It might seem a bit of overkill for a lunch bag, but that's how I've used mine for the past three years. If I'm going to be at work for a long day like usual, I want to bring several meals with me, instead of eating takeout or out of a vending machine. Or I might bring a large salad. Most lunch bags are too small, and I was tired of tote bags with open tops that don't keep things in place, and don't protect from the rain. This bag has held defrosting food, has held heavy loads and delicate loads. It even doubles as a convenient bag if I'm traveling casually. The shoulder strap isn't quite long enough to be great for a cross-body carry, but it works in a pinch if you are carrying something heavy like bottles of Pellegrino, and I've never worried about it snapping with a heavy load. Meanwhile, it is a great looking bag that certainly looks better than a handful of plastic grocery bags. I've used it daily for 3 years, and it has held up well. The leather has darkened a bit and weathered nicely. I have the bag in brown cocoa canvas. While it's not water proof, it's reasonably water resistant, and has certainly held up better than anything out of nylon canvas would - no abrasion marks after three years. Still looks like it did about a month or two after I bought it and the leather started to weather.
The color was more "blah" than in the picture (the leater and fabric are nearly the same color - no contrast). Also, the strap was not long enough to comfortably wear cross-body (and I'm only 5'2"). I really, really wanted to love it and hesitated to send it back, but it just wasn't quite perfect.
I took this to both Alaska and Italy and was more than pleased with it. The clasp and zipper offered safety from pickpockets and the inside zippered compartment was great for important documents. It only needs a cell phone holder to make it totally complete. It is rugged and stands up to many uses. Great for keeping you hands free, and has plenty of room inside.
