Men's Leather Messenger bag/briefcase recommendation needed.

[Apple]

I want to buy my son a nice leather bag/briefcase for his high school graduation (yes, this is something he would use and appreciate).  Price range near $500, give or take (if something is high quality, but much less, that's fine!)  I'd be willing to pay a little more for something with a warranty, etc.

I like the look of this bag ( us.maxwellscottbags.com/products/jesolo-2-leather-satchel-briefcase.html )  Anyone know if maxwell scott bags are pretty good?




Because something like this is pretty personal, I'm trying to see what is out there, and then let my son pick the one he wants.  But, I have no idea how to tell if something is worth the price (a lot of this stuff isn't exactly cheap).  I'd love it if I could find something he could use and abuse for many years.

Recommendations/input welcome!

[milee]

I don't know that brand, so don't have an idea if it's durable or not.

My son loves using my old Coach briefcase that I got when I started my professional career. OMG, I just realized it's about 25 years old... still looks great. It's a Coach briefcase and back in the early '90s cost me $400.  I think I've gotten my money's worth out of that one.

This isn't my actual briefcase, but mine looks exactly like this one: 

[imawino]

My guy is extremely partial to Filson for that sort of thing.  They seem to be of very good quality.  Usually made in the US, if that's important to you although you need to check each products description to see for sure.  The leather bags are very expensive though.  

I don't know anything about the brand you posted, but it looks like a very nice bag.  Congrats to him on his graduation.

[justme]

I have zero idea if they make anything leather, but my bro mr "if it cost more that means it must be good" lives and dies by Timbuk2. I know they have messenger bags. I think he actually bought their diaper messenger bag in order to stay cool as a dad. lol But he has several things by them and swears by them.

[siralynn]

Apr 6, 2016 22:18:23 GMT -5 justme said:

I have zero idea if they make anything leather, but my bro mr "if it cost more that means it must be good" lives and dies by Timbuk2. I know they have messenger bags. I think he actually bought their diaper messenger bag in order to stay cool as a dad. lol But he has several things by them and swears by them.

LOVE Timbuk2 bags. I have a bunch (four mini messengers, a tote, a yoga bag I use as a diaper bag, and a couple of fold up shopping bags). They're great bags, but very casual compared to a leather bag like the one OP posted.

[tskeeter]

Apr 6, 2016 21:22:32 GMT -5 Apple said:

I want to buy my son a nice leather bag/briefcase for his high school graduation (yes, this is something he would use and appreciate).  Price range near $500, give or take (if something is high quality, but much less, that's fine!)  I'd be willing to pay a little more for something with a warranty, etc.

I like the look of this bag ( us.maxwellscottbags.com/products/jesolo-2-leather-satchel-briefcase.html )  Anyone know if maxwell scott bags are pretty good?




Because something like this is pretty personal, I'm trying to see what is out there, and then let my son pick the one he wants.  But, I have no idea how to tell if something is worth the price (a lot of this stuff isn't exactly cheap).  I'd love it if I could find something he could use and abuse for many years.

Recommendations/input welcome!

Apple, for a good selection of guy bags, check out Duluth Pack.  A variety of styles and sizes and materials.

Duluth Pack has been around for decades.  Started as a maker of bomb proof packs that are heavily used in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Expanded into more fashion oriented bags.  What I like about the line is that they are masculine and have a student look, rather than the more refined and sophisticated look of some leather bags.

[milee]

skeeter has a good point. What will it be used for? Is this something to haul books and lunch around at college or is he on the debate team and wanting to look professional while carrying his papers?  If he's at a point where you have an idea what types of career he might go into, that also might help in selection. 

[Deleted]

I really like bags that zip so stuff cannot fall out if bag tips over in car, which can be a problem for me. He might want to think about that or not depending on how he is.

Go to an edc (every day carry) forum and search bags, to get a lot of detailed info.

[Cookies Galore]

Apr 6, 2016 21:42:25 GMT -5 milee said:

I don't know that brand, so don't have an idea if it's durable or not.

My son loves using my old Coach briefcase that I got when I started my professional career. OMG, I just realized it's about 25 years old... still looks great. It's a Coach briefcase and back in the early '90s cost me $400.  I think I've gotten my money's worth out of that one.

This isn't my actual briefcase, but mine looks exactly like this one: 

I'll take it!

[Apple]

Thanks for all the ideas (and keep them coming)! This gives me a chance to show more options.

As for "style", this is a kid who prefers slacks/pants to jeans, button down dress shirts to tees, and will sometimes add a vest and tie on a random school day. I think he is going to want something "polished", since he likes to dress that way (I have no idea where he came from!), but, every now and then he'll surprise me and want a flannel shirt. I'm definitely not going to surprise him, for what I'm prepared to spend,I want him to have what he wants.

[Apple]

Milee(?) mentioned "if made in USA matters", and yes, it does...  I'd prefer made in USA or Italy.  I'm willing to pay that premium over made in China.  Also "whole grain" leather over "genuine leather". 

[ktunes]

try this site...


link

www.saddlebackleather.com/

[kittensaver]

Another vote here to look at the Duluth Trading Company. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Tiny]

There's always the ThinkGeek Bag of Holding (canvas or dragonscale):

www.thinkgeek.com/product/f2d5/?itm=158054913645custom0t-shirts_%26_apparel%26custom1bags_backpacks_%26_luggage%26id7aaa5dragongrey&rkgid=2991043620&cpg=ogpla&source=google_pla&adpos=1o2&creative=90201987645&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=COa0gYWJ_csCFRIoaQodkBUF9A

[tskeeter]

Apr 7, 2016 12:17:31 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

Another vote here to look at the Duluth Trading Company. Good luck whatever you decide.

Note that Duluth Trading Company and Duluth Pack are not the same company.  While Duluth Trading is primarily a clothing company, Duluth Pack manufactures a variety of backpacks, shoulder bags, duffles, and the like with a rugged, outdoorsy look.

www.duluthpack.com

[Tiny]

Apr 7, 2016 7:03:23 GMT -5 Apple said:

Thanks for all the ideas (and keep them coming)! This gives me a chance to show more options.

As for "style", this is a kid who prefers slacks/pants to jeans, button down dress shirts to tees, and will sometimes add a vest and tie on a random school day. I think he is going to want something "polished", since he likes to dress that way (I have no idea where he came from!), but, every now and then he'll surprise me and want a flannel shirt. I'm definitely not going to surprise him, for what I'm prepared to spend,I want him to have what he wants.

I love my Timbuk2 bags.   I 'customized' the colors (which can be fun).   And it's waterproof - in that nothing inside the bag gets wet...even when walking 3/4ths of a mile in blizzard like conditions - and then hopping on a train and having the slop/snow melt and then walking another 1/4th of mile in blizzard like/large wet clots of snow slamming earthward.    I was pretty soggy from head to toe by the time I got home - and the outside of my Messenger was soggy - but everything in side was dry.

I've done the same commute during torrential down pours and again... I'm pretty soggy, the outside of the Messenger may be soggy but the stuff IN my Messenger is always dry.

*Not sure if the current Timbuk2 bags are 'waterproof' - that was what attracted my interest 5 years ago when I bought mine.    Oh, and they are sturdy.   I have 2 (winter/summer) bags both 5 years old - I always carry one or the other, and they are just starting to show wear...