The PORTER HEAT 3WAY briefcase. Before I knew it, I've been using it for about 15 years.

I think it cost about ¥38,000 when I bought it. Thinking about it now, that was quite reasonable for a PORTER 3WAY.

As a work bag, I've used it hard in rain, on heavy-luggage days, on train commutes and car trips—all of it.

And now, 15 years in, it's starting to show limits.

The Maglite has fallen silent

First, the included Maglite. This is part of what makes it a HEAT, but the battery corroded and it won't open at all.

Its job as a light is over. Just decoration. No, since it won't open, it's rather an object with a sense of history.

A 3 cm tear, a ¥28,000 repair quote

Also, I stuffed it too full and part of the body tore. About 3 centimeters.

A real photo of the PORTER HEAT with about 3 cm of fabric torn beside the zipper
The problem tear. Right next to the zipper, about 3 cm.

“Well, it's PORTER, so it can surely be repaired,” I thought, and asked for a quote.

The amount that came back was about ¥28,000.

...What?

A 3 cm tear repair costing ¥28,000 on a bag I bought for ¥38,000. Of course there's the craftsperson's labor, and I understand that doing it properly would cost about that much. I understand, but I instantly came to my senses.

That's a waste. So, repair rejected.

Then I have to sew it myself

Then I have to sew it myself.

The look isn't perfect. Naturally, it differs from a pro's finish.

KAZUKIN sewing the torn PORTER bag himself with needle and thread
The moment I turned down the ¥28,000 quote and picked up a needle and thread.
A close-up of the part I repaired by hand. The red circle marks the hand stitching
My own repair stitching (in the red circle). It's closer to the truth that the join with the zipper fabric came undone, rather than the ballistic nylon tearing.

Incidentally, an official repair apparently takes all of this off and sews it back on from scratch... No shortcuts, as expected.

But it's still usable. If anything, sewing it myself made me even more attached.

The whole PORTER HEAT 3WAY briefcase after repair. You can't tell where it was fixed unless told
From a distance it looks like this. Probably nobody would notice where I fixed it.

Ballistic nylon is really tough

Whether it's the PORTER HEAT or TUMI, I think ballistic-nylon bags are truly durable. They don't give up even if handled somewhat roughly.

Soaked by rain, squeezed into a packed train, stuffed to the brim—they don't break easily.

It's not the elegance of a leather bag. But there is the trustworthiness of a tool.

“It can still go, right?”

Saying that, KAZUKIN uses his torn PORTER HEAT again today.

Buying new is fine. Sending it for repair is fine. But continuing to use it while fixing it a little myself isn't bad either.

KAZUKIN

元取れてるけどね

Summary

After 15 years, the Maglite is silent. Part of the body has torn. The repair quote is ¥28,000.

Even so, it's still active.

The PORTER HEAT is formidable. And ballistic nylon really is strong.

KAZUKIN Rating

  • 🎒 Durability as a 15-year veteran — ★★★★★
  • 🔦 Survival rate of the Maglite — ★☆☆☆☆ (already silent)
  • 💴 Shock at the ¥28,000 repair quote — ★★★★★
  • 🧵 Finish of my own sewing — ★★★☆☆ (below pro, plenty practical)
  • 😤 Resolve not to retire it yet — ★★★★★

This article is a personal opinion and record of use. KAZUKIN LAB has no relationship with Yoshida & Co., Ltd. (PORTER). I'm just a PORTER fan. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Repairs are done at my own risk.

The illustration is an image based on KAZUKIN's experience. It may differ from real stores and products. It is not an official manufacturer image.