The Floto Milano Duffle Bag is one of my favorite carry-on bags of all time. This duffel bag is made of full grain Italian leather and screams luxury. I love having an excuse to break out this bag when I travel, and it adds a sense of sophistication to every trip I take it on. After years of use on roadtrips and weekend flights, I review the Floto Milano Duffle Bag to share my favorite things about this carry-on bag and what you need to be aware of if you are interested in picking on up for yourself.
With a classic profile and a timeless look, Floto’s Milano Duffle Bag will elevate your travel wherever you are heading. You may not be heading to your villa in the Italian countryside, but this luxurious leather piece will certainly allow you to look the part. How many people do you see toting a full leather bag through the airport? Floto’s bags are understated, but they will absolutely stand out in a crowd.
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Who is Floto?
Started in 2003 by a former Wall Street suit, the USA-based Floto continues to craft classic leather bags and accessories to match anyone’s style. Floto pairs Italian leather with American duck canvas lining to craft their handmade bags in Florence, Italy. Each bag comes with a lifetime guarantee, and their focus on old-world craft methods has made me believe that this Milano Duffle Bag will last for years to come with proper care.
Floto takes great pride in making high-quality leather goods in Italy. Floto’s designs begin in a workshop is based in New York. Once the design is ready to move on from the drawing board, prototypes can be produced in their small Connecticut factory. From there, Floto melds canvas from South Carolina with leather sourced from Tuscany to create the iconic leather goods that are found in their portfolio.
| Pros | Cons |
| + Full-grain Italian leather will last for years | – Does not hold shape well |
| + Timeless styling | – Minimal internal organization |
| + Attractive price point for an all-leather bag | – Zipper fabric began ripping after 2.5 years of heavy use |
Duffle Bag versus Duffel Bag
Let’s get this out of the way. Ask five friends whether they refer to this style of bag as a “duffel” or a “duffle” and you are bound to start an argument.
While both spellings are accepted in modern language, it should be noted that the original spelling was based on the heavy, woolen material used to make these bags: duffel cloth from the Belgian town of Duffel. While initially characterized as rugged sacks used to haul around the gear of sailors and soldiers, the modern duffel bag now comes in any number of materials & sizes. Since Floto’s offering is neither built of duffel cloth nor constructed in Belgium, we have no qualms with them identifying the Milano as a duffle bag.
Duffel bags are an elegant solution when you need to carry a lot of stuff. Grab handles & shoulder straps give you multiple ways to shoulder the load. The large cargo compartment, coupled with minimal internal dividers, means that duffel bags can be stuffed however you like. When you want a no-fuss luggage option, few things are as useful as a classic duffel bag. Plus, the vintage vibes of a leather and/or canvas bag just ooze coolness.
Boarding Pass has an excellent write-up on their blog if you are interested in an in-depth look at the history of duffel bags.
Floto Milano Duffle Bag Specifications
- Dimensions: 20” x 11″ x 10″ (Length x Height x Width)
- Weight: Approximately 4 pounds
- Material: Full Grain Hand Stained Leather with 8 oz cotton duck canvas lining
- Hardware: Brass
- Made in Italy
- MSRP: $369 (often discounted to under $300 on Amazon or Floto’s website)
First Impressions of the Floto Milano Duffle Bag
After removing the shipping materials, we were surprised to find the full-grain leather Floto Milano Duffle Bag arrived in a very flat, compressed shape. This led to a rather odd purse-like silhouette upon removal from the packaging, but that concern was immediately dismissed once we pulled it out and began filling it up with contents.
The Italian calfskin leather is semi-glossy and very supple right out of the box. This duffel bag does not hold its shape when empty. I imagine some users will either love or hate that feature, but we appreciate the Milano’s lack of rigidity because it keeps the bag from feeling too bulky when not filled to capacity.
The brass-colored hardware throughout the bag is simple & sturdy, which adds to the Milano’s classic aesthetic. Floto’s website appears to show that other colorways of the Milano Duffle Bag include stainless steel hardware, but our olive brown Milano arrived with the nicely-finished brass pieces. The handles are shaped ergonomically and look like they can survive some abuse, but the included shoulder strap is a bit on the thin side. Do not expect much cushioning from the shoulder pad, either. The bottom of the bag is reinforced and includes five small metal feet to protect the vegetable-tanned leather when it is resting on the ground.
Diving inside the bag reveals a simple interior: the earth-toned striped duck canvas is a pleasant touch and the single zipper pocket is large enough for anything you need at a moment’s notice (passports, wallets, keys, etc). That’s about it. As this is a duffel bag, the internal organization kept to a minimum; the simple interior adds to the charm.
What does the Floto Milano Duffle Bag look like?
