Far Horizon Traders Archives

November 22, 2014December 19, 2017

Far Horizon Traders Serengeti Satchel Review – $249.99

Far Horizon Traders (FHT) has had some great products reviewed in the past including the Sahara Bag as well as the Ascent Rucksack. Today, we bring to you the Serengeti Satchel Review to complement their wide variety of bags.

CONSTRUCTION

The other two reviews mentioned it, and I’ll mention it again – the smell of FHT leather is addicting. It’s not overpowering and it’s not chemical. It’s just enough to lure your nose into taking a nice big whiff from the surface. The Serengeti Satchel is made from 4-5 oz full grain vegetable-tanned leather put together in Mexico. The front straps as well as shoulder straps are lined with a dark chocolate suede and the single internal compartment inside is lined with a brown canvas accented by a leather pocket and four slots for writing instruments or AA flashlights. A heavy-duty YKK zipper closes the top and the double straps on the front flap are held down by aged brass buckles. Brass rivets are also used on the straps.

FUNCTION

The satchel measures 16″w x 10.5″h x 4″d. It is more than big enough to fit a day’s worth of work gear including a computer, laptop, light sweater, notebook, and camera. The single external side pocket has a slit-button cover for easy access and most importantly to keep things from falling out. The YKK zippered top is also a welcome security function that lets me forgo buckling down the front flaps when I’m in a hurry. The shoulder strap feels comfortable and the pad has a unique shape, although it could benefit from a little more “padding” besides the additional layer of suede. The large back panel pocket is surprisingly roomy and, due to the suppleness of the leather, really expands out to be able to fit a good amount. The bag itself is not too heavy given the fact that interior materials are mostly canvas.

FHT Serengeti11 — Big enough to hold some books, snacks, phone, keys, wallet, and your sternum.

My favorite part of this bag? This bag is SUPPLE. It’s the perfect balance of soft yet rugged leather. The bag is soft enough to contour to the items you fill it with, but sturdy enough to maintain its shape and stand empty. This is one of those bags you would hold on your lap on a crowded rush-hour subway and end up resting your head on and taking a nap. You really have to hold it to enjoy it. It’s a bear of a bag – tough looking on the outside but cuddly on the inside.

AESTHETIC

This bag follows the trend of the other Far Horizon Trader bags. It is appropriately named the Serengeti because it looks like it has been sun-tanned, aged, weathered, and well travelled, yet close your eyes and it feels like a new, just-conditioned, luxury bag. The patina is beautiful but not too much that you can’t build your own. Unlike some other rugged-type bags, there are almost no rivets on the bag itself and the inverted seems and folded edges add a sense of sophistication to this item. The color tone is subtle kept consistent throughout even down to the aged brass hardware. One other aspect of this bag is the multiple panels used to create it. The flap, side, front, back, and bottom add up to 12 separate pieces from what I can see. Some may argue that more pieces means more weak points but they do not appear to be in any particular load bearing areas and I actually prefer the aesthetic lines these create around the entire bag.

FHT Serengeti12 — Just the right size for a 6’3” British Indian man on the phone.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The Far Horizon Traders Serengeti Satchel is a soft, smelly, beat-up looking leather bag for $249.99 – all reasons why you should feel, smell, and use this bag as often as possible and not feel guilty.

June 30, 2014December 19, 2017

Far Horizon Traders Ascent Rucksack Review – $349.99

Smells good, looks good – and no, I’m not talking about coming home to a tasty dinner prepared by my amazing wife. I’m referring to my initial response to opening up the box containing the Far Horizon Traders Ascent Rucksack. The rich leather aroma is tantalizing and long lasting with this bag. It has garnered attention in my office for the past week simply based on its pleasant fragrance – and most people haven’t even seen or touched the rucksack yet.

About Far Horizon Traders

All of the bags from Far Horizon Traders (FHT) are handmade in several locations around the globe. Matt, the founder of FHT, has traveled extensively over the years and through his adventures has met and worked with skilled leather craftsmen with whom he has partnered to offer unique, high quality bags with conventional cow leather, camel leather, and water buffalo leather. “Everybody’s got a water buffalo, yours is fast but mine is slow…” I always think of that Veggie Tales song when I read the words ‘water buffalo’.

Construction

The Far Horizon Traders Ascent Rucksack is handmade in the highlands of Central Mexico. It’s constructed of 4-5oz. full grain, vegetable tanned cowhide and has a nice earthy brown hue to it that’s pleasing to the eye. Heavy duty hardware is used in the grommets that surround the opening – through which a heavy strip of leather runs acting as a drawstring closure.

