How to measure a bag before you buy it
Three numbers, and which of them actually decides whether your things go in.
Length is taken across the base
We measure length along the bottom seam from left to right while the hide sits flat on the cutting table. A bag listed at 12.6 inches has a base of that exact span. The top opening is often narrower if the side panels taper inward toward the main zip. If you carry a 13 inch laptop, check the top zip span rather than trusting the bottom panel alone. A base can be wide while the teeth at the top restrict the entrance.
We have measured 152 bags across our workroom benches, and 45 of them match these everyday carrying shapes. When you pack a rigid object like a tablet or a book, it needs clearance past the zipper teeth. Soft leather gives slightly at the gussets, but top-layer cowhide holds its stitched line. Always measure your longest item before comparing it to our outer length numbers.
Depth governs what stays upright
Depth is the distance from front to back along the bottom leather panel. A shallow depth of 3.93 inches keeps a wallet and a slim notebook upright against the twill lining. If you pack a round, tall water bottle, you need a depth closer to 5.5 inches so the leather does not bulge into an awkward oval. Metal feet set into the base protect this surface when you set the piece down on hard floors.
- 3.93 inches fits a flat wallet, phone, and tablet without stretching the side seams.
- 4.33 to 4.72 inches allows a lunch container or a hard glasses case to rest flat on the base.
- 5.5 inches provides space for a full water bottle alongside your daily pouches.
Usable height stops at the zipper line
Height runs from the base leather up to the highest top seam. Total height does not equal packing space. The zip track is set down into the mouth of the bag by half an inch or more, which reduces the vertical clearance. A bag measuring 9.45 inches tall will close easily over an 8 inch notebook, but a tall object will block the teeth from meeting smoothly.
Our taller tote patterns reach 11.81 inches in height. That extra space lets a standard sheet of paper slide inside without folding the top corners, provided the bag stays upright. If the interior features a center zip divider, tall items must stay on one designated side of that pocket wall.
Strap drop determines the carry position
Detachable shoulder straps in our catalogue adjust across specific ranges, commonly 45.27 to 51.57 inches from clip to clip. A crossbody strap needs enough length to clear a heavy winter coat without pulling the top handles into your ribcage. Shorter drops work well for top-handle carry, keeping the base of the bag above knee height when held at your side.
We punch multiple buckle holes into the strap hide so you can shift the drop by several inches. Top-layer leather stretches very little under normal weight, so the hole you choose is the position the bag holds. Match your current favorite shoulder strap against our listed minimum and maximum lengths before selecting your next piece.
