I bought this bag because I had one made of leather.  It's about 10 years old and the leather bag I feel is not as versatile as other materials.  I bought the burnt orange (which looks great and glad I didn't get regular orange).  I also like the distressed nylon.  I like the sturdiness of nylon, but feel they can sometimes look very cheap.  The distressed look adds some texture to the fabric, but the fabric is meant to last.  This bag will last forever.  My only complaint is that I based my purchase on others' feedback on the size.  I ordered an X-small.  I probably could have bought a small - not because it holds more, but because I don't think it would "feel" so small.  Regardless, everything that I tote around in a purse fits in here with TONS OF ROOM TO SPARE.  So, x-small is probably just fine but perhaps the aesthetics of the small bag would have been more my style.  I had neck/back surgery a year ago and pretty much just stick to messenger/cross body style bags.  This is by far the most comfortable one out there.  A word of caution - if you have a thick torso or larger than normal breasts, I'd rethink this due to the amount of give the strap has for a cross-body wear.  It fits me like a glove (I wear it cross body) and I'm pretty much just average female body type.  Love this bag though.  Will be great on my trip to NYC.  Oh, and i received it in two days!! Was thinking it would take forever due to standard shipping.  Woot!