Timeless Canvas and Tool Bags

Perfect for hauling just about anything, sturdy canvas bags are one of the workhorses we rely on especially in the fall and winter to haul blankets, ice skates and yard sale finds. And they look better and better as they fade and you break them in. One of our friends even carries a canvas tool bag with pockets as a diaper bag! His ingenuity got us interested in these again- we've found several others that we like including colorful sturdy canvas bags made from sailmaker Wm. J. Mills & Co., tool bags from Klein Tool and a utilitarian stamped canvas tote from Steele's Canvas Basket (made locally in Boston). More after the jump.

Wm. J. Mills & Co Flight Bag

Estex Mfg. tool bags come in lots of styles, with both inside and outside pockets.

Steele Canvas Tote $45 at Kiosk

We blogged here about the many uses for industrial baskets from local Boston manufacturer, Steele Canvas (we had no idea they made bags too!). Canvas tool bags could also make interesting laptop bags too (you'd have to supply your own padding), and we love that all of these companies manufacture in the USA. Estex Mfg, (originally a saddle company) is based in Georgia, and Wm. J. Mills Co. Sailmakers are in Greenport, NY. All three companies are around 100 years old. Mills bags come in all sorts of bright colors and shapes (we love their flight and ice bags) and have a wonderful silk label. Estex Mfg. also makes baggage cart side curtains and company mail bags for Delta Airlines.

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Klein Tool bags- something Joe the Plumber would carry? Sold here

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LL Bean's canvas totes have been around forever. On their web site you now get to customize the colors of the canvas bags, bottom, pocket and straps (which can all be different if you want). This is pretty fun, we spent a while playing around. The colors are a bit more muted than Mills & Co., but then again its a nice pre-faded look (and cheaper).

>>> Wm. J Mills & Co. canvas gear, tote, ice, duffle and flight bags $45 - $90
>>> Estex Mfg. website

>>> Klein Tools website

>>> Steele Canvas Baskets website

>>> LL Bean tote custom tote bags from $27

Comments (5)

slow design day?

posted by *heather leaf* on October 24th 2008 at 2:56pm
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I do love these.

Emily

posted by Emily Sneds on October 25th 2008 at 5:18am
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Narrow view, equating design only with home decor.

Simple, well-made, functional, timeless....hope we can say that about more than a room! Please AT contributors, keep broadening our horizons!

posted by dodo on October 25th 2008 at 8:02am
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These bags are a little more fancy and expensive, but I couldn't help myself to share them.

http://ssteindesign.com/

posted by nikko on October 26th 2008 at 3:57am
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i love my mills canvas tote! I use it for everything

posted by rmw on October 27th 2008 at 4:54am
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