Front Pocket Leather Backpack

I've bought a few Saddleback things lately, largely because the Saddleback stuff I bought 15+ years ago is still going strong. And this backpack has not disappointed. It is tough, it looks good, and it has just about the right number of pockets in just about the right places. It is comfortable to carry and slides under the seat in front of you on an airplane. It easily holds a laptop/tablet, a couple books, a change or two of clothing, and sundries.

Had this thing 10+ years, the only downside is ever since COVID I work t home and can't carry it to work unless its across the room. Travels with me where I travel though. No regrets, Indian Jones here I come.

I have received countless compliments on this backpack! The quality is top tier!!

This backpack is absolutely stunning. I bought this as a gift for our architect and of course my husband wants one. The workmanship and leather quality is beyond expectation. Every time I called I'm always greeted with warmth and personalized attention. This is rare. For the first time I actually found a company who have workers who actually cares. I will be back

This is my second dark coffee front pocket backpack. My first backpacking experience was in Alaska, specifically in Denali National Park, where I worked as a park ranger, and later in Fairbanks, Alaska. This backpack was a home away from home during those years. The only reason I had to buy a second one was that I ran out of money and had to sell the first one, yet it still retained its original sale price. As a private investigator, I travel to various exotic locations and perform my job, and the accoutrements I carry with me keep me safe and strong, regardless of the weather. And actually, the way it's so beautiful, it gives me the confidence that I have anything I need to get myself out of a jam.

There's the Lion in the Jungle, right? Like that, there's this 'Front Pocket' Saddleback backpack that no one can compete. I got mine over 10 years ago, used it extensively in work-related international travel (of long durations), received lots nice compliments/comments, and it still looks new (especially if I give it nutrition, which I do at times/frequently).. What else there's to say. Good buy, you get your money's worth.. It's gorgeous, too, just a piece of art. Mr. Munson done well.

Finally purchased this beast of a backpack. Have had the medium bi-fold since early 2015. Taking it on its first work trip today. Plan on using, abusing, and conditioning this bag until the patina is to die for.

Your team's craftsmanship may be too good..

Recently I was walking through IAH with my new front pocket backpack and was stopped about every 5 ft by someone asking about it.

Original reason why I got it was so I could stop looking like a fool walking into meetings with my nike backpack. Now I may not even get to those meetings on time haha!

Wow, very, very nice. I do leather work myself. This was done right! Love.
It Built to last several lifetimes.

What what can I say that hasn't already been said before. The bag is drop-dead gorgeous, smells great and draws admiring glances wherever I go. My only quibble is with the shoulder pads. The tubular pads are comfortable but I don't find them aesthetically pleasing. I wish the bag had come with a set of flat pads like those found on the rounded satchel and briefcases. Do I regret my purchase? No, not at all. The bag is beautiful and I love it. The FPLB is my first Saddleback bag and it most certainly won't be my last.

I do not have enough time or space to declare the reasons for loving this bag so much. After 2 months and several trips, I can declare that this bag is the greatest travel backpack. I tried Swissgear but found it to wear out too easily. Glad that I have found my life long travel partner!

I purchased this bag a few years ago and it is holding up perfectly. It is my most used bag and I don't baby it. It has been thrown around, kicked, dropped, and withstood torrential downpours. In the few years I've owned it, I've only ever had one problem and that's because the clip on the front of the bag to cinch it down broke. I contacted Saddleback Customer Service about the issue and it was repaired with ease. The repair was a special request for the bag to modified to be used with utility straps which is akin to previous designs and they accommodated my wishes and it was a perfect repair! Since then, I've had no other issues with the bag. It has some scuffs, denim transfer stains, patina in high-wear spots but it keeps on going. This is the best backpack I've ever owned.

You would not regret the decision on making this purchase. The construction is next level - paired with quality materials. wont ever need to buy another but already want more! I daily the backpack to work with a MacBook and lunch.

Great product. really well constructed all around. I can see how this should last forever. have to get used to the bucket straps on every pocket but I expected that.

