Before you Buy: A Complete Guide to Louis Vuitton Canvas Pochette Metis Common Issues / Cracking / Wear and Tear (real pictures)

Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis was by far the biggest Louis Vuitton release in the last 10 years. Not only it’s still the most coveted bag, with this release Louis Vuitton managed to repeat the famous Hermes trick with the product scarcity. If you’ve ever tried to buy this bag at the Louis Vuitton boutique, you know what I mean. Huge waiting lists, scarcity and hundreds of disappointed girls walking out without any luck.

Is the Pochette Metis an absolute must? Is this the best bag from Louis Vuitton that you can get?

Louis Vuitton released the famous Pochette Metis bag in different leathers and colors, however, it all comes down to three materials: canvas, Empreinte, and epi. Let’s take a look at each of the materials and discuss the wear and tear.

Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis was released in 3 types of canvases: Monogram Canvas, Infrarouge Canvas, Monogram Reverse Canvas.

Louis Vuitton Monogram Infrarouge Pochette Metis

Of these three canvases, Infrarouge (the red one) is the rarest. It’s a beautiful hard-to-find piece with olive green interior, shiny black canvas with red monogram initials and silver-tone hardware.

Louis Vuitton Monogram Reverse Pochette Metis

The next unobtanium is a Reverse Monogram Metis. A lot of Louis Vuitton fans adore this edition as it has no vachetta and consequently it’s carefree. You don’t need to worry about raindrops on the handle or on the front lock. This canvas edition combines the two canvases: monogram and reverse monogram, which makes it unique.

And here comes the renowned Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Pochette Metis which combines cowhide leather handle and trim and the classic Monogram Canvas.

However, the print doesn’t matter, all of them are canvas and wear and tear are very similar.

Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis Cracks, Wear and Tear

After you get through the initial excitement of getting the famous Louis Vuitton bag you’ve been dreaming about, here comes the truth: it’s a bag with issues. It’s up to you whether you are ready to deal with these issues or not.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 problems that a canvas Pochette Metis might have.

1. Cracking under the front flap

Believe it or not but we’ve seen more than 30 versions of Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis in canvas and all of them are the same story. Within a year of purchase, you’ll notice a few canvas cracks in the spot where the front flap meets the sides of the bag. Moreover, if you look at the sides closely you’ll notice even more cracks.

Here’s a how it starts on a Louis Vuitton Monogram Reverse Canvas Pochette Metis:

Then it gets worse. Here's another example from an Infrarouge Pochette Metis.

Due to the shape of the bag and characteristics of the canvas, the cracks will appear unavoidably. Is it visible to someone rather than you? Probably not. It’s all about how you feel wearing this bag. I have to tell you the truth, I don’t baby my bags and I don’t pay a lot of attention to these cracks but I do feel uncomfortable.

What should you do if you notice some cracks on your Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis?

If you have a receipt:

(it doesn’t matter whether you purchased it by yourself or someone purchased it for you or you bought it preloved with receipt)

Take it in. Don’t forget a copy of your receipt. It’s a known defect so normally they tell you that you have two options.

You’ll either have to wait several weeks to get a new one as most stores won’t have another one in stock or they take it back and give you the store credit and you can purchase a new purse that very day.

If you purchased it without a receipt:

You can still bring it in but a Louis Vuitton Sales Assistant will ask if you have a receipt to identify the purchase. If you don’t they’ll probably tell you they can’t help.

2. Glazing comes apart

If you're a proud owner of a Monogram Pochette Metis, this picture is worth a thousand words

 Here's another example, this time on the strap:

If you ever have a glazing issue with a Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis, just take it in the boutique. It's also a known defect and they will repair it for free if you have the receipt. It's a different matter that you'll have to wait several weeks before you get your bag back.

If you're not ready to wait for several weeks, just bring it to any Leather Surgeons in your area. They will repair this issue fast and it'll look as good as new.

3. Vachetta front part gets crooked

It doesn't necessarily bother everyone but some Pochette Metis owners feel that this front part of the lock is crooked. 

If all these issues bother you, think twice about getting a Pochette Metis on canvas. Your best bet might be an Empreinte Pochette Metis. At least it doesn't have the cracking issues.

Here's our review of Louis Vuitton Monogram Pochette Metis compared to an Empreinte Pochette Metis:

If you're thinking about purchasing a Pochette Metis and this article almost made you change your mind, forget everything we said. There are still good reasons to purchase this bag despite all the cracks, glazing issues. Here are some of them.

Top 3 Reasons to Get a Louis Vuitton Canvas Pochette Metis

It keeps its value

Whenever you feel that you’re tired of this bag or no longer want to deal with any issues, just list it on any of the preloved luxury marketplaces and you’ll sell it in a week or so. There’s always someone on the hunt for a Metis regardless of its condition. If it’s a new purse, you’ll sell it at a price similar to retail. If it’s used and has cracks, you’ll sell it at $1,300-$1,500, also not bad considering that a lot of luxury bags loose about 30-45% of their price after you leave the boutique.

Everyone knows it

Pochette Metis doesn’t need an introduction. No matter how you style it, it’s a recognizable bag that all the luxury fans know. You’ll definitely get a lot of attention and compliments.

It’s very comfortable

Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis has been popular for a reason. It’s a Louis Vuitton crossbody, the most comfortable one. The size is big enough for all the daily essentials and it won’t let you overload it. Unlike the iconic Speedy, the bag doesn’t slouch and keeps the shape and no matter how much stuff is inside it’s a beautiful purse.

I hope this was useful. I couldn't find a decent article on the Pochette Metis wear and tear so I finally wrote mine.

Here's another vide on Pochette Metis wear and tear - this time on my own PM in Empreinte leather. What's it like after 5 months of use?

How to Authenticate a Preloved Pochette Metis?

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