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The Best Briefcases for Professionals

Businessman with briefcase in hand walking up stairs.
Khosro/Shutterstock.com

The briefcase has a long history of being synonymous with a businessperson. The minimalist, boxy attaché style of your parents’ generation was once the go-to for lawyers and other business professionals, but a more business casual style has become the norm. The best briefcases today are considered more practical and stylish than their predecessors. Find one that not only suits your style but provides the necessary space you need for your documents, laptop, and other accessories.

What to Look for in a Briefcase

Here are a few components to consider before buying your next briefcase:

  • Type: There are different types of briefcases, so you should first think about what you’re going to use your briefcase for. If you travel a lot, then a briefcase with wheels would be ideal. The attaché look is a traditional option that is still classy when done right, while a messenger-style briefcase brings a more casual feel.
  • Capacity: Your use for the briefcase will also determine the amount of space you need. The attaché style provides space for documents and a few other things but isn’t an ideal look for a weekend trip and is too small to carry around bulkier laptops.
  • Material: The last thing to consider is the material of the briefcase. Leather is the safe and sophisticated bet, but these days, you can find environmentally-friendly leather. Canvas is super durable, so it’s perfect if you’re going to use your briefcase a lot.

Now let’s take a look inside that briefcase and find what works best for you!

Best Value: Taygeer Business Briefcase

a man in a suit holding a gray, fabric, water-resistant briefcase with outside pockets

Available in grey or black, this briefcase is constructed with water-resistant, lightweight oxford nylon cloth, so it’s durable enough to last day-to-day travel. It’s large, so it can hold a laptop and plenty of notebooks, binders, and other accessories with its two pouches and several interior slots. The nearly invisible pockets will hold on to your valuables as well. For extra efficiency, there’s a shoulder strap inside the bag that can turn your briefcase into a single-shoulder bag within minutes so that you’re ready for any occasion.

Most Stylish: NEWHEY Men’s Messenger Bag

a rugged canvas briefcase with leather straps and buckles

Bordering on the line of messenger bag and briefcase, this bag from NEWHEY is considered one of the best leather bags around. It’s available in five different colors and is designed with plenty of room; four inner pockets and five outer pockets, all used for business, school, or overnight situations. It can be carried by the leather handle or slung over the shoulder. This leather and canvas briefcase from NEWHEY is a great buy for anyone with style.

Best Leather

Mens Messenger Bag 15.6 Inch Waterproof Vintage Genuine Leather Waxed Canvas Briefcase Large Satchel Shoulder Bag Rugged Leather Computer Laptop Bag, Grey

This hefty bag will stand the test of time with its latches, clips, canvas material, and sturdy zippers.

Best for Travel: Ytonet 18-Inch Extra Large Men’s Briefcase

A large black briefcase with an other pocket and multiple carryings straps

This 18-inch briefcase from Ytonet is one of the best bags for traveling. It has two very large expandable compartments to hold a large laptop, notebooks, daily essentials, and even a change of clothes for a quick trip. Its multi-functional compartments keep everything handy, while its durable, water-resistant material will keep you protected for the long haul. The zippers are sturdy, the design is scratch-resistant polyester fabric, and it comes with a luggage strap so that you can carry it conveniently on your shoulder during your walk to the terminal.

Best for Travel

Best Color Options: VOLGANIK Rock Canvas Shoulder Bag

a gray tote-like briefcase with three zippered pockets on the outside

Made from 100% nylon, this bag offers the best options when it comes to colors. Offering no less than 15 different color options, this bag is both stylish and practical. Its large capacity is spacious enough for the biggest of laptops, and its multiple compartments can easily hold two textbooks. Its stylish, unisex design is perfect for anyone of any age, and the different color options provide the owner an opportunity to use this bag under any circumstances, from traveling and shopping to outdoor activities and work.

Best Color Options

Canvas Tote Bag Waterproof Nylon Multi Pocket Shoulder Bags Laptop Work Bag Teacher Purse and Handbags for Women & Men (Lake Blue)

This bag is great for any person in any situation and can hold plenty of things with its massive compartments.

Best for Lawyers: Alpine Swiss Leather Briefcase

The inside of a minimalistic leather attache briefcase with locks and small inner pockets

The best briefcase for lawyers, and quite possibly the best attaché briefcase available, is the Alpine Swiss leather briefcase. Made from genuine leather, this classic look is polished to perfection and is also spacious enough to organize your documents, folders, and other business essentials. It has several slots inside for your phone and pens and such, while your personal belongings will all be secure because of its dual combination locks. For extra durability, there are four protective metal feet at the bottom of the case to keep it elevated to prevent wear and tear from the floor.

Best for Lawyers

Alpine Swiss Mens Expandable Leather Attache Briefcase Dual Combination Locks

This briefcase will keep your things secure while also giving you a stylish and professional look.

Omid Khanzadeh Omid Khanzadeh
Omid is a freelance writer for LifeSavvy. He studied psychology and creative writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, and his work has been featured in publications such as Allied Forces Press and various STEM textbooks. He enjoys playing soccer and watching old kung-fu movies. Read Full Bio »
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