Indiana Leather Satchel

I purchased this May 2024, and while I don’t use it every day, every time I do I’m reminded how well it is put together. I primarily use this for camera gear or iPad on the trail, it comfortably holds a full-size iPad in a case.

The leather is substantial, and it still smells incredible. The craftsmanship is exactly what I hoped for, and after more than two years there is no excessive wear to the stitching, straps, or corners. It is also very comfortable to carry, even when loaded.

My only complaint is that I don’t own more bags like this (yet). I would absolutely buy this bag again and would recommend it to street/trail photographers, anyone who appreciates genuine craftsmanship. I would also have no hesitation buying one as a gift for a family member.

I've had a Saddleback briefcase for 15 years, and it has been great. But life changes over the years, and I found myself wanting something smaller for when I have less stuff. The Indiana satchel has been perfect--it can just hold a tablet, keyboard, book and a few small accessories (e.g., chargers, earbuds).
The quality seems as good as ever, and this should easily handle decades of use.

what a great bag, perfect for everyday use. Amazing quality

My husband and I purchased this as a birthday gift for our son. He was beyond thrilled to receive this satchel! Great piece for edc, such amazing quality in every detail!

I bought this bag in July last year, as I got tired of lugging around a backpack with too much crap in it. It’s been almost a year, and it’s only gotten better with age and daily use. I travel frequently to local conventions, bookstores, and meet ups and this bag helps carry the essentials without loading me down.

It keeps everything I need: multiple fountain pens in a pen case, my A5 leather bound notebook for drafting and notes, business cards, sunglasses in their case, charger, a battery pack, wallet, keys, and small tools like a gerber without complaint, and with room to spare. There’s just enough pockets to keep it simple and clean.

My 13” iPad Pro proved to be too much for it, so in hindsight I should’ve bought the photographers satchel to fit that. But that was my own doing and no fault of the bag.

All in all, incredible bag and cannot recommend it enough. Can’t wait to see the patina in 5, 10, even 30 years from daily use!

I have quite a few Saddleback bags, briefcases, portfolios, etc, having accumulated these in 5 decades of work and travel. I got the Indiana satchel for my retirement adventures. Good to carry gear that doesn't go in the cargo hold. No frills, simple design, beautifully done. At 71, I'm pretty sure I won't have a lot of time to break it in, but I'll try......Thanks, Dave!

This is yet another great bag from Saddleback. Quality is exceptional and it hold much more than you'd think for it's size. Great daily cary

I really love this Indiana Leather Satchel. The design is clean and minimalist, which is exactly what I was looking for. It fits my Surface Pro (just barely), along with notes, pens, a charger, phone, and wallet. Everything feels well made and thoughtfully sized. If you want a simple, high-quality bag without extra bulk or unnecessary features, this is a great choice.

I purchased this for my son two years ago as a graduation gift from college. He literally uses it every time he leaves the house. The patina, weathering, and scratches give such character to the satchel it looks like a museum piece. Talk about getting better with age! I now have leather envy, and need to get my own.

I ordered this satchel in Tobacco last month. The quality and craftsmanship are excellent. I look forward to using this for years to come.

Bought this a month before United States closed its borders during the pandemic. This satchel accompanied me to Southeast Asia during the pandemic and continue to be by my side on my new quest in the Pacific Islands....

Just buy it!! It’s my 3rd piece from saddleback Nuff said!

When this bag was new, I overstuffed it with hand towels, buckled it shut, then asked my kindergartner to jump and stomp all over it. That helped soften it only a tiny bit, but she had a lot of fun helping. That same kid is now turning 10 and with regular use, the bag has softened up perfectly: nice and floppy with a LOT of patina. I wish I could post a review photo. I am a bit of a leather bag collector but I always return to my Indy. I’m a petite female and it doesn’t swamp my small frame. It holds everything I need it to and I use every bit of built-in organization. The strap was overkill for me, so I ordered one of the Love41 woven straps with DCB accents and it has increased my enjoyment of the bag tenfold. I really can’t recommend this bag highly enough.

It’s a good bag. I like it, I got it to carry my insulin and stuff as I am a type one diabetic. Fits everything with extra room for a book or some small stuff. I would buy again.

