New laptop briefcase. Crying over broken zipper...

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
17,079
Oh man, I'm heartsick over this. My Duluth Trading Master Series briefcase has finally kicked the bucket. After six years of daily use on the drill rig, followed by six years of frequent business travel. It's been my carry-on bag for almost 20 Australia trips where it repeatedly rode across the outback in a tray-back ute, over a hundred airplane flights, and years of serving as my motel room 'office'.

After all of that, the nylon material at the corners of bag is slightly scuffed. The paint is worn off the some of the metal hardware.
And last week, one critical zipper failed.

It not only carried by heavy 14" wide laptop and all of the computer accessories, it held an entire laptop bag! Plus a set of clothes, stack of magazines, eyeglass cases, headphones... It had zippered interior and exterior pockets, business card holders, pencil holders, dividers, cell phone holster...

Where in the world am I ever going to find a replacement, of equal quality and similar lifespan, at an affordable price??? :confused:

Help. :(
 
Fix or replace the zipper?

Not all that cheap to have a professional do it but if you like it that much its worth it.
 
I have a nice Wilson's Leather laptop bag, but I have been looking for an alternative for when I'm on site so I don't completely destroy that nice bag. I have tried using an Osprey Daylite pack as an EDC bag, and while it'll fit a laptop OK, it just doesn't have enough compartments for me to keep things separate.

I looked at the Carhartt Legacy Brief Deluxe bag for laptop carry plus plenty more space, but I decided instead on the Legacy Deluxe Work Pack. Haven't gotten it yet, but it looks sturdy and very spacious with plenty of compartments to keep all my EDC items plus some if necessary. I went with the backpack design over the brief bag because for heavy loads, I prefer it distributed across both shoulders rather than one. I hope the quality is good because Carhartt is probably my favorite workwear and casual brand overall.
 
The backback bag won't work for me, but I've seen the Carhartt Legacy Brief Deluxe, and it's right along the lines of what I'm looking for. Price is right too.

Bags from Ruggard and Skooba have also caught my eye. I'd love to hear if anyone has experience with products from either of these.

Skooba
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Ruggard
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On the Ruggard I'm put off by the fact that the main compartment doesn't zip closed.
 
Shann said:
Fix or replace the zipper?

Not all that cheap to have a professional do it but if you like it that much its worth it.
Click to expand...

Yes, a good tailor can replace the zipper with the same quality YKK zipper with zero issues. It may run you about $25-$30 for the repair, but well worth it. They don't make many bags like that anymore.
 
I use the 5.11 Messenger Bag for laptop carry. It seems to work nicely although it has a bit of a military look to it.
 
22-rimfire said:
I use the 5.11 Messenger Bag for laptop carry. It seems to work nicely although it has a bit of a military look to it.
Click to expand...

I saw that one. It's half as deep as the bag I'm replacing. And, maybe you can confirm, but the main compartment doesn't zip or seal closed - looks like just a flap with clips. ???
 
The main compartment has the flaps with velcro on the inside and the plastic clips/straps on the outside. Side pockets have a zipper. I got it to fit the larger laptop size and replaced a Victorinox brief case that eventually wore out (closing lock broke). I use it as a over night bag sometimes and it is the dominant laptop carry bag now which is usually in the car. With the shoulder strap, I can carry it into a hotel in one pass with other bags versus making two trips (unless of course you use a luggage cart). It has enough padding for me to feel comfortable with it without adding another pouch like I did with the brief case. It is a nice bag, but certainly not as classy as something leather.
 
Bob W said:
Oh man, I'm heartsick over this. My Duluth Trading Master Series briefcase has finally kicked the bucket. After six years of daily use on the drill rig, followed by six years of frequent business travel. It's been my carry-on bag for almost 20 Australia trips where it repeatedly rode across the outback in a tray-back ute, over a hundred airplane flights, and years of serving as my motel room 'office'.

After all of that, the nylon material at the corners of bag is slightly scuffed. The paint is worn off the some of the metal hardware.
And last week, one critical zipper failed.
Click to expand...

Have you contacted Duluth Trading? Given your obvious affection for their product, and that it failed as a result of the straight-forward, devoted use for which it was designed, I'd be interested in hearing what they might be able to do for you.

~ P.
 
Doesn't Duluth Trading have a lifetime, no questions return/exchange policy?
 
DT is constantly changing designs. The good old stuff gets replaced too soon. Some of their leather stays in stock but it's not what Bob's talking about. I vote for a good tailor or shoemaker replacing the zipper.
 
Look around a military base. The military tailors can fix your bag right at much less than the cost to replace it.

Duluth might have a repair option as well. Give them a call.
 
I'm one to try the repair route as well. The other thing I do is when I find a bag or boots that are "perfect," I buy 1–2 + more — even if they sit in the closet for 5 years. (You may even save money, and you will always have the one you need , with no hassle. I just opened my spare technica boots ($89USD at the time). The closest match is currently €150+ and can't even find in USA.)
 
I've been scanning eBay too. Bags from the same store of the same era pop up, but not the briefcase.

There's no one around here that sews for a service, unfortunately.
There is a nice-looking expandable briefcase from Mystery Ranch that's affordable, but don't need to commit for a couple more weeks.

The Ruggard is definitely eliminated from consideration, or any bag that doesn't zip securely closed.

I'll be contacting Duluth Trading in the meantime as well, in case they have a repair service.
 
I would recommend a Filson. Buy once, cry once! Unlike most bags the Filson bags develop a patina and look better with age and from use rather than fall apart. I've never heard of the heavy duty brass zippers on Filson's failing, but if there is ever any issue with the bag Filson will repair or replace it. I like the #258 but the #257 is probably the most popular laptop bag. I daily carry a Filson Medium Field bag as I just take a tablet with me these days.
 
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