The NutSac Satchel Pro Reviewed
Marketing from NutSac
Technology just keeps getting bigger, doesn’t it? Not to worry, the Satchel Pro will make your life easier. The Satchel Pro is designed for the iPad Pro or other pro-series tablets. Larger than our Satchel and Mag-Satch, the Satchel Pro has extra capacity for your larger devices. It will fit larger tablets like the 12.9″ iPad Pro and Surface Pro. The smaller satchels will fit any 9.7″ tablet including the iPad, accessories, charger, and more.
Manufacturer: NutSac, nutsacbags.com
Model: Satchel ProMaterial: Full Grain Leather, Martexin Waxed Canvas, YKK Zippers
Colors: Black, Field Tan
Strap: Heavy Cotton Strap
Dimensions: 12.4″ x 9″ x 2.5″
Weight: 1.94 lb (0.88 kg)Guarantee: Lifetime
Origin: Made in USA
MSRP: $149
The Review
I typically carry some kind of EDC wherever I go. Normally, it is a 20-30L backpack filled with all of the goodies that I might need to get home from afar. But with my day job, a backpack is not always conducive, whereas a satchel or messenger bag would be much more so. So today, I’ll be looking at the Satchel Pro from NutSac to see how well it stacks up as an EDC…
NutSac satchels are made in Corvallis, Oregon from high-quality materials sourced right here in the USA from the Martexin Waxed Canvas to the full-grain leather and YKK zippers. Each satchel is assembled and hand sewn to achieve the highest-level of quality and craftsmanship so it is of no surprise to me that the satchels are also protected by a Lifetime Guarantee.
The Satchel Pro measures 12.4″ wide, 9″ tall, and 2.5″ deep so most laptops and large tablets under 13″ will fit easily inside, leaving plenty of room for other necessities. The Satchel is just a little smaller measuring 11″ wide, 7.5″ tall, and 2.5″ deep which will accommodate most of the smaller tablets and electronic devices on the market.
The outer shell is made from a rugged waxed canvas that is available in either black or tan. Not only is it water-resistant, but it is also extremely resistant to dirt, abrasion and tearing. The canvas material feels extremely durable, without feeling overly stiff or waxy to the touch. All seams are taped and well-stitched throughout.
The logo panel, closure strap, handle, zipper pulls and the lower that wraps around the underside of the Satchel and Satchel Pro are all made from a beautiful genuine top-grain leather that is strong, yet supple, and adds a high-level of refinement and sophistication to the overall design.
The flap spans the full width of the bag, folding over the top of the satchel down to about the midway point where it is held down by a magnet in each of the two corners of the flap and the leather post and closure strap down the center. At the base of the flipped satchel lid, there is a strong leather-covered webbed cotton handle as an extremely versatile carry option.
A zippered pocket is located on the front-side of the Satchel Pro for easy access to long flat objects like power cords and other documents that you might need easy access to like a map, a pad of paper or a passport. It is lined with a durable tan canvas, approximately 6″ high and spans the entire width of the bag. For enhanced dirt and water resistance, there is a small flap covering the zipper to prevent water from dripping down into the zipper itself.
Like the front pocket, the main compartment is also secured by a zippered closure that is covered by a small flap to prevent dirt and water from seeping in when the satchel flap is not folded over. The main compartment measures 12.75″ is also lined with a nice soft linen canvas in tan for enhanced durability as well as making it easier to find what you are looking for in low-light situations.
Inside the main compartment, there is a large zippered pocket along the entire backside of the compartment so it is about the same size as the front pocket. There are two large pockets on the opposite side of the main compartment that is perfect for organizing things like flashlights, pens, cables, mice, power supplies, battery packs and more.
The satchel comes with a 1.5″-wide heavy-duty webbed cotton strap that is adjustable from 3′ to 5.5′. It has quality metal hardware at both ends that easily connects to a heavy-duty triangular D-ring securely attached to either end of the satchel.
Machine washing of these satchels is not an option. To keep them clean and sharp-looking, simply wipe them down once in awhile with warm water and a damp cloth. I would imagine that you could use a little soap if it became really dirty, but you should probably check with NutSac about that first. However, if you did use soap, be sure to rinse it thoroughly before you allow it dry. Once the surface is clean, bare areas can be refinished with Martexin Original Wax periodically to restore the durability and protective qualities of the attractive wax finish.
Putting the Satchel Pro to the test, I recently took a week-long business trip and brought it along as my second carry-on. Since I would have to go through TSA security, this was my primary consideration as I packed my gear. In the frontmost pocket, I kept a dozen individually-packed flushable wipes and a pack of Kleenex for easy access. This way I wouldn’t have to dive into the main compartment while using the restroom.
Due to the size constraint of the Satchel Pro, I decided to pack an Asus 11.6″ Chromebook in an AmazonBasics neoprene sleeve, two packs of beef jerky and a Kindle Oasis down the center of the main compartment. In one of the large pockets, I packed an Anker PowerCore 20100, a Fenix US35 rechargeable flashlight, a small pad of paper and some reading glasses. In the other large pocket, I packed an S&W tactical pen, a Bic gel pen, and a small pouch that contains a small roll of Gorilla Tape To-Go, Carmex Lip Balm, mini-Bic lighter, some 1oz packs of peanut butter, a tube of Q-tips, floss, a small USB charger and a few small USB charging cables.
Once I finally arrived at my destination and unpacked, I added a small wireless mouse and the Chromebook charging cable into the contents of my satchel after pulling them from my main carry-on to get ready for my business meetings.
I am typically known for bringing along the kitchen sink when I pack to go somewhere, so packing light was a new experience for me. But the Satchel Pro held up and performed remarkably, even though it was stuffed to the brim. And it looked sharp the entire trip.
Final Thoughts
From the attractive top-grain leather lower and closure strap to the rugged Martexin Waxed Canvas outer shell, the timeless artistic design, quality materials and high-level of craftsmanship used to make NutSac satchels is truly exemplary. They really spared no expense to achieve this caliber of form, function, and style. But quality American-made products like these satchels do command a premium price.
Sadly, the Satchel Pro will not accommodate a 15″ Macbook, and I really don’t want to purchase a smaller device just to fit my satchel. It should definitely be the other way around. As a result, I can’t recommend enough that they add an XL version to their satchel lineup that is 3″ wider, 3″ taller, and maybe even 1″ deeper. Then it would be ideal for my day-to-day needs. But if your devices and EDC gear do not require as much space as mine do, the exceptional quality of the Satchel and Satchel Pro will provide you with years of service and style. Absolutely phenomenal quality! Two thumbs way up.
You can find this and other products from NutSac on Amazon
About NutSac
Founded by a couple of nuts in 2009 in Corvallis Oregon, NutSac, LLC makes cool, well-designed, American-made bags.
NutSac was named because the founders realized that you’d have to be a little bit nuts to manufacture in America and compete against cheap products. You’d also have to be a bit nuts to try to source American-made materials. And you’d have to be really nuts to trust that your customers will value your commitment to fair business practices and quality design.
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