Jack on the Doolin, the bag Brenda took off Ray
Jack on the Doolin, the bag Brenda took off Ray
In our little comedy, Ray packs for two nights in one bag and loses it at the front door. Forty years married, and he should have bought two.
From our little comedy: two nights in Whitby, packed in one bag.
After 29 years of ready-made bags, I am going custom-only. The final Doolins are £154.95, down from £619.95. They will not be made again, and I would rather tell you plainly.
Ray's list is about right. Three shirts, two jumpers, slippers, a wash bag and the crossword go into the Doolin with room to spare. It holds 38 litres and measures 52 by 32 by 23 centimetres: a proper weekend bag that still sits on the luggage rack of a train.
The keys, straight out of the front pocket.
The front pocket is the detail I would keep if I could keep only one. It opens on its own, so the keys come out without unpacking the weekend on the doorstep.
I still make these by hand: waxed cotton canvas that shrugs off rain and takes on a patina, full-grain crazy horse leather on the base and the handles, and a padded shoulder strap that comes off when the handles are easier.
The Doolin with its shoulder strap
It comes in khaki, black, army green and grey. Ray's advice stands: if there are two of you, buy two. Two bags take an extra 20% off at checkout.
1997
Today
The Doolin in army green
Rain on the outside
I asked for waxed cotton canvas with a naturally water-resistant finish, so the outside meets a wet platform without becoming a worry. The weather stays on the surface.
"I was looking for a timeless, handcrafted bag and Jack Reid exceeded my expectations. Its durability, design and craftsmanship make it my go-to bag for both work and travel. I get compliments every time I wear it. Arrived in Manchester in four days."
Leather where you hold it
Full-grain crazy horse leather on the base and the handles, the places a bag gets gripped, dropped and dragged. It scuffs, and the scuffs suit it.
"The quality of my Jack Reid bag is unparalleled. The leather is incredibly soft and the attention to detail is impressive. Whether I'm at the office or out for dinner in Dublin, it adds a touch of elegance to my look."
Room for the weekend
38 litres and 52 by 32 by 23 centimetres. Ray's three shirts, two jumpers, slippers, wash bag and crossword go in with room to spare.
"Ordered on a Monday and it was on my doorstep in Ennis by Thursday, beautifully wrapped with a handwritten note from Jack. The leather feels rich and authentic straight out of the packaging, and the design is both practical and stylish. You can tell this was made with care."
Places for the little things
Two zip pockets and two slot pockets inside, so the charger and the glasses are not at the bottom under the jumpers.
"Jack Reid bags perfectly combine style and functionality. The design is sleek and the compartments are well thought out; my laptop and notebooks fit with room to spare. A luxury item, but also practical for everyday use."
Keys where you can reach them
The zip pocket on the front opens on its own. The keys come out without the weekend coming out with them.
"What sets my Jack Reid bag apart is its versatility. Whether it's a business meeting in London or a weekend away, it adapts to any occasion effortlessly. The leather ages beautifully, making it an investment I'll cherish for years."
Two ways to carry it
Two rolled leather handles, and a padded shoulder strap that clips off when the handles are easier. Brenda used the strap.
"I bought this for my husband's birthday and it arrived in Cork beautifully wrapped, with a handwritten note from Jack. The leather is gorgeous and the stitching is perfect. A week in, I'm already borrowing it more than he does."
The Doolin, against the weekend bags you have been buying
One deep pile of mixed things
Keys buried at the bottom
One way to carry it
Marks that mean it is time for a new one
Two zip pockets, two slot pockets and a roomy main compartment
A front pocket that opens on its own
Leather handles or a padded shoulder strap
Waxed canvas that takes on a patina
Forty years married. Should've bought two.
The honest bit, and the honest price
This is a farewell sale because I am changing from ready-made bags to pieces made to order. After 29 years, the Doolin will not be made in this form again.
The clearance price is £154.95, against the usual price of £619.95. That is a serious cut, and I have put both figures in front of you rather than hiding one.
Ordered on a Monday and it was on my doorstep in Ennis by Thursday, beautifully wrapped with a handwritten note from Jack. The leather feels rich and authentic straight out of the packaging, and the design is both practical and stylish. You can tell this was made with care.
For wet platforms, car boots and weekends that begin at the door.
Forty years married. Should've bought two.
Take your time with it. Check the details and the colours. If the Doolin is not right for you, you can send it back within 30 days.
If it is, I hope it lives by your front door and goes wherever you go. And if there are two of you, take Ray's advice.
Check whether your colour is still here
- £154.95, against the usual £619.95
- Khaki, black, army green and grey
- Free delivery to the UK and Ireland, 30-day returns
Two Doolins take an extra 20% off at checkout. Ray would want you to know.
Check availabilityAbout the writer. Jack founded Jack Reid in the United Kingdom in 1997. He continues to make leather bags by hand.