Origins Leather Company Classic Briefcase Review – $425

Back in March of this year we posted an article on an up and coming leather goods maker called Origins Leather Company. (You can see that post here.) Origins posted a Kickstarter Campaign that was successfully funded and helped jump start their brand and products.

Origins Leather Company was founded by Aaron Dean, Erik Sjolie, and Michael Sjolie. They formed the company in order to introduce high quality leather goods for both the business as well as the casual user. A commitment to the highest quality production, the highest quality leather, and the highest quality hardware was one of their founding principles. That introductory article in March has led to a review of their Classic Briefcase, on which BestLeather recently got our mitts on.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

As those who have had the experience of opening a box with their newly arrived leather good understand, the smell of the leather is usually the very first impression. There was no exception when I opened the box that contained The Classic Briefcase. The leather smelled terrific, as it usually does with vegetable tanned leather. I have often heard that one way (albeit not always 100% accurate) to distinguish vegetable tanned leather and chrome tanned leather is by the smell.

Considering vegetable tanned leather is tanned using natural and organic ingredients, the leather smells a little more natural. I asked Erik Sjolie why they used vegetable tanned leather instead of chrome tanned leather. The main reason was environmental friendliness. As a company, they wanted to produce goods that were environmentally friendly and vegetable tanned leather certainly has a significant leg up on chrome tanned leather in that department.

My next impression was how soft the leather felt. I have handled plenty of high quality leather goods, but for some reason the leather on The Classic Briefcase felt very soft. It felt as good as butter tastes. The feel can be attributed, I am sure, to the blend of oils and waxes used to finish the leather, but whatever the reason, it felt nice.

Like all of Origins leather goods, The Classic Briefcase is made from five to six ounce leather. That is thick leather for a bag, but it does not feel too thick and is not too heavy. The bag weighs in at only 3.8 pounds, a relative lightweight compared to some other classic briefcases we reviewed. One main reason for this is that the bag is unlined. I actually prefer my leather goods unlined. I really appreciate the finished side of leather, but also the unfinished side. It seems to give the bag a more natural feel and look. The unfinished side on The Classic Bag is very smooth, with no loose fibers and looks great.

CONSTRUCTION

The Classic Briefcase is made in “Old Mexico” by the same company that has been producing other high quality leather gear for many years. There is always a concern when buying expensive leather goods from an unproven company that you are not sure what you are going to get. Let me put your minds at rest and tell you that you have no need to worry about the quality of any of Origins leather goods. They are made to the highest of standards and with the highest quality products by a trusted and proven company.

The briefcase is made from five main pieces of leather: the back and flap, the front, both sides, and the bottom. If I tried hard to find a gripe with this bag, it would only be that the bottom of the bag is its own separate piece, which connects the front of the bag and the back of the bag. In other words, Origins did not use one solid piece of leather to go from the front of the bag all of the way to the back of the bag and then to the flap. Technically, one piece of leather would make the bag a little stronger, since the stitching is typically the weakest link. This does not concern me though for a couple of reasons:

First, Origins uses two straps to secure the bag, which run from the front of the bag, down the bottom and up the back to the flap. The straps are riveted to the top of the bag and are secured with loops on the front of the bag. This means that the straps serve to give the bag structure and support. The straps are also made from two pieces of five to six ounce leather sewn together and are therefore very hefty. There is no way that these straps would fail–unless you tied them to the back of your truck and attempted to tow your boat with them.

Second, the bag is sewn with marine grade polyester thread. Polyester thread is significantly stronger than the cotton thread that many manufactures use, but is also three to four times stronger than the nylon that other high quality leather goods makers use, so the bottom of this bag will never have any issues.

One benefit of using a separate piece of leather for the bottom is that the bag tends to sit a little flatter. If you use one piece of leather for the front, bottom, back and flap, then the bottom tends to bow just a bit. You don’t have this issue when the bottom is its own piece of leather.

The Classic Briefcase has a compartment for a laptop up to fifteen inches (my 15″ MacBook Pro fits snugly), with a small additional pocket for keys, phone or other paraphernalia, as well as two pen holders. The rest of the inside is a larger compartment to stash the rest of your office gear, paper, lunch, or other necessities. There is also another piece of leather sewn to the back of the bag where you can stash the morning paper, a magazine, or–more likely these days–your IPad. The bag itself is 15 3/4″ wide, by 12″ high, by 4 3/4″ deep.

The bag also comes with a carrying strap for hoisting the bag onto your shoulder or across your body for easier carrying. The strap is made with two pieces of leather sewn together and is fully adjustable. It has a shoulder pad that is just the right size and has plenty of padding.

HARDWARE

The Classic Briefcase is riveted together on major stress areas by solid copper rivets and burrs. The top of the bag has a one inch strip of leather that secures the handle as well as the bag straps. There are six rivets that keep this strap in place. There is a rivet that fastens both the front of the bag to the side, as well as the back of the bag to the side, on both ends of the bag. This is not totally necessary, as the polyester thread would probably be adequate to keep the bag together, but these rivets reinforce the bag and ensures it will not come apart. The D rings on each side of the bag are also sewn and riveted.

As far as I have found, these solid copper rivets and burrs are the toughest types of rivets you can get. What happens is that you punch a hole through the leather pieces that you want to rivet, place the rivet head and post through one end, put on the burr (basically a solid copper washer), and pound the washer tight onto the leather. The post is then nipped off, and the remaining post is pounded until it mushrooms out and virtually becomes one solid piece and virtually indestructible.

The D rings and center bar buckles for the straps are also made from solid brass, as are the swivel clips and buckles on the carrying strap. The result of the excellent hardware, as well as the premium leather and solid construction is that Origins offers a 100 year warranty on their products against defects. Only a serious belief in the quality of your product would lead to a warranty like that.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The Classic Briefcase from Origins Leather Company is constructed with excellent craftsmanship, is made with some of the best leather you can find, also happens to be more environmentally friendly, and is a beautiful rendition of a classic style. The bag is roomy enough to carry everything you need for a day at the office, but light enough to not feel bogged down. The “trunk chestnut” color is beautiful and will eventually wear into a beautiful patina. At $425, the price is right for a high quality bag that will serve you and your posterity well for many years to come.

August 11, 2014December 19, 2017

Vanderburgh ‘One’ Travel Humidor- $123

Cigar aficionados (or want to be aficionados, like myself) can really be flashy at their next gathering where the ritual of cigar smoking is involved. The leather-wrapped Vanderburgh ‘One’ Travel Humidor is indeed a fancy vessel to carry around your prized smoke. What will tickle the fancy of leather enthusiasts as well is that the leather on the ‘One’ humidor is the same leather Saddleback Leather uses. Saddleback Leather has partnered with Vanderburgh to provide the leather to many of their custom humidors.

