Recently I've been repairing and using an old TUMI briefcase, the “26141DH.”
I didn't buy it new; I bought it used for about ¥5,000, I think about ten years ago. The model itself is probably more than 15 years old.
Even so, it's still perfectly usable.
Actually, the handle had gotten a bit loose, so I sewed it back on myself, and it's still on active duty.
TUMI really is tough.
Good point #1: It's just tough
The best thing, first of all, is the toughness.
The ballistic nylon fabric is simply rugged. Even if handled somewhat roughly, it doesn't give in easily.
The fact that a bag probably over 15 years old can still be used normally at work is pretty amazing.
Recently the area around the handle got a little loose, so I sewed it back on myself to repair it.
It got a bit wilder-looking, but as long as it's usable, that's fine.
If you sew it, you can use it, right?
Good point #2: Lots of pockets. Seriously divine.
A good point of the TUMI 26141DH is the number of pockets.
Things you use at work are surprisingly small and numerous.
Wallet, phone, charger, cables, business card holder, pens, documents, folding umbrella, earphones, mobile battery...
Even if I toss them in carelessly, they fit reasonably well. And I'm less likely to wonder, “Wait, where did I put that?”
This pocket layout is truly divine.
As a work bag, I think it's very well put together.
Good point #3: It gets even bigger
And quietly appreciated is the expandable feature.
Open the zipper and the bag's capacity expands.
Usually it works as a normal briefcase, and I can expand it only when my load grows.
This helps on the way home from business trips.
For some reason, luggage grows on the way back from a trip. Documents increase, I buy souvenirs, and at the station I even buy unnecessary things.
At those times, the TUMI 26141DH expands.
The souvenirs fit.
That's strong.
Downside #1: It's heavy
Of course, it's not all good.
First, it's heavy.
The fabric is thick and rugged, and the hardware is solid. Naturally, it's heavy for it.
Even empty, it already has presence.
Some people apparently call this kind of TUMI bag a “tank,” and honestly I get it.
In exchange for toughness, it has lost nimbleness.
Downside #2: It's not a 3WAY
Another downside is that it isn't a 3WAY.
Modern business bags often come in 3WAY types—hand, shoulder, backpack—but the 26141DH is basically a hand-carry and shoulder style.
Pack it full and it hits the shoulder.
Especially stuffed with souvenirs on the way home from a business trip, it gets quite heavy.
It's tough, so it fits. It fits, so I pack it. I pack it, so it's heavy.
A total TUMI classic.
Downside #3: Too many owners
And I don't know whether this counts as a downside, but there are many owners.
I really saw this TUMI 26141DH a lot.
On trains, at stations, on business trips, in business districts, I thought “Ah, the same TUMI” many times.
For a while, I saw it so often that it made me wonder whether it reigned as the KING OF middle-aged-man BAGS.
Black, square, rugged, lots of pockets, looking extremely tough.
Less a capable businessperson than a full-on practical “documents, charger and folding umbrella all in here” feel.
But that's good.
Lately, though, I feel I don't see it as much as before.
Of course not.
Everyone replaces theirs.
Lighter bags have increased, backpack-style business bags have increased, and 3WAY has become the norm.
Even so, I'm still repairing and using mine.
Still, I'll keep using it
There are downsides.
It's heavy, it's old, and it's not a 3WAY. Plus, it was once the commonly seen KING OF middle-aged-man BAGS.
But even so, I still want to use it.
The reason is simple: it works properly.
Lots of pockets. It holds my stuff. The fabric is strong. It has the reassurance of a work tool.
A new lightweight bag is fine, but using old tools like this while repairing them isn't bad either.
If anything, my attachment grows.
TUMI 26141DH.
A bag probably over 15 years old. A bag bought used for about ¥5,000. A bag whose handle I sewed on myself.
Depreciation finished long ago. But it's still active.
It's too early to retire it.
縫えばつかえるよね
KAZUKIN Rating
- 🛡️ Toughness of ballistic nylon — ★★★★★
- 💴 Value for ¥5,000 used — ★★★★★
- 🧵 Inconspicuousness of my own repair stitching — ★★★☆☆
- 📅 Active duty as a 15-year veteran — ★★★★★
- 😌 “If you sew it, you can use it” feeling — ★★★★★
This article is a personal opinion and record. KAZUKIN LAB has no relationship with TUMI. I'm just a TUMI fan. Handle repairs are done at my own risk. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
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.