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A good sling bag will always combine functionality with style. Unfortunately, you’ll discover, as you begin to search for a sling bag, a lot of the options miss the mark on style points. My girlfriend calls most sling bags “banana bags” if that tells you anything.
Enter the Mahi Leather Messenger Bag. A large sling bag for daily use, which not only looks totally classy AF, but also fits with a variety of work and travel situations.
If you’re curious to learn more about this Mahi Leather company product, then you’ve come to the right place! I admit that the line between sling bags and messenger bags is a little murky – so in this article, we are basically considering a leather sling bag (normally on the small side) to be the same as a messenger bag.
In our detailed leather sling bag review, we’ll go over what makes the Mahi Leather Messenger Bag our favorite. We’ll also cover what its shortcomings are, so you’re well prepared to make the decision about whether or not it’s the right bag for you.
Mahi Leather Messenger Bag: Key Features and Performance Breakdown
We all know the frustration of purchasing something only to discover it doesn’t quite live up to our expectations or needs. To help avoid this unfortunate situation, we’ll give you an inside and out tour of the Mahi leather sling bag so you know what to expect.
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Although a sling bag is a fairly simple product, it’s also likely going to be something you’ll be carrying with you on a regular basis. As such, it’s important to put some consideration into your purchase and look for a bag that has good organization and is made from quality material.
Internal Organization and Pockets
The main pocket of the Mahi Leather Messenger is fawn cotton lined for added protection, offering plenty of space for your laptop, plus another smaller internal pocket with a clip close ideal for books and important documents. There’s a secure buckle to fasten to the main compartment and a zip pocket at the back, plus an internal zip pocket.
In addition to the main compartment, this bag features an external zippered pocket on the back and an internal zippered pocket, perfect for keeping your valuables safe and secure.
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As the name might suggest, the main material used for this leather sling bag is full-grain leather. Every hide Mahi use is hand-selected, and they personally oversee the tanning process to make sure it’s the highest quality.
They blend traditional craftsmanship with premium materials to create something that feels timeless and durable. It’s not all about looks either; the build quality is solid, and you can tell it’s made to last.
Each product is hand-made to order, and you can even make it one of a kind by adding your custom embroidery.
They also offer a one-year warranty on every order, which shows real confidence in their products
Fit/Comfort
Some people love the feel of leather, while the texture is bothersome to others. This is all a matter of personal preference, but if you’ve never owned a leather product before you might want to view some products in person to see if you think you’ll like the feel of the bag.
In general, leather is a strong but highly flexible material (as long as given proper care). It stays strong but also doesn’t feel clunky or stiff while carrying it.
The shoulder strap of the Mahi Messenger is adjustable, so both taller and shorter individuals can still find a length that’s comfortable for them to carry. Unfortunately though the shoulder strap only has minimal padding, so it’s not going to be comfortable to carry over long periods of time.
Carry Options and Best Use
Sling bags and messenger bags are meant to be carried over your shoulder. If this is not your preferred way to carry a bag, then the Mahi Leather Messenger probably isn’t the right fit for you.
Overall, the Mahi Leather Messenger is better for work settings or light urban use. The stylish appearance and minimalist design make it formal, as well as functional, for work, study or commuting.
It’s not really meant for lengthy outdoor use, like hiking or backpacking travel, and since leather requires more maintenance than other materials it’s not the best for long term travelers either.
If there’s one thing that would be nice to add to the Mahi Leather Messenger, it would be a top carry handle, but this is not included in the bag. Some people prefer this cleaner and more simple look, while other people really want to have the option to carry the bag by hand.
Weight and Capacity
Measuring 14.5” x 11” x 3” the Mahi Leather Messenger is big enough to carry your essentials to the office or meetings. But it’s not so big that it will get cumbersome or awkward to bring around with you.
For a laptop, phone, charger, wallet, and a book or some papers, it’s a perfect size. If you want something that’s also big enough for your lunch and a change of clothes, you might want to check out one of Mahi Larger leather bags or some other leather backpacks.
Leather is a heavier material than most synthetic products, but since this is a fairly small leather sling bag, you’re probably not going to be bothered by this. If anything, the bag will feel more sturdy and durable while you carry it.
Toughness and Durability
Leather is a highly durable material as long as you give it proper care. Like all natural materials, each cut of leather varies slightly in color, and markings meaning every MAHI product is unique.
Although leather is not waterproof, it does provide decent protection, especially if you’re using a wax care product. Keep in mind that the more often leather gets wet and isn’t given proper care, it will tend to dry out and turn brittle. However, if you’re taking care of your bag then this is a durable leather sling bag which could last for years of use.