Construction

The materials used for the Vanderburgh One are of the finest materials around. A solid bar of aircraft aluminum is milled to the humidor’s shape and then anodized to protect the metal from oxidizing and staining. On the screw top is an inlay of an exotic zebrano wood. A rubber ring is placed on the fastener to create an air tight seal. The leather is a full boot grain leather stitched together with polyester marine grade thread. The color on this particular humidor is called tobacco; black and chestnut are other available colors. The dimensions of the humidor are 7.5 inches tall by 1 inch wide. Empty, the humidor weighs 4.5 ounces.

Function

The Vanderburgh One Travel Humidor is built to carry one cigar up to 7 inches x 56 gauge in size. It works as a humidifier, as it creates an airtight seal, locking in the moisture and keeping moisture and air out. To prove this there is a video on Vanderburgh’s website that involves owner Eddie DeJong-Vanderburgh taking his humidor white water rafting. How the leather will stand up to excess water is a concern to me. but that will be a test of time.

Aesthetic

The Vanderburgh One is a luxuriously designed piece. The heft alone suggests that it is built sturdy and can withstand time and traveling of all sorts. Seeing as how the leather is the same leather as Saddleback Leather, it scratches and scuffs easily. Like Saddleback Leather products, these markings are meant to only add character and a patina with age and wear. While the wood inlay on top doesn’t serve any functional properties, it is another added luxury image. My first impression of the travel humidor was it was big and bulky given the design and materials used. It is essentially a luxurious product for what are expensive and collectable tobacco products: cigars. The screw top fits snuggly when fastened and is sometimes difficult to unscrew. Fortunately the leather on the outside provides a good grip and only requires a little bit more effort than one would expect to unfasten. Again, this suggests the airtight seal will let nothing out or in and provide additional insurance to that prized stogie.

BestLeather Conclusion

Considering the materials and craftsmanship that goes into each Vanderburgh One travel humidor, the price is exactly where it should be and, in my opinion, is a great value. Perfect for throwing in your luggage, briefcase, tackle box, or on display on a bookshelf or mantle, you can be rest assured that this thing is bombproof to protect your cigar. Although one is enough to own, in my opinion it would be better to own at least 2 so you can share a cigar with a friend as the ritual of cigar smoking usually entails. Check it out here.

August 10, 2014December 19, 2017

Marlondo Leather Smartphone Wallet Review

Ma Londo, owner and proprietor of Marlondo Leather, is kind of an enigma. He burst onto the leather working scene a couple years back with some very cool and interesting takes on (what has become) the standard leather briefcase styles, and he also designed some smaller pieces like Dopp kits, belts, and wallets.

And then . . . Poof!

He was gone. His website was taken down, there were communication difficulties, and all that was left were some very loyal fans and some really great leather pieces.

But now, he is back–with a streamlined operation, an Amazon storefront, and some new designs like this nifty little phone sleeve/card case.

Construction, Aesthetic, and Use

It is a pretty simple design–just a single piece of leather that is lined in pigskin, folded in half, sewn together, and then reinforced with rivets. There is a second piece of leather attached to one side that will fit two or possibly three cards.

The sleeve is not specifically created for an iPhone, but its occupant definitely needs to be approximately iPhone sized. I tried to squeeze my HTC One X+, which is slightly wider and taller than my iPhone, to no avail.

The sleeve is great for a night out, or for traveling very light. It will only hold your essentials–phone, ID, and a single credit or debit card–so it might not be suitable to be your everyday carry, unless you are very organized. Challenge accepted?

To order something from Ma, check out his website here, choose one of his current designs, or talk to him about creating something specific to you.

August 8, 2014December 19, 2017

Longer Lasting High Quality Leather Soles – Rendenbach

This is a sponsored post by SHOEPASSION.com.

The name Rendenbach enjoys worldwide recognition, synonymous with extremely comfortable, high-quality manufactured leather soles. Founded in 1871 by Joh. Rendenbach Jr., this traditional company has always used the same, centuries-old production method to create first-rate Rendenbach soles—namely, pit tanning. This special tanning method is not only environmentally friendly, but also guarantees the unsurpassed quality of Rendenbach soles.

Rendenbach soles – traditional and exclusive quality since 1871

Over 140 years have elapsed since Johann Rendenbach Junior founded his eponymous, Trier-based leather factory in 1871. In the beginning, Rendenbach’s great-grandfather and grandfather delivered breathable, sturdy Rendenbach soles to upscale shoe factories and shoe repair workshops. The one-of-a-kind quality of these soles led many renowned shoe manufacturers to demand their own, customized designs.

Now in the fourth generation of family ownership, Rendenbach is currently run by the founder’s great-grandson, Hanns Rendenbach. He continues the tradition of the Rendenbach sole in Trier, Germany’s oldest city. As before, the secret of the Rendenbach sole still lies in traditional pit tanning; few manufacturers can perfectly execute this classic craft.

high-quality natural products

The renowned pit tanning method is essential to the production of a high-quality Rendenbach sole. Inside roughly three metre deep oak pits, vegetable tannins are combined with soft leather fibres. In keeping with tradition, Rendenbach only uses first-rate leather hides and obtains the tannins exclusively from natural sources. The special tanning formula contains oak, spruce and mimosa bark, as well as the Mediterranean valonea fruit. These natural products make Rendenbach soles especially skin-friendly.

Before the Rendenbach sole is complete, it undergoes a series of preparatory steps: the leather is oiled with vegetable fats, gently dried, rolled, and cut. This intricate, environmentally friendly process pays off; it’s reflected in the extremely high quality of the leather, as well as the solidity and sustainability of the Rendenbach sole.

The Advantages of Rendenbach quality

The Rendenbach sole not only guarantees natural water resistance and a stable form, but also an incomparably high level of wearing comfort. Rendenbach soles are distinguished by their light weight, their ‘air-conditioning’ effect, and their natural, elegant grain pattern. These traditional leather soles are completely biodegradable, fulfil the requirements of the German Medicinal Products Law, and are ISO-9001 certified.

Each of the models in our exotic men’s shoe collection is fitted with a high-quality Rendenbach sole; after all, a first-rate leather sole lays the foundation for every exclusive men’s shoe.

August 7, 2014December 19, 2017

Moxie and Oliver Friday Flask Review – $65

An artist’s nostalgia is perhaps a blank canvas. For artist Caitlin McNamara, her canvas is–you guessed it–leather. Caitlin’s art and passion for leather has led her to create one of a kind hand-tooled, branded and dyed pieces that are as awesome to look at as they are to use. The leather wrapped flasks are one of her signature pieces on her website, Moxie and Oliver. The Friday Flasks are meant to be fun, witty with a quote or even personalized saying, and used as one would- to carry some of their favorite spirit.

Since 2004, Caitlin McNamara has been making her pieces of art on leather. What started into making gifts for family and friends turned into a passion and obsession as her product line grew. Her innovative uses include leather bowls, leather wall panels, and colorful and exciting variations on handbags, wallets, portfolios and other leather products.

Construction

The flask is made of 18/8 stainless steel wrapped with 3-4 oz tan brown full grain leather. As with all Moxie and Oliver pieces, this leather wrap for the flask is cut, branded and dyed then finished with a protective coat before it is stitched together by hand. The stitching is a thick waxed brown nylon thread. The top of the flask features a screw top with a hinge.

