Looked all over for a quality leather bag for son. Too many had either cheap or lacking hardware (no pegs on bottom to protect it, poor zipper / hooks and strap design; all-fabric straps), or questionable leather quality (What is it? cow? Buffalo? Goat? Rat?) and tanning processes (which from prior experience with lesser leather goods, can result in offgassing odors that can be horrendous!) Or the design was ill-conceived (who wants to have to literally un-do buckles every time they want to access the inside of their bag? Or buckle it up every time they want to carry it by the handle?) Or the descriptions so vague - you had no idea WHAT you were getting, size wise (A suitcase? A briefcase? A wallet?) After copious searching, I found Kodiak, and the videos they provide are EXTREMELY helpful in discerning what size bag you're getting. I settled in on the Sitka, for its size and features, but I'll admit - I was more than a tad concerned about the colorations of the bags. Some photos showed some rather stark colorations ranging from brown to tan to frankly yellow, at least, on the computer screen. I was worried it might not be so attractive, in person. I checked their return policy and finally just bit the bullet and ordered that Sitka bag in Antique Brown, fingers crossed. Upon arrival (which by the way was fairly swift), and item was well-packaged), I breathed a huge sigh of both relief and accomplishment, as I had clearly chosen well. The bag is beautiful. It is indeed just the right size - perfect for both everyday use as well as traveling. Plenty of room for the laptop, a padfolio, other items for business / travel without being bulky. Has all the features I was seeking - roomy, secure interior, external pockets, luggage strap, sturdy shoulder strap with pad, solid hardware (buckles that have hidden easy-access clasps; solid zippers). It appears well constructed and was not outrageously colored - in fact, the colors were just enough to provide "character" such that I knew he wasn't going to run into someone with a carbon-copy bag. And it will gain character with age (versus looked marred and dinged after just the first use, as some leather goods with a pristine finish can do). We shall see how it wears and holds up to my son's use, but thus far- I'm pleased and would recommend Kodiak bags to others on a similar search. Perhaps my only complaint might be that the shoulder strap is leather stitched onto fabric/web belting - had hoped for an all-leather strap - but in retrospect, perhaps that's for the best. We will see how it holds up.