Security
Compared to other sling bag options the Mahi Leather messenger bag is pretty good at keeping your valuables safe and secure. It features a zipped pocket on the back and another inside, plus a smaller internal pocket with a clip closure to keep items in place. The main compartment is fastened with two sturdy buckles for added peace of mind.
Now, lets be real It’s not completely pick pocket proof and those scammy fuckers might still try to give it a go but for light use or a daily commute to work, the Mahi Messenger Bag is certainly strong and secure enough to keep your laptop and other personal items safe while in transit.
Sling Aesthetics
There’s no denying that the overall “cool” factor of this leather sling bag is off the charts. Leather has a way of keeping a rugged and outdoorsy look while also looking totally in place in a more professional setting.
Mahi has kept the Leather Messenger fairly simplistic on the outside, with an “effortless good looks” sort of vibe. It’s a bag that will get you plenty of compliments, whether it’s from your coworkers or a stranger walking down the street.
Cons
Although there’s no doubt that the Mahi Leather Messenger is an excellent, high-quality bag, no product is perfect, and there are some drawbacks you’ll want to be aware of.
First, with quality and style also comes price. Leather bags in general aren’t cheap, and a high-end product from Kodiak is going to have a much higher price tag than most synthetic bags of a similar size and design.
Also, keep in mind that leather requires proper care. For some people, this is a small price to pay for such a durable (and classy looking) bag, while others prefer a product that they can just run and gun with sans the worries about product maintenance.
This leather sling bag also isn’t going to be the best option for rough outdoor adventures or long-term travel because no one does that stuff with a bloody messenger bag. Not only would it be a bad idea to risk damaging it, but the minimally padded shoulder strap makes it uncomfortable to carry around for hours on end.
Another issue to consider with any leather product, is sustainability. Leather is at the end of the day an animal product and the industry does have its critics. If you are reading this, you probably don’t share these concerns – but if you do, note that there are some vegan leather bags and other products out there.
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Buy on REI!Mahi Messenger Leather Bag vs. the Competition
If you like the look and quality of leather bags, but the Mahi messenger doesn’t quite fit your requirements in terms of size or appearance, Mahi has some other great messenger and sling bags to choose from.
Kodiak Buffalo Messenger Bag
- Cost > $
- Dimensions > 14.5” x 11” x 3”
- Laptop Compartment? > Yes
- Adjustable shoulder strap? > Yes
The Harvard Leather Bag
- Cost > $
- Dimensions > 16″ x 11.9″ x 4.7″
- Laptop Compartment? > Yes
- Adjustable shoulder strap? > Yes
The Compact Laptop Satchel
- Cost > $
- Dimensions > 15″ x 10.6″ x 2.4″
- Laptop Compartment? > Yes
- Adjustable shoulder strap? > Yes
The Harvard Leather Bag
Made from the same material as the Messenger Bag, the Harvard leather bag is a bit larger and has more pockets and organization.
Measuring 16.1? x 11.8? x 4.72?, there’s enough room for your laptop and work essentials, plus some extra personal items, a light jacket, or water bottle. You won’t be short of space as the Harvard has one front external pocket, two side external pockets, a back zip pocket, two internal compartments, an internal zip pocket, zip and buckle fastening to the main compartment.
You also have the option of either carrying the Hazard bag with the shoulder strap or the handles, making it suitable as a travel bag, commuter bag, or daily urban carry pack.
If you like the qualities of the Mahi Messenger but want something just a little bigger, then the Mahi Harvard Bag is a good choice.
The Compact Laptop Satchel
Made from 100% full-grain leather, the Compact Laptop Satchel has a more modern and less “rugged” appearance than the Harvard bag. It’s still highly durable, and also has more zippered pockets in comparison to the open pouches of the messenger bag.
This compact leather laptop satchel is ideal for daily commuters and frequent flyers with secure zippered closures and convenient carry handles. Inside, you’ll find a padded laptop sleeve, plus internal zippered pockets, card holders, and pen pockets.
It’s designed to comfortably fit a 13.5-inch laptop with a 6L capacity and measuring 14.9 Inches by 10.6 inches by 2.3 inches, making it a lighter, sleeker option compared with the larger Harvard leather bag.
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The Best Leather Sling Review: Final Thoughts
There you have it! All the ins and outs of what makes the Mahin Messenger Bag such a great leather sling bag. From a morning at the local cafe to daily urban use, this functional and super-stylish bag will be sure to turn heads.
As long as you’re okay with taking on the task of additional maintenance for a leather bag, the Mahi Messenger has the potential to be your go-to sling bag for years to come. Combining a natural outdoorsy vibe with modern fashion, it’s the sort of bag that is bound to carry some stories with it the longer you use it.
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