fifth year with this bag and it’s still going strong with constant daily use. I love it. Totally agree with your point about these bags encouraging you to carry only what you need. I love that this bag isn’t so big (as opposed to their classic briefcase) so that you can’t actually fill it up to an insane weight.

Also I post updates on my bag on my channel if anyone’s wondering how it breaks in over the years.

[Rogueaviation]

Nah, Man. You're not being too sappy. If you don't have an emotional connection to a price of equipment as important as a daily bag, then why buy it? If there's no connection, it becomes disposable, like those countless number two pencils we all filled circles in with.

I have an emotional connection to nearly every serious implement, accessory, and tool that I've bought or been gifted.

My own flight bag is a mere canvas backpack, made in USA, back when that was important to most folks.

It's been a constant companion, as faithful as a good copilot. It physically pained me to leave it behind when I had to upgrade to a bag that would carry more, and sit comfortably on the floor under the seats of the new airplane.

Thanks for a great video. I loved it.

Sincerely,
Matt

[vitopalazzo]

I have the messenger bag that I purchased 12 years ago. The quality of leather is top notch. I’ve taken it all over the world and everywhere I go locally. I treat the leather with a conditioner twice a year. I’m not a zipper person which SBL does not have. The only con is the weight. I’m in the market for another bag and the flight bag is probably what I’ll be going with.

[corensam]

Another shoutout to that writing. Go Troy!

[IWouldRatherBeAtTheBeach]

Where did you get the anchor keychain you have hanging from it?

[thevampiresaint]

I can definitely say I've been drawn to saddleback for years (though the only product I have from them is an amazing belt) and I've ignored most criticism of the company (mostly the prices and unfinished edges mentioned) because their bags really are just so damn cool.

[slchance]

Have had mine for 4 months and love it. It's "replacing" the smaller thin pocket briefcase. Correction: NOT replacing, I've had my thin briefcase for 8-9 years and love it soo much. The flight bag makes EVERY improvement I wanted (slightly bigger, stands up by itself, gladstone opening, gladstone opening prevents needless stress on main buckle). I'll keep them both until i die (probably).

Turns out that little flappy pocket is PERFECT for me. If i put my laptop and ALL my paperwork in the flap, it snugs up perfectly and leaves a MASSIVE amount of room in the rest of the bag, for loose sunglasses, mouse, water bottle, sandwich, whatever. I never knew I would love that little flap pocket so much.

I DO understand peoples' complaints IF i put ONLY 1 item in the flap pocket. If I UNDERSTUFF it, it looks and feels stupid. If I fill it to the brim, it does a great job.

[googeluser]

Great review and you nailed the romanticism, we all want to be as cool as Dave. I fell down this rabbit hole maybe in 2009, I own more pieces than I’d like to admit but I’m proud I’ve stayed off their website for at least five years, some bags are smaller than I’d like but I generally never leave the house without something SBL.

[txhawkins]

I use mine for Global travel. It does whatever I need. Proven over millions of miles.

[GatorAidMedical]

Love my filson 24hr briefcase. Looking for a classier version of that bag, torn between this bag and the Frank Clegg briefcase

[gabrielespana]

I was so certain I wanted the satchel and page 4 way briefcase and now y’all have got me going back and forth again

[arcajour-ir]

Weight is the only problem for me with the classic briefcase and, based on your review, this flight bag. The classic briefcase is shoulder-bruising and back-breaking. When used as a back-back, it looks dorky (at least on me). The slimmer Saddlebacks, like the Thirteener, have the aesthetic but are more useable for edc.

[kongmw]

6lbs for an empty bag is just too damn heavy for me for practical everyday use. Gonna stick to my Filson canvas briefcase 😢

[김세호-xo]

Hi? Thanks for this specific review, well, this looks like a great bag. However, the height of this bag seems a bit lower than other Sachel Style Bags. Anyway, I appreciate your effort.