Function

As one might suspect, it holds up to 6 ounces any alcohol or liquid (4 and 12 ounce sizes are also available). Since it is stainless steel, any liquid placed in the flask will not impart metallic tastes nor will the flask stain from the liquid. The top is very functional and efficient as it does not leak when screwed on and held upside down.

Aesthetic

The branded lettering, distressed finish to the leather, and cross-stitching on the backside makes for a very elegant piece and enhances the plain nature of just a regular stainless steel flask. Spots of liquid or oils from one’s skin enhances this piece and gives it an aged and weathered appeal. The flask is narrow and slightly curve shaped to fit nicely into a coat or bag pocket. It also is easy to grip.

BestLeather Conclusion

Whether a birthday gift, housewarming gift, bachelor gift, or gift to yourself, the Moxie and Oliver Friday Flasks are genuine pieces for genuine spirits. Caitlin has a few different quotes from famous writers available to choose from and you can even have a custom quote or saying branded into one. Enjoy your favorite spirit or just enjoy life a little more with a leather enhanced piece.

Check them out here.

August 6, 2014December 19, 2017

Marlondo Leather Thin Briefcase Patina Followup

Here are some photos of this Marlondo Leather Thin Briefcase that has been in action for almost a year now. It’s beautiful. The back is smooth and shiney where it has rubbed against clothing and the front is rugged and smooth with use. No signs of any weakness or failures yet and I don’t suspect there will be.

Interestingly, as I was shooting these photos in the coffee shop a gentleman walked by with the oldest floppiest Saddleback Leather Classic Briefcase as well. There are two photos of that at the bottom.

July 31, 2014December 19, 2017

Good Stuff Design Four Pocket Leather Bifold Wallet- $55

Shaun Malinowski, 31, began working with leather just over a year ago when he was rebuilding a 1972 Honda motorcycle. As a cosmetic addition, he wanted to wrap the bike’s battery box with leather even though, up to this point, he had never worked with leather. Upon completing the project, Shaun was left with quite a lot of leather and decided to see what else he could make. From here, he was hooked.

Cracked plastic ID window, torn credit card pocket, or torn nylon bill pocket are the most common culprits to end the life of your common department store wallet purchase. A good sturdy wallet that is built to tough, stylish and functional takes a bit more effort to find – not only that, but a wallet you are actually going to use and not decide down the road doesn’t fit your newly acquired credit cards. Everyone seems to have their preferences when it comes to size and functionality. Shaun Malinowski has his shop on Etsy called Good Stuff Design that is just what the name suggests. His simple custom designed wallets are well constructed, sturdy, and stylish.

Construction

Here is an original design by Shaun which is a 4 pocket bifold wallet. The leather used is a 3 oz. vegetable tanned leather that is hand dyed with saddle tan oil dye and finished with a conditioner. The edges are all hand-stitched with brown waxed nylon thread and burnished and dyed. The wallet has one unlined pocket in the back for bills and four pockets in the front for cards or other paper. The two front pockets are merely slots instead of fully lined pockets. When open, the wallet measures 8″ x 3.75″; when closed, it measures 4.5″ x 3.75″.

Function

This wallet can best be described as a step up from a minimal wallet. It has ample room in the back pockets for cards, receipts, or other papers and also has a bill slot which most minimal wallets do not. I have always found it awkward to try to stuff folded bills in a side pocket on a more minimal design, especially when you have more than one bill or are in a rush. The pockets seem to hold whatever you stuff in them, making it as thin or as fat as you allow it. With 3 cards in both front pockets, a few receipts in either back pocket and 5 bills, it is still pretty slim.

Aesthetic

Out of the box, like most leather goods, it is a pretty stiff wallet. However, it only took about one day to get the card and bill pocket to stretch out. The color was a bright orange, which was a bit bright for my taste, but I’m happy to say that it has already started to wear in and darken to a more tan/brown color. With age, this color should look very nice and antique like. Lastly, I was concerned that the front pocket ‘slots’ were flimsy and a tad awkward but then grew to appreciate them after a week’s vacation of stuffing cards, bills, and receipts into this wallet. The slot design helps to keep the wallet thin when closed and is easy to get adjusted to.

BestLeather Conclusion

For the price, this wallet is well worth the money. What looks to be simple and classic is actually a smart design with a minimal feel, yet with the convenience of added pockets and a bill pocket to those like me who just can’t get used to two pockets to hold all. Shaun has several wallet designs and can work with you to customize them to your liking as well. See Shaun’s shop here.

July 30, 2014December 19, 2017

BaytowneLeatherUSA iPad Air Leather Sleeve Review – $75

BayTowneLeatherUSA is an Illinois-based Etsy store specializing in handmade leather goods including leather folios, sleeves, wallets, and belts all created by a single leathersmith – Roge. Roge (short for Roger) creates all his products by himself in a 18×24 foot leather shop behind his home. Due to this single-crafter business model, he is able to customize any of his products or create new items from scratch according to the customer’s specifications. With a perfect 5 star rating from over 200 reviews in the last two years, BayTowneLeatherUSA is one of the most reputable leather stores on Etsy and it’s easy to see why.

CONSTRUCTION

All BayTowne Leather products are hand cut and made with 5/6oz full-grain leather. This particular leather iPad sleeve is made of a single piece of natural vegetable tanned leather with a coat of Carnauba wax for protection. Everything from the shape, waxed stitching, and leather strap/closure method can be customized and priced accordingly. There really is no limit to the customization offered by Baytowne Leather. After seeing a tapered cover on another website, Roger was able to edit this cover to match at no additional cost. He also offers free 3-letter monogramming.

BaytowneLeatherUSAIpadAirSleeve10 — Roge handcrafts each piece in his 18 x 24ft shop.

FUNCTION

As a basic leather sleeve, it does its job. The strap is sturdy enough to maintain a tight closure at all times and can be used to clip on a stylus. The leather can be rather tight and stiff in the beginning, but stretches with time. If given notice, Roge now designs the sleeves to be slightly wider to accommodate cases. The thickness of the leather offers some shock protection to the iPad but is more functional as a barrier.

BaytowneLeatherUSAIpadAirSleeve6 — Just big enough to fit an iPad with a Moshi Versacover case.

AESTHETIC

The natural vegetable tanned leather ages gracefully with time to leave a patina unique to the owner. This sleeve gained an unexpected tan-line after being left out in the sun and continues to tan even after eight months of use. On the other hand, if you aren’t one to wait for your own patina to mature, there is a hand stained “Antique Brown” option. Neatfreaks beware: coffee stains and oily handprints are hard to get out but still manage to make the sleeve look beautiful. On the other hand, the leather with wax coating is rather resistant to scratches and does not show scuffs easily. The delicate balance between raw edges and smooth clean lines adds a bit of sophistication to this rustic iPad sleeve.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The BayTowneLeatherUSA iPad Air Leather Sleeve is reasonably priced for a customized handcrafted iPad carrying case. If you are willing to wait a few weeks for a handmade, uniquely crafted case built to your exact specifications, this is the case (and the man) to go to. Make sure to order early around the holidays since a single leathersmith can only work so fast. If you don’t have an iPad, you’re going to want to find something to stuff inside so you have an excuse to carry this around.

