From a strong, dark blue 18-ounce cotton canvas, Croots has immediately produced a series of bags, to which this small space miracle also belongs. Because of its compact format of W 30 × H 16 × D 13 cm, it has a very favorable ratio of external dimensions to volume. In its large main compartment, the space can be fully exploited, it is not further subdivided, but has only on the long sides of two tidy pockets. As with all Croots bags in our range, this one is also lined with a cotton twill in a strong signal red, so that everything is easy to find. The bag is closed by means of a brass zipper carefully piped with leather.

Particularly practical: the bag can be worn both on a shorter hand strap (made of strong saddle leather) and on an infinitely adjustable shoulder strap (made of cotton canvas), both straps can be removed if necessary via brass carabiners, so you always have the choice: Hand, shoulder or crossbody.

The British label Croots is among the leather goods manufacturers that have, in a short time, virtually earned the reputation of a traditional company. So it doesn’t always take centuries of experience—what matters most is, first and foremost, an understanding of one’s craft and the use of the right materials. John and Margaret Smith embodied this philosophy when, in 1978, they began producing their first bags and cases for hunting and fishing under the “Field Sports Products” label: crafted in the traditional manner and made from sturdy materials such as strong saddle leather and durable cotton canvas. Later, they added travel bags and small leather goods to their lineup. When their daughter Jackie and son-in-law Allistair Croot took over the business in 2004, they kept everything the same—except for the name. Since then, “Croots” has become a global byword for British craftsmanship and sturdy bags; even the royal family owns a few Croots bags.

The bags are designed and manufactured at the company’s facility in Malton, North Yorkshire. The materials also come from the UK: The fabric is woven in Keighley, West Yorkshire; Croots sources its waxed cotton canvas from the traditional Scottish manufacturer Halley Stevensons; and the hardware comes from foundries in Walsall, West Midlands, or Sheffield. Only the zippers are sourced from Riri in Switzerland. Finally, with a few exceptions, the leather is vegetable-tanned and processed in the classic saddlery style. Most of it is so-called English bridle leather, which is primarily used for saddles, bridles, and belts because, thanks to a special tanning process, it hardly stretches at all.