The Malton — Chocolate Buffalo Leather Duffle Bag

The Malton is a barrel duffle cut from thick water buffalo leather, and in chocolate it is the colour of strong coffee with lighter streaks wherever the leather is folded or stretched. That play of shades is the pull-up finish at work, and it only gets better with each trip.

It is 21 inches long, 12 tall and 10 deep, enough for two to four nights. A two-way zip in brass runs the full length of the top, the rolled handles wrap together with a press-stud tab, and four brass feet keep the base off wet platforms and hotel floors.

See more leather duffle bags and the buffalo leather bags collection. Our guide to the best leather duffle bags compares the sizes and styles we make.

Why buffalo leather suits a travel duffle

Water buffalo hide is thicker and coarser in grain than cowhide, which makes it hard wearing in the places a duffle suffers most: the base, the handle roots and the zip edges. The pull-up finish means it lightens when bent and settles back, so scuffs look like character rather than damage.

Packing for a long weekend in the chocolate Malton

The barrel shape stands open when unzipped, so you can see everything at once. There is a zipped pocket on one end for a phone or passport, and inside, the khaki canvas lining has a zip wall pocket and two slip pockets.

Expect it to take three or four outfits, a pair of shoes in a bag and a wash kit. Empty it weighs about 4.6 lb.

Carry it by hand or on the shoulder

The handles are stitched to straps that run under the bag, finished with X-box stitching where they meet the body. A detachable leather shoulder strap clips to brass rings at each end for longer walks.