Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekend Bag Review: This Is Adulthood

You know the type of guy you see at the airport: He’s on a mission, well groomed, fashionable, and has his s*** together.

He’s the type of guy you just want to know more about and what he does.

Ever notice his luggage?

It’s probably something that’s elegant, durable, and screams quality.

Perhaps it’s leather or a nice aluminum, but either way it’s a cut above an old raggedy gym bag.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking to upgrade to something a bit more tasteful.

How do I know? Because I’ve been there.

I’ve used the same backpack I got in high school to travel across the world. Italy, Spain, buses, trains, you name it and it’s traveled with me.

It’s a reliable bag but to be frank, it looks trashy and unprofessional. The zippers are falling apart and it doesn’t even hold my goods well.

Now that the time has come to upgrade, I decided to look into a few brands that may fall on the pricier side but appear to be worth the splurge.

I came across London-based luggage brand Carl Friedrik, which appears in the HBO show Succession, and wanted to see if it truly measures up for someone in the Roy clan.

Read on for my full breakdown of their Palissy Weekend Bag.

Palissy Weekend Bag Overview

Carl Friedrik was launched in 2013 by two brothers looking to create long-lasting products that blend design, craftsmanship, and style. The brand has quickly earned a reputation for marrying timeless aesthetics with attention to detail.

They make most of their products with leather from a family-run tannery in the heart of Tuscany. To back it up, they offer a 100-day trial and a lifetime warranty.

The brand even won first place in the 2023 “Carry Awards X” by Carryology, a team solely devoted to sharing insights on bags and luggage.

While Carl Friedrik has designs ranging from for-the-office up to long vacations, the Palissy Weekend Bag is their essential overnight bag.

With a heavy-duty zipper, strong leather, and functional pockets, the Palissy Weekend Bag claims to be your new go-to when leaving your home.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Weekend Bag from Carl Friedrik

Carl Friedrik’s line appears to be made from the best materials, backs it up with strong promises, and has a price tag to go along with it.

At hundreds of dollars for a bag, it’s certainly an investment.

You may be wondering, “Is that worth it for a bag? Do I need something like this?”

I know the price was a bit daunting at first, but there are some other considerations at play here like durability, quality of materials, and overall convenience.

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Personally, quality is the biggest factor. If I know something will last a lifetime (and if a brand promises it will) I’m more willing to pay the piper.

I don’t want to mess around with buying crappy stuff and having to replace it a year or two later. Also, like the guy in the airport, I want to look clean and put together, especially if I’m on a work trip.

I’m assuming you do too.

Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekender Review

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Palissy Weekender shipped across the world in about a week. It arrived in a standard, unassuming cardboard box.

Thankfully, there wasn’t an overemphasis on unnecessary packaging.

Upon opening the box there was a nice envelope with a thank-you note, a leather care guide, and usage tips from a designer.

The bag itself comes in a cotton drawstring bag to protect the leather in the shipping process. 

At first glance I thought “Wow, I’ll have this thing forever.”

The leather was pristine and they crisply zipped the bag. My cognac variant appeared even more vibrant in person, and totally in a good way.

Inside the bag was the optional shoulder strap attachment.

Features

As mentioned before, they constructed the bag of Italian Vachetta leather, which is known for lasting a longtime. Brands like Louis Vuitton use Vachetta leather.

The overall form of the Palissy Weekend Bag is curved, not boxy like a carry on.

This allows for more space when you’re rolling up your t-shirts or cramming in your toiletries.

One of the biggest signals of quality is the zipper. Like I said, my backpack’s zippers are falling apart at this point.

Plastic components made in China don’t cut it anymore.

Every tooth in this heavy-duty zipper is individually brushed and polished before assembly, which adds a delicate touch.

The bag also has a tight pocket on the outside which can be used for a passport. I hate filling my pant pockets, which makes this a welcome addition.

Included is a 40mm wide shoulder strap that I like to use when flying, but maybe not as useful if you’re taking a road trip and can just put your bag in the trunk.

Design

The design of Carl Friedrik’s line is one of its boasting traits. All of the goods seem to be thoughtfully planned and assembled.