Click here to check out BayTownLeatherUSA’s goods on Etsy.

July 29, 2014October 27, 2019

Saddleback Leather Medium Classic Briefcase Two Year Review – $568

Some people get to a point in life when they decide to take the leap from their college nylon messenger bag to a quality leather piece that excels in both form and function. If you search for “best leather briefcase” in Google, the first hit will be the Saddleback Leather Company website–and for good reason. Saddleback Leather (SBL) is a Texas-based company specializing in full-grain, fully tanned leather goods designed to last a lifetime and beyond. This is an online company whose commitment to well-made leather products have earned it a cult following among the style and leather forums across the internet. Out of all the products, the Saddleback Leather Medium Thin Front Pocket Briefcase is the earliest and best-selling product and a fine example of the quality of goods this company has to offer.

Construction

The classic briefcase is constructed in Mexico and comprised of only 4-5oz American-sourced, full-grain, fully chrome-tanned leather hides with subtle pull-up features. There are 4 interior pockets and 2 exterior side pockets. To make sure this bag makes it at least 100 years, only nickel plated D-rings, reinforced double stitched straps, UV resistant polyester thread, and 3 large leather sheets with minimal seams are used. Two years ago, the shoulder straps were constructed with dog leash style clasps that were later converted to stylish screw clasps. Unfortunately, these did not hold up as well to daily abuse and suffered problems from becoming unscrewed on its own to detaching at the hinge. The company has since switched back to the dog leash clasps. It took me one e-mail and the customer service rep handled the free exchange process immediately. Not only was the clasp replaced, but they kept the original leather strap which had two years of patina builtin.

SaddlebackLeatherMediumBriefcaseTwoYearReview1 — Temporary fix for the old screw clasp style

SaddlebackLeatherMediumBriefcaseTwoYearReview2 — Replaced and good as new!

Function

In the past two years, my briefcase has seen its fair share of abuse and travel. It works equally well as a daily carry for a professional environment as well as a personal item during travel. Due to the thickness and quality of the full-grain leather, this bag has some weight to it. Weighing in at 6.6lbs empty, it can easily become a strain on your shoulder and back once filled to the maximum. Add in a hot or humid summer day and running through an airport to catch a flight, and you may regret having thrown away that college nylon messenger with the torn corners. Once this bag is used as a daily carry however, it seems as if the body adjusts and the weight eventually becomes a non-issue. Certain features of the bag may see more or less use. The D-rings are less useful if you’re daily activities don’t require strapping on equipment and the open outer pockets, perfect for a soda can, are not ideal for smaller items which can easily fall out.

Aesthetic

This bag runs the gamut. Fresh out of the delivery box, it is smooth, pristine and tough as nails. Although clearly not a fashion bag designed for the runway, it can work for a casual business meeting where everyone else is carrying a boring zippered black leather briefcase. After some time, there is no guarantee what your bag will end up looking like. Coddle it and it will stand clean and firm. Abuse it and it will transform into a handsome rugged bag better suited for a camping trip or rodeo. Wipe off the dust, add some conditioner and you can bring it back to the office the next day. Two years later, my bag feels so much softer but just as strong. Areas of heavy contact at the edges and handle have collected the oils from my skin, leaving behind unique character and highly valued patina. So far the full grain leather and stitching has shown no indication of breaking down.

Best Leather Conclusion

The Saddleback Leather Medium Thin Front Pocket Briefcase is a durable and unique bag with a classic and versatile design. It is not for the buyer who is looking for a lightweight bag or prefers to keep their leather goods flawless. It may not work as an everyday carry bag for some, but it’s pros make this a bag worth keeping in your arsenal of leather goods. Based on my issues with the carrying strap hardware, the customer service is top notch and the company seems to be holding its promise that this bag will last a lifetime.

July 28, 2014December 19, 2017

OluKai Mea Ola Leather Sandals Review – $120

OluKai is a California-based footwear company founded by Hawaii Native Bill Worthington, who first began selling island-inspired leather sandals in 2006. It maintains strong ties to the Hawaiian community while focusing on environmentally friendly practices both in Hawaii and California. Each product is given a Polynesian name with Mea Ola meaning “creature.”

CONSTRUCTION

The Mea Ola is constructed using the “Wet Sand Principle.” Like a foot sinking into wet beach sand, the sandal is made to cradle the foot with use. It boasts a biomechanically engineered anatomic footbed with a deep heel contour to support and align the foot. The toe post is hand-sewn with metal rivets and the straps are full-grain leather. The lining is synthetic pigskin with a neoprene backing and the midsole is compression-molded EVA wrapped in full grain leather. The outsole is also wrapped in full grain leather and made with 30% recycled materials with non-marking natural latex gum rubber traction pads. All leather is sourced from environmentally conscious ISO-14001 certified tanneries while manufacturing is done in Asia and Mexico.

FUNCTION

Built by a company dedicated to the waterman and ocean lifestyle, these leather sandals fulfill their job. This sandal can handle any situation from the beaches of Hawaii to the concrete jungle of New York City. It is water-resistant but not waterproof and the traction pads maintain a steady grip regardless of weather. Compared to my previous pairs of more “popular” mainstream leather sandals, these sandals do not warp or color bleed onto your feet. Although OluKai is all about comfort, it takes a while before the tough construct of the sandal is actually broken in. Eventually your foot will create its own personal impression and sink into a bed of comfort, but expect a blister or two first.

OlukaiMeaOlaSandals2 — Give it some time and the leather will reward you with a custom fit around your feet

AESTHETIC

It’s ok to judge this book by its cover. The Mea Ola leaves no aesthetic detail behind. From the handsewn canoe lash whipstitch detail to the laser etched artwork, every nook and cranny is carefully designed onto a polished-high quality leather bed. If the Dark Java color is not for you, there are four other color options to choose from.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The OluKai Mea Ola Sandal is one of the highest priced leather sandals and not for the casual beach-goer looking for quick comfort at bargain prices. It takes some time to break in and requires some maintenance and care, but they will reward your feet with long lasting comfort and luxury style.

July 27, 2014May 9, 2020

Allen Edmonds Dalton Wingtip Dress Boots Review – $395

Allen Edmonds is a Wisconsin-based shoe company which has produced shoes for over 90 years for Americans to enjoy. It is one of fewer than 10 American shoe companies who still produce their dress shoes domestically and is arguably one of the best upscale shoemakers worldwide. Although the stores tend to be located in busier metropolitan areas, everyone can purchase directly from their online store which has live assistance, an interactive fitting guide, and demonstration videos to help you make an informed decision.

