31559 Alpine Mailbag

Love this bag for its heft and construction. It's solid for sure. However, withholding a fifth star because there is no outside pocket, which wouldn't be a big thing except that unhitching the clasp to get into the bag is difficult using just one hand. So at times the bag is not as convenient as others I've had.

Love the bag, but...the brass fastener on the front broke within the first year and a half. It wasn't sturdy enough for the weight of the bag (which is heavy, empty!). Without the fastener, the bag flops open and its integrity is compromised. Now I can't use it until I find a leather worker (maybe a saddle maker? Or something?) who can repair it. I would have gotten ahold of the Tahoe Brown Bag Company personally to ask them about repairing or replacing it, but can't find them anywhere online? Their products are sold through Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, etc. But can't find the company itself. Too bad, I loved that bag. I would give the bag itself five stars but the brass fastener "O", if I could. But I can't, so three stars it is.

I've been searching for a leather "mailbag" for years, and stumbled on this bag by chance. It's everything I had wished for:1: thick heavy duty yet buttery soft leather2: great stitching throughout3: simple, beautiful design; a replica of the 1800s pony express mailbag4: smells wonderful! Just like a leather bag ought to5: single main compartment with a divider for my laptop (love the simplicity!) and zipped outer pocket for easy access of valuables eg wallet/ money/ keys etc. All kept safe with a flap secured with brass latch6: leather straps come with a padded shoulder part for comfort7: holds its shape well when carried- doesn't slouch when carried so your stuff won't get jumbled up inside8: handy top handle if you don't want to use the straps9: beautiful tanned color. Scratches seem to fade with a little Vaseline rubbed in.10: perfect for commuting to work and will double up as an overnight bag too- certainly passed my test as a carry-on bag on flights11: will probably outlive me! I'm quite rough with my work-bags and so far this mailbag looks better with each passing day :)You may not like this bag if:1: you like lots of compartments2: it's a heavy bag. I'm 5'5" weighing 112lbs and if you really stuff it, your shoulders will ache (I don't stuff mine and use it for work- iPad, phone, wallet, keys, couple of A4 notebooks, a novel, adapters, some makeup, not that bad weight-wise)3: you're petite- mainly due to its size and weight4: it doesn't have any metal feet to protect the baseOverall, this is a lovely beautiful messenger bag- perfect for work/ commuting/ overnight stays. Buy it- you won't regret it!

Brown Bag Company 31559 Alpine MailbagThis bag is well made and the leather is sturdy and the workmanship is great. However, the bag is very heavy and cumbersome and the strap digs across your body. Even a shortened strap has the bag swinging against your hip or backside. Not enough storage for cell phones, etc. Everything drops to the bottom and is tough to find. Maybe a good bag for a large person who carries just a few large things.

Love the style, color, the roominess and the smell :-) holds a 15.6" laptop well. Leather became soft after the first uses. Would recommend it!

Awesome bag. Only thing is the hardware broke and I can't find the company anywhere online or find a way to contact them at all. Very sturdy except for the metal latches.

The Brown Bag Co mailbag...Good golly Miss Molly, this is a thing of beauty! We're talking real leather, thick buttery hide, non lined and properly treated and processed...superb stitching throughout. No flaws that I have noticed. This must be one of the few remaining quality items still made in America.I initially used this bag for a month while traveling through several countries in Europe, and never once babied it whatsoever. It performed admirably!I'm not sure one can bond with a bag, but I believe I have! It just keeps looking better & better...It soaks up scratches with such grace that it continues to 'evolve' the more it wears -- A sign of proper leather; Handled exceptionally for the smaller camera gear I was using it for and continues to do so for the everyday mundane...but dammit, I say this thing lives for adventure!There are no real pockets, etc inside, just a leather divider for the two main compartments with a couple slots for a few pens and I think a cardholder; There's also a third compartment which is basically a zipped outer pocket that's nice and roomy, running the length of the bag. I like it -- practical & simple design and I can find & access what I need quickly and without fuss.If you're locking for something with a load of pockets, storage options, keep on looking.The hardware is all brass...shoulder strap works great but the bag can also be carried as a briefcase as well. This isn't the lightest bag either...so that might also be a consideration for some muscularly challenged folks. If you're a high tech ninja, and want the lightest, highest tech, kevlar woven war pack, this might not be up to that par.But all joking aside, and all things carefully considered, I LOVE this bag and try to use it as much as possible -- for 200 bucks, this product is a steal and a fine example of American leather workmanship!It would be a challenge to find a comparative alternative, bearing the same quality, at the price offered -- I dare you to do better! Highly recommended!