Recommended Men's Genuine Leather Bags: How to Choose Japanese-Made Leather Bags for Men in Their 30s, 40s, and 50s That Will Last a Lifetime
When choosing a men's bag, more people are becoming particular not just about the design, but also about the "material."
Among these, leather bags made from genuine leather are ideal for those who want to choose a bag they can use for a long time while enjoying the texture of the material itself.
Matching it with a jacket for work and casual attire on days off.
With a genuine leather bag that offers such versatility, you can use a single bag for a variety of scenes.
On the other hand, there are often many things to be concerned about before purchasing, such as:
"Aren't genuine leather bags heavy?"
"What are the benefits of choosing a Japanese-made leather bag?"
"What kind of design is good for those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s?"
"How many years can I use genuine leather?"
"Can I use it for both commuting and days off?"
In this article, we will explain how to choose a men's genuine leather bag from the perspectives of material, size, weight, design, manufacturing background, and usage scenes.
7 Points for Choosing a Men's Genuine Leather Bag
1. First, decide "what you will put in it"
When choosing a genuine leather bag, the first thing you should think about is not the type of bag.
What do you carry around on a daily basis?
It is important to clarify this.
Is it just a wallet, smartphone, keys, and card case?
Do you carry A4 documents or notebooks?
Do you also need a tablet or PC?
The appropriate bag size changes significantly depending on the amount of luggage.
A large bag is not necessarily convenient.
Choosing a size that neatly fits what you need and prevents you from increasing unnecessary items leads to choosing a bag that is easy to use.
2. Check the types and expressions of genuine leather
Even if we say "genuine leather" in one word, there are various types of leather.
Features differ depending on the type of raw hide, such as cowhide, horsehide, or sheepskin.
Furthermore, even with the same cowhide, the texture and expression change depending on the finish and processing.
Smooth leather.
Pebbled leather.
Matte leather.
Glossy leather.
When choosing a bag, it is important to look at what the leather actually looks like, rather than just the name.
3. Enjoy the leather's scars and wrinkles as its individuality
Natural leather has expressions that are not uniform.
There are parts that differ from piece to piece, such as wrinkles, scars, and color shading.
This is a unique feature of genuine leather that synthetic materials do not have.
Especially with bags using natural leather, the expression of the leather itself can become part of the design.
Everything is not the same.
That is precisely why your own bag will have its own unique expression.
4. Check the weight of the bag itself
When choosing a genuine leather bag, you must not forget about weight.
The weight varies depending on the type of leather, thickness, bag size, lining, and metal fittings.
Furthermore, the larger the bag, the easier it is to increase the amount of luggage.
If you use it every day, it is important to choose by considering:
The weight of the bag itself + your usual luggage.
If you choose a large bag just because "it has storage capacity," you may end up increasing the items you carry around.
5. Can it be used for both work and days off?
If you want to use a genuine leather bag for a long time, the breadth of usage scenes is also important.
If you choose a design exclusively for work, it may become difficult to use on days off.
Conversely, a bag that is too casual may be difficult to match with work situations.
Therefore, you want to choose a simple design that makes it hard to distinguish between outfits.
It can be matched with a jacket, a shirt, or a T-shirt.
With such a bag, you can use it from weekdays to days off.
6. If it's made in Japan, check "how much of it is made in Japan"
Even if it is labeled "Japanese-made leather bag," the manufacturing background is not uniform.
There are cases where the leather itself is sourced from overseas and sewn in Japan.
On the other hand, there are items that are completed domestically in Japan, from materials to manufacturing.
If you are particular about being made in Japan, if you check the following, you can understand the background of that bag:
- Where does the leather come from?
- Where is it processed?
- Where is it cut?
- Where is it sewn?
- Where is it finished?
- Who is making it?
You can understand the background that the bag holds.
7. Choose based on "whether you want to carry it even years later"
Trendy designs may be attractive at the time, but they may become difficult to use years later.
Because you want to choose a genuine leather bag thinking about using it for a long time, the design is also important.
If it is a simple bag with minimized large logos or excessive decorations, it will be easier to match even if your clothing or lifestyle changes.
When you purchase, try thinking from the perspective of:
"Is this a bag I want to keep carrying years later?" rather than "a bag I want now."
Choose men's genuine leather bags by purpose
There are various shapes of genuine leather bags, such as totes, shoulder bags, crossbody bags, and backpacks.
