The Cambridge Satchel Company Neon Coral Barrel Backpack Review

The Cambridge Satchel Company Barrel Backpack in Neon Orange

As you know, I really love the colour coral, it’s literally one of my favourites. I also have a thing for backpacks that look really classic and smart, so when I saw this Cambridge Satchel Barrel Backpack in Neon Coral, my jaw dropped open. I did think about it for a couple of weeks and wonder if I actually needed a neon coral bag as it’s quite striking and bold, whereas I usually go for more muted colours when it comes to my bags, but I couldn’t resist the shape, the design, and the colour in the end so I purchased it!

This backpack to me is the perfect mix of cool, young and interesting mixed with classic details. The Barrel reminds me of the normal Satchel, but with a lot more features which makes it fun. Its rounded edges and reinforced top handle are really smooth and contoured to the hand, so when you carry it with the handle, it feels just right. I can’t even explain how smooth the leather feels, it’s lovely to just stroke. I know that sounds weird, but it has a really nice sensation, it’s really that smooth.

It also features adjustable leather straps which use buckles to lengthen or shorten them, but my only little negative about that is sometimes you can feel them against your back, so it’s not completely comfortable, but it depends how tight you wear it. The buckles on the front use magnetic closures so those are really easy to open and close, much more so than the older classic satchel with the buckle fastening openings. It also features the branded hardware and is unlined inside, so it’s quite a rustic bag with just the back of the leather showing.

One of the best things that I like about The Cambridge Satchel Co. is that their bags are made in England. I remember when I did an interview with Julie back when they first came out in 2012 and I fell in love with the brand then, but this is the first time I have bought a backpack from them. I wont lie, the neon coral is literally like an orange highlighter pen, it’s extremely fluorescent and neon, so it stands out a lot, much like the photos here as I tried to capture its brightness. Originally I thought it was too bright and was contemplating keeping it or not, but I am glad I did. I love it! I think it goes with white perfectly so I’m definitely wearing it with a lot of white pieces, especially my jeans.

I’ve shown quite a few different ways to wear this bag, including worn on my back fully, slung over my shoulder, and carried by the top handle so it does have three ways to wear it. It’s always good when backpacks are versatile like that. I love that it’s flat too, I knot it limits what you can fit in it, but it’s much better when you sit in a chair and can keep your backpack on. Just for reference though, the LB you see on the label is just my watermark, it’s not actually embossed on the bag. What do you think of my Cambridge Satchel Barrel Backpack in Neon Coral?

Buy this Cambridge Satchel Barrel Backpack online for £160

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32 Comments

  1. Yannis
    June 9, 2017 / 2:14 pm

    Amazingly stylish and beautiful!!

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 11, 2017 / 4:44 pm

      Glad you like it!

  2. June 9, 2017 / 9:02 pm

    I love that backpack!! It’s so cute! I’ve been lusting after a cambridge satchel co. bag for a while now!

    Lee – leethrifts.com

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 11, 2017 / 4:45 pm

      Hi Lee! You should definitely get one! They’re gorgeous!

  3. June 10, 2017 / 9:49 am

    I wanted one of these bags. All their color range and style are so nice, I didn’t know which one to choose the last time I was in London. This color is so bright, it makes you happy! Lovely bag!

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 11, 2017 / 4:47 pm

      They really are pretty! Maybe something classic for your first one!

  4. sabrina
    June 10, 2017 / 12:10 pm

    Very nice bag

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 11, 2017 / 4:49 pm

      Thank you!

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 11, 2017 / 4:49 pm

      Thank you!

  5. June 10, 2017 / 12:49 pm

    I adore this backpack Lorna and I’m not even a fan of the color. It look great on you. The shape is different and so cool. I love the ways you’re wearing it too, thats the best thing about backpacks. Enjoy!

    http://www.fashionablyidu.com/

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 11, 2017 / 4:50 pm

      Thank you so much!

  6. Michael
    June 10, 2017 / 9:03 pm

    Thanks, Lorna, for the white jeans…
    I know you’re not too fond of them but I find they’re sexy as hell, especially when it’s you that’s wearing them!!

    Sorry to hear about your added troubles with your tummy (you’re not alone on that one) 😉

    XXXX

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 11, 2017 / 4:50 pm

      I do like white jeans, as long as I find the right ones that I like that are not see through 🙂

  7. Travis Bird
    June 11, 2017 / 2:44 am

    That’s certainly an eye-pleasing colour. The contrast with the pale clothing is very effective.

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 11, 2017 / 4:51 pm

      Thank you!

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 13, 2017 / 7:20 pm

      Thank you 🙂

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 14, 2017 / 2:27 pm

      Thank you!

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 14, 2017 / 5:50 pm

      Thank you 🙂

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 14, 2017 / 5:51 pm

      Thank you!

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 14, 2017 / 5:51 pm

      Thank you!!

  8. Grace
    June 14, 2017 / 7:07 pm

    The colour of this bag is so cute! I love orange and the vibrant shade like this is so cool xx

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 14, 2017 / 7:14 pm

      Thanks so much!

  9. June 15, 2017 / 7:35 pm

    Wow!!! That is very, very bright! 🙂 I mean this in a completely positive way, it’s a gorgeous colour. It looks great with the white jeans. Such a lovely summer look. 🙂

    I like the innovative idea of magnetic buckles. I’d never have guessed them to be as such if you’d not mentioned it. Very convenient and also, I’m sure, adds to the lifetime of the satchel. One thing I do remember very clearly from my primary school days was that the buckle straps on my satchel used to get worn out and stretched and ugly from all of the handling, threading and unthreading. Magnetic would have been much better. 😀

    • Lorna
      Author
      June 15, 2017 / 8:53 pm

      Yeah, magnetic would have been so much better when you were younger, and easier too of course as it takes so long when you thread the buckle straps all the time! So I really like the magnetic poppers 🙂

  10. July 15, 2017 / 1:56 pm

    I really like this satchel on you Lorna, especially the bright coral shade, which makes it very striking. It’s definitely a bag which is reminiscent of school days, but is a much more stylish and grown-up version of a typical school satchel. It really stands out against the white outfit, which makes the colour pop. It looks great and I hope you enjoy using it.

    Love Saba xx

    http://www.trulymadlydeeplyfashion.blogspot.com

    • Lorna
      Author
      July 16, 2017 / 4:06 pm

      Thank you so much, Saba! So happy you love it!

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