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Who needs a briefcase?
A briefcase is primarly designed for being carried short distances, for example between your car or commuter bus or train and the office. Or perhaps as your carry on personal item when flying, the piece of luggage that fits under the seat in front of you. But you may be surprised to find that some of them also has the ability to convert to a backpack!
A briefcase often signals that you are an organized person, and also indicates that you are in some manner a professional. Having a good quality briefcase when going to a business meeting or maybe job interview can strengthen your self esteem compared to carrying a flimsy textile bag (that has its uses too in another setting).
In this review article we focus on leather briefcases only, because we believe they deserve a space of their own on our site. Leather of good quality is an outstanding and sustainable material! (And that’s why we also have an article about backpacks made with leather!)
We know how time-consuming it can be to go through a lot of information trying to find the best choice, so we have done the job for you. All of the briefcases below are excellent quality. Simly choose the one you think will fit your needs and wallet the best.
Jump directly to the bag that interests you most by clicking on it in the Quick Navigation at the top, or keep on reading!
Quick Comparison Table Best Leather Briefcase
| Bag (Click on name for price and availability on Saddleback and Amazon) | Size (exterior) | Weight | Warranty | Holds laptop size up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsonite Leather Expandable Briefcase | 16.8" W x 12.2" H x 7.2" D | 3.5 lbs. | Limited 3 Year | 15" |
| Fossil Men's Haskell Double Zip Briefcase | 16"L x 2.5"W x 12"H | N/A | 1 Year Limited | 14" |
| Polare Men's Thick Full Grain Leather 15.7" Briefcase | 15.7" L x 5.1" W x 11.8 H" | 4 lbs. | 1 Year Limited | 15.6" |
| Classic Briefcase Saddleback Leather | 16" W x 12" H x 9" D | 7 lbs. | 100 Years Limited | 17" |
| Front Pocket Briefcase Saddleback Leather | 17” W x 12” H x 8” D | 7 lbs. | 100 Years Limited | 17" |
| Slim Briefcase Saddleback Leather | 15.5" W x 11" H x 4" D | 5 lbs. | 100 Years Limited | 15" |
| Thin Front Pocket Briefcase Saddleback Leather | 15” W x 11.5” H x 3.5” D | 5 lbs. | 100 Years Limited | 15" |
Samsonite Leather Expandable Briefcase
- Size: 16.75″ x 12.25″ x 7.25″ (can hold most 15″ laptops)
- Weight: 3.5 lbs
- Warranty: Limited 3 Year Global Warranty
- Depth: 7.25 inches
- Crafted of genuine leather
- Front, Pocket organization for all of your business needs
- Padded, removable shoulder strap adjusts for convenience
- Leather is made from hide or skin that has been split into layers or segments before or after tanning
Samsonite is indeed a well known suitcase brand, and it’s nice that they also make smaller items like briefcases. This stylish and practical black briefcase is a great addition to their product line!
Read on or check it out at once on Amazon.
Main Features
- Made with genuine leather (not the best leather quality, but seems fine for this purpose).
- Large front pocket with several internal pockets for organization of smaller items.
- Large exterior back pocket for documents.
- Middle compartment where your laptop is safely protected!
- Fits laptops of maximum size 15.6″.
- Smart Pocket feature that allows you to slide it onto an upright handle, you get your hands free for other tasks!
- Adjustable and padded shoulder strap, can be removed if you don’t use it.
Conclusion
This is a great budget choice if you want a briefcase that looks good but also features good functionality. You have plenty of organizational opportunities with this one, so in that departement you will not be disappointed!
It has an amazing average rating of 4.4 out of 5 on Amazon – and 542 customer reviews!
Fossil Men’s Haskell Double Zip Briefcase
- Size: 16″L x 2.5″W x 12″H (can hold most 15″ laptops)
- Weight: xx lbs
- Warranty: 1 Year Limited
- Fossil has always been inspired by American creativity and ingenuity. Since 1984, we’ve strived to bring new life into the industry by making quality, fashionable watches and accessories that were both fun and accessible.
- This leather rucksack features a padded laptop pocket, a zipper pocket and 2 pen holders.
- Exterior Details: 100% genuine leather; magnetic snap pocket, 1 zipper pocket; brass hardware; zipper closure; imported
- Interior Details: 1 padded laptop pocket, 2 slide pockets, 1 zipper pocket, 4 elastic loops; polyester lining
- Measurements: 16"L x 25"W x 12"H
The brand Fossil is perhaps best known for their watches, but they also make good quality briefcases and other bags, several of them from leather.
