July 3, 2009 Most interesting bags you've never heard of
Today we’re thinking outside the nylon box, er, bag. Many of these bags are heavy, most are leather, and some are tactical. Several are American-made, some are cheap, and some are ridiculously expensive. Still, they’re the most interesting bags you might never have heard of:
DULUTH TRADING AWOL BAG
SADDLEBACK BRIEF & SUITCASE
FILSON WOOL FIELD BAG
BARBOUR TARRAS IN LEATHER
BAILEY WHALEMOUTH
THE “RED STATE AERONAUT”
MAXPEDITION FLIEGERDUFFEL
BAD DUFFEL #3
OCCIDENTAL
ENGLISH RESERVE FROM CHAPMAN
Traditionalists will definitely want to check out the Chapman site (video tour here). The quirky division of product lines (ranges in the Queen’s English) is typical for the UK but the determined surfer will be rewarded with some interesting finds. I started one-bagging many years ago with an English-made bag very similar to the one pictured above. It was sold through the old Banana Republic - when it was an off-the-wall catalog and not a mall store.
Frank@OBOW
And here’s a nice deal from an interesting merchant on the waxed cotton Barbour Tarras, might make a nice personal item bag.
Reader Comments (7)
Wow, you're not kidding about the Aeronaut bag.
Actually, it makes me realize why my Aeronaut seems familiar - it's a stiffer version of my EMT bag. Of course! Except my EMT bag doesn''t come with backpack straps, which is really a shame.
Do you know of Duluth Pack? www.duluthpack.com. Made in America with lifetime guarantee. I use some of their bags. Monte
Monte, I have looked at Duluth Pack but didn't get anything of theirs put in. They do have some nice stuff.
What do you guys think of Aspen Luggage - Soft Suitcases ?
I had forgotten about Aspen. They look pretty plain but are made of good materials. Maybe I'll do a post about them in the future.
Back to the past - an inexpensive soft-sided suitcase line from RedOxx:
Aviator "duffels" (really suitcase not duffel shaped):
http://www.redoxx.com/catalog/cat_aviator-duffel-bags.html
The Small Aviator Bag is carryon sized, lightweight, but robust:
http://www.redoxx.com/product_categories/8/products/22-small-aviator-bag
Most of these are also available in breathable mesh panel (on the "narrow" suitcase side, except the bottom) versions for gym/gear storage use. I bought the medium mesh, but it is pretty big, too big even for all my boxing gear!
You should also have a look at the classy bags by Floto. www.flotoimports.com Some are actually fairly light as well - especially the small duffles. Combined with a decent strap it could be a classy alternative to nylon, also it would last a lifetime with care.