The questions we get most often, answered honestly by the workshop.
Does it really fit a 15-inch laptop?
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Yes. 34 × 33 × 11 cm comfortably fits a 15-inch MacBook Pro / Air with the charger, a notebook and a few daily extras. We've tested it with most laptops up to that size. For 16-inch machines, see our dedicated Leather Laptop Bag.
Which leather should I choose?
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If it's your first Rowdy, the Amber, Cedar or Boulder leathers are the easiest to live with and patina beautifully. For statement: Mountain, Charcoal or Magma. For something quieter: Stone or Maple. Jade and Amethyst are seasonal favourites and tend to sell out. Every leather is full-aniline, so they all age with character.
What's the difference between the lining options?
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Unlined is the lightest and softest — the leather drapes naturally. Black Lining gives a clean, finished look inside (most common choice). Rowdy Lining uses our signature printed cotton — a fun touch if you'll open the bag in front of people. Functionally identical.
Is the leather treated or coated?
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No. Full-aniline finish means there's no surface coating. You see the natural grain, marks and character of the hide. It will absorb water if you get caught in the rain — wipe it down, condition with leather food, it'll be fine. Avoid prolonged soaking.
How heavy is it?
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About 750-850g depending on lining choice. Heavier than a canvas tote, lighter than most leather laptop bags. It's structured enough to hold shape without being a strain to carry all day.
Can I personalise it?
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Yes — we offer debossing of names or initials on our corporate gifts programme. For DTC orders over R5,000 we can do the same. Email info@rowdy.co.za with your request.
How does the Repair-for-Life Promise work in practice?
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If a seam goes, a zip breaks, or hardware fails through normal use, bring or post the bag back to us. We assess, repair, and return — usually within 2-3 weeks. Wear and tear (scratches, softening, colour deepening) is the leather doing what it's supposed to do, not a defect.
Where does it ship from and how long does delivery take?
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From our Cape Town workshop. Local South African orders ship in 2-5 working days (free over R1,500). International is a flat R800, 5-10 working days, covering most of our biggest markets — UK, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, US.
How does it compare to the regular Tote?
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The Tote Crossbody includes a removable sling strap so you can wear it as a crossbody, over the shoulder, or by hand. The regular Tote uses hand-carry straps only. Same leather, same dimensions, the Crossbody is more versatile.
Can I return or exchange it if I change my mind?
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Yes. 10-day cooling-off return, free of charge in South Africa via our returns portal. Custom or debossed bags can't be returned, but a standard Tote Crossbody can.
