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Leather Duffel Bags

Leather Duffle Bags

Bags and suitcases go through a lot of roughing up at the airports and some may even return to you dirtier or on the verge of falling apart. However, with our collection of stylish, handmade leather duffel bags, you can say goodbye to all that drama of having to buy a new travel bag every once in a while. Made of finest Italian leather, there  are no risks of dirt stains, punctures or additional expenses. With I Medici Leather, your items will be well protected, organized, and ready for each adventure that is ahead of you.

Us humans are regularly in transit, our way of life is active and mobile. So whether it is for short business trips, air travel, weekend getaways or a simple run to the gym, a properly crafted duffel bag can be a lifesaver. Both men and women love them because they are not only fashionable and appear quite luxurious but they are extremely durable, too. Compared to synthetic leather, which is prone to wear and tear, inducing allergic reactions, and has a collectively unfavorable effect on the environment, veg-tanned leather is green, sturdy, and long-lasting.

Why compare the two? Because not all duffel bags are created equal. Choosing a wrong one can cost you a lot of money considering that it takes a little for it to wear down. The stitching can easily come undone, the metal pieces can develop rust, and it can lose its former overall splendor in mere months. This necessitates reliable duffel bags and there are some key points you should definitely notice before purchasing one. Considering that it is supposed to last a very long time, the following characteristics of first-rate leather duffel bags for a variety of uses are:

High-Quality Leather
Quality Leather

A top-notch bag is constructed of fine, Italian full-grain leather - it is, without a doubt, the best quality you can get from a hide. After years of usage, it will develop a unique patina, giving it that sheen weathered look that only a material like real full-grain leather can acquire. Yes, the patina on a duffel bag indicates quality, whereas lesser grade materials or heavily treated ones will never achieve that healthy natural look. At I Medici, an example of this is our Italian leather utility duffel bag the Borsone Classico Leather Luggage. It features quality leather manufactured (as all of our products are) at our factories located in Florence, Italy. The Borsone features a fabric lining, one open pocket, and large pegs at the base.
A word of advice: avoid bags made of bonded leather. Bonded means that the manufacturer has used scrap hide pieces, which were probably previously treated with chemicals and combined with plastics to create a hybrid material made from, essentially, leftovers. Use your nose to root out the bad egg. A craft made of bonded leather will not possess that distinctive earthy smell and it will age poorly. Full-grain leather, on the other hand, is a smart investment because it can outlast any cheap replica by a mile.

Leather Tanning

There are two hide tanning methods that we use: vegetable tanning and chrome tanning. Chrome is typically cheaper and quicker but due to use of chromium and other heavy chemicals, it can wreak havoc on the environment. Roughly 90% of leather is produced by the chrome tanning process. 
However, a more eco-friendly solution is vegetable tanning and people have been using it for millennia. Yes, all those leather artifacts that we have found from ancient civilizations are a direct result of this environmentally-friendly method. Tree bark and other natural materials are used to tan the hide. It is an intricate process that takes months but the end result is a durable earthy piece of leather ready for expert hands to show their craftsmanship skills. The downside of this method is that it costs time and money but the end result is thicker, stiffer, far more durable leather that has that peculiar smell and remarkable patina.

Craftsmanship

Quality leather is still just the material. It takes a skilled set of hands to manufacture it into a quality bag. First of all, precise stitching is an important factor whether or not a bag will last long. Professional craftsmanship should demonstrate straight, clean, and barely noticeable stitching without any threads hanging loose. Another sign of expertise is consistency. How do we check? Even an untrained eye can distinguish masters from novices by checking both the inner and outer lining of the duffel bag.
Some duffel bags don’t have an inner lining because the manufacturers were most probably saving on production costs or even worse - cutting corners. A direct consequence of this omission is reduced durability and susceptibility to wear and tear from both deliberate and external forces. If the bag material is lightweight, then you definitely need stiffer lining, not heavier. However, when it comes to leather, you need materials like cotton, muslin, or canvas to protect your bag and hold it together steadfast.
Also, a good leather bag maker will also pay attention when choosing the metal hardware - handles, locks, zippers, and buckles. In fact, this choice also plays a vital part in determining the longevity of the bag. Premium leather duffel bags include models that have a robust single gusset for added strength as well as the expansion of the interior. Moreover, the best duffel bags have an internal large zipper pocket and a zip top closure. Some also have a zippered pocket under the flap. For an elegant look, these bags also feature durable brushed brass hardware.

Versatile Straps

For ease of transport, the best leather duffel bags have comfortable adjustable straps. This allows for carrying the duffel bag in a position which is the most convenient for the wearer’s physique. Long cushioned adjustable straps facilitatee carrying the bag on your shoulder, whereas the handstrap will only keep your fingers occupied.

Spacious Interior

A spacious interior is what defines leather duffel bags because of the array of activities these bags are typically used for. Whether it’s for long air flights, getaway weekends, camping, school sports or any other activity, having enough room is the number 1 benefit. I Medici Leather’s duffel bags come with strong side compartments for separately storing shoes and toiletries so you can carry your essential equipment and accessories with ease all over the globe.

Pick A Color
Different Color

There are many to choose from - dark or light. There are no exact rules but if you plan on carrying your duffel bag to your office or any other professional environment, you simply cannot go wrong with the color black. It shows you mean business. It is formal, sleek, serious, and sexy. On the other hand, those light brown and tan colors possess a more casual quality, excellent for relaxed environments and outings. But the most common color of all is dark brown. It creates a poise of elegance and class even after decades of regular use. 

Proper Size

Good leather duffel bags are properly sized to accommodate diverse travel and storage needs. At I Medici we offer our Borsone Pak-n-Stak leather luggage duffel bag which is 24.4 x 12.2 x 10.2 inches (L x H x W). Furthermore, our Borsone Classico Leather Luggage (IM9100) measures 25 x 17 x 9.5 inches.

In addition, our Borsone Caraibi I Medici Travel Bag (IM9175) measures 16.1 x 15.6 x 9.4 inches.

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