CONSTRUCTION

The Dalton is the product of 212 steps in the shoemaking process. It is built on the welted 511 last, perfect for the average shaped foot with a slightly fuller toe area. It runs true to size. The leather upper is calfskin and the sole is made of butyl double leather. There is a sturdy pull tab for easy slipping in and out. This boot also comes with more lives, since it is eligible for the legendary Allen Edmonds recrafting service. Recrafting prices range according to the level of service but bring your shoe back to near-new condition. Everything from the soles, welting, cork layer, and laces can be replaced and the uppers refinished.

FUNCTION

The Dalton works well as a daily casual shoe. By using the company’s online interactive Shoe Fit Guide, you can easily determine the exact size and width of your shoe to maximize your comfort and use of these boots. The boot is lightweight enough for casual walking and day to day activities. For avid golfers, a custom golf sole can also be installed for an additional $50. The firm heel area may eventually start causing discomfort in those whose professions require standing or walking all day. This is no work boot and would not be ideal for harsh weather or environments which would inevitably damage the leather uppers and sole.

AllenEdmondsDaltonWingtipDressBoots1 — After a long day of travel, you’ll still want to keep these boots on.

AESTHETIC

The Dalton is built for those looking to convey sophistication with an edge. It has a classic wingtip blucher with brogue and medallion design which will elevate any casual outfit. Although it is called a “dress boot,” it is ideal for a blazer and jean combo but is too casual and bulky for a tailored suit. The lace color can be changed to the owner’s preferences but finding waxed laces at a minimum 48’’ length can be difficult. A quick Internet search will show that the vast majority of owners are quite satisfied with the surprising comfort of these boots.

AllenEdmondsDaltonWingtipDressBoots6 — Customize your boots with some color.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The Allen Edmonds Dalton Wingtip Dress Boot is a well priced upscale leather boot which should be a staple in any gentleman’s shoe closet. Words don’t do it justice when you can just stare at it. Instead of choosing the boots, you will be choosing clothing to match. Don’t forget to put aside some of your budget for cedar shoe trees and an eventual recrafting as you will want to keep these boots forever.

July 26, 2014May 9, 2020

2014 Reader Survey – What Questions Would You Leather Companies Ask Our Readers?

It’s time for our annual reader survey, sponsored by Saddleback Leather this year. We will be giving away an incredible item from the SBL inventory to one lucky entrant.

This year we have seen 64,000 readers and 427,000 pageviews. What would you like to ask them?

If you submit you questions then you will be sent the reader survey results.

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July 26, 2014December 19, 2017

Ghurka Large Pouch No. 65 Review – $150

Ghurka is a NYC based company focused on producing leather goods with a classic American style. The company factory started in Norwalk, CT in 1975 and its founder, Marley Hodgson, was inspired at an estate sale by campaign gear made for Ghurka regimental officers stationed in India during the early 1900s. The company’s ownership and ideals have shifted over the years but the current company is bringing itself back to its roots in terms of construction and design.

CONSTRUCTION

Like all Ghurka products, including the Cavalier II No. 97, the Large Pouch is made with the original secret vegetable tanning formula of the very first designs. The leather is full grain imported calf from Italy or France (depending on which customer rep you talk with) with the signature Ghurka checkered lining. Although Ghurka is slowly bringing back its production back to the United States with some core designs, other items such as the pouches are still assembled in other countries such as China or the Dominican Republic. They then undergo strict quality control evaluations prior to hitting the shelves. Don’t assume the worst though – the second your hand picks up that thick supple leather, you’ll know you are holding a quality piece.

FUNCTION

The Large Pouch measures 8.75″ x 12″ with a single zipper for easy access and closure. It is the perfect size for an iPad Air or standard documents and is a great alternative to a standard folio or sleeve. The full grain leather and soft lining is substantial and adds a layer of protection to electronics or other fragile items.

AESTHETIC

The Large Pouch has a simple and classic design with the Ghurka logo subtly debossed onto the front. The pouch has a polished and sophisticated look with rounded edges and inverted hemming. In India Orange, it’s sure to turn heads although if that doesn’t suit your style, there are 11 other color and material options available, depending on the collection.

GhurkaLargePouch6 — A Ghurka Large Pouch makes everything seem more luxurious – even your office skull and orchid.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The Ghurka Large Pouch No.65 is… a large leather pouch – with an equally large price tag. Although it serves a basic function, it stands out in quality and classic style. It is a nice investment for those who appreciate luxurious leather even in the simplest of items.

Check it out here.

July 25, 2014December 19, 2017

Ghurka Cavalier II No. 97 Review – $1295

Since the 1970s, Ghurka has produced leather goods with a classic American style. The Cavalier series of duffle bags continues to be a staple of the company’s products and exemplifies the goals of Ghurka. When Francis Ford Coppola was asked to choose his favorite luggage maker, he stated “Ghurka. Their leather bags don’t wear out, but get more weatherbeaten and lovely with age.”

CONSTRUCTION

Like the Ghurka Large Pouch No. 65, the Cavalier II is made with full grain European leather and tanned using the secret vegetable tanning formula Marley Hodgson originally acquired. Although designs vary, all Ghurka luggage combines sturdy brass hardware and the signature Ghurka checkered lining. Each bag is then debossed with a unique registration code to verify its authenticity and date of production. In terms of size, the Cavalier II is the middle child of the series and is the smallest duffel that comes with a matching luggage tag.

FUNCTION

The duffel is a no-frills piece of luggage with adjustable sides for additional storage and easy zipper access. There is a single zippered internal pocket to hold smaller items. Although a carrying strap is given, the bag’s sturdy handles are soft as butter in the hand and will beg to be carried. The Cavalier II is perhaps the largest size which can pass through airport security as a carry-on and easily fits in overhead bins on most domestic airplanes. It carries enough for a typical weekend or a week at the beach when clothing necessity is at a minimum.

GhurkaCavalierIINo9709 — The signature checkered lined interior is the perfect size for a weekend.

AESTHETIC

If thrown in a pile of luggage at the airport, the Cavalier II will stick out like a sore thumb–or rather like a well manicured thumb with a gold ring. It is sleek and modern with its turned down edges and flawless leather, although it still has an air of classic sophistication. This bag looks expensive and well…. it IS expensive. This is one of those of bags that you will keep close to your side so people aren’t tempted to take it away. If walnut isn’t your color, the bag comes in eight other color and material combinations to fit your style.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The Ghurka Cavalier II No. 97 is a head-turning and surprisingly roomy duffle perfect for a weekend and adequate for a week. It is priced very high, but will be worth it to those who prefer to carry their luggage proudly in the air instead of dragging it behind them.

July 23, 2014December 19, 2017

Backcast Outfitters Fly Fishing Gear Review

Many of us have had the experience of a product giving out on us. You are walking to class and realize that your backpack strap has broken. You pull out your wallet and the threading has started to unravel. You reach for your belt to pull it on and it has almost completely broken where you cinch it.

Eric Rice with Backcast Outfitters had similar experiences with fishing gear that continued to fail him. When Dave Munson of Saddleback Leather approached Eric to design fly fishing gear for some friends, Eric leapt on the chance to design some heirloom quality fly fishing gear, something he felt passionate about. He wanted to “create natural, amazing products so well constructed that fathers would pass them to sons along with hand drawn maps of secret fishing holes, sweet spots in the river and techniques so subtle, they could only be shown, not told”. With that desire and a great opportunity, Backcast Outfitters was born.