Hands down-The King Backpack! Just got this and I gotta say this is an amazing bag. I wrestled back and forth between choosing this and "The Tank (another amazing bag from Saddleback) but decided to go with this timeless design style instead.
Ok…so there is a mega $ht-ton of videos on the Thin Front Pocket Backpack (which seems like a winner, but smaller) but not a whole lot on this bag and even though Saddleback provides comparison photos with different sized models wearing the bag inthe item description, as well as measurements in the specs, for some reason I could not really gauge the size of what the bag would be without seeing it. I did not want it too order it and it be too HUGE for simple everyday use, and I did not want it too small in the event of travel where I usually act as the family pack-mule carrying my wife and daughters jackets and purchases and other random cosmetics when on vacation. I am 5' 9.5 in on a good day and have a thicker medium-large build (so not super tall, not super thin, not jacked... Just a guy), and this bag fits my back just fine. I think in the end -you may appreciate the room if you need it.
Saddleback I dig you and have ordered from you before with ZERO disappointments, but Dave if you are listening (and I think you are) I have 2 suggestions. I do not profess to be a leather engineer or tradesmen so I did not know if these are unreasonable suggestions but if possible consider an attached key fob. I think that is really useful and makes it easy to find keys in a deep bag like this, and more important than that.... Would it be possible to put in the hidden false bottom like in the front pocket large briefcase I rock to work... That would so rock and really take this bag a step further with itself as it's own competition.
Anyway great bag, great company do not hesitate. This bag is a keeper hand down.

After years of internal debate, literally, I am thrilled that I finally have my Saddleback backpack. It is beautiful, smells great, and I can't wait to really abuse it because it will look even better!

I wish i could take to Rangers games

Perfect! Thick Leather and Stitch... It's a masterpiece

I have had this pack for almost two years now, and it is with me everyday. It has been to the summit of the Zugspitze in Germany, the cathedrals of Zurich, the Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains and the Medinas of Merrakech and Casablanca. (Yes, I ate at Ricks.) It has been through rain on a moped in and blazing hot sun on the back of a camel. It is tough, good looking and carries everything I need (and the things that the people I'm with need since they don't have this pack). I highly recommend this pack to anyone from a business environment to meandering in ancient cities.

It gets comments all the time. At this point, with the number of people I've pointed towards Saddleback....I should get free stuff.

Go ahead, throw it in the back of your rig. Park it beside your bedroll. If a Grizz pokes his nose under your tarp, clobber him with it. It's that tough. Serious piece of kit.

Once again I am the proud owner of a piece of really cool Saddleback Leather. Not only is it really cool but its a Dave's Deal which means it was on sale and like all other Dave's Deals one is hard pressed to find the imperfection (s). I just love Saddleback Leather for its impeccable design features and materials, workmanship with a focus on enduring quality, and their overall mission to help people around the world. I have several Saddleback pieces and this is another winner. Can't wait to break it in a bit and as Dave says it will take awhile so I better get going. Thank you Saddleback!

I bought this bag towards the end of 2018. I returned it a couple times cause the stitching was bad but third time was a charm and now I’ve had this bag ever since. I really love it because of its versatility! I’ve carried to this to the beach, to work and to the lawyers office. This is seriously a nice bag. Get compliments on it and it’s really rugged and tough. It’s my go to travel bag.. Currently my first and only bag from SBL but perhaps more in the future. Developed some nice patina after almost 3 years. (:

This was my first Saddlback bag ever. I now own three so I'm going to same mostly the same thing about all over them - they're my favorite gear ever. I'm a woman, and I buy only from the "men's" collection. So personal opinion, would love to see this perhaps labeled adventure or rugged, or whatever.. just not "men's". Just like I think some guys would like the 41 line... I think it would open a whole new demographic. If not, that's ok, I kinda like the exclusivity of it too :P .
I first started with the Front Pocket Leather Backpack, since I was traveling all over the world launching operations for a startup in places like Africa, Australia, and SE Asia. I needed something I could throw around a rickshaw, or withstand the elements of the desert or outback while protecting my expensive gear - laptops, drones, navigational equipment, DSLR, and my notebooks. That backpack was ALL that plus looks. Got complimented everywhere, plus I could take it into meetings and still look professional.

Next I bought the Rounded Leather Satchel when I moved back to the US and needed more of a low key briefcase type that could hold my Macbook Pro 13". I knew it was a gamble, but unlike the description.. it actually fits mine - just at a slight angle and no case. It's still got the rugged look I love that tells people I have a story, looks great if I take it on a short outdoor adventure (backpack style), or wearing a business suit and heels to go to a meeting. MEN and WOMEN love it.

Now, I got the Baby Beast for my bf so he'd have a gymbag/carryon replacement. After I saw my brothers' Baby Beast in action while we traveled Mexico (when all else fails and there's no more room in the truck... USE THE DAMN STRAPS.. and these bags will securely attach anywhere. I promise no end of sierra curves or topes (speedbumps) will knock these bags off). So I had to get one for my bf.. but the truth is.. I'm claiming shared custody on this one.