Measure twice, cut once, as they say.

The Palissy Weekend is no exception.

What really drew me to it was its iconic look. Right when I came across the Palissy, it looked familiar. Like straight from a classic movie.

Beautiful leather, strong handles, and useful pockets all speak to the intention of the Palissy Weekend.

Like me, if you want to play the part and look like you know what you’re doing, this bag will help you get the job done. It’s not flashy and plastered with logos and shiny embellishments.

It’s simple and subtle, but elevated.

Quality of Construction

Because you’re a busy guy with no time to fuss around with bad gear, construction quality is probably top of mind. Same here.

One of my main grievances with paying more “luxury” brands is that I feel like I’m holding a baby any time I use them.

No, I want to be able to hop off a fast-moving train and not worry about anything falling apart.

The Palissy Weekend doesn’t disappoint.

Vachetta leather typically comes from the bull’s shoulder, so it’s sturdy and durable. Because it’s natural and vegetable tanned, it’s susceptible to scratches and the elements.

But with proper care, it can last a lifetime. Carl Friedrik offers a Leather Cream to keep its bags soft for years to come.

I mentioned how brawny the zippers were above. I probably shouldn’t have done this, but immediately after opening the package I rattled the zipper and shook the handles.

Trust me, I think they’ll do just fine on my next trip.

Value for Money

Here’s the big question, right?

Yes, at almost a thousand bucks the Palissy Weekend Bag is pricey.

Could you find something similar on Amazon? Sure, but it’s probably made of fake leather and they likely don’t include a lifetime warranty.

Considering that the Palissy Weekend has real Italian leather, custom-made hardware, looks beautiful, and is backed up with a warranty and 100-day trial, I probably wouldn’t look any further.

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You can always play the price game trying to find a better deal. But ultimately, I’m looking to find one bag I can buy now and then not worry about again.

What Do Other Reviewers Say About the Palissy Weekend Bag?

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Customers who have bought in used the bag absolutely love its design and durability. Like me, they say the leather is beautiful and it maintains its structure through a lot of uses.

Of the people who’ve bought directly from the Carl Friedrik website, 93% say they would recommend it.

The main quips with the Palissy Weekend Bag are that it could be a bit bigger (though some said the capacity was perfect) and that it doesn’t open wide enough for tech products that may get scratched.

In my experience, this is a valid critique but if I’m going away for the weekend, I’m probably not bringing my laptop.

One piece of feedback was overwhelming: Carl Friedrik’s customer service is excellent.

Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekend Bag Alternatives

Parker Clay Montecito Weekender

Parker Clay is similarly a leather-focused accessory brand, but more geared towards women. They also hire at-risk women in Ethiopia for production, which is pretty neat.

It is more focused on discounting their products, displaying a “traditional retail” price next to their price. (Think Everlane or Italic.)

The Montecito Weekender has a similar form for about 30% less than Carl Friedrik’s Palissy, but based on the leather and other materials used, likely won’t be as durable. 

Beckett Simonon Davis Weekender Bag

The Davis Weekender Bag from Beckett Simonon is like Carl Friedrik’s value cousin. It has similar handles and a shoulder strap, but the body is made of cotton canvas.

At about a third of the price, it makes sense that the materials aren’t as high-quality. They use standard spec YKK zippers and have hints of leather.

I think the Davis Weekender Bag is a fine option if you’re just dipping your toes into luggage and aren’t sure what you really want. But, there’s only a 1-year warranty so I wouldn’t count on having this bag for the rest of your life.

Public Rec Pro Weekender

Public Rec’s Pro Weekender is another good value option. It’s not made with any leather, but rather, a poly twill fabric and 100% nylon lining.

An upside to these material choices is that it’s water resistant and can really take a beating.

I wouldn’t recommend spilling water on the Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekend, but ‌with Public Rec’s Pro Weekender, feel free to throw your glass.

The Pro Weekender also has a lot of pockets, but the zippers are made of a less desirable plastic.

For under $200, you probably can’t go wrong here.

Check out our review of this on our site.

My Thoughts Overall on The Palissy Weekend

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