Only negative was one bottom corner slightly damaged. Looks as though it is smashed.

The Indiana Satchel is amazing. It’s super durable (like every Saddleback product) has a straight forward, simplistic design, looks amazing, and is the perfect size for EDC work essentials when you don’t need to lug along a laptop.

So, I got the satchel to fill the void between backpack and wallet. I was amazed how much I can fit. Sunglasses in case, Eyeglasses in case, Pipe and to tobacco pouch, cell phones, Journal and iPad. Also my wallet in places where pickpockets frequent. I have carried this in Naples, Rome, Zurich, Casablanca and Marrakech. Even in Morocco it gets comments and they have a long history as producers of leather. I am now a convert to the "Man-bag". Another amazing piece of kit from Saddleback.

I have had this satchel just a couple days now but I am already wondering how I ever made it by without! The size is perfect for carrying around all my stuff for day to day living without being too cumbersome. Carrying my wallet, keys, cell phone, sunglasses, reading glasses and still room to spare. The Dark Coffee colour is fantastic and I am looking forward to the patina that will develop. The build quality, as expected from Saddleback, is stellar! Thanks so much for another awesome bag!

I travel every week for work. Usually carry my tank. If I need a bit of extra space I use this. Fits my iPad, book, chargers and a few extras. And I can throw it under the seat to have an excuse to put my tank in the overhead for a bit of extra feet room. Travel hack.

looking forward for more

The Indiana does not disappoint. My husband was resistant to carrying a Man-Bag before he got the Indiana Satchell. Now, he cannot be separated from it! It is the perfect size for his iPad, book, sunglasses, phone, extra layer of clothes and wallet! Highly recommend to anyone afraid of the Man-Bag.

I have traveled to other continents and across the ocean with this bag. It is beautiful and sturdy. The longer I own this bag, the more I use it. I'm very happy I bought it.

I’ve only had the bag for three days now. It is so nice. The quality is amazing! I’ve already gotten some compliments on it. This is the last satchel I’m ever going to need!

I had a Saddleback leather briefcase for 9 years and it was both durable, great looking and apparently something already someone liked because they only took that out of my house when someone broke in. Now, I nam sick with cancer and needed something lighter to handle my wallet, phone, headphones, a few toiletries, kindle scrible, a book from time to time and this suits me perfectly. It is light even though I am weakened from the cancer. It feels durable just like the briefcase and the materials including are still 316 stainless. I have also managed to fit my 13 inch Dell XPS inside of it. The Dell XPS will fit because of the length of the leather strap and this was more than I expected.
Overall, I am very satisfied with the product, purchase experience (i did call customer service) and quality.

Couldn’t be more pleased and can’t wait to use it in my travels!

Amazing bag, use it as a purse and art tote i can fit my love 41 wallet, phone small sketch pad, pencil kit, pens, ear buds and charging battery pack! Matches my flight bag perfectly!

Ready for anything - and looks better as you beat it up carrying it through any jungle or airport! Dave and team at SBL make exceptional products!

I love this Satchel! I have had it a couple of weeks and am finally able to keep all my carry stuff in one container. It looks stylish when I carry it as a man purse.

I received my (chestnut) Indiana Leather Satchel yesterday, promptly unboxed it, loaded it up with wallet, keys, etc, and began it’s break-in as my daily carry bag.

Being a repeat Saddleback customer, I was (and am) prepared for the attention these bags attract; 10-years in & my first satchel still elicits comments from observers—men and women alike.

I wasn’t prepared, however, for the crowd I attracted at the auto parts store! Seriously! I’m buying spark plugs & a distributor cap and six guys approached to admire the satchel. So much for the man-bag stigma!

I am going to need a supply of your business cards to keep sending folks your way!

Thanks for the quality leather, folks!

Saddleback made a great bag, thank God. The satchel is small enough to feel light and reasonable if you’re just carrying the basics of wallet keys and phone, but then I’ve got a small umbrella, folded up lite jacket, a few items from the grocery store, and other times a few small 3 ring binders in it. The last hole on the strap has been tested over and over, and it seems like it always finds a way to pack more into a little space, very happy....crazy sturdy and solid construction too, leather is for real.