The important thing is not to choose by the type of bag, but to think from the situation in which it will be used.
Genuine leather tote bag for commuting/work
If you carry A4 documents, notebooks, or tablets, a tote bag is an easy-to-use option.
It is characterized by being easy to organize items horizontally and easy to take out documents and the like.
It has good compatibility with jackets and setups, and is a shape that is easy to use for work.
However, if you don't carry A4, you don't necessarily have to choose a large tote.
Leather tote if you want to keep your luggage compact
If you carry the bare minimum items, such as a wallet, smartphone, iPad mini, and pouch, a compact leather tote can also be an option.
If there is too much extra space in the bag, you may end up increasing your luggage.
Carry only what you need.
With such a style, a compact bag may be easier to use in some cases.
Crossbody bag if you want to move lightly
If you want to keep your luggage as light as possible, such as on days off or when walking around town, a crossbody bag is convenient.
You can carry items you need, such as a wallet or smartphone, while keeping both hands free.
If it is genuine leather, it won't be too casual, making it easier to match with adult styles.
Leather backpack if you have a lot of luggage
If you have a lot of luggage, such as a PC, work tools, or a change of clothes, a backpack is suitable.
It allows you to keep both hands free, and it is also characterized by being easy to carry by distributing the weight of the luggage left and right.
However, since leather backpacks tend to increase in weight the larger the size, you should check not only the capacity but also the body weight.
Men's genuine leather bags for those in their 30s
For those in their 30s, if you choose a bag that can be used for both work and days off, the opportunities for using it will increase.
If you don't need to completely separate bags for work and days off yet, designs that are hard to distinguish by clothing, such as simple leather totes or crossbody bags, will be easy to use.
If it is black, it has good compatibility with jackets and also becomes easier to match with casual styles on days off.
Men's genuine leather bags for those in their 40s
When you reach your 40s, it is also recommended to enjoy the texture of the bag itself.
Precisely because your outfit is simple, the expression of high-quality leather becomes an accent.
Rather than asserting the brand with a large logo, bring out your presence with materials, tailoring, and silhouette.
By choosing such a bag, it becomes easier to use even as you age.
Men's genuine leather bags for those in their 50s
For those in their 50s, it is worth focusing on ease of use as well as design.
A compact bag if you have little luggage.
An A4-compatible tote if you carry A4 for work.
A backpack if you have a lot of PC or luggage.
By choosing the capacity necessary for your life, you can continue to use the bag without strain.
It is important not to decide on a bag just by age, but to choose based on whether it fits your current lifestyle.
Should you choose black for a men's genuine leather bag?
Black is a classic color for men's genuine leather bags.
It is easy to match with work clothes such as suits and jackets, and it blends well with casual wear on days off.
Furthermore, it is a color that also easily makes the expression of genuine leather, such as wrinkles, pebbles, and three-dimensionality, stand out.
On the other hand, brown or camel colors have a softer and more casual impression than black.
Do you use the bag mainly for work or mainly for days off?
It is a good idea to choose by imagining the clothing you will use it with.
Can genuine leather bags be used for a long time?
Many people think "because it is genuine leather, it can be used for a long time," but just because it is genuine leather doesn't mean it can always be used for a long time.
Not only the quality of the leather, but:
- Type of leather
- Thickness
- Cutting
- Sewing
- Metal fittings
- Structure of the bag
- Frequency of use
- Storage environment
- Maintenance
Various elements are involved, such as:
Therefore, when choosing a bag you want to use for a long time, it is important to look at the construction and manufacturing background of the bag itself, not just the material.
Enjoying the aging of genuine leather bags
One of the charms of leather products is that their expression changes with use.
The parts you touch with your hands become glossy, the leather color changes, and it becomes an expression suited to the life of the person who used it.
Even with the same bag, the changes differ depending on how it is used.
Not just in the new state, "what will happen if I use this bag for several years?"
Choosing while imagining that is also a pleasure of choosing a genuine leather bag.
Genuine leather bag or nylon bag, which should you choose?
When choosing the material for a bag, you may also be hesitant between genuine leather and nylon.
Genuine Leather Bag
- Has the texture unique to leather
- Can enjoy the expression of the material
- Hard to distinguish between clothing
- Can enjoy aging
- Easy to choose on the premise of using it for a long time
Nylon Bag
- Many lightweight models
- Suitable for rain and active scenes
- Easy to use even for those with a lot of luggage
- Has good compatibility with casual styles
Both have their own good points.
