I have owned a medium sized breifbag for several months. I concur completely with Forge42’s review. I add these two tidbits - I am a very frequent flier and this bag holds up well to the rigors of travel. Second, when TSA screener tell you that you have a good looking bag, you have something. Thanks to Dave for making such a great product and kuods to Forge42 for an excellent review.

I have a couple of points:

1. The bag is every bit as awesome as he says.
2. The bag is heavy. Compared to most lightweight briefcases, it is very heavy. But you get what you pay for.
3. I have a white MacBook. The leather DID transfer the “tanning residue” to the laptop and “stained” it. I use a sleeve now, but just a warning.
4. The website is packed with info. If you read any of it at length, it is obvious that the product is made in Mexico.

Buy it….you will love it.

The second day I owned it, I decided that i should take it with me to the beach. What a better everyday test of it’s durability—short of a hurricane or crocodile attack? The bag served as a great pillow to lay upon while gazing at beautiful women tanning in the California sun (an activity better known as “taunting skin cancer”). It stood up to the beach like no other bag I’ve owned in the past: the scratches made from brushing aside sand were absorbed into the leather and were soon forgotten by it.

I—being impatient at times—took the initiative to loosen up the leather; since it starts off, as most good leather does, stiff in form but soft to the touch. Bending and stretching out the straps a bit makes the leather more pliable, softer, and puts a coating of your natural skin oil all over the bag.

There is something special about this bag. Not only does look better after taking a beating, it looks better because of the leather’s ability to absorb it’s surroundings. Every scratch, every drop of your sweat, every grain of sand, every ray of sun. This bag becomes it’s owner, in a sense. It is almost creepy: a broken-in Saddleback is soaked in all of your memories.

I am pleased. Can you tell?

Having said all that, the weight of a bag like this is generally going to be driven by what you’re carrying in it. If you’ve got 20 lbs of stuff, the difference in the saddleback bag and another bag might only be 10%.

So, yes, the saddleback bag is noticeably heavier than some other makes of briefcase. It is also noticeably better made. It’s up to you if you want to see if the trade off is worth it.

I also have this item in the “medium” size. I use it daily for work stuff, laptop, and as a carry-on during trips. It’s a great bag. Looks good. I expect it to get scuffed up. It’s a tool, not a trophy. I also agree that the “backpack” feature is rather clumsy and I will never use it.

That said, these are Mexican made bags. These are not US made products so do not be fooled. The bag isn’t made in the company owner’s back yard shed. Do your homework before you shell out the cash.

Good / Bad, you be the judge. Saddleback isn’t exactly up-front about this. In fact the stories elude to the idea that these are made here in the US. I would have liked to know this prior to my purchase. But, I am still happy with the bag regardless.