While the name may not be commonly used, a leather holdall is essentially described by the name itself – a large leather bag designed to “hold all” your belongings. The most popular holdalls are meant for travelers, but there are a wide array of other holdalls meant for day trips or just family errands. A leather holdall can also serve as a ladies briefcase. Designers are fairly creative about these leather tote bags – many different pockets both inside and out, clever clasps and latches, and different carrying styles and straps. One nice thing about leather holdalls is that there are a lot of great (and truly luxurious) choices since it is probably the most popular leather luggage style. There are a lot of different things to consider when choosing a leather holdall so hopefully this article will help you make an easy decision.
First, what are some of the common styles of leather holdall on the market today? In general, you will find two very popular styles – a leather duffel bag like design and an oversized purse-like design. While the leather duffle bag style can appeal to both sexes, it is more of a men’s leather holdall and usually can hold more items overall. It usually has more pockets on the outside for extra storage and is more convenient for airline check in when you travel. The latter design is obviously more popular with women. These bags are great for weekend or day trips where you just want to “stuff and go”. You probably have a good idea of which style you prefer already.
Being a site on leather, we feel one of the most important aspects to consider is the type of leather the bag is made of. You can refer to our Tips on Buying Leather Luggage article for details on specific leather types. The quick summary is to avoid “genuine leather” when possible (unless you’re on an extremely tight budget or do not care about durability) and buy a leather holdall made from top grain or full grain leather. The bag will look nicer, feel nicer, and most importantly, be more durable for a long life.
Leather holdall bags are not cheap and since you will likely be using it very frequently, it makes sense to consider the warranty type before you buy. Several companies have leather luggage lines where a lifetime warranty, regardless of cause, is available (e.g. Hartmann Belting Leather Line). You may pay a premium, but it may be worth it depending on how rough you are on your bags. At a minimum, you should get a bag with a limited lifetime warranty where the manufacturer will repair any manufacturer defects. They are pretty good about this as I have had several bags fixed where the axle bent or the main handle snapped. Overall, this is a strong consideration that you may not have thought about before.
Now regarding the leather holdall bag type itself. Depending on the style you choose, here are some things to think about:
- Number of pockets (both inside and outside) – will you need to carry small items that are easily sorted out? Then pick a holdall with a sufficient number of pockets.
- Zippers or clasps – old school rugged leather holdalls will usually have clasps while more modern styles tend to have zippers. Zippers are much easier to open, especially one handed. Clasps are more of a style issue (we do think they look better in many cases!)
- Shoulder straps – many duffle-bag like holdalls may not come with a shoulder strap so if this is important to you, do not forget to check on this item. Note that some bags have extra long flexible handles that can be used over shoulder.
- Weight – if you can try the holdall bag out in person, we definitely recommend it. See how heavy it is and also consider what you’ll most likely be putting in it.
- Overall size – if you plan to use it as carry on luggage, be sure it is within the normal FAA carry on luggage dimensions.
Overall, we usually recommend knowing your functional needs before buying. Leather holdall bags are so versatile that you almost cannot go wrong. You can definitely pay a premium for these bags (especially if you insist on a luxury brand name!), but the quality is often superb. Know what you want, shop around online, and you should be able to pick up a very nice deal. Again, try to see the bag in person so you can check for craftsmanship, weight, and usability. Good luck!
Tags: leather holdall, leather luggage, leather luggage tips, luggage warranties