10 Leather Briefcases That Get Better With Age

These days, seeing a gent sporting a proper briefcase during his morning commute, over say a Jansport, is akin to seeing said-gent reading a newspaper instead of his phone. Sure, backpacks can often fit more stuff (not always though), but I don’t actually think they’re more convenient—and they’re often not as long-lasting. I doubt any of your school-days backpacks are alive today, am I right? The 10 leather briefcases we have here really do get better with age and they score high on the durability factor as well.

I also think it’s important to keep your desk supplies, like laptops, pens, and electronics, in a briefcase, separate from your gym shoes, work tools, and lunch bag. You don’t want to spill marinara sauce all over your phone charger. Plus, whether you’re headed to an important interview or a board meeting, sometimes it’s just good to class things up.

Shinola Computer Brief

One of the best qualities about the Shinola Computer Brief is its smooth, almost velvety Navigator leather. It flaunts a rich look and color, similar to when cream hits your coffee before full incorporation, thanks to the several oils that’s imbued into it during the tanning process. This also means it’s easy-maintenance since scratches simply get lost in the subtly variegated surface. The soft interior is easy on your belongings, though the pockets lining the main compartment are secured with leather edges, ensuring things stay where they’re meant to be. 

Also worth mentioning is the fact the strap’s leather pad is sewn directly onto it, so it won’t slide around in the turbulence of a morning rush. And finally, the gunmetal hardware adds to the bag’s durability while also providing a sophisticated design touch.

Harber London Laptop Briefcase

Uniquely, the Harbor London Laptop Briefcase fully opens butterfly style, providing you with the perfect presentation layout when you’re organizing your items. This is wildly convenient, considering the interior is built like Batman’s utility belt, featuring every storage style imaginable. There are pen and cord loops, large pockets for tablets and files, zip pockets, cardholders, and even two toiletry-bag-style zip components built right into the briefcase’s inner wall. 

And since the interior is made of highly-durable microsuede, you can keep your EDC in here, safely sealed and separated from your technology. The exterior, meanwhile, is made of beautiful full-grain leather and is classically simple and slim. No one would suspect that you have an entire arsenal inside of it.

Allen Edmonds Saddle Leather Double Flap Briefcase

Allen Edmonds takes their leather shoe know-how, and uses it to build the Saddle Leather Double Flap Briefcase, a carrying case that boasts all of the strength and architecture of a premium leather dress shoe. The double-belted exterior adds extra security, while also making the bag look like something a gentleman-adventurer would sport. 

It’s well-armored, but has classy and cleanly-finished lines all throughout. In fact, every corner is stitched and fortified, so it’ll likely keep its clean silhouette even as the leather softens. Perfectly complementing this look is the hardware, which of course, is made from an antique-looking brass. Construction-wise, it has several compartments inside, many expandable, efficiently diminishing unproductive negative space.

Frye Logan Leather Briefcase

At less than two and a half pounds, the Frye Logan Leather Briefcase is convenient and extra portable. It’s made of limber Italian leather, already patinated, which is handsomely textured and glossy, but also practical. For example, the outer zip compartment is close-to-body, keeping the silhouette cleanly slick, but you can still throw most things you want easy access to in there, like your keys, phone, or journal, without overstretching the leather.

With the extra shine on the surface, its hue is as cognac as its colorway namesake indicates, with gradients of golden undertones where the light hits. Even more, the strap is also made of this exquisite material.

Shinola Slim Traveler Brief

A little goes a long way with the Shinola Slim Traveler Brief. Part of the reason it’s so adaptably thin is because the hands are actually sewn onto the exterior slip pockets, meaning when you carry it, it clutches the compartments as close to the briefcase’s body as possible.

This makes it easy to slip under a car or airplane seat, or in front of your barstool during an after-work happy hour without creating bulk around your legs. Still, it can fit a 15-inch laptop and features a card pocket, as well as an interior slip for your phone, notebook, or cords. Like the standard Shinola Computer Brief, the Traveler is made out of beautifully-oiled and scratch-enveloping Navigator leather.

Tecovas Leather Briefcase

If a cowboy got an office job and needed a professional carrying case, the Tecovas Leather Briefcase is the one he’d go for. It’s as tough and deeply-grained as a briefcase can get without looking unprofessional, which actually makes it highly versatile. The texturing and vivid bourbon shade would match the rugged combination of jeans and cowboy boots, but the solid architecture of the bag would partner well with the clean lines of a suit too. 

It’s made out of Presidio leather, which is a premium material often used for furniture because of how strong and comfortable it is. Inside, your belongings sit safely in a tightly-weaved but non-abrasive canvas environment. Outside, the brass hardware tops off the brawny but refined look, while also ensuring the bag is easy to use and long-lasting. With its smooth action and solid build, the brass zippers won’t get stuck on you like nylon or polyester ones do.

Johnston & Murphy Rhodes Leather Briefcase

The Johnston & Murphy Rhodes Briefcase is made out of full-grain leather, but what makes it distinct is its clean, almost matte finish that doesn’t compromise the organic character of its well-oiled surface. The result is a unique tan colorway with cool undertones and a black variant that isn’t murky-looking, and actually borders on gunmetal-esque.

Good looks aside, the Rhodes Briefcase is highly functional. The handles have a snap-close leather grip, making carrying it on your shoulder easier. The exterior pocket fully unzips even at the sides (meaning you’ll never lose anything in there), while the tear-resistant cotton twill interior features several pockets, pen loops, and a key leash.

Wolf & Badger Leather Briefcase

The Wolf & Badger Leather Briefcase is like a utility bag that’s been stylistically reined in to create a sophisticated carrying case that still retains a touch of industrial edge. This can be seen in details like the textile-backed leather strap and the fact the sides of the handle are brass hardware links, both of which also fortify its overall strength and durability.

It’s the kind of bag you can wear to the office or even bring with you to the campsite. The two available colorways are a warm sienna-like brown, and a deep and rich dark brown that has a chic tobacco hue that borders on black in certain patinations.

Moral Code Atticus Briefcase

The Atticus Briefcase from Moral Code is the definition of tough on the outside, but a real softy inside. It’ll protect your belongings with the might of a Navy SEAL, but ensure it’s packed and held in cloud-like delicacy. It’s made of handcrafted premium leather that has a comfortably worn-in aesthetic.

The double-belted, two-compartment exterior is both extra secure and gives it a sort-of swashbuckling vibe. It’s actually a great briefcase for the guy that doesn’t like briefcases. The multi-pocketed interior is lined with microfiber—that’s right, the same super-soft effectively germ-removing material used for cleaning fragile things like glass and crystal.

Buffalo Jackson Jefferson Leather Briefcase

The leather experts over at Buffalo Jackson Trading serve up a pure classic in the Jefferson Leather Briefcase. They aimed to create an instant family heirloom, and with its all-zip design and razor-sharp shape and build, I’d say mission accomplished on all fronts. Unsurprisingly, the full-grain leather body is supple, tight but soft, and resonantly-colored. With its meticulous vegetable tanning, this bag will retain its shape for decades to come.

When it comes to function, there are a few things to point out. The leather strap is paired with a leather pad, offering comfort, stability, and a fully luxurious look. The protective interior is herringbone-lined like a professor’s classy tweed jacket. Also, the briefcase fully unzips on both sides, opening like a book as the main compartment stays standing, offering a handy and strategic modularity.

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