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My carry on bag it’s more of a mobile operator than a carrier. On any given day, it draws 16 inches laptop, noise canceling headphones, chargersmother scheduled datea a bottle of waterand whatever tools I’m testing that week. Most leather totes look beautiful on day one, but few are designed to carry the modern, multi-thousand dollar everyday gear.
That’s why Leatherology surprised me.
After months of tossing between the Mia Horizontal Tote, Transit Travel Tote, and Large Zippered Downtown Tote, I found myself thinking less about the leather — even though it’s great — and more about how each bag is purposefully designed to fit the workflow.
But the first thing you notice, of course, is that skin. Leatherology uses aniline-based stone-treated, drum-treated leather that’s soft and supple, giving it a day-one break-in feel without being too tough.
Courtesy of Leatherology
Courtesy of Leatherology
The hardware is clean, the branding is subtle, and the totes don’t feel ostentatious, which I appreciate. These bags look expensive because the quality of the materials and craftsmanship speak for themselves, not because of a flashy logo. And if you want something personal, each model can be monogrammed.
As a technology analyst, however, I find that aesthetics only go so far. What impressed me the most about these bags was their performance, which I can’t say about many high-end bags. The straps remained comfortable even when I was carrying large bags and gear. The interior is well organized, to protect strings and extras so they don’t get lost in a single, cavernous room, yet don’t feel over-designed. Each bag is sturdy and secure to protect your valuables.
Courtesy of Leatherology
Courtesy of Leatherology
Better Built Than It Looks
The Mia Horizontal Tote ($330) it’s the most comfortable of the three and has become my go-to weekend bag. Its wide silhouette is perfect for the farmer’s market, shopping trips, or afternoons working from a coffee shop when I don’t need my whole outfit. My Merciful, headphonessweaters, and small essentials all fit well and have storage space. Two interior pockets store accessories, while a removable leather pouch became my home for cards and lipstick. The magnetic closure makes it easy to access during everyday tasks, but because it doesn’t have a dedicated laptop or surface, I wouldn’t use it as a work bag on my travels.
That’s right Transit Tote ($465) it comes in. This is a bag that feels designed for business trips, where a personal item is often like your office. It has two exterior pockets, nine interior pockets, two zippered compartments, and a laptop sleeve that fits up to 16-inch laptop. I can separate chargers, travel documents, and toilets in a well-organized environment. The hidden trolley is sliding down rolling stockand the top zipper adds extra security at the airport. Between the short leather handles and the long shoulder straps, it’s also nice to go through these fixed terminals every now and then. Plus, it’s a lot heavier than the Mia Horizontal, whose straps I sometimes worry might come off when the bag is full. There is also a fold-down gusset with a removable support panel that helps the bag retain its shape. In my testing, it fits perfectly under the plane seat, but it’s always important to confirm measurements with your airline.
