Post: #26

(08-26-2014 09:21 PM)Basil Ransom Wrote:  Lol half of these are hideous, and half are nice. The Orvis, Filson and all leather ones are nice, the rest are not. JUST SAY NO TO NYLON.

Synthetic fibers are helplessly plebeian. Your best bet is canvas, leather or both. I'd probably go for a canvas one with leather accents. I'm concerned that leather would get dirty too easily, but I could be wrong - anyone here use an all leather one?

Also I recall Everlane has some decent affordable options.

Nice post.


Hahaha, I thought of Hitman too! Even though it's been several years since I played it.

Yes you need to take care of leather. Leather comes from the skin of animals. Its skin. Like skin it absorbs water, is prone to drying, cracking, getting torn up from sharp objects, etc. The worst is when you get weird liquids on it like the dye off denim, blood, oil, grease, etc, the leather will act like a sponge and absorb it and it will be really hard to remove without actually damaging the leather.

If your just using your duffel bag for the city, office job, hotels, etc then go leather or canvas of course. If you use it for international travel, adventures, climb mountains, get a nylon one.

Anything involving being wet you don't want to use leather.

Companies like Louis Vuitton make a mixed material composed of synthetic material and leather so no, not all synthetics are plebeian.

For the gym, you probably want something that you can stuff into a sharp locker without it falling apart, looking ugly, and smelling after a month.

Post: #27

(08-26-2014 09:21 PM)Basil Ransom Wrote:  Lol half of these are hideous, and half are nice. The Orvis, Filson and all leather ones are nice, the rest are not. JUST SAY NO TO NYLON.

Synthetic fibers are helplessly plebeian. Your best bet is canvas, leather or both. I'd probably go for a canvas one with leather accents. I'm concerned that leather would get dirty too easily, but I could be wrong - anyone here use an all leather one?

Also I recall Everlane has some decent affordable options.

Nice post.


Hahaha, I thought of Hitman too! Even though it's been several years since I played it.

Agree, a nice bag has to be leather, canvas, or a high end synthetic of some sort. Not nylon!!!! A couple examples:





I've been looking for a nice weekender for months now, wanted one similar to the diesel one in the bottom pic, but the $300 price tag scared me off.

One other thing I take exception to is the term duffel bag. It sounds like a glorified gym bag to me. Weekender sounds much better.

Post: #28

Even that nylon Diesel one looks tacky.You'd be paying for a questionable name brand slapped on some Chinese plastic.

Seems like.a leather canvas combo is the best all around option.

Wood and Faulk (sounds like Would Bang)



Frost river flight bag


Floto Venezia

Post: #29

Those Filson look really nice. Pricey, though. For that money I'd probably be thinking about an all leather Italian bag. I almost pulled the trigger on a Floto last winter, but didn't. I even looked around for bags in the souk when I was in Morocco, but they were all tourist garbage. Those Herschel look kind of neat, but it's plastic hardware, presumably thin material, no panache. I've got a gym bag or two already, looking to step it up.

^I see Basil just posted up the Floto--that's the exact one I was about to get.

Post: #30

What do you guys think about waxed canvas vs regular canvas? It's water resistant and apparently ages over time as the wax redistributes due to use. I like things that age so waxed canvas with leather accents on a bag appeals to me.

Post: #31

I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on this Burton Westrick duffle. Only $80. I'm guessing these types of larger duffles are able to be taken as carry on luggage (providing they are within the allowable weight range)?

   

Post: #32

Waxed canvas seems like a good choice aesthetically - it has a little more panache than regular canvas.

I find that Burton bag ugly - the colors clash - yellow tags, red body, beige straps and dark metal... and those beige straps extending across the body of the bag just look hideous. As for its size, you have to be able to mash it into a box of certain dimensions for it to qualify as a carry on.

Post: #33

(08-25-2014 10:33 PM)MrXY Wrote:  

This girl I know had on that shirt, I lol'ed for about 5 minutes over that.

Post: #34

This looks like a decent bag from Gustin. Thoughts guys?

Post: #35

The duffle came through for me again.

Met a girl for a first drink last night, ended up staying at her place. After I left I got cleaned up with my hygiene kit and spent the day doing errands and shopping and a little daygame. Haven't been home.

Changed clothes from the bag an hour ago and just got to a bar to meet another POF first drink date

Post: #36

I like that Gustin bag.

I love that color of medium blue but it's unfortunately pretty rare - all you see is boring dead navy and black, and maybe a drab green. I think predistressed leather in principle is a little lame but I'd overlook it for that bag.

Post: #37

I got this bag a few years back and it's starting to fall apart on me (I've abused it a lot). It's by a company called Navali. Not the best looking bag in the world, but not horrible either.



http://www.prsuit.com/uncategorized/dail...ender-bag/

@ Basil Ransom

I really liked your Wood&Faulk suggestion. The 20 inch Northwesterner is catching my eyes.


For those that want leather bags, don't forget to check out Roots. They make very neat looking bags, made in Canada.
http://canada.roots.com/leather/handbags...lt,sc.html

Post: #38

(08-27-2014 12:19 AM)Basil Ransom Wrote:  Floto Venezia

Thanks to this post, I was inspired to investigate the Floto offerings further. Just purchased the Vecchio brown version at a good price.

