Satchel & Page Mailbag Review – $435

Inspiration fuels innovation. For Satchel & Page, inspiration from leather bags made decades ago inspired Daniel Ralsky, founder of Satchel & Page to start creating high quality bags that you’ll be able to pass on to future generations. The main catalyst for Daniel was a leather map carried by his grandfather during WWII. Taking that, along with several other classic bag designs that were popularized by the Greatest Generation, Satchel & Page is carving out a well-respected niche for themselves in the leather products industry. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been using and carry the Satchel & Page Mailbag. It’s an iconic design and their rendition of it is excellent.

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About Satchel & Page

Based in Austin, Texas Satchel & Page is dedicated to producing handmade, high quality leather products for you to enjoy and pass on to the next generation. Initially they started out with a few iconic bag designs: the Mailbag, Map Case, Gladstone, Briefcase, and Pilot’s Bag. Now they’re expanding their product line with new bags, small goods, and a collection of fantastic jackets too. In fact, we were privileged to review one of their prototype jackets, which you can read about here. And, we just recently received one of their Café Racer jackets, which will be reviewed shortly.

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Construction

Satchel & Page doesn’t cut corners on quality. The Mailbag is constructed of 6-8 oz., rich brown, full-grain vegetable tanned leather. Hot stuffed with a blend of oils and waxes for a unique, rugged look. As they say on their website, it is “custom made by the tannery for us and you”. It’s also made with hand-hammered copper rivets, antique brass hardware, and sewn together with heavy duty, polyester thread.

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If you’re interested (and you should be, because it’s an interesting article to read) check out Daniel’s article, “What Does Handmade Really Mean?” In it, he offers great details that you should find helpful and useful when considering a leather product purchase…and, it gives you some great insight into how Satchel & Page creates their products.

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Function

The Mailbag is an easy one to carry. It’s large and capable of transporting a lot of gear. But, it’s not a cumbersome bag. It’s 16” wide, 12” tall, and about 5” thick and weighs about 4 pounds empty. Its lines and style are directly drawn from the US Postal Service Mail Carrier Bag that was so popular during most of the 1900’s.

The exterior is simple – one slot pocket on the back of the bag. When flying, I use that pocket for my iPad and notebook. The bag is closed using one strap/buckle closure on the front. The adjustable shoulder strap features a thick, comfortable pad and is adjustable to 55 inches, which should accommodate cross body carry for many people.

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The interior is a real treat. It contains a separate compartment for up to a 15” laptop. You can secure your laptop in that section with a single flap and stud closure. Inside you’ll find several pockets of various sizes, pen loops, and a key clip. The bag is unlined and spacious. I have packed it up with my laptop, iPad, camera, and two lenses with ease.

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As with most bags that use this design, there are some “flap gaps” that occur between the bag’s main flap and the sidewalls. If you’re carrying the bag from the shoulder straps, it will kind of seal itself up and now allow rain or snow to cause problems. But, if you carry the bag from the small handle, the gaps can be large enough to allow a decent enough amount of rain or snow to enter the bag…but, that’s only if you like to leisurely stroll in pouring rain or blizzards. If you’re moving with haste in those bad weather conditions, it’s a non-factor.

Aesthetic

The copper rivets and antique brass hardware look great with the dark, rustic brown color of the leather. Details inspired from the original mailbag like the pleated leather front panel, and the riveted side panels help to give the bag a nostalgic, vintage appearance. The vegetable tanned leather will patina with use and age making this bag look even better years from now.

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The Satchel & Page logo is tastefully placed on the back of the bag, which I appreciate so that it doesn’t interfere with the vintage, nostalgic presentation of the bag. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear that this bag garners lots of looks, questions, and comments on its beauty. I’ve carried it on two separate trips to California and it’s been to numerous meetings and coffeehouses. I enjoy carrying this bag.

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Conclusion

I may have said this before, but my favorite bag of all is a 1940 Swiss Army Packsaddle Bag. One of the main reasons I like it is because of the stories it contains and the history it has. I think the same of the Satchel & Page Mailbag. Even though it’s a new bag, it hearkens back to days gone by with its styling and looks. Since it’s based on such a storied, old design, I think that alone has great appeal. But, when you couple that with high quality leather, expert craftsmanship, and a lifetime warranty, you have a bag that definitely qualifies as a Buy It for Life product.

**Be sure to look for the Satchel & Page Mailbag Giveaway coming up too. That will be in featured in a separate article**

 

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Jaysen
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Jaysen

Perfect bag, and nice review.

Michael novick
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Michael novick

So I finally broke down & ordered the S&P Gladstone bag that arrived today & am blown away by the quality & appearance of the bag. It truly looks like it will last forever and has a beautiful antique look. The use of copper rivets separate this bag from mast others and make it truly unique. Although it is structured the softness of the leather allows it to fold into a very small silhouette for easy storage but I think I am going to keep this one sitting out to look at for a while. If the mailbag is made… Read more »

Robert Asencio
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Robert Asencio

This bag has been on my radar, nice to see a full review and love ” the buy it for life ” conclusion. Want

Swellben
Guest

@robertasencio:disqus , my radar too. I love the front flap, no stitch, no padding, just that raw leather… nice!

Arif Lee
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Arif Lee

Satchel & Page has given me the (cliche) inspiration to one dah start my own leather goods thing in Malaysia. Odd how life works hahaha. Great review, hoping to get my hands on one eventually !