Backcast Outfitters designs the highest quality fly fishing gear, using the highest quality raw materials, made by the best craftsman. It’s a fairly simple recipe that produces outstanding results. BestLeather had the opportunity of reviewing a few of Backcast Outfitters fly fishing gear. We reviewed their 5 Pocket Leader Wallet, their Floatant Holder, and their Fly Dryer and Leader Straightener.

5 Pocket Leader Wallet – $84

Designing high quality leather gear is not an easy task. It took a lot of trial and error, testing, and a commitment to designing the best possible product. In Eric’s analogy, “A poorly dressed fly won’t fool a fish and a poorly constructed product won’t fool your discriminating tastes”. One of Backcast’s signature products is their 5 Pocket Leader Wallet. Like all of Backcast’s products, the leather used is four to five ounce full grain leather. If you want a durable good, full grain leather is what you want. It is the outermost layer of leather that has the tightest grain pattern and is therefore the most durable. The Leader Wallet is also lined with super durable pigskin and the pockets are connected, accordion style, with deerskin. The Wallet is 2.5″ by 5″, which is just the right size to fit inside a vest pocket or hip pack.

Like all of Backcast Outfitter’s products, the Leader Wallet is made to last a lifetime. Their “until the cows come home” warranty means that if you ever have a problem with one of their products, they will fix or repair it for free, for your entire life. To be able to offer a warranty like that, a product has to be built right. The Leader Wallet does not have any zippers or clips that can break. Instead, you fasten the wallet by slipping the top flap through a strip of leather and connecting it to a solid brass collar button. The result is that you have no worries that your Leaders will go missing and no worries that the Leader Wallet will fail you.

Floatant Holder – $26

In speaking to Eric about some of his products he related how he was frustrated with previous floatant holders that he owned. He would head out on a fishing expedition and upon reaching his spot he would find that his floatant holder didn’t make it with him. He decided to design a floatant holder that would be virtually indestructible and that would make it with him to that special spot every time.

Backcast’s Floatant Holder is made with two pieces of full grain leather sewn together with polyester thread. Polyester thread is know for its super durability; three to four times stronger than nylon thread, it can take a beating and keep on going. Polyester is also UV resistant, a major positive for fishing gear. You can connect the Floatant Holder to your vest with the solid brass swivel clip. Like the Leader Wallet, you can get the Floatant Holder in Backcast’s Hopper Tan (a light brown) or Badger Brown (a dark chocolate brown).

Fly Dryer and Leader Straightener – $24

Another issue Eric had with his previous fly gear was the lack of absorbency in fly dryers. Necessity being the mother of invention that it is, he designed his own fly dryer that has three layers of super absorbent New Zealand chamois. It is not treated with any oils or chemicals and it works like advertised, place a wet fly in, fold over the second flap, squeeze and voila! — dry fly. The Fly Dryer was also designed with a dual purpose, so that it could be used as a Leader Straightener as well.

Leader’s generally come in packages wound in a circle, which doesn’t always straighten on its own when you pull it out. With the Fly Dryer and Leader Straightener, you simply reverse the Dryer so that you have leather on leather, simply pinch the leader and run it all of the way through. The result is a nice straight line that’s ready for some fishing. You can get the Fly Dryer and Leader Straightener in the same Hopper Tan or Badger Brown as the rest of Backcast’s products.

BestLeather Conclusion

Full grain leather. Polyester thread. No breakable parts. Excellent, tested design. A true lifetime warranty. These are the components of a high quality leather product and this is what you will get with each of Backcast Outfitter’s products. The 5 Pocket Leader Wallet, the Floatant Holder, and the Fly Dryer and Leader Straightener are all high quality goods that any fly fisherman would be proud to carry and use. All of these goods are premium to the feel, smell great, and are priced right. In fact, I found that the price is relatively low for the quality of product that Backcast produces. You certainly will not be disappointed if you lay down some of your hard earned money for one of their premium goods. To boot, you will find their super cool fly fisherman stamp on some of their goods, like the back of their 5 Pocket Leader Wallet (see below).

July 18, 2014December 19, 2017

Libero Ferrero Money Bag – $264 – Made with Horween’s Essex Leather

Many of us have a cherished item that was handed down from a grandparent that we love to use, or wear, or display. I have a really cool leather jacket that belonged to my grandpa, and though it is a bit small for my frame nowadays, I’m holding onto it for my son when he’s older. Sometimes these heirloom items provide inspiration for different aspects of our lives.

LIBERO FERRERO – THE MAN

One such item was carried by Libero Ferrero, commonly called Lee, on his way to and from work everyday. He carried with him a leather work bag that was passed on to his grandkids, Matt Adam and Pete Lafferty. That bag inspired more than just a little inspiration for Matt and Pete and led to their creating Libero Ferrero, a leather company based in New York that designs and creates fabulous leather goods.

Libero Ferrero sells a number of fine leather goods, from various types of bags, duffel bags, and card cases to a money bag or tablet sleeve. BestLeather had the opportunity of reviewing their Money Bag, a throwback to the mid-century’s teller bag, which was used for safety deposits and carrying cash more conveniently. We did this review in conjunction with an article we published a couple of weeks ago on the Horween Leather Company’s Essex line of leather. You can read that article here. Horween specifically recognizes Libero Ferrero on their website as a company that uses the Essex leather in a unique and professional way.

MATERIAL

The Money Bag is 10.1″ in length and 8.4″ in width. It is finished in a hickory color, which is basically a beautiful light brown. Horween’s Essex leather is a straight vegetable tanned leather and is finished with the same processes as their famous shell cordovan leather. The result is a leather that is supple, durable, and has a terrific finish.

The Essex that Libero Ferrero uses is approximately three ounces in weight. On its own this might be a little thin, but Libero combines the leather with their signature Holland and Sherry wool lining. Holland and Sherry is a 170-year old company that began its story in London as a wool merchants and has since produced some of the finest cloths available. The use of this wool is an indication of commitment to the finest quality. The use of Horween Leather is certainly another.

THE HORWEEN LEATHER COMPANY

Matt and Pete visited Horween’s factory in Chicago during the design phase to ensure that they picked the most appropriate leather for their products. They fell in love with the Essex line of leather, which they use on all of their products. Horween has been in business for over 100 years, producing some of the finest leathers available. Many of the goods we review at BestLeather are made from Horween leather, so it is no surprise that you’ll find it in the premium goods that Libero uses.

CONSTRUCTION

The Money Bag is constructed from one piece of leather folded over and connected to another piece of leather by a small strip of Essex. This connection forms their signature shallow V shape. The Bag is sewn together using rugged nylon thread and is sewn along the bottom so that just the top and side open. Libero uses a RIRI zipper, which is a high quality, metal zipper. The bag opens from the top down the side, giving you ample space to slide in your tablet or cash.

