Premium duffle bags made full grain leather

Which leather is suitable for good leather travel bags?

There are basically only two types of leather that are suitable for making travel bags: cowhide and buffalo leather. If you value an authentic product without plastic lamination. Other types of leather such as pigskin, goatskin or lambskin nappa only achieve the required strength and stability through the use of plastic foam that is glued behind the leather with textile glue. Goatskin is particularly low-quality and cheap. Goatskin itself is just 0.5-1mm thick and without foam it would have the stability and texture of a paper bag.

We only use full-grain and vegetable-tanned cow or buffalo leather for our travel bags. These high-quality types of leather have a material thickness of up to 7mm and retain their shape even without plastic lamination.

What exactly is a leather travel bag?

Leather travel bags are large and elongated bags for clothes with a short carrying strap. Travel bags are part of the classic travel luggage. They are the ideal piece of luggage for a weekend trip or a short vacation of up to 7 days. Leather travel bags are available in various sizes, from small to large. These bags are usually closed with a long horizontal zipper. To make it easier to transport the leather travel bag, all of our bags have a removable shoulder strap. An alternative name for leather travel bag is weekend bag or leather weekender. Leather travel bags are usually unisex and can be worn by both men and women. Compared to suitcases, leather travel bags are often more flexible and lighter. They combine functionality with the elegant and high-quality look of leather.

What makes a good leather travel bag?

A high-quality leather travel bag should, above all, embody durability and a timeless design. Ideally, it can even be passed down from generation to generation. Our exclusive leather travel bags are inspired by the designs of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which are still influential in the design of leather goods today. The material of the travel bag should be durable and preferably made of natural materials to ensure high quality.

What features should a leather travel bag have?

Size, dimensions and volume:

Make sure that the leather travel bag has enough space to store your clothes and personal items. Depending on the length of your trip and your personal needs, you can choose from different size options. When traveling by plane, pay particular attention to the hand luggage guidelines of the respective airline.

Materiality and durability:

Choose a travel bag made of high-quality and durable material, such as robust leather. This will ensure that your travel bag can withstand the stresses and strains of travel and will last for a long time. With use, your leather bag will develop a beautiful patina over time.

Carrying options:

Check whether the leather travel bag offers different carrying options, such as a removable shoulder strap and handles. This way you can carry the bag comfortably and flexibly, depending on your individual preferences and needs.

Practical subjects:

Consider a leather duffel bag with multiple compartments and organization options to keep your clothes and belongings organized. Duffel bags with interior and exterior pockets, zippered compartments, or separate shoe compartments can help keep contents neat and organized.

Color and design:

Choose a leather travel bag that suits your personal style and preferences. We offer a diverse selection of products, materials, designs and colors to suit your individual taste and ensure your leather travel bag is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Which leather travel bags are the best?

DRAKENSBERG travel bags are characterized by their exceptional quality. For us, sustainability is not just a marketing element, but an integral design element. Our products are authentic and could have been manufactured in a similar form 200 years ago. After all, plastic has only been around since the middle of the 19th century (1862).

So far, there is no travel bag manufacturer that could serve as a role model for us. Even the most renowned brands in the industry still rely exclusively on conventional chrome tanning. Many manufacturers change the surfaces of their leather bags or suggest a greater material thickness by lamination with plastic. The term "natural leather" is often used inflationaryly, but is rarely accurate. Often it is about superficial uniformity and mere appearance.

In the 21st century, a first-class travel bag should convey a good and honest feeling without making empty promises. We use as little plastic as possible in the manufacture of our travel bags. Our leather is not laminated with plastic and our outer fabrics do not contain any plastic fibers. The leather used is sustainably and mostly vegetable tanned, although a small amount of chrome is used.

How big does a leather travel bag have to be?

Depending on the intended use, a length between 55 and 60 cm is ideal for a leather travel bag. In this size range, the storage volume is usually between 40 and 60 liters. A rule of thumb is that you need about 10 liters of storage space for each day of travel. So a leather travel bag with a volume of 40 liters should be sufficient for 3-4 days. In addition, we offer other models in our range that can be expanded at the sides.

Does a leather travel bag count as hand luggage?

A leather travel bag is ideal as hand luggage for air travel. However, you should always check the airline's specific regulations before departure. Small leather travel bags with dimensions of up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm should generally not cause any problems. The information in our shop always corresponds to the maximum permitted dimensions. If a leather travel bag is not filled to the limit, a large part of our range should also be suitable as hand luggage.

In addition to size, weight is also important. Many airlines limit the weight of hand luggage to a maximum of 8 kg. It is therefore important to make sure that the leather travel bag is within this weight limit.

Which leather travel bag for 1 week?

For vacation trips of up to a week, a leather travel bag with a volume of 60 liters should be sufficient. You can find many different sizes in our shop.

Are leather travel bags suitable as checked luggage on flights?

Yes, leather travel bags can be used as checked luggage on flights. However, we advise against this as the leather bag could be visually damaged. If the situation requires it, we recommend that you look for a wrapping service at the airport and have your travel bag wrapped in plastic film before dropping it off. This is not really sustainable, but it is certainly an option in an emergency.

It is also advisable to protect and organize the contents of your leather travel bag before checking in. For example, use packing cubes or other organizational solutions to store your items neatly and minimize potential damage.

Also, make sure the weight of your leather travel bag complies with the airline's checked baggage policy to avoid additional fees. Find out in advance about the weight restrictions and policies of the airline you are flying with.

Which leather travel bag for 2 weeks?

For trips lasting two weeks, a leather travel bag for men and women may not be the optimal choice. Instead, a suitcase with a storage volume of 80-100 liters would make more sense. Unless the circumstances of the trip allow space for two pieces of luggage, in which case two travel bags with a volume of 40-60 liters would also be conceivable. For example, on a car vacation. We currently offer leather travel bags with a storage volume of up to 60 liters. However, some of our leather travel bags can be expanded to 80 liters if required.

Which leather travel bag is right for me?

We offer a wide range of different models of leather travel bags for men and women. Choosing the right one can be a bit of a challenge. The following examples should help you make your decision:

Leather travel bags with integrated shoe compartment:

These bags are not only ideal for short business trips, but also make stylish companions for sports. Choose a leather travel bag with a shoe compartment to keep your shoes practical and separate from the rest of your clothes.

Leather weekender for weekend trips:

These compact and handy bags are specially designed for weekend trips. With a volume of around 40 to 60 liters, they offer plenty of space. Some models of leather weekenders can also serve as a practical alternative to hand luggage on flights.

Large leather travel bags for longer holidays:

Our large leather travel bags for men and women are not only suitable for city trips or short trips, but also for longer holidays. If you are travelling for more than 5 days, an XL leather travel bag with a volume of 60 liters is often a good alternative to a suitcase.