Field Satchel

Great quality as expected!

I got the large size in tan so long ago FR prolly won't be able to confirm me as a verified buyer. It's a tad dirty now--honest use--but I still love & carry it almost every day.

I was diagnosed a Type 1 Insulin-Dependent Diabetic over 25 years ago, which necessitated a satchel to carry both a small, insulated bag for low blood sugar snacks & a cold canned drink, plus my 2-week-supply diabetes kit. These two things completely fill the main compartment.

I rarely use the full-size, zip-top interior pocket, but all the other pockets & slots are chock full: 1 side pocket contains a tooth-care kit complete with floss,mini-brush, & paste, plus a small sewing kit, all wrapped in a bandana. In the other side pocket, I keep a lighted magnifying glass, wrapped in a matching bandana, & a FR leather luggage tag, to keep it from dangling from its long strap afixed to the D-ring above.

The front pockets/slots are filled, too, the wide one with a Leatherman multi-too, nail clipper, a cylinder of glucose tabs, & hand sanitizer. Into the remaining 3 front slots, I've carefully wedged a butane lighter; Dad's Executive Pocket Chum (stainless standard/metric ruler, ID/OD caliper, 1/64 thru 63/64 decimal equivalents on back; Rotring mechanical pen/pencil; Nebo LED flashight; folding hairbrush/comb; shoehorn. In the full-width slot between these & the main interior pocket, I keep some paper maps wrapped in a large plastic trash can liner that protects them as well as my butt when I want to sit on wet turf.

Just yesterday, I stuck a large safety pin thru a front pocket to hang a Karesuando leather sheath with lapstone inside to hone one of the puukko knives I carry on my hip every day. Tucked a few weatherproof matches inside as a backup to the lighter & to keep the stone secure in its sheath. On the shoulder strap just above the D-ring, I've attached a small brass compass. There, it's always level & handy to glance down at to check cardinal direction. Finally, you can often find the latest Scientific American or Consumer Reports in the satchel's full-size rear pocket--perfectly sized for a standard-size magazine.

I've had many a shoulder bag before this one, starting 1st with An Eastman cordura & later North Face nylon teardrop daypack in college, an LL Bean leather-bottom bag in grad school, a gorgeous Ghurka leather one I actually wore out, a Filson waxed canvas, & most recently, a Coronado nubby 100% bison leather one I use only for dressy occasions.

All these very good bags had some disadvantage: too heavy, not particularly ergonomic, insufficient pockets, a zipper that jammed, or something else. Not my Frost River Large Field Satchel. Full disclosure: Though it has a double-layer bottom, when brand new, I reinforced it from the inside with a carefully-cut piece of leather in the bottom, attaching it with 5 brass "feet" screwed in from the outside bottom. My Ghurka & many other super-premium bags are made with this highly desireable feature. Not only do the metal feet protect the bag's base from moisture, dirt & abrasion, but they also make it more stable & less likely to tip onto its side. I've passed this tip on to FR for its consideration.

A previous reviewer mentioned lack of a dedicated handle as a downside to this satchel. It's fundamental design precludes such a "handy" feature: If you attach the handle to the top center of the flap, it forces you to buckle the flap's strap every time in order for it to function properly. If you attach the hand strap to or near the existing shoulder strap Ds, it gets in the way when you want to fold the flap all the way over to the rear. And if you attach the strap just above the rear pocket, like Filson does, it's so off-center that the balance of weight is severely out of whack. Simply learn how to quickly wrap the shoulder strap around your hand a time or two to take up the slack, & off you comfortably go.

Yes, my bag thusly modified with afore-mentioned contents now weighs a total of 8.4 lbs, but you're unlikely to cram so much in it. Hey, I was a Boy Scout: Always be prepared!

This high quality love it

Nice stuff

My 14 yr old was perusing the winter catalog and came across this satchel. She wanted it for our door adventures, but I'm sure she also wanted it for school. So she put it on her Christmas list. Can't wait to see her face on Christmas day. Also, bought her the small bucket bag, so when we hike she can carry the rocks, sticks and pine cones she collected. And dad dosent have to.