This briefcase from Fossil is a good choice. When searching on the web for opinions on the quality most are very satisfied with the bags. On Amazon it has (when writing this) 26 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars!
Main Features
- Made with genuine leather (read about leather qualities here).
- Comes in six colors: Black, cement, tan, camo, cognac (we love this one!), and navy.
- Two exterior pockets, one with zipper.
- Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap.
- Two main compartments.
- Padded laptop pocket.
- Fits laptops of maximum size 15″.
- One large and two small slide pockets inside.
- Polyester lining.
Conclusion
Compared to the Samsonite bag above this one has slightly less organizational opportunities. We still like it and believe you will not be disappointed with the quality.
The looks of it are a bit more elegant than the Samsonite which in our eyes has kind of a cheap look to it. Not surprising though since it actually is cheaper than this Fossil briefcase.
If you’re looking for a midddle priced briefcase of good quality and made with leather, this is a strong candidate.
VMATE Men’s Full Grain Leather 17” Laptop Briefcase
- Size: 17.7″ (L) x 5.5″ (W) x 11.8″ (H)
- Weight: 3.96 lbs. (black 3.2 lbs.)
- Warranty: “100% money back if you are unsatisfied”
- 【Update Version】 The leather laptop briefcase has been updated to YKK metal zippers, which can bear 1000 times pull strength testing, to ensure quality and reliability.
- 【Quality Material】 Made of thick cowhide leather processed with crazy horse leather technology, this messenger bag is featured with outstanding durability and weathered vintage look. The leather grows brighter and shiny with age. That's why many people become followers of crazy horse leather bag. Delicate stitching and heavy duty hardware ensures its service life.
- 【Roomy Storage】The padded sleeve fits 15.6” laptop; main compartments fit 17” laptop, clothes, tablet, A4 documents, conference file, books, notebook; inner pockets for business cards; slots for pens, etc. Dimension: 17.3 x 11.5 x 5.12 inches, weight:4.4lb/2 kg, strap size: 37" ~ 63“. Structure: 2 main compartments, 1 front flap magnetic pocket, 1 back zipper pocket, 2 pen holders, 4 phone/wallet pouch, 6 card slots,1 interior zipper pocket.
- 【Convenient Luggage Belt】 A luggage sleeve on the back of this briefcase to allow you putting the bag on suitcase, which will make your travel easier and reduce trip fatigue. With detachable and adjustable strap, the bag is suitable for persons with different height. You can use it as a shoulder bag, crossbody messenger bag, handbag, computer laptop bag,business office work bag,leather flapover case,school teachers bags,travel pilot bag,ect.
- 【Purchase with Confidence】One year quality commitment since you buy the men’s laptop briefcase, if you have any questions or concern, please contact us, we will help you to resolve any issues. This men’s leather work bag is a great present for birthday, anniversary, Valentine's day, father's day, Christmas.
Work in progress!
On Amazon this bag has (so far) 10 reviews, all with a 5-star rating!
There doesn’t seem to be a website for the VMATE brand. We usually do not include brands that lack this in our reviews but we decided to go for this one anyway seeing it has great ratings and users seem to be very happy with it.
Lets look at the features!
- List Element
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Classic Briefcase from Saddleback Leather
- Size: 16″ W x 12″ H x 9″ D
- 7 lbs
- Adjustable strap length: 34” – 59”
- Holds 17″ laptop
- Warranty: 100 years (yes, it’s true!)
- THE ORIGINAL SADDLEBACK BRIEFCASE - The famous bag that started it all, the classic briefcase looks great in the courtroom, boardroom or on the mountain trail. We have received countless, positive testimonials from executives, lawyers and attorneys, military personnel, police and college students, both men and women, who love their classic briefcases.
- CONVERTS TO A BACKPACK - Carry the classic briefcase over the shoulder, crossbody, by the center leather handle or as a backpack. By looping the removable shoulder strap through the center back O-Ring and attaching the 2 clasps to each corner back D-Ring respectively, the briefcase easily converts into a comfortable leather backpack.
- 100% FULL-GRAIN LEATHER - The Classic Briefcase is crafted from tough, 100% full-grain Leather, which takes hits well and looks even better with age. Full-grain is the top layer of the cow skin, which is the most expensive and durable part. Much higher quality than genuine leather, our leather becomes soft and supple as it ages.
- HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIALS - The Classic Briefcase is stitched with marine-grade polyester thread and reinforced with copper rivets for super durability. It is lined with a tough but soft pigskin lining, that is even stronger than the full grain leather and all hardware is surgical-grade stainless steel 316.
- 100 YEAR WARRANTY - We are so confident in the quality of leather designs, we back everything we sell with a 100 Year Warranty. Our company motto is “They’ll Fight Over When You’re Dead.”
About Saddleback Leather
Saddleback Leather Co has been around for 15+ years, and from the start they set out to make bags of premium quality, made from full grain leather (you can read about leather qualities here). Today they have a wide range of leather luggage, wallets, handbags, backpacks and even jewelry!
Their warranty is second to none. For defects in material and craftmanship it is a breathtaking 100 years. Can you believe that? Their slogan is accordingly: “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead”. To us that shows supreme confidence in the quality of their own products.
At Travel Gear Depot we believe this is the best of the best when it comes to leather bags. They do cost a whole bunch of your hard earned money, but considering the longevity of them, they are actually cheap.
In a hurry? Click here to check out the Classic Briefcase right away at the Saddleback site.
The Classic Briefcase is the very first bag Dave designed, as he wanted a kind of bag he could not find anywhere. Extremely durable, functional but also good-looking. It’s still all that. As at home in a courtroom as it is on a mountain trail
Main Features
- The famous bag that started it all at Saddleback Leather
- Made from full-grain cow leather, that looks even better with age
- Lined with strong pig skin
- Strong industrial marine grade polyester thread that doesn’t deteriorate when the sun touches it like nylon does
- Hardware made from 316 Stainless Steel (read about the properties of 316 Stainless Steel!)
- Choose between colors tobacco, dark coffee brown, chestnut and black
- Converts to backpack when you need to have your hands free (when on your bicycle e.g.)
- No breakable parts, e.g. zippers, snaps, buttons, and the likes
- 1 or 3 strap closure system, you choose
- 2 side straps that can be used as belts, tie downs or tourniquets
- 8 D-rings for strapping on, well, whatever you need!
- 2 open pockets on the sides, a large magazine pocket on the back
- False bottom to hide your passport, wallet, spare keys and more
- 2 main interior compartments
- 4 interior pockets, 2 for pens and 2 for cables and chargers
- Interior key clip
Watch the video for highlights of the main features!
Conclusion
So what is our take on this bag then? We have already praised the company and the overall quality of thier products. But what do customers actually think about the Classic Briefcase?
Of the (when this is being typed) 26 reviews on the Saddleback site, 21 have rated it with 5 stars, and 2 with 4 stars. This means that there are 3 negative ones. What do they say?
For one buyer it actually broke (doesn’t say how though), to this review the owner himself replied and asked the buyer to please reach out for a repair or refund.
One complaint is about the weight. We don’t really know what to say about this, since the weight is stated in the description, so you know what you get when you order it. If you think it’s too much, then of course this is not the bag for you.
One reviewer considered it a bit short, as legal files fit with little room to spare. This person also mentions that the bag was run over by a car “and is none the worse for the wear“!
Do we recommend it then? Oh yes, very much so. It is an investment that cant go wrong.
Front Pocket Leather Briefcase from Saddleback Leather
- Size: 17” W x 12” H x 8” D
- Weight: 7 lbs
- Adjustable shoulder strap 34″ – 59”
- Holds all 17” laptops
- Warranty: 100 years (yes, it’s true!)
The Front Pocket Leather Briefcase is a lot like the Classic Briefcase above. The main difference of course being the two large front pockets that also has pockets behind them.
Main Features
- Two spacious, secure front pockets with space behind to tuck maps in
- Made with full-grain leather that ages beautifully
- Available in colors tobacco, dark coffee brown, chestnut and black
- Stitched with marine-grade thread and reinforced with rivets
- Suede side of pigskin lining
- Hidden front pocket behind the main strap holds a cigar or pens
- Wide rear external newspaper pocket
- Two side water bottle pockets
- Compartment divider and two internal pen or cell phone pockets
- False bottom to hide your valuables
- Internal key strap to keep your keys in place
- Converts to a backpack for when on your bike or carrying your toddler
Conclusion
Of the 122 reviews on the Saddleback site there are no 1 star ratings, only one with 2 stars and seven with 3 stars. The rest, 114 to be exact, are 4 or 5 five star ratings.
The only reviewer who gave the briefcase 2 stars considers it too heavy. Well, the weight is what it is.
Like the Classic Briefcase (above) we wholeheartedly recommend this as well. Worth every penny.
Slim Leather Briefcase from Saddleback Leather
- Size: 15.5″ W x 11″ H x 4″ D
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Adjustable shoulder strap 34″ – 59”
- Holds all 15” laptops
- Warranty: 100 years (yes, it’s true!)
The Slim Briefcase is a thinner version of the Classic Briefcase. It easily converts into a laptop backpack. If you think the Classic or Frontpocket ones are too bulky, this might be just the right one for you.
Main Features
- Highest quality full-grain leather for supreme durability
- Unpretentious, simple yet beautiful design
- Comes in colors tobacco, dark coffee brown, chestnut and black
- Reinforced with hidden polyester straps and rivets at stress points
- Pigskin lining that is even stronger than the cow leather
- Sewn with industrial marine grade polyester thread
- As always with Saddleback bags, no breakable parts like zippers!
- Two laptop/tablet pockets behind front flap
- Hidden front pocket behind the main strap holds a cigar or pens
- Wide rear external newspaper pocket
- Two external side water bottle pockets
- Interior laptop sleeve for 13” laptops and iPad Pros
- False bottom to hide your valuables
- Two internal pen or credit card pockets
- Internal key strap to keep your keys in place
- Converts to a backpack for when on your bike or carrying your toddler
- D-rings for lashing whatever you want
- Perfect for laptops, tablets, notepads and binders
Watch the video to see how you can pack it!
You find the Slim Briefcase at the Saddleback site!
Conclusion
Right now there are 25 reviews on the Saddleback site for the Slim Briefcase, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
The only 2 star rating reviewer is unhappy with the width of the breifcase, a 15″ MacBook doesn’t fit if it has a protective cover that adds to the size of it. Well, that is what it is. And actually, another reviewer suggets downsizing the bag! Obviously, one can’t make everybody happy.
The single review with 3 stars has a bunch of suggestions for improvements, but ends saying “Don’t get me wrong – I love the bag in so many ways. Hope this feedback helps in your design process“.
The remaining 23 reviewers have given 4 or 5 star ratings. Click the button below and check them out for yourself! We love this bag too 🙂
Thin Front Pocket Briefcase from Saddleback Leather
- Size: 15” W x 11.5” H x 3.5” D
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Holds most 15” laptops
- Adjustable shoulder strap 34″ – 59”
- Warranty: 100 years (yes, it’s true!)
- PERFECT LAPTOP BAG FOR TRAVEL, SCHOOL OR BUSINESS - Saddleback's Thin Front Pocket Briefcase looks great in the courtroom, boardroom or on the mountain trail. A favorite of executives, lawyers, attorneys, military personnel, police, college students and both men and women, this attache case can comfortably hold a 15" Macbook laptop computer.
- CONVERTS TO A BACKPACK - You can carry the bag over the shoulder, crossbody, by the center top handle or as a backpack. By looping the removable shoulder strap through the center back O-Ring and attaching the 2 clasps to each corner back D-Ring respectively, the briefcase easily converts into a comfortable leather backpack.
- 100% FULL-GRAIN LEATHER - The Thin Front Pocket Briefcase is crafted from tough, 100% full-grain leather, which takes hits well and looks even better with age. Full-grain is the top layer of the cow skin, which is the most expensive and durable part. Much higher quality than genuine leather, our leather becomes soft and supple as it ages.
- HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIALS - The Thin Front Pocket Briefcase is stitched with marine-grade polyester thread, which is 4 times as strong as commonly used Nylon thread, and reinforced with copper rivets for super durability. It is lined with tough but soft pigskin lining, that is even stronger than cow leather, and includes all stainless steel 316 hardware.
- 100 YEAR WARRANTY - We are so confident in the quality of leather designs, we back everything we sell with a 100 Year Warranty. Our company motto is "They'll Fight Over It When You're Dead".
As you might have guessed, the Thin Front Pocket Leather Briefcase is a combination of the Front Pocket and Slim Briefcases.
We won’t bore with yet another listing of the features (and we do want to avoid repeating ourselves too many times!).
Simply watch the video below and let Dave show you! (Please note that they no longer manufacture the 17″ size that Dave mentions.)
Conclusion
To be honest, we don’t have much to say. As many as 59 out of 68 reviews on the Saddleback site are 5 star ratings. Average rating is 4.8 stars.
If we think this too is a good buy? You bet.
Want to know about different types of leather? Read our article here!
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