I usually don't write reviews for my purchases, but I was so pleased with the product and the service that I couldn't NOT write a review.
I bought the Original Messenger Bag (large size) as a gift for my boyfriend, and I must say that I am so happy with the way the gift went over. The only trouble is that I'm not sure how I can top this gift next time!
He certainly likes to dress well, and as a student, the backpack is an essential part of each day's wardrobe. So I wanted to find him something stylish yet functional. However, as a student myself, I wasn't ready to break the bank. Luckily, I found Leyden and Sons.
The Original Messenger Bag was a perfect gift choice. It has space for a laptop, which he brings to every class. It has front pockets for the quick-reach items like keys, sunglasses, and laptop charger. And it can be worn as a backpack, which is not only convenient for bike riding, but is just plain cool. Plus the bag looks great (not just in the online pics, but also in person!).
Lastly, the service I experienced was phenomenal. The bag arrived very quickly, and the packaging was unlike anything I had seen. The "sons" of Leyden and Sons must really take pride in what they do, because it certainly shows in the personal touches that accompany their product (including a hand-written thank-you note!). I actually didn't re-wrap the bag before I gave it to my boyfriend. I gave it to him in the original packaging because I knew he would appreciate it.
I would recommend doing business with Leyden and Sons to anyone looking for a great leather bag. I was amazed at the quality of the bag, especially for the reasonable price. And I know that my boyfriend is quite happy with the bag as well.
When my ancient but beloved canvas briefcase started to break down a few weeks ago I immediately began looking for a replacement. I have always found the idea of a leather bag appealing, but I have seldom seen one that I actually liked. I spent weeks looking at hundreds of briefcases both on-line and in local stores before finding the Leyden & Sons Original Messenger Bag. I liked the styling and the handful of positive customer reviews convinced me to take a chance on it.
I received the bag on the third working day after I ordered it. As several other reviewers have mentioned, the presentation is elegant. Inside the shipping carton the bag is wrapped in burlap, tied in twine, and nestled in straw. As the bag is unwrapped the thoughtful design and superb workmanship are immediately apparent. The leather is remarkably rugged, beautifully dyed, and has an excellent handfeel. The hardware is robust. The cut and sew is first-rate. The bag even smells good. I am certain that this bag will last for the rest of my professional life. I recommend it without reservation.
Buy Leyden and Sons Leather Bag Co. - Original Messenger Bag Now
I've been looking for a well-made, high quality "XL" leather messenger bag for quite some time now. I wanted something big enough to grow with (as I seem to accumulate more stuff that I Must Keep With Me! everyday) yet not a behemoth of a bag which would seem unwieldy. I also didn't want to pay a lot of money for a low quality bag made of thin, shiny leather which feels like it would rip under the weight of all my items--but neither did I want a 15 lb giant of a bag. When I stumbled upon Leyden & Sons I knew I'd hit the jackpot.
The bag arrived in two days, as ordered, and was packaged exceptionally well. The box had a stylized, spray-painted LS on it when it arrived, and the packaging inside spared no attention to detail. The bag was carefully wrapped in burlap and twine, nestled in some sort of straw--this is a very, very cool presentation. This attention to detail on the packaging was echoed in the construction of the bag.
First of all, I got the XL version of the bag because I wanted the extra length in case I ever purchased a larger laptop. It fits all my miscellaneous tech gear (including a Dell 15z in a padded sleeve), a cooling pad, power cords, other USB transfer cords, documents and notebooks, software, a hard drive, and more with ease. The bag itself is made of thick (yet soft) leather and feels very sturdy indeed. It's got a great look to it (very vintage) and I can already see it's going to age well. As you use it, it acquires "scuffs" and marks which really make it look unique--not at all unattractive--in fact, it enhances the "vintage" look. The rivets and stitching on the bag seem both well placed and sturdy. All of the hardware echoes this quality--it's well made and very sturdy while maintaining a great look. The inside is suede lined and has plenty of room. The shoulder strap is awesome!! It has two wide leather pads on it which are great--the wideness makes the strap comfortable and distributes the weight of the bag more evenly rather than leaving a thinner leather strap to dig into your shoulder--very clever.
