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A craft journal

Handmade leather travel bags for every journey

We write about full-grain hides, saddle-stitched seams and the quiet satisfaction of a bag that ages alongside you. Notes from workshops, packing lists and honest care advice — nothing sold, everything shared.

Read the journal Our story
Published
Weekly
Based in
Lancaster
Focus
Craft
Tan leather weekender duffle bag resting on a wooden workbench
Hand-stitched Veg-tanned hides Repairable design Travel tested
Leather worker's hands stitching a seam with waxed thread Rolls of tanned leather stacked in a workshop Brass buckles and hand tools laid out on a leather hide

About leathertravel

A small journal for people who keep their bags for decades

leathertravel began as a notebook kept beside a cutting mat. We visit independent makers, ask how a bag is put together, and write it down in plain language — the stitch counts, the hardware choices, the trade-offs nobody mentions in a product photo.

We are a publisher, not a manufacturer. We do not sell bags and we do not promise that any material will last forever. What we can offer is careful description, side-by-side comparisons of construction methods, and care routines that have worked for our own well-worn duffles.

Workshop notes

First-hand write-ups from studios we've been invited into.

Plain reviews

What we liked, what wore quickly, and what we'd skip.

Care guides

Simple maintenance steps using widely available products.

The journal

Reading for the road

Four recent pieces on materials, packing and keeping leather in good order. Select a card to read the full article.

Brown leather holdall bag with brass zip on a stone floor
Materials · 6 min

Full-grain vs. top-grain: reading a hide

How the surface of a hide is finished changes the way a travel bag ages — and how to spot the difference in person.

Open leather weekender bag packed with folded clothing
Packing · 5 min

The three-day weekender packing method

A repeatable way to load a soft duffle so the shape holds and nothing needs ironing on arrival.

Weathered leather satchel with visible patina and worn edges
Care · 7 min

A seasonal care routine for patina

Cleaning, conditioning and storage habits that keep a well-travelled bag supple between trips.

Leather craftsperson punching stitch holes at a workbench
Craft · 8 min

Inside a saddle-stitching bench

Why two needles and waxed linen thread still matter, told by a maker who has stitched for twenty years.

Contact us

Tell us about a maker, or ask a care question

We read every message. Editorial suggestions, workshop invitations and corrections are all welcome — we usually reply within two business days.

By sending this form you agree that we may use the details you provide solely to reply to your enquiry, as described in our . We never sell your information and we do not add you to a marketing list.