Writer's Medic Bag XLarge - Crazy Horse Smoky

I previously purchased the smaller medic bag and have carried it diligently for months and months, it's a workhorse of a bag that holds more than you would expect, but as life continued to shape and bend I found myself needing more space. So my hubby gifted me the honor of the XL and oh. my. goodness. This is the bag of dreams, every single writer, reader, dark academia inspired dreamer needs this bag. I thought the smaller one held a magical amount of things but it doesn't compare to the XL! From my refillable journal, folio, and bible snuggly fitting in the far back pocket, my cards highlighters, pens, charger, keys, and other miscellaneous things in the front. (I especially love the little pocket so my keys can set comfortably along with breath mints and a small bottle of ink) and then there's the magnetic front flap with SIX pockets that holds just about everything else like full size pages of notes, maybe a drawing or two from my kid, a sticky note pad, and even more cards when needed. There's not much I can't fit in this thing and take it on the move. I will say on the smaller version the strap wasn't long enough for me to wear it as a backpack but I normally carried it as a tote anyway, I'm quite delighted though that this one is long enough to utilize that feature and it wears very comfortable as a backpack as well. I also really love the small handle on the back to carry like a briefcase, so grabbing it from the seat or just walking from the car to class you don't always have to throw it on your shoulder. There's not one element I could say something negative about, the family at Galen goes above and beyond when it comes to care and quality.

I previously purchased the smaller medic bag and have carried it diligently for months and months, it's a workhorse of a bag that holds more than you would expect, but as life continued to shape and bend I found myself needing more space. So my hubby gifted me the honor of the XL and oh. my. goodness. This is the bag of dreams, every single writer, reader, dark academia inspired dreamer needs this bag. I thought the smaller one held a magical amount of things but it doesn't compare to the XL! From my refillable journal, folio, and bible snuggly fitting in the far back pocket, my cards highlighters, pens, charger, keys, and other miscellaneous things in the front. (I especially love the little pocket so my keys can set comfortably along with breath mints and a small bottle of ink) and then there's the magnetic front flap with SIX pockets that holds just about everything else like full size pages of notes, maybe a drawing or two from my kid, a sticky note pad, and even more cards when needed. There's not much I can't fit in this thing and take it on the move. I will say on the smaller version the strap wasn't long enough for me to wear it as a backpack but I normally carried it as a tote anyway, I'm quite delighted though that this one is long enough to utilize that feature and it wears very comfortable as a backpack as well. I also really love the small handle on the back to carry like a briefcase, so grabbing it from the seat or just walking from the car to class you don't always have to throw it on your shoulder. There's not one element I could say something negative about, the family at Galen goes above and beyond when it comes to care and quality.

I want to first start by saying what an awesome design this is! What an incredible tribute to founder Zeynep.
Let me start with the positives. This bag was very thoughtfully designed. It has a place for just about everything one would need on the go. A place to neatly store your pens/writing utensils, a place for cards/ID if you choose, 2 loops that can be used for chords, but also pencils or paintbrushes, a leather pocket for your cell phone or small notebook, plus additional loops that you can use for a number of items. The inner compartment is a nice size, though it would have been handy to have it a little deeper, as I have a couple of books that I regularly use that are a bit too thick for it. I was also surprised to find that the inner compartment does not extend fully to the base, nor is it sewn shut, but this may be to allow a bit of give to the depth. On the portion that you lay flat, there are multiple slots to put papers, notes, stamps, etc. Very handy! Then there is the handy keychain that clips in, so you can literally just grab this and go! Unlike some reviews that I viewed, the strap was plenty long to utilize as a should bag, cross body, and even as a backpack! It is surprisingly comfortable to wear each way. I should also note, that I am not petite.
I really wanted to love this. The design is fantastic, however there were some oddities with my bag. The inner flap was cut too wide and will not lay flat no matter what I try. Additionally, the leather quality was not what I expected and not up to the same level as the other items I purchased in this order (I went a little overboard!). The color is nowhere near the color pictured. It is light and really more of a pale camel color than the rich brown that you see in the photos, which I know to wear and age well. The leather has crackling throughout, which is rough to the touch. I can’t help but wonder if I would have had better luck if I had chosen a different color and perhaps these issues were just a one off.
All in all I am disappointed, This was a rather expensive purchase for me and while the company packages the items with such great care and attention to detail and so generously gives beautiful and thoughtful little gifts with orders, this particular item was regretfully not what I had hoped for.

I have wanted one of these for months and on the first day of re-availability snapped one up. High expectations. These high expectations were surpassed when I had this thing of beauty in my hands. I have subsequently ordered accessories that make this the neatest piece of kit I have bought in years. My friends and colleagues have been enviously looking at the bag. It is practical, stunning in appearance and allows me to carry all the things I need in one bag. That apart is smells heavenly. I do not endorse products usually and are usually suspicious of those that do. Don’t hesitate to invest in this heirloom. Customer service with both purchases amazing and FedEx t & t outstanding.

The bag's layout is just as amazing as it seems from the pictures. I'm also super impressed by how many notebooks I can fit into the book compartment (3
4 A5, 1 A 6 and an entire folder).
The leather quality is fantastic and the stiching looks like it will last forever.

I really recommend getting the leather care as well and using it on the bag before really using it - the leather feels even better now and the bag looks even more beautful.

The bag arrived today and it is gorgeous. I was surprised at how quickly it arrived from Turkey because of the wind storms in Europe and the US. I was expecting it to be delayed. The leather is beautiful. The color is rich. There are plenty of compartments for all my writing supplies—and the snacks were a pleasant surprise. I am looking forward to using this bag as my daily carryall.

I absolutely love this bag. It is of great quality, the craftsmanship is superb and I adore the green colour. I use it for my snailmailing while on a holiday. If we weren't in lockdown, I would have brought it along to a nice cafe.

It has many features and it holds all my important items. Unfortunately it does not have a handy and comfortable strap. The only downside. It's not a bag you take off fast and easily if you would need your wallet for example. Therefore, I carry it along purely for my writer's items. But other than that, it's the perfect bag for a writer/ paper lover.

If you happen to be Dutch, don't forget more costs (taxes) will be added on arrival. Making this bag more expensive than it is. But it's worth it.

Gorgeous piece of leather, functional and will last a long time. Rub a nice leather cream to make it a bit darker, prevent cracking and develop a nice patina. I love it.

The XL writer’s medic bag is absolutely beautiful and so uniquely functional. I love that not only can I transport things in it but can work from it as well. I love the handmade quality, and the quality of the leather itself — you can really tell Galen Leather puts their everything into the items they make. The bag is pretty large — can hold a 15” laptop or several sketchbooks/notebooks. All the compartments for pens and brushes are really functional and seem well thought out. I just absolutely love this bag and know I will have it for life.

This is so beautifully made and of amazing quality and detail. I don’t actually use it as a bag! Now that I mostly work from home at my dining table, it has become my centrepiece and everybody who has seen it marvels at its beauty!