For quality, I'd give this bag a 5 out of 5--only time will tell how well it wears and survives daily use, but I'd bet it's going to perform fantastically.
For appearance, I'd give this bag a 5 out of 5.
For service, I'd give the company a 5 out of 5--they included a personalized, typed note which had an email address to use in case of issues, and when I emailed them during my ordering experience their reply was prompt, friendly, and helpful.
I'd buy this bag--or another one--from Leyden & Sons in a heartbeat. I'm very impressed with their service and the quality of their goods, and look forward to years with this bag.
Read Best Reviews of Leyden and Sons Leather Bag Co. - Original Messenger Bag Here
I was looking for a 'man bag' for my husband and came across Leyden and Son's Messenger Bag. The bag arrived beautifully presented last week in gorgeous cheesecloth wrapping and exquisite handwritten ink letter. The bag is everything the pictures promised and better.... a gorgeous leather that will gather more and more character the older it gets. My husband uses the bag to cart his laptop, folders and uses the strap to wear it across his body for his daily commute to work. A fantastic bag that comes with a very high recommendation.
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It's hard for me to know where to start in writing this review: the bag or the service?
When I began my search for a quality bag, consumer reviews naturally played a significant part in the process. Upon finding Leyden and Sons, the choice of bag became no easier because as others have commented, all of the bags are fantastic. High quality leather, durable fixtures, quality suede lining, etc. The list goes on. Moreover, the packaging of the bag is charming and authentic. After owning the bag for a couple of weeks now, I am confident that it will serve my needs for a long time to come.
But as I mentioned, most of Leyden and Sons bags are equally highly rated, which means that the true functionality of the bag was what I wanted to experience. Unfortunately, the nature of online shopping makes that difficult. Mick, from Leyden and Sons, makes it easy.
I originally purchased the Backwoods Satchel. It was awesome, as indicated by its ratings, but I needed a bag with a little more capacity. After speaking with Mick by email, asking questions about other bags (of which he offered accurate and honest feedback), and spending more time assessing my own needs, I settled on the Original Messenger.
The Original Messenger has the capacity I need for load-heavy days and wears comfortably. The bag itself is heavy, and despite what else I might throw in there, it still wears with ease, and I find I can walk for up to 45 minutes without having to adjust the bag even at its heaviest. I believe this is in large part due to the wide shoulder straps.
The internal divider helps keeps things organized on days when I have fewer things to carry, and the internal pockets easily store my computer mouse, pens, business cards, etc. (I will say that if you're used to and like a bag with internal pockets that are clearly item-specific, i.e., a pocket(s) for a pen(s), a pocket for business cards, a pocket for a cell phone, etc., then this bag's larger pockets designed for more general use will take a little getting used to.) On top of that, the external pockets serve as wonderful and accessible additional storage for larger items, like a water bottle or bike lock (depending on your lock).
Last, I cannot express how pleasurable it was to work with Mick--he absolutely shaped the experience. Orders/returns are processed promptly, and he was quick to respond to questions, honest in his feedback, and willing to help in any way he could to ensure that I ended up with the perfect bag for me.
I highly recommend Leyden and Sons to anyone looking for a bag to last many years. I will suggest the company to my personal network and look forward to purchasing from Leyden and Sons in the future.
The Gravis Battery backpack looks nice on paper and in images, but it wasn't what I expected. I purchased the " Phantom" version of the bag. The material does feel as if it holds up to the elements, but the overall build of it doesn't feel that sturdy. the lining between the main pocket and smaller middle pocket is so thin, that you can see through it. The isolated laptop pocket is nice but is not lined with any sort of soft fabric, it is just padded nylon. i did like the side beverage holder pockets. The main compartment is roomy, but the items do end up standing in a slant since the bottom of the bag is designed to contour better with your lower back rather than sit on a flat surface. I have since returned the item back. I did not buy the item through Amazon, had I, the item would have been easier to return.