Bottom line, if you like adventure (man or woman), this is the line. Sometimes I travel to remote parts of the world and sometimes I just like going into town with my satchel. Either way, I love knowing that the expensive crap I like to buy can be protected by Saddleback leather and the last thing I want to worry about is the durability of my gear protecting it.
And I like looking good doing all that.

Now I'm working on my Private Pilot's License... so next on the list is the Flight Bag. The adventure continues.

well, i have been looking for my one true bag for many years.

i could have learned a second language or picked up a black belt in jujitsu in the hours i have spent looking at bags online and in person.

a seemingly indestructible timbuk2 backpack has accompanied me around and around and around the world for six or seven years now, and irritatingly looks just exactly like the day i bought it off ebay.

a great little travel pack, but just too ugly and banal to be seen with in public at homei wanted a bag that would pretty much DO IT ALL. and make me look WAY more bad ass than i am.

i found saddleback leathers a couple/three years ago and whilst i drooled over the general vibe, none of the backpacks on offer at the time seemed like a good fit for me.

i bookmarked the site and promised myself that i would return one day.

i just got home from a solo trip around malaysia.

as i once again unpacked my petrochemical-derived, over-organised backpack, still looking like new, still utterly devoid of any character, still saying zero about the adventures we had had together, saddleback leathers suddenly sprang to mind.

worth a look! i thought to myself. time has passed! i thought to myself. designs evolve and change! i pondered quietly.

and boy, was it ever the perfect time to look.

the medium front pocket backpack was the one for me (after some grilling of the lovely CS people, and some working out of litre volume....which is the only number i can actually comprehend in a bag).

i smacked the buy button and it looks like i got the last one (for a little while).

the pack arrived today. 11 days from texas to remote,, rural australia. no duty if it is under $1000, fellow aussies! so, already loving the thing, even before opening the box.

yes, this backpack is ALL THAT.

the leather scent is wonderful and it rolls out in a wave that is almost tactile.

the bag is heavy and solid, but you can see how and where it will yield in time. and it does seem to ride comfortably and high on one's back. the neoprene strip is very soft and comfy

i am almost as wide as i am tall and the love-handle-avoiding design of the straps is like a magic trick.

i got carbon because i wear black. all. the. time.

this carbon is a divine colour. it isn't at all a flat shiny black....it is a matte and dark dark nuanced gray. the leather has a soft, almost nubuck-ish finish....omg i can hardly wait for it to wear in. my pack has loads of tick bites on the part i wear against my back.

having had my share of tick bites, i can sympathise with the poor cow who was wearing this before me.

let's talk about the size of this thing.

i figured it had 25 litres of volume, including all three pockets. yes, you can stuff a few more bits and pieces down behind the pockets, but i didn't include those in my calculation.

i gave it a test-pack.

i travel very light and very minimal and i believe in frequent laundry stops!

i packed a set of clothes, socks, underwear, a sarong, a swimsuit, a sweater, a pair of sandals, some earrings, a scarf; ipad, iphone, cables and adaptors; very minimal LAG bag for toiletries and makeup; purse and passport.

i used about 4/5 of the main bag and one of the side pockets and the back of the large pocket. without any hint of manic crushing and stomping.

the filled bag feels solid and heavy on my back and i am sure i'll get used to it pretty quickly. again, it sits high on my back, and it is comfortable. the extra weight is worth it for the extra glamour alone.

this bag will also do me for day to day running around, because it doesn't look huge at all.

it is a bit casual for business, but i am also a bit of a casual businessperson, so that is fine.

in fact, i only have one major problem left on my hands: which colour backpack should i buy for my husband?

personally, i am now sorted for bags until the end of time.

and now i can get on with learning italian or something.

5 stars with absolutely no hesitation. and my thanks to betsy, carlie and tim for their delightful and helpful service.

I bought a large tobacco dry bag on a lark after seeing it on Dave's deals (10% off) and I thought my wife would kill me. I already have 3 other Saddleback bags & wallets you see.

But the day it got here she ended-up loving it - there is nothing else like this bag anywhere. It is very functional - the pictures don't do it justice! And it just holds so damn much and things are easy to access - just unclip the single strap and you've got full access to the interior. I have a large tobacco briefcase and a large tobacco messenger bag that were both in regular service until the dry bag arrived. I still use them but the dry bag is in daily service.

I bought myself this backpack for myself as a three year gift for becoming a non-smoker. It is awesome. A functional piece of art. I just want to sit here and take a look at it.