Does Bleu de Chauffe make the best leather messenger bags?
Made in France, today we take a look at this BEAUTIFUL computer bag by Bleu de Chauffe — the Zeppo Solo
Based on a previous bag that the company still makes, the Zeppo Business Bag, the Zeppo Solo that we have here today is a newer, more toned down version of its big brother.
Why is "solo" in the name?
Because it has a single zipped compartment, the main receptacle of storage, versus the non-solo Zeppo, which has two primary zipper compartments.
For those of us that prefer a more laidback, old-school vibe, the Zeppo Solo is exactly where it's at: featuring the same 15.7" x 11.4" x 4.7" (cm: 40 x H 29 x 12) internal capacity, the Solo isn't actually a smaller bag than its "big brother" as I personally call it — the two bags have equivalent measurements, with the Solo simply having a simpler, more streamlined pattern.
This is precisely what I love about bags like this:
- Heritage style? Check. ✔
- Elegant but rugged design? Check. ✔
- Sturdy construction? Check. ✔
- Built in a 1st world country, not by children? Double check. ✔✔
Why shouldn't you just buy a much cheaper leather bag that's not made in France?
Obviously it should go without saying, but certainly children can craft amazing things too — I just don't want to support sweatshop labor.
Children should be children, and clothing & apparel today is so cheap due to exploitation of human beings.
While I can't personally fight every injustice in the world, I can certainly put my positive energy and money toward things that don't support such exploitation.
It's the least I can do. And while I don't expect anything of anyone else, I know there are countless people out there that agree with my sentiment.
Why do I bring this up, exactly? In my experience, not everyone thinks about things like this; the average person doesn't typically care, or even know that exploitation like this exist in the first place.
Without making this overview of Bleu de Chauffe's bag too humanitarian-leaning, I'll leave my stance at this: please, pay a premium for something you know will not only stand the test of time in your personal life, but also contribute to the wellbeing of craftsman putting their lifeblood into these products.
Details of the Zeppo Solo Business Bag
Watch my highly-detailed, 4K video review of this amazing Bleu de Chauffe bag here — and truly, thank you to the company for reaching out to my partner network and connecting with them to send me this bag for review.
Watch my in-depth review of this leather bag from Bleu de Chauffe
I don't think there's any better, to be honest.
Buy the Zeppo Solo, or any other amazing leather bag, directly from BdC:
