The new Thirteener Thin Leather Briefcase from Saddleback Leather Co. looks a little, well, like a saddlebag. (I was a cowboy for years, so I don’t say this lightly.) And much like a saddlebag, this 14.25 x 10-inch briefcase is big enough to hold necessities without being a burden, which makes it a perfect (if heavy duty) companion for Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Pro or the new MacBook Air. So long as you don’t try to take the whole ranch along on your commute and can deal with some scuffing, it should serve you well.
The $349 Thirteener also reminds me of a good saddlebag because there’s little reason to worry about it falling apart over the next five years—or maybe even the next 50. Saddleback always uses heavy full-grain leather for its leather bags, which means they’re highly water-resistant without any treatment. You also won’t find any snaggable zippers, as it closes with Saddleback’s signature front buckle. With enough practice, it’s only slightly slower than opening a zipper.