Libero also included a small pocket made of the same Holland and Sherry wool to stash your headphones or charger. The pocket is sewn into the inner back of the bag and is approximately 2.5″ by 4″, just big enough for a number of goodies.

The combination of the supple Essex leather, and the Holland and Sherry wool provides a perfect complement to not just your cash, but to your IPad or other tablet as well. The wool is soft and will keep your IPad well protected. The combination of the wool and leather also provides a little bit of padding, which is nice when carrying a $500 tablet.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

It is hard to go wrong with a product when you perfectly marry fine materials into a functional good. The Money Bag from Libero Ferrero is a perfect example of just such a union. It is expertly crafted in the United States by a company committed to producing unique, premium goods and the result is a bag that has more than one use and is beautiful. The use of the Essex leather from Horween will ensure years of use and will be a product that may provide inspiration for some of your future posterity.

July 17, 2014December 19, 2017

Traveling Through Europe With The Thrux Lawrence Thrux Pack

Taking a trip to Europe has always been a plan my wife and I had. This past month my wife and I finally got the chance to go. Our plan was Paris for three days, from there we would fly from Beauvais to Pisa. From Pisa we would take a train to Cinque Terre and stay in La Spezia. And we would end our adventure in Florence, for another three days.

Because we were going to be traveling so much we decided to pack light. Our goal was to be as simplistic as we could when we traveled. This meant we both needed a sturdy, quality, and durable bag, that could carry our clothes, toothbrushes, and copies of St. Augustine’s ‘Confessions’ (a must read for any true renaissance man). Our permanent solution to this temporary problem were two Thrux Packs, built in the USA by Thrux Lawrence. The packs fit everything we cared to bring with a bit of room to spare.

These packs ended up serving us very well. They made for great conversation pieces on every plane ride, they transformed into incredibly comfortable stools when waiting to catch the train, and they even had enough room to carry a baguette or two.

Our first leg of the trip brought us to Paris. My wife and I were most excited about this because we got to see my sister and her family and we also got to be in the most romantic city in the world (I’m not kidding, people were making out everywhere, it was a freaking epidemic). We entered the city by going through the doors of the metro station, my wife’s pack got stuck in the doors as they closed, I had to pry her out but the Thrux pack held true, not a scratch on it. We walked up the steps and onto a very quiet street near the Notre Dame (which was our rendezvous point). Before us lay an empty cobble stoned, scooter scattered road, littered with cafes and bakeries, and a heavy smell of tobacco in the air. It was marvelous. We walked to the end of the road and found where all the people were. Everyone seemed to be gathered on the side of the road, next to the Seine, waiting in anticipation for someone. We found out from some American woman that the Queen of England was about to drive by (she had been visiting Paris that weekend). Showing how truly American we were, we shrugged our shoulders and kept walking, “I’ve already seen the queen on my 5 dollar bill from the Toronto airport”, my wife said. I love her.

We found my sister and her family in front of the Notre Dame as planned, and spent the next 72 hours eating way too many pastries, seeing way too many beautiful buildings and works of art, and all-in-all enjoying ourselves way too much. Our packs were used minimally while we were in Paris, mostly because we were staying in one place the entire time we were there. However, our packs became much more essential to us as we left France and headed to Italy.

We landed in Pisa at about 8 pm. The nice thing about Pisa is that you can literally walk from the airport into town. The bad thing about Pisa is that all of the street signs are carved in marble on the sides of old buildings, and half of them aren’t even there. Needless to say, finding our airbNb house for the evening was quite the challenge. We ended up roaming around Pisa for about two hours before we found our place, but the entire time our packs did not present us with much trouble. After finding our hosts house, we ditched our packs, went to the nearest pizza shop and bought a margherita pizza and two beers. From there we roamed the street of Pisa until about one in the morning, talking and eating, seeing the Leaning Tower, and eating the best gelato I have ever tasted.

The next day my wife and I found ourselves eating Wheaties with our host’s lover. The one thing all cultures have in common is the sense of awkwardness. We left Pisa extremely excited to see Cinque Terre. Our plan was to hike as far as we could with our packs and take a train to La Spezia to stay at an olive farm. We got to Cinque Terre around noon and were immediately blown away. The streets are speckled with row boats from local fishermen, and nearly half of everyone there was American, which was really comforting for us. We began to hike around the first hill when we came to a blocked off trail, the road had been washed away by rain the week before. So we decided to hike up to the top of the hill. It was the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. Imagine climbing a staircase and on either side of you are vineyards terraced into the Mediterranean sea. And every direction you look is a feast of colors and flowers. Beauty aside, this trail was wicked hard. Our packs seems to grow heavier and heavier and we started to feel like Christian from ‘Pilgrims Progress’. One thing I will say about the Thrux Pack is that when they are stuffed as full as you can get them, they don’t form as well to your body, making them a bit awkward to carry. This was normally not a problem for us, but when we began our hike up the long trail we started to feel the discomfort. The sun began to bake us like gingerbread men, and we were sweating so hard our sun glasses wouldn’t even stay on. If any of you readers are going to hike Cinque Terre with a Thrux Pack, make sure to pack very lightly. This was the only time in our trip where we weren’t thrilled to have packs strapped to us, in hindsight though, there were not very many hikers with backpacks. We on the other hand had every one of our possessions along with us (big mistake). We got to the top of the hill and decided that swimming was more fun. We worked our way down the hill and spent the rest of the day swimming in the sea and watching fire flies. There was a positive side to this mishap though. Our backpacks became much more supple and less stiff when we got done with our hike. I think the sun and the sweat of our backs actually made them more comfortable. I know this sounds gross but it’s true, if you want to truly break in your Thrux Pack, just load it with as much stuff as you can and go hike the closest mountain to you. Works like a charm.

From there we moved on to Florence. Neither of us really knew why we were going to Florence, but we heard it was great, so we went. We got there and were not enthused. I think by this point our morale was incredibly low. we were sweaty, dirty, and the architect we were staying with was frustrated that we could not speak Italian. This is where our packs really started to show their strength. Every day we were in Florence we got dumped on by rain. We are talking Florida sized alligator tear drops raining from the heavens. Our packs were exposed to the rain the first day, I was worried because I thought the bread I just bought was going to be soaked, but when we got back to the house, our bread was warm and dry, and everything else in our packs was dry as well. The only thing that even looked wet was the leather, which even though had not been treated for rain, had remained a beautiful brown. This happened two more times, in front of the Academia, and the next day when we snuck in the Bomboli Gardens.

The first thing most people notice when they buy a Thrux Pack is how stiff the straps are. They are incredibly tough, Horween leather on leather stitched to the nines. If a nuclear bomb went off the only two things left standing would be cockroaches and the world’s Thrux Packs. This made me a bit nervous for our trip. I was afraid the straps would be a bit too uncomfortable and too stiff, but by the time we left Florence, the straps of our bags were well broken in, and had lost none of their strength. In fact they seemed to grow even stronger from all of the use.

