are Yoshida Porter bags worth their high price?

[jeromestyle]

they are just nylon bags but cost a fortune.
I mean the Yoshida Tokyo, made in Japan.
Why are they so expensive and what kind of people buy them in its home country, Japan, and outside Japan?
Are they very popular in Japan or only for the rich and famous?

 

[JamesX]

Worthy is subjective To me they are not. I hate Nylon.

 

[Kei-bon]

they are very popular in Japan. I wouldn't say they cost "a fortune"; they're a bit pricey, but there are certainly far more expensive bags out there, and Yoshida have a lot of lines at various price points.

I love mine. all the materials used (including zippers and strap hardware) seem to be of a high quality, and the interior pockets and compartments are well thought-out.

also, not all "nylon" is equal.

 

[ocsine]

Short answer: yes. I bought the porter monocle short hauler bag 2 years ago and it is still going strong. It garners comments wherever I use it.

Rob

 

[hangthree]



Short answer: yes. I bought the porter monocle short hauler bag 2 years ago and it is still going strong. It garners comments wherever I use it.

Rob

+1

I, too, have this bag. It is great and I often use it as an overnighter for business trips (eg. its my briefcase and suitcase).

 

[KitAkira]

The Yoshida x Kitsune bag is really nice, 600GBP is more than a little steep though

 

[bbaquiran]

I have several Porter bags including a couple of the nylon Tanker bags you're probably referring to. They are very well made as far as nylon bags go. I've been using one daily carrying a heavy Lenovo laptop and accessories (adapter, cables, etc.) and it is holding up beautifully.

 

[rach2jlc]

Could you be more specific? What you do mean by "high price?"

In Japan, they're very reasonably priced, for their level of quality. Nylon bags are in the 17,000-25,000 range, ($200-300 at current exchanges) with full leather bags 40-50k yen. The most expensive Porter I've seen was about 60,000 yen, or around $700, and those are ones that would easily be $2500-3000 from a Euro brand (Prada, Gucci, etc.)

I find them (in Japan) to be about the best bang-for-buck you can get; you pay $200-300 for crappy Kenneth Cole garbage...

They are nearly ubiquitous in Japan; currently the "go to" brand for younger japanese guys, in college, for work, etc. Any train ride will find you seeing half a dozen or more Porter bags from their various lines (and they've got DOZENS of lines from nylon backpacks to full leather briefcases.)

As such, the "fortune" you mention may just be various stores trying to capitalize on limited distribution... the same way that those margiela Aids tshirts are really $45 or so yet Barney's and some other places charge $110 for them just because they suck.

 

[jeromestyle]

Many thanks.
if you compare the Monocle edition to the other ones in the Tokyo shop, what is the difference. the higher price?

 

[apropos]

Not so if my Googling skills are failing, but seriously guys - a white nylon duffel bag?

Never understood why people pay as much for nylon as a good leather bag. Even 'better' nylon is dirt cheap to procure when compared to leather, and nylon guarantees you a machine-made bag. And it's not as if you need specialised tools or high level sewing skills to work with nylon.

Sure it has some technical and practical benefits over leather, but the from the moment you purchase it it starts going downhill in terms of looks, and the crinkles - ugh.

 

[rach2jlc]



Many thanks.
if you compare the Monocle edition to the other ones in the Tokyo shop, what is the difference. the higher price?

haven't compared the two side-by-side, but from looking at a few pics, it appears just to be the same porter materials, but different designs. SO, I'd say... yeah... probably the higher price due to what they perceive as "exclusivity," but substantively it looks similar to the basic nylon/canvas bags that run 17,000-19.000 yen ($175-200 USD)

Those with more specific knowledge can correct if I'm way off. BUT, yeah, I'd say you are paying more because they want you to pay more.

 

[jeromestyle]

ic, so where is the best place (i mean, price) to buy Yoshida Tokyo at the best price?
do they have sales? Can I buy online or should I ask a Japanese to buy for me?
What about warranty, do they offer one and for how long?

thank u

 

[rach2jlc]

Dunno. I don't see sales much, though, as it is quite popular.
Use a proxy service, I guess. There are many around. I'm not really familiar with how to get Porter outside Japan, as I"m here all the time.

Note: I'm NOT a proxy, so please people reading this thread don't email me asking me to get you something. Ain't gonna happen. Tried to be nice a few years back and it was a nightmare.

p.s. please tell me you're not former member "stylemeup" with a new name???

 

[jeromestyle]

stylemeup? never heard that

 

[rach2jlc]

Whew, thank goodness.

Anyway, we've had lots of porter discussions around here, including many/most in Street Wear and Denim, where the brand is oft-discussed. It might be useful to look there as well.

Good luck in your search; Porter is a decent brand, especially at the japanese pricepoint. I'd never consider it a good deal at twice retail, which is what it appears to be elsewhere. It's NOT a luxury brand, and is very utilitarian. I think some non-Japanese stores are latching onto the super-premium "workwear" vibe to try and get people to part with dear $$$. BUT, at the end of the day, it's a very good $250 bag. It's not a good $500, $600, or $800 bag.