{"id":62079,"date":"2016-08-15T17:12:19","date_gmt":"2016-08-15T21:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=62079"},"modified":"2016-08-15T17:12:19","modified_gmt":"2023-08-20T02:52:22","slug":"327-gear-bag-must-see-saddleback-leather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/327-gear-bag-must-see-saddleback-leather\/","title":{"rendered":"The $327 Gear Bag You Must See from Saddleback Leather"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"This<\/a>

This is a really beautiful and durable bag. I think Indiana Jones would be jealous.<\/p><\/div>\n

You know, I love the way Saddleback Leather <\/a>positions their products. It\u2019s very \u201cretro\u201d \u2014 but retro as in turn of the 20th Century retro. I\u2019m serious. Have you ever seen what items they place in their bags to stage em? It\u2019s hilarious. It\u2019s like a moleskin notebook, three hardcover books sans dust jackets, a rangefinder camera circa 1936, a Red Delicious apple, among other things that nobody carries nowadays (we have computers and e-readers and camera phones and protein bars, etc).<\/p>\n

But I get what they\u2019re selling. They\u2019re selling us on an old-time adventure. John Muir-type stuff. The sales pitch is something like,”Quick,\u00a0grab your galoshes, your pith helmet, your surveyor\u2019s compass, your vintage thermos and let\u2019s go sojourning through the Appalachians! And, don\u2019t forget your Saddleback pack!”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[one_half]<\/p>\n

\"Need<\/a>

Need a new range bag?<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/one_half]<\/p>\n

[one_half_last]<\/p>\n

\"Plenty<\/a>

Plenty of room for your handgun. And a handgun case, too.<\/p><\/div>\n

[\/one_half_last]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an effective pitch. There is something romantic about venturing out into the great outdoors with really old-looking items placed in a beautiful gear bag. \u00a0You can imagine yourself hiking up a\u00a0wooded trail, finding a nice big rock overlooking a quiet brook, pulling out your 2nd Ed. \u201cUlysses\u201d and reading until the sun kisses the horizon.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something else going on here too. It\u2019s the implicit notion of quality. Saddleback is basically saying, we make em like they used to<\/em>, which is to say the way we used to make things in this country, i.e., with pride, an attention to detail and with an emphasis on quality so that they lasted you a 100 years or more. Most of the crap packs and bags we buy at WalMart or on eBay are made on the cheap and have a shelf life of about 10 years, if we\u2019re lucky. Saddleback is bucking that trend. They\u2019re putting out products that last a lifetime. You know, like they used to.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Murse vs. The Backpack<\/h2>\n
\"I'm<\/a>

I’m a murse guy. What do you prefer?<\/p><\/div>\n

When it comes to backpacks and bags, I divide into two categories for better or worse: Backpacks and murses, aka man purses. Yes, it\u2019s probably a bit immature on my part, but this dividing line makes sense in my head. If it has two straps, it\u2019s a backpack. If it has one strap, it\u2019s a murse. Size to me is really irrelevant.<\/p>\n

I will openly and freely admit that I\u2019m a murse guy. Though, it\u2019s not by choice but by happenstance. My mother gave me a one-strap computer bag four or so years ago. She got it for free at a work function, one of those remote two-day events where they build \u201cteam synergy\u201d and discuss \u201ccorporate strategy.\u201d From that day forward I\u2019ve toted my man purse with aplomb.<\/p>\n

Like the pistol versus revolver debate, there are pros and cons to each the murse and the backpack. In a nutshell, the backpack is more masculine; it\u2019s what soldiers carry. In terms of comfort, it distributes the weight of the gear across two shoulders instead of just one. And with respect to functionality, the backpack typically has more pockets and places to attach extra stuff, especially if it has MOLLE webbing. The downside of the backpack is that it looks odd in professional settings. Showing up at a corporate board meeting toting an olive drab or coyote tan tactical pack might make you stand out, though not in a good way, like a lost boy scout.<\/p>\n

The murse, on the other hand, is great for professional settings. You can wear it with just about anything. Of course, what you give up is that extra strap and, as a result, a bit of comfort when it comes to carrying your stuff for long durations. Also, with a murse, you don\u2019t typically have the MOLLE webbing or extra pockets. In terms of its divisional structure, the murse is more simplistic \u2014 one big pocket, with maybe an extra pocket or two on the inside.<\/p>\n

Before I get to the review, I should ask, are you as murse guy or a backpack guy? Or, do you carry both?<\/p>\n

Specs<\/h2>\n