I have just begun digging into my Ruitertassen Vintage Professor Satchback and I already know that this is a bag designed with function in mind.

• Are you a teacher, carrying textbooks and those graded papers back from Thanksgiving break?
• Are you a student, bringing your laptop with the paper you wrote last night and still have yet to print?
• Are you a business man who needs room for your market analysis, laptop, tablet, and notebooks?

Maybe you are none of these but are intrigued by the thought of having a practical and attractive bag to accompany you on your adventures.

Ruitertassen has mastered the dichotomy of timeless styling and functionality. I believe that in order to understand the bags you must first know the story.

Allow me to give you a little background on the company.

This image shows some of the original bags that were put out by Jacob De Ruiter | Click on the image for a video of the factory

Ruitertassen began in Belgium in 1925, during the roaring twenties just after the First World War. Jacob de Ruiter, a Dutchman, was an artisan and bike enthusiast building saddles and other bicycle accessories. These quality products set him apart during a time of economic crisis. Jacob grew to love working with leather and it would soon become his favorite material.

Jacob carried on his bike accessory business into the late 30’s, all while still captivated by the leather craft. He decided to build his first line of handbags and in doing so pulled away from the bicycle business. His oldest son joined his endeavors and although leather was limited to the regions specialty, rabbit skins, the business carried their family through the Second World War.

After a difficult time from 1939-45, the business added the second son to the business and realized that functionality was more their niche than fashion. In conversation with a teacher friend, Jacob found that other leather bags were fragile, lacked adequate space and lost their shape from the weight of books. Jacob made a trip to one of the world’s best tanners who happened to be in Belgium. Jacob was not alone in this trip. A certain Louis Vuitton did the same to provide the best leather for his line that year. The crafting genius of Jacob combined with the top quality leather merged to bring the first iconic Ruitertassen satchel; built for his teacher friend.

The company assumed many names over the years beginning with, “Zadelfabriek Jac de Ruiter” then moving to, “eREM” in 1957. Although the 60’s were a time marked by anti-conformity in fashion Jacob and his family stayed true to building timeless bags. This time in history provided another opportunity for a name change from the company which began in 1925 to what we now know as Ruitertassen.

After welcoming the 3rd son to the business Jacob retired at the age of 76. The De Ruiter children absorbed their father’s art of manufacturing and his leather choices. During the 90s, after the loss of their older brother the two brothers teamed up with Frank Tegenbos, a satchel manufacturer’s son who pushed the brothers to focus on the quality and heritage they were founded upon.

Ruitertassen is internally managed in every aspect: Websites, blogs, photography, customer service, etc…The team has decided to focus their energy on the sacks and less in advertising allowing the products to speak for themselves. Ruitertassen today has the same united family spirit dedicated to the philosophy and love of quality of Jacob de Ruiter.

Unboxing

Unboxing the Ruitertassen bag was a true pleasure. The bag came shrouded in two levels of protection. First a plastic bag to ensure that it would be safely protected from the elements and then a light cotton drawstring bag with the logo printed on the front. The cotton bag is nice enough to use on its own, just another way they demonstrate a concern for quality.

The hang tags found on the side are paired with a leather keychain included with your purchase. This leather keychain instantly made its way to my simple key setup. The tags speak of their 2 year guarantee and some information regarding the tanning and production of the bags. Having ordered the Satchback I looked inside the main compartment where I found the shoulder straps located. The little details are often what draw me in and Ruitertassen shows their attention to detail from the second you open your box.

Leather

The quarterback, the lead singer, the first chair violinist or the prima donna of this work is the leather. You cannot speak of a Ruitertassen bag without mentioning the leather, and I cannot go on without discussing the process through which the leather is fashioned. It all starts with cows in open European fields away from barbed wire or restricted to dense cattle populations. All the leather used in the bags is full grain, meaning that the top grain is not only intact but also un-tampered with. Some companies must sand the top grain in an attempt to correct scarring or other imperfect qualities, not Ruitertassen.

All edges of the Ruitertassen bags are left raw, which only adds to the aging effect as the bag breaks in over time. The leather thickness is measured in order to acquire the perfect balance between durability and weight. Huge oak drums turn the leather for three weeks in vegetable extracts to help the leather tan naturally away from harsh chemicals. The Belgian tannery that Jacob de Ruiter used is one of only a few in the world which specializes in 100% vegetal tanning.

Full-Grain hides used |Photo by Ruitertassen

Before I did my research I was unaware that 85% of all leather tanning is done by the chemical compound Chromium Sulfate. This is the most efficient way to tan leather and only takes about 24 hours. The results of this quick and cheap process are far more toxic than the tedious natural steps of vegetal tanning. The extracts used in the bags process are Mimosa (from the black wattle tree), Chestnut extract, and the hardwood tree Quebracho tannins from South America.

The four shades offered by Ruitertassen all follow these natural processes. Even the red and black are not superficially spray painted but instead soaked in pigments which are absorbed slowly by the leather. Jacob’s passion for superior leather is clearly exhibited in these bags.

