I know when I posted the Belstaff 554 Large Colonial Shoulder Bag I said that was the last bag I would ever buy. Well, I lied.
The Belstaff 554 is a fantastic bag and I have no regrets. But I found myself often faced with the comment, “Wow. Nice bag… it’s big.” And people were right. It IS big. Big enough to carry my 15″ Macbook Pro. I was hoping the bag would be able to be an everyday carry as well as my work bag. But using it as an everyday carry was just a bit bigger than I’d like. Put it this way, fully loaded, it wouldn’t fit under some of the smaller seats on a plane. And fully loaded… it was HEAVY.
So I started looking and thinking about another bag. It was hard. I had been spoiled by the Belstaff bag. So when I came upon an ad for a Belstaff 556 Colonial Shoulder Bag (regular size)… I jumped on it. Mountain brown just like my larger bag.
I have had it for about a month now and through a trip to Orlando and a trip to New Zealand. It is GREAT! This is the perfect size for everyday carry and travel. Big enough to throw a good amount of stuff in, books magazines, a netbook etc. Not too heavy to carry around all day. Same great construction as the 554.
It also has one really nice feature. It fits a Tenba Messenger Photo Insert perfectly. I saw this insert on Flickr and it is actually better than all the Domke ones that I swore by. It is PERFECT for a messenger shaped bag… none of the Domke’s really are. With it, I can actually fit a Canon 1DmkIII and 3 lenses. Or even the 70-200L f/2.8 IS and another lens mounted. In a bind, I can load the 1DmkIII holster style (lens pointed down). The top closes… barely and is not that comfortable to carry but it fits… in a bind.
So if I had a choice, I’d go with the 556 over the 554. It’s just more universally usable. But I like having two and don’t feel it is duplicating. In a time where Belstaff seems to be stopping the manufacturing of these bags (STUPID STUPID STUPID)… I am glad I have another in case something were to happen to the other. Both mine also don’t have the magnets and the seams match the color of the bag. The newer ones have magnets under the latches and a different color seam. Now why would they do that!
The dimensions measured at the seams* are: 10.25 in tall x 12 in wide x 3 in deep at the top and 4 in deep at the bottom.
Front pockets are 6.5 in tall x 4.5 in wide x 1 in deep.
Side pockets are 5 in tall by 4 in wide… tight rounded depth.
Inside zippered pocket is 7 in long.
* inside might be a bit smaller.
Of course, pictures are worth a thousand words: More Pictures of Belstaff Colonial 556.
@Hely
Yes I’m curious as well (about http://belstaffjacketsoutlet.mavod.com)… what makes me nervous is the fact that, at the checkout phase, it prompts you to create an account with B_J_MOVAD. Don’t know what that’s for, but kind of shady…
Here’s the site:
http://belstaffjacketsoutlet.mavod.com/belstaff-colonial-shoulder-bag-556-belstaff-shoulder-bags-p-8.html
Please let me know if this sire is ligit.
Thanks.
Ken
I don’t think Belstaff is even producing the 554 and 556 anymore. Belstaff was sold in 2011; the new owners are seriously upgrading the prices. The bags on their website are $2,000 plus…
I just found out that since Belstaff was purchased by other company model 556 is no longer avaliable… shame…
Hello. Does anyone know where to get one 556 these days? Or if they even sell/produce these anymore…
@aaronlam
I actually took a deep breath–several actually–and waxed the Ghurka with OtterWax to waterproof it and stain-proof it. The result was a shade darker with that crackly distressed look similar to the Belstaff. The canvas looses the soft pliability of the untouched but would be a total dirt magnet. Unfortunately this negates any manufacturer’s warranty, but it was way more practical.
OtterWax also has a castile soap-based waxed canvas cleaner. The product is cheaper from the manufacturer on amazon. http://www.otterwax.com/products-page/fabric-care-products/canvas-cleaner-reg-size/
@Espen
They seem to be getting scarce. When I first was looking for mine, it was impossible to find. Then they got a little fashionable and there were more… now… they seem out and I believe Belstaff sold to another company. So who knows what the future will hold.
Carefully keep an eye on eBay. Good luck!
@Inaliel
Oh nice! Any picts of the results? My Belstaff has been pretty stain and dirt resistant… even slugging through some nasty airports and pubs. I think the top flap is fading from sun though. Just looks more used 🙂
@Dave
Can still get Belstaff 556 bags in the UK! Think outside the box fellas!
@Conor
Could you write us something more ?
Please let us know where. I can’t find it anywhere.
Hi there — I have the Belstaff 554 and 556 in mountain brown and now desperately looking for the 556 in Black. Any ideas where I can find one?? Willing to trade/sell my 554 in mountain brown (brand new) for the black 556.
@Irene
Did you try Fred Segal Trend in Santa Monica, CA. I think they had some 556’s last I was there.
@aaronlam
Thanks for the info! I called them and no 556 in black left.
The search continues…..
@Irene
Irene, I would be willing to trade my black 556 for your mountain brown 556.
@Irene
Are you willing to trade/sell your 556?
@Jeffrey
Yes — what condition is your black 556?
My mountain brown 554 is brand new – never used.
With receipt.
email: hazelnutlatte88 via gmail
@Alexk
Yes. As I already have a mountain brown 554 and the 556 is too big. Brand new.
Hi All. I am very happy that this site can help facilitate getting people the hard to find Belstaff bag they want. But as a disclaimer, I don’t know or endorse any of the commenters personally and please use discretion when making an online deal.
@Irene
Irene,
i am also interested in either the 554 or the 556 should you be interested in selling.
Thanks,
Hi! Is it possible to get picturs with the 556 and the 554 on, like on your soldier ? So it’s easy to compaire and se how it looks on. Since i’m small it can look kinda funny with a too big bag on me. Thankx for the great info!
@carolin
Does this help you?
http://www.aaronlam.com/blog/2009/07/18/belstaff-556-colonial-shoulder-bag/comment-page-2/#comment-2824
Aaaron, one thing I have not seen is a good shot of what sort of items can fit in the exterior (front and side) and interior (zipper) pockets. This is a major factor as I like my EDC to be highly organized! I was able to find a Belstaff outlet with 554/556 bags in stock, unfortunately only in Panama and Khaki…looks like a lost cause for those of us that want mountain brown 🙁
J
@Justin
One of these fits perfect: Maxpedition Mini Organizer. It’s 4″ x 6″ x 0.75″.
You can see above how I have mine organized.
The side pockets are really only good for holding things you don’t need to access on a regular basis. They are tapered and small… I have little pouches that hold on one side a toothbrush/toothpaste and other side hand sanitizer. But if you strap the leather into the buckle, they aren’t easy to remove.
The full size Maxpedition (and the like) pocket organizer fits in the 554 front pockets.
Hi
Does someone know where i can get a 556 or 554 in europe?
It is nice to see, Aaronlam, that you have kept up with the updates on this page about the bags that Belstaff used to sell for all these years. I remember going on this site for information on Belstaff bags back when Beltaff.com used to sell them. I was too young to be able to buy these bags, and unfortunately, now that I am old enough and in college, I can’t. The genuine product from Belstaff eludes me and can now only be found as random auctions on ebay 🙁 The bag I was interested in was the large man bag mountain brown ( I think that is what it is called, I could never find the series name, like 551 or 554). Every website listed on your page that could possibly sell these items either does not exist anymore or is out of stock with no possibility of restocking( I have contacted them all!). I have decided to forgo the Belstaff bag and go with a similar looking bag. I would never buy a knock off, I just don’t agree with the ethics. I have also decided to craft my own bag from what I learn from this bag that I buy. I feel Belstaff made a mistake to not continue this line, so I will make a similar product, with a similar style and maybe start a small company and fill in the niche?