We left Florence much happier, we had seen the most amazing pieces of art in the world and all the while looked awesome in our packs. My wife and I got countless compliments on our bags when we walked through the Florentine leather shops (which if you know anything about the people of Florence, it’s that they know good leather products when they see them).

We took a train from Florence back to Pisa and had about five hours to kill before our plane took off going back to Beauvais. When we got back to Pisa we were dying of heat, our feet had huge blisters, and our morale was now at an all time low. We found a good pizzeria with a/c and watched the World Cup as our skin cooled off a bit. Then we headed to an old abandoned church on the side of a river and sipped on a bottle of champagne. “We are easily the most stylish bums any of these tourists have ever seen”, my wife said. I couldn’t agree more. There we were, sitting on the steps of this church laughing our heads off because we were dirty, sweaty, and very sleep deprived. That was the best moment of the trip. It is funny how sometimes the most unexciting events of a big trip, can also be the most fond memories when looked back upon.

We got to Beauvais late that night and were greeted at the airport by our host for the evening. He gave us some grim news. Apparently, the Parisian transportation unions were on strike that week, and there was only one train leaving for Paris in the morning. Needless to say we were worried. We slept very lightly that night, and woke up as early as we could to catch the train. We were the first ones at the counter that morning to buy our tickets, but when we went to pay for them, our card was declined. “Oh my goodness!, We are going to be stuck in France!”, I said to my wife. We ran around Beauvais trying to find an ATM, and found a very creepy man who led us to one. In hindsight this was not a very good idea. But he was our last resort. He brought us to an ATM and sauntered off. I used the same card and it worked! There must have been a problem with the train stations card reader (note to the reader: on a big trip abroad, cash is key). We bought our train tickets and were finally on our way back to North America. But the trip does not end there.

We had an eighteen hour layover in Montreal. When we landed we desperately tried to find an earlier connecting flight, but we had no luck. So we decided to stay with my brother-in-law’s cousin in the city. We took the bus only to find ourselves lost in suburbia. At this point we were delirious from the lack of sleep and decided to lay down. The Thrux Packs made very nice pillows as we waited on some old lady’s yard for the bus. Long story short, we made our way to the city, enjoyed some very encouraging Canadian hospitality, and made it to our flight back home without any problems.

This trip was one of the most exciting adventures I have ever been on. It was also one of the most difficult learning experiences I have ever had. I have never been a very big traveler, and so we learned mostly by trial and error. But the one thing that would not fail us was our Thrux Packs. They remained strong and useful. They carried all of our belongings, kept our champagne cool, and our baguettes dry. We will most assuredly be taking another trip back to Europe soon, and when we do, our Thrux Packs will be joining us.

– by Phillip Siemens

July 12, 2014December 19, 2017

The Distance – An Article On The Horween Leather Company

A website recently came to my attention that writes an in depth article every month on companies older than 25 years. Called TheDistance.com, the site has just two articles published so far, but the very first was on the Horween Leather Company.

It is an excellent article that explores why Horween has thrived in an ever changing environment by being committed to old fashioned ideals and continuing to provide the highest quality products. For any lover of leather or business, it is a very interesting read. You can do so by clicking this link.

We have also done interviews with Horween on their Shell Cordovan and Chromexcel lines of leather.

Happy reading.

July 11, 2014December 19, 2017

Thrux Lawrence Dopp Kit Giveaway – $150 – Ends July 26th

Do you need something hefty to carry your toothbrush around in? Are you tired of wearing your lightweight dopp kit out with your toothpaste tube? How many dopp kits are you going to tear through until you buy something indestructible and toothbrush proof? (satire)

the question is – will it blend?

Maybe. Those blenders are ridiculous.

Not only will you have this your entire lifetime (if you don’t blend it), but so will the next ten generations of your offspring. It’s that ridiculously tough. Usually this is the level of construction used on items that get a lot of use with heavy loads like backpacks and briefcases, but no, your toothbrush also deserves better levels of protection.

To be fair, there are a lot of ways to use the dopp kit. Thrux Lawrence told me that people use these kits for all sorts of reasons–carrying golf balls, beauty goodies, tools, etc. Whatever you put inside will stay inside, which is really a handy feature. It’s much better than a ziploc bag.

Thrux Lawrence Dopp Kit Giveaway4 — Here is the dopp kit carrying pool balls very effectively. Just in case you find a perfectly smooth place to whip out your EDC pool set.

Let’s just put it this way. When you win this dopp kit, no one will ever mock you for having too wimpy of a dopp kit. NEVER!

Thrux Lawrence Dopp Kit Giveaway2 — The dopp kit also looks good sitting on a motorcycle… Or the motorcycle looks good with a dopp kit on it. I’m not sure. This may be a hot new trend.

Check out the Thrux Lawrence goods here.

July 10, 2014December 19, 2017

LeatherWerk 9″ Valet Tray Review – $35

LeatherWerk is a crazy Swiss (as he refers himself) by the name of Men A. Werro. Men currently lives and works out of Oregon. BestLeather worked with LeatherWerk in the past on a review of vintage Swiss military bags. Besides sourcing and restoring vintage bags, Men makes custom accessories for bags and travel. Any leather enthusiasts on Facebook will have heard of Men or LeatherWerk for he has quite the devoted following.

Popular amongst the LeatherWerk accesories are these classic leather valet trays available in multiple sizes and colors.

CONSTRUCTION

Here is a 9″ (measured when lying flat, unfastened) valet tray in a leather that Men calls ‘Antique Brown’. The materials are 5oz cow hide leather with a suede finish on the bottom side, industrial heavy duty polyester thread stitching and brass studs.

FUNCTION

Valet trays are best used for desks, dresser tops, tables, and any other surfaces to keep small items organized. This tray is incredibly handy to unload one’s pockets or other small carry items into (wallet, cell phone, pocket knife, coins, notes). These really help organize any desk or table from clutter. The suede finish on the bottom side of the leather prevents the tray from sliding around on a desk or table surface as well as protecting the surface from any scratches or other markings.

The LeatherWerk valet tray also unbuttons at the corners so that the tray can lay flat and can be easily put in one’s bag for use in hotel rooms. As any busy traveler will appreciate, it is far easier to keep small travel essentials in one place rather than have them scattered or worrying about leaving them behind.

AESTHETIC

The leather chosen for the valet tray is very soft and velvety while being able to hold is shape to whatever you place in it. Out of the box, there is no stiffness to the leather whatsoever. At first I was concerned that it would get too floppy in time, but then realized I like the feel of the soft leather especially when it comes to unbuttoning the studs and being able to lay it flat or roll it up for travel. The leather has a beautiful rich antique brown finish with markings and scuffs that add to the antique feel. I suspect that this piece will continue to collect great character and patina with age. Lastly, the brass studs compliment the color and the antique feel of the leather perfectly and are very sturdy.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

For $35 dollars this handmade valet tray is a steal! Available in a few different sizes, Men can design one to your desired dimensions as well. The LeatherWerk valet trays are simply yet carefully designed to maximize beauty, aesthetic, and functionality in any setting whether at home, on the road or even in the great outdoors. Check them out here.