Locks, Buckles, and Fasteners

In order to make all of these leather intricacies into a functioning bag, there must be hardware. I love a true buckle just as much as the next guy. They are gorgeous to look at, but the time it takes to get into a bag would only be hindered by such equipment. Ruitertassen was able to create the perfect solution. Beneath the façade of buckles on the front lie the bag’s secret, tuck locks.

These locks are custom made for Ruitertassen to be deeper and more durable ensuring that your bag never surprises you by springing open. Now you may think that they simply attached fake buckles to the front, but all the buckles on the bag are real. The front buckles humbly serve as shrouds of the tuck locks. The adjustable and removable shoulder strap fastens to the bag with true buckles.

The metal D ring at the center of the bag serves as the clasp for the back straps. This D ring is fastened under the fully riveted leather handle which hides another Ruitertassen secret. Under the front flap is a metal plate which strengthens the entire top structure of the bag and allows the bag to withstand loads uncommonly held by other bags. The handle can lift 150lbs, so in case you ever find yourself lugging bricks around you can be sure the handle will hold. The rivets used in this bag are sourced from the motor industry and affixed via an industrial machine to ensure exact pressings every time.

The phrase, hanging on by a thread; takes on a whole new meaning with a Ruitertassen bag. The thread used in these bags is high quality nylon. More resilient and flexible than the polyester options this thread together with high-end sewing machines delivers attractive, precise stitching that is able to withstand the bouts of everyday use. There is on average, 115 feet of stitching in each bag. Every stich securing the philosophy of true craftsmanship that Jacob De Ruiter set in motion.

Organization

I am amazed at how much I can fit in my bag! I am writing this from a coffee shop with my bag beside me. Today’s packing consisted of my notebook, pens, laptop, charger, phone charger, over-ear headphones and jacket. There is still more room in this cavernous bag that I have unused. Ruitertassen provides a range of one to three interior compartments, depending on how much you carry with you on a regular basis. They also offer the laptop pocket option which is padded to protect your precious gear! The front pocket arrangement is also a choice for your bag.

I went for the asymmetrical pockets not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its functionality. The wider pocket is great for a Moleskine sized notebook, an iPad, or other rectangular objects that you may need throughout your day. The narrower pocket fits my electronic trappings and is suited for all of those last minute accessories that you need a home for. It seems the perfect size for a graphing calculator for those of you in fields that require such a tool.

Inside the front compartment of my bag are leather loops for three writing utensils. I find it tactful in design to use these instead of a pouch. Everything has a place and there is no need for excess. Between the two main compartments is a rigged zipped pocket as deep as the bag. This provides the perfect home for your important papers or items that require even more protection then the main compartments afford.

Aesthetics

This bag will turn heads. I engage in conversations with people over the bag while in line at a coffee shop or running my errands. My Ruitertassen bag is not the loudest bag in the room, but it is instead modest and mature. It does not scream for attention like some bags do, but it instead receives the subtle tip of the hat from the gentleman. Jacob De Ruiter never considered his work to be the most fashion forward, but he believed that great quality should be paired with classic styling.

The branding on the bag is minimal and speaks to the mission for the bag to speak for itself. The name is found on the shoulder strap and written in a small font in the back right corner. When you open the bag, the name is found underneath the main flap attaching the rivets to the handle. Only three times will you find the name; the subtle branding is tasteful and does not in any way take away from the overall look of the bag.

I am most excited to let you all see this bag in a few years when it has some serious mileage on it. Leather carries stories with it and the patinas I have seen on other Ruitertassen bags make me only more excited to watch it age.

Function

In every way this bag has been crafted to work day in and day out. You must hold the bag to really understand how well the leather has been bound together to create the structure. Although my bag is not the largest that Ruitertassen makes, it can really cart some serious volume. The shoulder strap is lightly padded and the leather on the underside is softer to the touch than the rest of the leather, making it comfortable as I carry it around town.

Remember how Jacob originally began crafting bicycle accessories? This bag issues us back to that era of the De Ruiter legacy. The satchback is designed specifically with the bicycle commuters in mind. It may seem a little strange at first, but the look of this bag on your back is really special. I almost feel that I am embodying some of the styling of the roaring 20’s, I just need to add a homburg hat. At the same time, I feel some major urban vibes and really see this as a fashion statement when the classic carry becomes repetitive.

Final Thoughts

The bag is at a fairly high price point, yes. After you take into consideration the skilled craftsmanship, the high-quality materials used, and the time consuming processes used for tanning I believe with no reservations that the bags are priced appropriately. Not only are you getting the bag, but you also receive 2 years warrantee and LIFETIME repairs AT COST. Did I mention that was for life? So 20 years from now when you realize it needs a tune up you will have their support!

If you are looking for the most compact bag on the market, then this specific bag is not for you. Consider instead one of Ruitertassen’s single compartment bags. If you are looking for a bag that will truly accompany you in all of your exploits and stand to tell the tale then this is your bag. A true grab-and-go: throw some last minute groceries in there, the blanket you need for your picnic date, cram your textbooks in it and I promise you it will not grumble. It is simple to use, beautiful to look at, and constructed from a family whose craft I am proud to support.

Don’t buy multiple bags that are only mediocre at best.
Ruitertassen’s webpage says, “Buy the best and cry only once.”

Check them out at:

Website: https://ruitertassen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruitertassenbags
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruitertassenbags