Optimum Material For Lining (Expensive Electronic Devices)

[hazymat]

I'm planning my first leather project: a 'hybrid' bag, cross between a moulded leather slip case and a messenger bag... for an iPad 3 and accessories.

My question is about the material for lining. I was thinking some kind of microfibre or neoprene as this will provide a level of waterproof protection and won't scratch the screen.

What about some kind of leather lining? Is it advisable to use a fine leather for lining instead of microfibre, such as pig skin?

Thanks,

Mat

[Glendon]

Pigskin depending on the finish, can be a little hard and rough. That's what a lot of wallet interiors are made out of. You would want to look at what finish the pigskin is before buying. I would look at kidskin, lambskin, perhaps a nice soft suede. Now that I think about it, what I might do is a 3 layer bag with a waterproof fabric between the outer leather and a suede inner lining.

Edited April 16, 2012 by Glendon

[hazymat]

Pigskin depending on the finish, can be a little hard and rough. That's what a lot of wallet interiors are made out of. You would want to look at what finish the pigskin is before buying. I would look at kidskin, lambskin, perhaps a nice soft suede. Now that I think about it, what I might do is a 3 layer bag with a waterproof fabric between the outer leather and a suede inner lining.

I love the idea of a 3 layer bag with waterproof inter-lining. I'm trying to keep the bag as lightweight as possible, but also with a modicum of impact resistance. For example, I may want to sling it onto the ground (I don't mean *throw* it onto concrete, more 'gently let it drop on carpet'...)

Given the above, do you reckon a 2mm outer leather (not too stiff) with some form of waterproof (neoprene?) inter-lining then a finer e.g. pigskin inner lining would be over-the-top?

The other alternative is to sack the idea of fully waterproofing it, and go with some kind of thin industrial felt lining...

[Glendon]

No I don't think 2 mm would be too thick at all. Most leather bags are 2 - 2.4mm. A 5oz (2mm) leather plus a waterproofing layer and an inner lining would work well. It should be a nice bit of padding, but shouldn't look too thick to the eye.

[Cyberthrasher]

Curious - why the need to "fully" waterproof it? Is it going to be submerged or are you just looking to keep it from getting wet as it's carried in the rain or something?