Looking for update on Swaine Adeney Brigg Laptop case

Would like to buy this case for my wife as a graduation present. This woudl be a fairly signifigant investment and i would like to know if anyone has one of these, and how it has faired in the long term. Thanks

 

I posted the review which probably led you here.

They have two versions - the Lombard and the Paternoster, both of which I own now. Which you pick is up to the level to which you like fiddling with straps for the additional security while travelling. I like the Paternoster's aesthetics better and it's the bag I use more often, but the Lombard is more practical for commutes.

Build quality is fine, and my SABs have held up well to the odd - and sometimes very odd - accidents that's befallen certainly the Paternoster, the Lombard remains relatively un-battle-scarred. It's what I'd normally expect with SAB. Plus, if you have problems you know that you can turn to a shop that's been around for just a bit of time

The biggest issue I see with these cases in your scenario is that I don't think these are for women. First, the size. These are large document cases. Second, there's the weight - the Paternoster, unladen, weighs 3Kgs with the strap - or the same as a heavy 15-inch / light 17-inch. Add daily detritus, even a subnotebook and you're looking at carrying quite a lot of weight. While I've been surprised at the all-up weight of some women's carry-alls, the substantial hide and the traditional construction method carries a high weight penalty.

Alternatives?

I don't know how high you're willing to go, but a lightweight alternative that's well built (with less traditional, time-proven-over-centuries build it has to be said, but nevertheless of a very good quality) and do have a somewhat female aesthetic are semi-custom cases from Calder Originals ( Calder Originals). Calder should be able to accommodate options such as shoulder straps, etc with no problems. Expect to pay from roughly double that of the SAB cases.

There's also Valextra's classic case ( Valextra), which the Calder is inspired by. My ex was very happy with it - I actually bought it for myself but found that I wasn't metro enough to rock one. Price? Expect to pay - depending on what you want, a lot - more than the Calder.

Alternatively if the SAB is the highest you're willing to go in terms of outlay, it might be worth giving Glaser ( Glaser Designs Home Page) a call - they have some more manageable and very attractive bags which are designed to last a long time. Perhaps they may not stand the test of time as well as a SAB, but maybe they have a better chance of being used every day by your wife.

 

Thank you for the reply, I will look into those other options. I have plenty of time to think about it as she doesn't graduate until June.

 

Np. I just hope she spells better than you so that she can actually graduate