Daily movement, amount of luggage, clothing, environment of use.
It is important to choose a material that fits your life.
The choice of Miyazaki Wagyu leather
When choosing a leather bag, focusing on the origin of the material is also one way.
What NO SIGN values is Miyazaki Wagyu leather.
Leather born from Wagyu raised in the nature of Miyazaki has an expression that is different for each piece.
Scars and wrinkles are also the individuality that leather possesses.
Rather than erasing them uniformly, we utilize them as the expression of the material.
In NO SIGN's bags, there is such a way of facing the material.
NO SIGN would not have been born without the existence of Miyazaki beef hides.
The place where the material was born.
The craftsmen who give it shape.
And the people who use it.
All of that connects to become one bag.
NO SIGN men's genuine leather bags
NO SIGN is a brand based in Miyazaki that creates leather items within Japan.
We value manufacturing completed within Japan from materials to production, and are shaping bags and leather accessories together with Japanese craftsmen.
The design is as simple as possible.
We reduce unnecessary decorations so that you can enjoy the presence of the leather itself.
That is because we believe it is important precisely because it is a bag you will use for a long time.
In NO SIGN's bags, there are items tailored to different purposes, such as totes, crossbody bags, and backpacks.
The important thing is not "which bag is the best."
What do you carry around?
Where do you go?
What kind of clothes do you match it with?
To choose a bag that fits that answer.
NO SIGN aims for bags that users can freely choose, rather than forcing the correct answer decided by someone else.
NO SIGN — Freely, choose.
▶︎ Click here for a list of NO SIGN items
To use a men's genuine leather bag for a long time
In order to use your favorite genuine leather bag for a long time, daily handling is also important.
When it gets wet in the rain
If it gets wet, gently wipe off the moisture with a dry, soft cloth.
After that, let it dry naturally in a well-ventilated place.
Since adding sudden heat may damage the leather, avoid using hair dryers, etc.
When storing
When not in use, store it in a place where moisture does not collect.
It is also good to put soft paper inside as needed so that the shape of the bag does not collapse.
Periodically check the condition
The handle, corners, and bottom surface are parts where friction due to use is particularly likely to occur.
Check the condition periodically and perform care suited to the state of the leather.
Don't choose a men's genuine leather bag just by "whether it can be used for a long time"
When choosing a genuine leather bag, "whether it can be used for a long time" is an important point.
However, that is not all.
Do you want to carry it every day?
Does it match your clothes?
Can it fit the necessary luggage?
Is it not too heavy?
Can it be used for both work and days off?
And, can you like the expression of the leather?
It becomes a "bag you want to use for a long time" for the first time when these are combined.
Buying an expensive bag is not necessarily the correct answer.
To choose a bag that fits your life and you want to carry every time you use it.
That is the most important point for enjoying a genuine leather bag for a long time.
Summary | Choose a men's genuine leather bag by material and how to use it
When choosing a men's genuine leather bag, don't decide just by brand or price, but check if it fits your life.
What is especially important are the points:
- What you usually carry around
- Whether you need to store A4 or PC
- Whether the bag itself is too heavy
- Whether it can be used for both work and days off
- Whether you can enjoy the expression of the leather
- Whether you can check up to the manufacturing background
- Whether it is a design you want to carry even years later
Genuine leather has an expression that is different for each piece.
Including scars, wrinkles, and color changes, you grow it into your own unique bag.
Rather than judging just by the word "made in Japan," know where, who, and how it is being made.
By doing so, you can choose including not only the bag itself, but also its background.
On work days, and on days off.
Carry the things you need in your own way.
NO SIGN — Anytime. Anywhere.
NO SIGN — Freely, choose.
Everything starts from one piece of leather.
Materials that could only be met in this place.
Entrusting the choice.
Choosing according to sensibility.
Not defining gender or age.
Only to those who feel it is "good."
Miyazaki Wagyu leather and the skills of Japanese craftsmen.
Nature raises, and craftsmen finish.
NO SIGN — Anytime. Anywhere.
Find a genuine leather bag
▶︎ List of NO SIGN leather bags
▶ NO SIGN Official Online Shop
To know NO SIGN
▶︎ What is NO SIGN | You can understand everything if you see this
▶︎ Click here for details on the Japanese leather brand NO SIGN
▶︎ What is Wagyu leather? A comprehensive guide to its features, appeal, and use in leather goods
