This configuration of the Vanguard is the ultimate "Patina Project." By pairing a 5oz Natural Waxy body with 8-9oz Horween Natural Dublin straps, we have created a backpack that will undergo a complete visual transformation. This is an all-natural, undyed build that relies entirely on the quality of the hides and the history of your journeys to create its final color.
Body: 5oz Natural Waxy (Badalassi Carlo): A heavyweight Italian vegetable-tan. The 5oz thickness provides a rugged, self-supporting structure. It features a massive "pull-up" effect, where the internal oils and tallows create bright, marbled highlights whenever the leather is rolled or flexed.
Straps: 8-9oz Natural Horween Dublin: Sourced from the legendary Horween tannery in Chicago, Natural Dublin is a vegetable-tanned leather infused with a rich blend of oils and waxes. At 8-9oz, these straps are incredibly thick and durable, offering a rustic, "naked" finish that showcases the authentic grain of the hide.
Hardware: Outfitted with Antique Brass buckles and reinforced with hand-set Copper Rivets. Every load-bearing point is backed with leather washers to ensure the 5oz body and 9oz straps stay securely bonded for decades.
Architecture: Full-grain, 5oz roll-top body with a reinforced double-layered base.
Dimensions: 18.0" H (rolled) / 24.0" H (unrolled) x 12.0" W x 5.0" D.
Shoulder Straps: Ultra-thick Natural Dublin, precision-cut for comfort. These straps will "tan" just like your skin when exposed to sunlight, deepening in color alongside the bag.
Capacity: 20-28 Liters (Adjustable volume).
Branding: The Schaefer Atelier "Small Batch" hallmark is deep-etched into the front leather anchor patch.
Because there are no dyes used in this build, the evolution is dramatic and entirely unique to you.
The Starting Point: The bag begins as a clean, creamy sandy-tan. The matte waxy body and the slightly more lustrous Dublin straps create a subtle, sophisticated texture contrast.
The Transformation: Exposure to UV light, the oils from your hands, and the friction of daily carry will begin to "toast" the leather.
The Result: Over time, the entire bag will shift into a deep, glossy mahogany or "burnt sugar" amber. The Horween Dublin straps will develop a rich, waxy sheen, while the Badalassi body will become smooth and mirror-like.
This configuration of the Vanguard is the ultimate "Patina Project." By pairing a 5oz Natural Waxy body with 8-9oz Horween Natural Dublin straps, we have created a backpack that will undergo a complete visual transformation. This is an all-natural, undyed build that relies entirely on the quality of the hides and the history of your journeys to create its final color.
Body: 5oz Natural Waxy (Badalassi Carlo): A heavyweight Italian vegetable-tan. The 5oz thickness provides a rugged, self-supporting structure. It features a massive "pull-up" effect, where the internal oils and tallows create bright, marbled highlights whenever the leather is rolled or flexed.
Straps: 8-9oz Natural Horween Dublin: Sourced from the legendary Horween tannery in Chicago, Natural Dublin is a vegetable-tanned leather infused with a rich blend of oils and waxes. At 8-9oz, these straps are incredibly thick and durable, offering a rustic, "naked" finish that showcases the authentic grain of the hide.
Hardware: Outfitted with Antique Brass buckles and reinforced with hand-set Copper Rivets. Every load-bearing point is backed with leather washers to ensure the 5oz body and 9oz straps stay securely bonded for decades.
Architecture: Full-grain, 5oz roll-top body with a reinforced double-layered base.
Dimensions: 18.0" H (rolled) / 24.0" H (unrolled) x 12.0" W x 5.0" D.
Shoulder Straps: Ultra-thick Natural Dublin, precision-cut for comfort. These straps will "tan" just like your skin when exposed to sunlight, deepening in color alongside the bag.
Capacity: 20-28 Liters (Adjustable volume).
Branding: The Schaefer Atelier "Small Batch" hallmark is deep-etched into the front leather anchor patch.
Because there are no dyes used in this build, the evolution is dramatic and entirely unique to you.
The Starting Point: The bag begins as a clean, creamy sandy-tan. The matte waxy body and the slightly more lustrous Dublin straps create a subtle, sophisticated texture contrast.
The Transformation: Exposure to UV light, the oils from your hands, and the friction of daily carry will begin to "toast" the leather.
The Result: Over time, the entire bag will shift into a deep, glossy mahogany or "burnt sugar" amber. The Horween Dublin straps will develop a rich, waxy sheen, while the Badalassi body will become smooth and mirror-like.