Matching “aged” brass buckles are used to secure the bag’s lid and for adjusting the carry straps. There is one well-placed pocket on the outside of the rucksack that is ideal for a boarding pass while traveling or other small wares. The inside features a heavy canvas/twill liner in a classic off-white color, which makes it easy to view and locate items inside the bag without getting frustrated. Also inside, you’ll find a leather pocket, several pen loops, and a leather key lanyard.

Function

I like heavy duty stuff – it’s just the way I am. I have a ¾ ton truck, a ¾ ton Yukon XL, big sons, big tools…the list goes on. And, I like thick, heavy leather. Initially I was a little skeptical of the FHT Ascent Rucksack. It’s thinner and lighter than my other leather goods. So, what did I do? I loaded it up with my usual items. My MacBook Air, iPad, camera, assorted gear, pens, and other miscellaneous EDC (every day carry) items went into the rucksack to test its mettle. While exploring one of our beautiful, local rivers the rucksack performed without issue. It was comfortable – no complaints.

Aesthetic

The FHT Ascent Rucksack has exceeded my initial expectations. Its 18”h x 12”w x 9”d size certainly will handle plenty of gear and all the while doing it in high style. The strap/buckle system is easy to use and frustration free when you want to access the contents of the bag. Long term, my only concern is the skinny shoulder straps. If there is anything that calls for improvement on the Ascent Rucksack, it’s an upgrade in the shoulder strap department. Even if the same 4-5 oz. leather is used, but widened from the current one inch in width to even just 1.5 inches, I think that would provide additional substance to eliminate apprehension when loading it up and carrying it on long adventures. And, heavier straps will definitely serve it well for many years. The small shoulder pads are sufficient in distributing the weight comfortably, enabling you to wear it for extended periods of time.

Best Leather Conclusion

You will need to search far and wide to find a better handmade, quality leather bag at this price point. With that and Far Horizon Traders full satisfaction guarantee, it’s even more appealing. If you’re looking for a light, low bulk, handmade leather bag with supple, attractive leather that’s cut and assembled by hand, then the Far Horizon Traders Ascent Rucksack should a serious contender as BestLeather.org considers this a good value/cost option. And…you’ll really like the way it smells.

Check out the Far Horizon Traders Ascent Rucksack here.

Click here to see our other leather backpack reviews.

October 27, 2013December 19, 2017

Far Horizon Traders Sahara Bag – Six Month Checkup

This is a guest post written by Peter who is a drafter at a foundry. He has been using the Sahara bag for six months.

You can read the original review of the Far Horizon Traders Sahara Bag here.

wear

Even in the intense environment of foundry work and the dirt and grime that can be acquired there, this bag has stood the test of toughness and continually demonstrated a hardy design. There has been no fraying of the leather around any edges and the only real sign of degradation is the missing button on the left side of the bag, which fell out after a few months.

functionality

The functionality of the bag is impressive. Every book needed for school, a laptop, and even some lunch can be contained in the bag and nothing would be protruding, yet still easily accessible. The shoulder strap guard is inconveniently placed, as it cannot be adjust to be used on both sides, only one.

The amount of pockets and dividers inside the back is convenient, allowing for separation and protection of goods placed inside, while the same time, not being too much. The thickness of the leather gives great protection for anything placed inside.

patina

Due to me taking this bag to a multitude of places, i.e. a foundry, coffee shops, and school, it has acquired a unique look, from metal dust staining the bottom and back, to the worn look of everyday use. None of the acquired characteristics in any way diminish the bags looks or functionality, but instead add to the character of it and make it more enjoyable to use. This bag’s sturdy construction and how it can handle the wear and tear make it fit in perfectly in my working environment, yet it’s style allow it to stand out.

compliments

This bag has brought me compliments left and right, it has great functionality, a beautiful look, and a tough character that earn my respect for it. It is definitely a bag I would recommend.

overall impression

I am surprised that it has already stood up to so much, in the rough conditions it’s used in, and still in the shape that it is.

If the small durability problems are ironed out; this will be a great bag.

May 8, 2013May 9, 2020

Far Horizon Traders Safari Bag Review – $290

The Far Horizon Traders Safari Bag is an adventure bag, no doubt about it. It’s not for professionals, it’s for badasses. Continue reading “Far Horizon Traders Safari Bag Review – $290”