The Penrith — Olive & Tan Waxed Canvas Messenger Bag

The Penrith is a proper messenger: a deep canvas body under a full flap that fastens with two leather straps and solid brass buckles, carried on a wide adjustable shoulder strap.

Olive canvas, a muted field green, with tan leather trim; the green mellows as the wax wears in.

It holds a 15-inch laptop in its own padded sleeve, plus a charger, a notebook and lunch, and it still sits flat against your hip when it is half empty.

Under the flap there are two open pockets for a phone and a pen, and a zip pocket on the back wall for keys and cards.

Choose the Penrith if you want a work bag that copes with a wet commute and looks better for the wear. If you want the same job done in leather, look at the Morpeth among our full grain leather bags, or browse all our waxed canvas bags.

The canvas

We use 18 oz waxed cotton canvas, the same cloth as our Ellis totes. The wax makes it water-resistant: rain beads and runs off, and a shower will not soak through. It sheds weather rather than sealing it out, and it is not meant to look new forever: fold lines and darker hand marks build up into a finish of its own. Every edge that takes wear, the handles, straps, corners and base, is full grain leather.

How it is made

Made to order in our own workshop. Every piece is cut by hand, the seams are stitched with waxed thread, the edges are sanded and burnished rather than painted, and the hardware is solid brass. Three initials are pressed free on the leather patch, in gold foil, silver foil or a blind press.

Care

Brush off dry dirt and sponge marks with cold water. When water stops beading, usually once a year, rub in a little fabric wax and warm it with a hair dryer. Never use detergent or a washing machine, and condition the leather trim twice a year.