Croots Washbag

From the same material and in the same processing as the laptop bag Croots has made the matching toilet bag, which with its compact size of 23 × 14 × 9 cm is ideal for weekend or business trips and easily still fits into hand luggage. The sturdy 24-oz cotton canvas is waxed, so it's quite durable and water-resistant to a degree. And what the zipper tape suggests (and hopes) when the bag is closed, actually finds its fulfillment inside, as the lining glows at you in the most beautiful, warm siganal red. Croots makes it especially for us from cotton (instead of plastic). The main compartment is not further divided, but on the sides two pockets across the width provide some order. The strap is worked as a loop of 3 mm thick saddle leather.

The British label Croots is one of the leather goods manufacturers that has quickly acquired the reputation of a traditional company. So it doesn't always take centuries of experience, but first and foremost you have to understand your craft and then use the right materials. John and Margaret Smith made this claim when they produced the first bags and cases for hunting and fishing under the label "Field Sports Products" in 1978: in the traditional way and from solid materials such as strong saddle leather and robust cotton canvas. Travel bags and small leather goods were added later. When daughter Jackie and son-in-law Allistair Croot took over the business in 2004, they did not change anything except the name. Since then, "Croots" has become a byword for British craftsmanship and solid bags worldwide; even the royal family owns a few Croots bags. The bags are designed and manufactured at the company's site in Malton, North Yorkshire. And the materials also come from the island: the bags are woven in Keighley, West Yorkshire, the waxed cotton canvas is sourced from the traditional Scottish manufacturer Halley Stevensons, and the fittings come from foundries in Walsall, West Midlands, or Sheffield. Only the zippers are sourced from Riri in Switzerland. Finally, with a few exceptions, the leather is vegetable-tanned and processed in the best saddlery style. In most cases, this is so-called English bridle leather, which is mainly used for saddles, bridles and belts, as it hardly gives thanks to a special tanning process.