After traveling with this bag for 2+ years, I can confirm that Floto’s Tuscan leather has held up extremely well. So well, in fact, that the semi-glossy sheen on the leather is still very much visible. I had originally hoped that the leather would lose its shine with age, but the appearance of the leather has grown on me over the years. Most people who seek out brown leather bags hope to watch them develop a unique patina, and the everyday wear is starting to show through on this bag in all the best ways. Knocks and scratches in the leather (thanks to having to gate-check my bag dozens of times on small regional flights) are visible without being garish, and the leather continues to look stunning. I can tell this leather will last for many more years.
The interior has held up very well, and there have been no rips or tears in the duck canvas lining through multiple abusive trips. However, we did notice not long ago that the canvas is due for a deodorizing treatment; I fear I may have stored something damp in the bag while on a recent trip. If anyone has any preferred methods for removing the smell from canvas-lined bags, feel free to drop your tips in the comments section below.
What does the Floto Milano Duffle Bag feel like?
The Floto Milano Duffel Bag is not light by any means. Upon initial review, the vegetable-tanned leather is smooth & pliable. The leather is not obnoxiously thick, so the bag will not stand up by itself when empty. After a couple years of regular travel, I can confirm that the leather’s thickness (or lack there of) is not a cause for concern. This bag has been gate-checked on airplanes dozens of times (though I would avoid checking it if possible), and the leather has withstood the abuse.*
The build quality feels top notch. The stitching is well-done and I have never experienced loose threads or any manufacturing flaws. The brass zipper & hardware add a touch of class to the bag. The brass hardware feels much nicer than many of the metal add-ons I have seen on cheaper bags, and the practical placement let you know that they are just as functional as they are good-looking.
When carrying the bag around, the carry-on size is manageable and easy to transport. The leather is not rough or abrasive, so I have no qualms with the bag rubbing against my clothing while running through the airport. The handles & straps all feel very solid, and the bag as a whole feels well-constructed. When it comes to premium luggage, the Floto Milano is my most coveted travel bag.
*Update (January 2021): after 2.5 years of heavy use and countless trips, I am sad to report that the exterior zipper has begun to wear through. What does that mean? The brass hardware itself is fine, but the fabric that connects the zipper teeth to the leather has developed a couple tears.
I think there are two main culprits. First and foremost, I often checked this bag when flying commercial. Though the exterior leather has stood the test of time, the weaker fabric probably should not have been subjected to such abuse. Secondly, zipping/unzipping this duffel bag when it was packed to the gills required finesse. I fear this repeated stress shortened the life of this fabric (due in part to my own carelessness). This is a luxury bag after all, and it deserves to be treated with a bit more respect than a random bag.
Unfortunately, Floto confirmed that this damage was not repairable. To prevent this from happening to your bag, I recommend trying to avoid checking the bag & being careful to not abuse the Milano’s zipper.
How does the Floto Milano Duffle Bag fit?
Not much to say here other than the Milano is a simple duffel bag that fits as it should. All of the brass hardware looks good as new, and the handles continue to put up to daily wear & tear. The exterior zipper is a pleasure to use and looks to be built for the long haul*.
I prefer using the two handles to tote this bag around the airport or the city instead of the leather strap. That said, I almost never leave the detachable strap at home because I always find myself needing to throw the bag on my shoulder at some point in every trip without fail. It should be noted that the shoulder strap attachment loops & hardware on each end of the bag are offset so that the strap naturally crosses over the main zipper compartment. This can make some positions more comfortable (or awkward) than others. While I still wish that the leather shoulder pad on the strap was wider & thicker, it has not been annoying enough to drive me to purchase a replacement.
Packing the Floto Milano Duffle Bag
This carry-on size duffel bag slots in perfectly as a weekender bag for short trips. I generally fit the following items in my Milano:
- 2-3 changes of clothes
- 1 book
- Toiletry kit
- Bose QC35 headphones
- Travel-size steamer
I can also change out the steamer in favor of my Sony A6000 camera case or a pair of extra shoes when the trip calls for it. Equipped with one of these packing lists, tackling a new city for a weekend is a breeze. The duffel bag has just enough room for the essentials and not much else, which is exactly the way I prefer to travel.
The Floto Milano Duffle Bag has become my go-to casual bag for traveling to a new city or beach destination. I can take this bag just about anywhere and the carry-on dimensions score very well when it comes to portability.
Verdict
This bag has accompanied me around the world, and I have concluded that Floto’s Milano Duffle Bag is an absolute treat to travel with!
This Italian-made leather bag exudes personality without screaming for attention. The canvas-lined leather continues to withstand everything I throw at it, and the simple yet pleasing design fits into nearly every setting. Floto’s offering just has a cool factor that cannot be quantified. This bag makes you look and feel good while on the move.The Milano Duffle Bag makes for a great travel companion that will last you many years.
Interested in learning more? Check out the latest price on Amazon here: Floto Luggage Milano Duffle Bag (Vecchio Brown)
Recommended for: the weekend-trip warriors who are looking to stand out in a sea of boring carry-on bags.