Ethan
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Ethan

Extremely beautiful bag. Excellent craftsmanship. Looks like it would last several lifetimes.

Chris
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Chris

Great review and great bag

Sergio Araya
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Sergio Araya

Good craftsmanship is rare nowadays. Thanks to best leather, it becomes easier to find well crafted products such as this bag. Good stuff!

Jeff H.
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Jeff H.

I recently picked up a briefcase from Satchel & Page. I really like how the bag feels. They do a great job of making it look structured but very flexible. I really like the more casual nature of the mailbag. They did a nice balance between casual and business that it would blend in at a lot of places.

Patrick Brown
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Patrick Brown

Beautiful bag! I’m really excited about he slim version of this bag that was just announced. I think it will better fit my lifestyle than this 16″ bag. Thanks for the great review!

Ben Crotinger
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Ben Crotinger

At first this bag reminded me of a Copper River Courier, but at closer inspection I can see the obvious differences. The mailbag has a beautiful full-grain leather outside and the buckles to match. It magnificently doubles the modern with the antique, which I absolutely love. Great bag and great review Mr. M.

Simon
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Simon

Beautiful bag.

Michael
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Michael

Awesome bag – wish I could afford

George von Gal
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George von Gal

Very nice bag, and a great review.

Paul W
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Paul W

This one looks like a good one for field testing.

BBice
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BBice

Great article for a great bag. Hope to own one some day

Azizah Asgarali
Guest

The copper rivets are a gorgeous touch. I love the look of copper, especially against the color of this leather!

Claire C
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Claire C

Great article! I’m glad to read that you consider it as a Buy It for Life product, I’ve been eyeying this mailbag for months. Absolutely love the use of copper here.

Cari Jackson
Guest

The Satchel & Page Mailbag is perfect for my lifestyle. I love the look and the fact it is made to last.

steven epstein
Guest

The Satchel & Page Mailbag would look awesome on my shoulder

Robin Goodfellow
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Robin Goodfellow

Amazing bags and incredible customer service! I would highly recommend Satchel & Page to anyone interested in high quality leather goods!

cathy
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cathy

one really great bag last for years its really awsome

Jonathan Mexico
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Jonathan Mexico

I love the look of these bags. Really nice colour

Carol Roberts clark
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Carol Roberts clark

i love the strap and the hardware and inside looks very nice

Stephanie
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Stephanie

Great bag!! Would make a great gift!!

Jim
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Jim

I love Mailbags! Beautiful leather!

Jerome
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Jerome

Looks like a great bag!

Trée George
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Trée George

Beautiful bag!

Chris Layden
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Chris Layden

Very amazing craftsmanship

STEVEN
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STEVEN

I own the Pilots Bag and it is amazing! The leather is just wonderful and looks ” RICH”…apart from the wonderful leather, dealing with Daniel is a pleasure….not had that experience with many others! and yes the mailbag looks awesome…oozes quality! sure will turn heads!

Cheryl
Guest

This is such a beautiful bag. It’s large and looks like it will last forever.

cathy
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cathy

such wonderful looking bags need one of everythind

Rodrigo
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Rodrigo

This bag brings a new dimension to the already –full-grain/ vegetable tanned– market. It has the professional and casual look altogether. Nice job!

Hans Siddharta
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Hans Siddharta

Beautiful Classic looking bag

Jason
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Jason

Beautiful bag. I remember seeing the mailman with something similar when I was a kid.

ki10
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ki10

Mmm, those copper rivets are really calling to me. But my favorite part is the stamping on the *inside* strap, for the laptop. Lots of bags are handsome, for showing off to others, but I love seeing that the makers care about the whole product, and about the owner, by interior details.

clint burgess
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clint burgess

great review tim. i’m new to this site and found the content of this article compelling. product reviews can sometimes come across as a sales pitch – i feel like you had great insight on this particular mailbag because it’s something you yourself would use. that’s the best review a product can receive. looking forward to perusing the site more and uncovering new items i never knew i needed.
cheers,
clint

TT
Guest
TT

This bag is so simple yet truly elegant and has such a vibrant, rich color!

Aaron Reck
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Aaron Reck

Truly attractive satchel. I would like to carry it with me as I think this is just what I need. For me, this would be a big ticket item, so I appreciate the thoughtful review.

Jenny N
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Jenny N

I love this bag! I need it right now!

Robin Wolfe
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Robin Wolfe

Adore this bag ~ 🙂 Thank you, and I signed up for newsletter too! – Hoping next wedding anniversary hubby will buy 🙂

kathy
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kathy

This bag is so outstanding! Attractive, durable – love the color! thanks!

Tina Harris
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Tina Harris

Very nice reminds me of the ones my great grandfather used on the mail routes on the railroads

Evonne Brooks
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Evonne Brooks

This is lovely.Stylish but practical.

Linday Wilkins
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Linday Wilkins

love the look of it would like to have one

Rachelle Lane
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Rachelle Lane

It’s great that even with its Iarge capacity, it doesn’t appear to be too heavy to Iug around.

Michelle Harasewicz
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Michelle Harasewicz

Very nice bag, I like all of the pockets on the inside.

Tee Anderson
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Tee Anderson

Great looking bag. I subscribed to the newsletter. thank you.

Michelle
Guest
Michelle

Great review! I’ve had my eye on this bag for a while, it’s beautiful!!

dee
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dee

This is a beautiful, rich looking bag.

sabrina
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sabrina

Love the look of this bag