Thank you Aaronlam, it has been a pleasure to follow you on this page.
p.s A little about me: I am from London, Ontario, and I have just completed my first year of engineering 🙂
Sincerely,
Alejandro
Just wanted to share some cleaning info on the bag, as I know there has been interests on other web forums on cleaning the Belstaff 556 or 554 bags. I put my 556 into the washing machine, using handwash / delicate cycle and bit of woolite for dark colours. Turned the bag inside out as well. Bag came out great! Hung dry the bag for a few days — and not its looking fresh and smelling great again!
* correction :: and NOW it’s looking fresh and smelling great again!
Hi Aaron.
I’ve been trying to get my hands on a 556 mountain brown for about a year and finally got one, its a great bag for everyday use. I had the 554 years ago and i can confirm like most people have that it’s great but slightly big for everyday use.
So Aaron i was just wondering what you do to keep your bags clean and protected?
Do you put anything on the fabric or leather? Also if you wash them how have you went about doing it?
Look forward to hearing back and thanks for all the posts and information you have on this site..Belstaff owe you.
@Scott
Hi. I’ve actually never washed it before. Nor coated it. I have dripped stuff on it which I spot cleaned with just some water.
I have heard of people washing it in the machine with cold water and hang drying. It’s a bit too many buckles and leather for me to do that though.
I’ve owned my bag for 6 years now… If I wanted to wash it, I’d say just hand wash it and hang to dry. Maybe a tiny bit of detergent.
Good luck and congrats on the purchase!
@Scott
Where did you get your 556? I have a 554 Mountain Brown and I can’t find a 556 for the life of me. Any help would be great.
@Mat
I got it from Gotlands. They told me it was the last one they would ever get. I have checked their site since then and i haven’t seen the bag on it again. It is definitely one of the hardest bags to fine now, ebay seems like a last option. Just beware of all the fakes, I have seen fakes on ebay sell for about £200. I think some of the sellers genuinely don’t even know it is a fake they are selling.
Good luck mate.
hi i have been looking for a 556 for quite some time now.
but colors are not mountain brown. hard to find one.
i am also looking for a 554 in mountain brown. if anyone wants to sell let me know
thanks
carlo
Hello Aaron.
First congrats on your blog, it is just amazing the effort you´ve made in giving all this useful info!!! I am writing from Caracas, Venezuela. Very interested in getting a Belstaff Colonial 554. I know Belstaff is not manufacturing this product any more. Do you know where can I get it online securely? I mean without a risk of getting a fake. It is the only way for me to buy one, cause in my country there is no offers available.
Thanx!… any information will be highly appreciated.
I want it email tlwgmj05@gmail.com
@Kyle I would absolutely like to purchase it. How would you like to proceed with contact?
@Aaron – are you still using your Belstaff bags or did you upgrade/sell to use the Domke J2 now? I just noticed that was listed on your gear page. Excellent bag btw!
http://www.aaronlam.com/blog/my-gear/
@Brian
I still use my Belstaff bag! More for travel discrete shooting. I use my Domke J2 on jobs where I have to bring more lenses. Great bag as well… I’ve owned a bunch of Domke’s (F2, F3x, J3) and liked the J2 best.
Hey, Aaron, I just saw these on Filson and thought they would be a great substitute for photographers looking for a 556.
http://www.filson.com/collections/filson-magnum/-cc15/?follow=no
I began following this thread and web page several years ago, the Belstaff 554 and 556 had already stopped production. I began my quest for the bags after reading through the information and looking at the pictures. It took about 6 months before I purchased the 554 in Mountain Brown from BMG. I found a 556 used about 6 months later, I use it everyday. Domkes are okay as a substitute but they are not Belstaffs. Stay with your quest to find them you will not be disappointed.
Hey guys, I feel that I have found the bag of my dreams (Belstaff 556) a few years too late.
Like many of you I want a bag that is smaller but still functional and can take a bit of a beating and still look good with most day to day wear.
I was in London a few months ago, went into the Belstaff store only to be shown 2 bags that looked nothing like the 556 then shortly after, greeted with the heart stopping news that they do not manufacture them any more.
I’ve looked up and down the internet for something that is similar but nothing is like a Belstaff.
I am in the market (ever lasting search) If anyone knows of where you can still find legitimate Belstaff 556 please let me know… Its pretty much the only bag I think I will ever need/want.