   

Post: #39

Didn't want to spend an arm and a leg for a quality leather one, so I went canvas.

I've got this one from Beckel. Pretty happy with it.

Post: #40

(08-28-2014 08:42 AM)Windom Earle Wrote:  

(08-27-2014 12:19 AM)Basil Ransom Wrote:  Floto Venezia

Thanks to this post, I was inspired to investigate the Floto offerings further. Just purchased the Vecchio brown version at a good price.

Plz post a pic when it arrives.

Post: #41

^ Will do (in a couple of weeks when it arrives).

Post: #42

I have a synthetic black nylon duffel bag w/international competition of karate written on it (w/logos). Tons of girls come up to me and ask me about it.

Getting a unique sports one (not Nike or Addidas) is a good way for ppl to come up to you

Post: #43

(08-28-2014 08:42 AM)Windom Earle Wrote:  Thanks to this post, I was inspired to investigate the Floto offerings further. Just purchased the Vecchio brown version at a good price.

I have a Floto Vecchio in my Amazon wishlist. Please post you review, specially about size/quality.

Post: #44

^ Ok. I'll drop a detailed data sheet (w/pics).

Post: #45

My Vecchio Brown Floto Venezia duffle arrived recently. Unfortunately it arrived the day after I took a flight interstate, so I couldn’t give it a test run. I’m really pleased with the quality and the overall look. The leather is soft and definitely feels durable, without being too thick and bulky. The adjustable strap sits nicely on the shoulder, with a wider section that slides to offer greater support.

Here’s the write up from their website:

The Venezia Duffle is available in classic Vecchio Brown, Olive (Honey) Brown, Tuscan Red, and Black veggie tanned Floto Italian calfskin leather. Also availabe in seasonal limited edition colors. Often imitated, never duplicated. Made in Italy.
new Ottone™ Handle System - find out more >
• 11" h x 10" w x 21" l
• Italian Polished Calfskin Leather
• Detachable Shoulder Strap
• Brass or Stainless Steel Hardware
• 100% Cotton/Denim Lining
• Floor-to-floor Zipper for Easy Packing
• Inside Zip Pocket
• Weight 4 Pounds
• Floto guarantee

http://www.flotoimports.com/VenDuffle-luggage.html

It’s their mid-size offering, with a larger and smaller option. Personally, I think it’s ideal as a weekender or even if you have the need to take some bulkier items to work that won’t fit in a messenger or briefcase. Since it’s stylish/classy, it’s not a burden to carry either.

   

Apparently, it can fit all this inside

   

I found it could only fit one bottle of wine though?

   

Here are some more pics I took to give an impression of how it looks in different light.

   

   

   


WBA (would buy again)

Post: #46

I love duffle bags, especially for long weekend trios or carryon. Those ones pictured are very stylish a bit pricey though as duffle bags arent really my primary travel bag. I picked up a cheap duffle bag I actually got for about $25 bucks at Meijr its an Olympia. Not the best quality as far as I dont know Id trust checking it with an airline but ad carryon or throwing in my car for a driving vacation or long weekend I love it

Post: #47

Looks incredible. I actually think the colour looks better in your pictures than in the onbes from the website.



Those are more clothes than I usually pack for any trip.

Would you say the actual bag can fit that much "with room left for undergarments?

Another question, is the bottom of the bag rigid? I feel a soft bag would be more comfortable to carry around.

I plan on traveling backpacker style, (that is, hiking, sleeping in hostels or trains, and going to unusual places instead of the common tourist traps), yet I dont want to look like a backpacker.

Post: #48

Heres the other bag im considering, from Timbuk2:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E1O4E08



I know it doesnt looks stylish, but the black or tweed models are not that bad.

The "large" size seems large enough to fit my clothes and equipment, yet small enough to fit within airline carry on rules.

Plus, since its designed for cyclists, it should withstand a beating.

Its around half the price of the Floto Vechio.

Post: #49

I like that Floto a lot

Post: #50

(09-20-2014 11:32 AM)germanico Wrote:  Looks incredible. I actually think the colour looks better in your pictures than in the onbes from the website.

Those are more clothes than I usually pack for any trip.

Would you say the actual bag can fit that much "with room left for undergarments?

Another question, is the bottom of the bag rigid? I feel a soft bag would be more comfortable to carry around.

I plan on traveling backpacker style, (that is, hiking, sleeping in hostels or trains, and going to unusual places instead of the common tourist traps), yet I dont want to look like a backpacker.

Yeah, it's a very classic colour, and quite dynamic depending on the ambient light, as seen in the different pics.

I have yet to load it up to confirm its capacity, but that's a considerable amount that it's able to hold based on the above. Another advantage of it (for ease of access to items) is the zipper that extends down to the base on either side.

The bottom of the bag seems to have a firm but flexible plastic(?) insert. The brass "feet", as well as the other brass features are the business too.

There was a care instruction manual that came with the duffle too. It provided some helpful tips on how to condition the leather, and also suggested that it ages well without conditioning if going for that rustic/weathered bomber jacket look.