Jack on the Connemara for people tired of replacing bags
Jack on the Connemara for people tired of replacing bags
You keep replacing bags that almost fit your day. The Connemara is built to fit how you actually live.
I am clearing my remaining ready-made bags because my shop is going custom-only after 29 years. The Connemara is part of my final stock, so it will not be made again. It is £114.95, against its usual £287.95.
The people who write to me keep telling me the same thing: a bag has to earn its place in an ordinary day. That means work on one morning, a walk on another, and everything you need to touch in between. Not a display. A bag you use.
I started Jack Reid in 1997 and have made bags by hand ever since. I chose the Connemara because the old-fashioned character and useful pockets meet without needing to shout. It looks retro because it was designed that way, and useful because I left room for what people actually carry.
My shop is rated 4.9 stars across 1247 reviews. I value that. I also value the people who write to tell me what they have stopped doing with an ordinary bag.
1997
Today
Woven canvas and leather outside
I chose woven waxed cotton canvas and crazy horse leather for the outside. The Connemara keeps its rugged, retro shape while moving between work, college and a day hike. It should feel familiar in your day, not reserved for one part of it.
"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."
A proper place for the laptop
I asked for a padded laptop sleeve for a laptop up to 15.6 inches. It gives the main compartment a purpose beyond holding loose work. On a Monday commute, the laptop has its place instead of pressing into everything else.
"The quality of my Jack Reid bag is unparalleled. The leather is incredibly soft and the attention to detail is impressive."
A top that closes properly
I wanted a drawstring opening, plus zips and magnetic buckles to close it properly. That gives the top more than one way to stay shut. At a station café, a notebook no longer slips out when you stop unexpectedly.
"Ordered on a Monday and it was on my doorstep in Ennis by Thursday, beautifully wrapped with a handwritten note from Jack. You can tell this was made with care."
Side pockets for quick things
I insisted on two side flap pockets, rather than leaving small things to the main compartment. On a school run, the keys and folded papers can stay apart from the rest. You reach for what you need, then carry on.
"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."
The phone stays out of sight
I asked for a secret, zipped pocket on the back. The phone can stay out of sight when the bag is set down. In an airport queue, I no longer turn the whole bag around because it is ringing.
"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."
Adjustable straps, a soft handle
I kept the shoulder straps adjustable and the handle soft. They should settle into the way you carry the bag, full for a day hike or lighter for college. At the front door, you can lift it by the handle without gathering one strap in your other hand.
"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."
The Connemara, against the canvas hiking backpacks you have been buying
A tired high-street shape that dates quickly
One main space with everything in the wrong place
A loose top that needs constant checking
A phone buried at the bottom
Rugged retro canvas and leather
A padded laptop sleeve and separate pockets
Drawstring, zip and magnetic buckle closure
A secret zipped pocket at the back
The leather ages beautifully, making it an investment I'll cherish for years.
What changes next
I am leaving ready-making behind after 29 years and taking on custom-only orders. That shift puts the old collection into a farewell sale, so the remaining bags have to find their way out. Once they have gone, I will not remake them.
The Connemara is £114.95, against its usual £287.95. It is a canvas hiking backpack with a padded laptop sleeve, several internal pockets, side flap pockets and a secret zipped pocket at the back. I would rather be clear about all of that than dress up the price.
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.
Thank you for trying us. I hope this one earns its place by your front door.
The people who write to me often describe tiny habits: check the same pocket twice, move the same things around, or open the whole bag for one missing key. Small habits, seen often enough, become a design brief.
One day, if this bag settles into the way you live, you may write and tell me what you stopped carrying. I shall read that one twice.
See whether it fits your day
- The usual price is £287.95; the current price is £114.95.
- You can send it back within 30 days.
- Check the size, pockets and laptop sleeve against how you use a bag.
- Ask whether the Connemara is still available.
The high-street bag that lasts two winters, then gets replaced: the Connemara is £114.95, not £287.95.
Check availabilityAbout the writer. Jack founded Jack Reid in the United Kingdom in 1997.