I would even consider one used in good condition.
Thanks chaps
Pat
Hi Pat,
Understand the frustration. It is an amazing bag. Right now your best bet is to buy the bag off of Ebay. There are ways to tell if its legitimate and I know for fact a lot of them are. I bought mine off ebay and its great. But be prepared to spend $100 more then its actual retail price. Sometimes you can luck out on a bid though.
Good luck!
Alex
Hey Alex, thanks for your reply,
Is it listed here someone or can you mention here what are things we should look out for to tell the difference between a fake and a real Belstaff 556?
Many thanks
Pat
@Alex
The biggest telltale for fake bags is the quality and thickness of leather. The grain should not look uniform and the the straps should never be able to lay flat under their own weight. The leather was meant to be unique and hefty. Other differences are much harder to identify.
Thanks for the info Jeff,
Would you recommend eBay UK or US to find more of the bags? The UK website doesn’t seem to have too many options.
Thanks again Jeff
@Jeff
If you really want to find a bag it’s best to check both. If you really want to find one you can also check eBay.de, .it, and .fr. Most sellers are willing to ship to the US if you ask. The European market is not quite as hot as it is in the US but international shipping tends level the playing field. I haven’t run across another country that offers a similar product to USPS priority international flat rate boxes so shipping prices can be all over the board.
Thanks for all the info Jeff, really appreciate it.. though I thing the quest these days is a bit lost.
I saw one 554 selling on ebay.de and it looks legit around 180 pounds I think.. but im deadeset on a 556 mountain brown. Such a lovely bag..
If anyone is interested on the 554 let me know Ill post it back here.. in exchange please let me know if anyone sees a 556… such a shame this great bag is no longer being made..I hope Belstaff know how much this bag is loved.
Thankgs guys and happy bagging!!
Pat
@Jeff
Thanks for all the info Jeff, really appreciate it.. though I thing the quest these days is a bit lost of at least a tall ask to find online.
I saw one 554 selling on ebay.de and it looks legit around 180 pounds I think.. but im deadeset on a 556 mountain brown. Such a lovely bag..
If anyone is interested on the 554 let me know Ill post it back here.. in exchange please let me know if anyone sees a 556… such a shame this great bag is no longer being made..I hope Belstaff know how much this bag is loved.
Thankgs guys and happy bagging!!
Pat
@Jeff
Hi. I just returned from London and swung by the Belstaff store on Bond St. Totally new management and no more colonial bags in the foreseeable future.
As far as fakes… check the label on the inside flap as well. The bags I have on the site are from what I believe the original YEARS of production. In the last couple years of production before they went out… they experimented with some features which makes it hard to differentiate.
Retail manufacturers most likely will not be carrying any new bags… that’s a sign as well.
ebay.it is a good place to keep any eye on.
Good luck in your hunt.
Oddly enough, I met up with a co-worker from NYC city who was in town and low and behold on her shoulder was a VERY well used camel 556.
@Pat
There are some interesting bags that showed up on ebay earlier this week. There are new 554s and 556s that are sold from a German and marked as being from Belstaff’s “NEUE KOLLEKTION” Does this mean that new Belstaff will produce the colonial line bags again? I did notice a few differences: the logo on the inside of the flap is dramatically different, the patch on the lower right pocket is now made of leather (previously metal over leather), the hang tag lis now a folding tag. If the links don’t work, the eBay item numbers are 271581498573 and 281417825065.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Belstaff-Tasche-SHOULDER-BAG-CANVAS-LEDER-MOUNTAIN-BROWN-NEUE-KOLLEKTION-/271581498573?pt=Mode_Accessoires_Taschen_Geldb%C3%B6rsen_Herrentaschen&hash=item3f3b84cccd
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Belstaff-Tasche-SHOULDER-BAG-CANVAS-LEDER-KAKI-NEUE-KOLLEKTION-/281417825065?pt=Mode_Accessoires_Taschen_Geldb%C3%B6rsen_Herrentaschen&hash=item4185cf3b29