01/28/2023

A Real-Life Bag of Holding: On the Go with the Extreme 3.0 Duffle from Montblanc

It’s not often you find a bag that scores off the charts in the departments of design and performance. And when you do, it’s worth writing about.

By Liam O'Donnell

Contributor

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let me give you a primer on the brand Montblanc.

Founded in 1906, the Simplo Filler Pen Co. started its life in Berlin. However, in 1907, after only a year in the city, the company pulled up stakes and moved to Hamburg. That was when three determined European men set out to create the best writing instruments the world had ever seen.

The inspiration behind this endeavor came from Simplo Pen Co.-Founder August Eberstein’s many trips to the US and the wondrous mechanical innovations he witnessed during his time there. And it is this Hamburg-based company that would eventually become Montblanc in 1934, some 24 years after its first pen collection.

Fast forward to 2023, and Montblanc now specializes in two other luxury crafts: watchmaking and leather goods.

Enter the Montblanc Extreme 3.0 Duffle Bag, part of a series of bags, wallets, and belts with dashing good looks and high durability. Let’s take a look!

As Tough as Leather

Built to be versatile, reliable, and look good while doing it, allow me to introduce you to the Montblanc Extreme 3.0 Duffle Bag.

From the tarmac to the office, this duffle can accommodate it all. The bag is made from full-grain bovine leather tanned using a CO2-neutral process. The leather also features a heavy corrected finish that has resulted in a carbon fiber-like resemblance.

Montblanc Extreme 3.0 Duffle Bag

In addition to looking extremely contemporary, this finish gives the bag a resilient weatherproof surface, too. Plus, stitched up the sides are two handles made from supple polyester webbing to ensure strong holding points.

As Spacious as the Sky

Opening the bag’s main compartment is easy with the two-way separating zipper with closed ends. Moreover, the zipper also features molded plastic teeth and a metal slider to ensure it never gives out. Once opened, the main compartment (which can hold about 7 gallons) includes a small pocket on the inner wall where smaller items can be stored and easily retrieved.

Moving to the exterior storage of the bag, you’ll find three exterior pockets. Two pockets are open – excellent for those items you need quick access to throughout the day – and one is closed with a flap and lock – perfect for securing any items you want access to easily without the fuss of opening the main compartment. Moreover, this edgy-looking lock is modeled after rock-climbing equipment and reminds me a lot of a Cobra-style fastener.

The gold standard of fasteners for the most demanding environments, the bag’s Cobra-style buckle is prominently placed in the center of the bag and decorated with Montblanc’s white six-pointed star. With a lock like this one, you know it won’t let you down.

Lastly, two D-rings are attached on both ends of the bag to accommodate a removable shoulder strap. You need simply clip the shoulder strap into place and swing the duffle over your head to give your arms a break.

Between its tough and stylish exterior, its versatile storage compartments, and its mountaineer-worthy lock, the Extreme 3.0 Duffle Bag is perfect for a weekend getaway or a short trip. You could easily fit two pairs of shoes, a dopp kit (a.k.a. a men’s toiletry bag), three days’ worth of clothes, and a book.