The 25 best briefcases for men

What makes a good briefcase?

Ask any suit with a 9-to-5 and a penchant for vicuña suiting, and he’ll have a few requirements: lightweight and with a comfortable handle; large enough to carry a computer and some documents (the word “briefcase” is derived from the legal documents, or briefs, that lawyers carry) but not so bulky it looks like a weekender; and made of materials built to last so he can pass it on to the kid when he gets old enough to pull his weight. A slim messenger or duffel bag with a shoulder strap, but no handle — that isn’t a briefcase.

It’s time to get serious about the things you carry.

These briefcases cover the spectrum, from simple and affordable to luxuriously-detailed and expensive.

UNDER $500 

Incase City Brief

Here’s a briefcase that’s utilitarian above all else. Weaved with a 270 x 500D polyester blend, it’s durable, has two easy-access organizer pockets, can hold a 13-inch MacBook Pro and features an adjustable shoulder strap for when you get cramps from too much glad-handing. It looks pretty darn good, too.

Herschel Supply Co. Clark Messenger

The Clark Messenger features a fleece-lined 15-inch laptop sleeve, a large external pocket and comes fully lined with brand’s signature coated poly fabric. The handle and zippers are finished in leather. Bonus for those who like to match: this bag comes in a variety of styles, ranging from solid navy to full camouflage.

Topo Designs Mountain Briefcase

Colorado-made Topo bags are simple, functional and capable of office duty or a day on the trail. With their Mountain Briefcase, Topo Designs has taken the silhouette of a brief and given it an outdoorsy makeover. It has a 1,000d Invista Cordura exterior, it’s spacious enough to hold a laptop and jacket, and it can actually be carried as a messenger or backpack if the situation calls for it.

Filson Original Briefcase

This classic briefcase is completely American-made with cotton, oil-finished twill and 100 percent genuine bridle leather. It’s water- and scratch-resistant, features an interior compartment with three dividers and has two stow pockets. Since it comes in five colors, you’ve got options.

Billykirk No. 332 Waxed Canvas Attaché Case

This California-based leather and canvas company designs everything from belts to hats to bags. They make a beautiful slim briefcase out of an ash-waxed canvas, equipped with two large stow pockets and an interior lined with nylon. Also, it’s capable of holding a 13- or 15-inch laptop.

Ernest Alexander The Andy Leather Laptop Briefcase

The Andy is straightforward and elegant, lean and lightweight. It’s made of Italian brown leather and, with its padded water-repellant lining, makes the perfect home for a 13-inch laptop.

Killspencer Attaché Briefcase

Made in Los Angeles by Killspencer’s small team of craftsmen, this black leather briefcase is padded and lined with fur to protect a 15-inch laptop. Its exterior features a vintage silver Riri zipper and three small exterior compartments to hold an iPhone or other small items. Get it monogrammed for a personal touch.

Jack Spade Waxwear Base Brief

As the name suggests, this brief is made of a 100 percent waxed cotton canvas. The exterior is largely unassuming, but unzip it and you’ll find a spacious interior with several leather organizational slots, mesh end pockets and enough room for a laptop and some gym clothes.

UNDER $1,000

Arrivé Narita Slim Brief from Tumi

This Tumi briefcase is made of ballistic nylon and fits a 15-inch laptop. The interior is built for functionality, with an accessory pouch and several open and zippered pockets for organizing smaller items. The finishing touches are also nice: the Narita has a comfortable articulating shoulder strap and is equipped with the “add-a-bag” system so it can attach to rolling luggage.

Lotuff Leather Zip-Top Briefcase

A dependable and understated briefcase, this one is crafted in New England from high-quality vegetable-tanned leather. The bag comes in three colors — chestnut, black, chocolate — and has a removable shoulder strap, along with two easily accessed full-width pockets. And since there isn’t much of an interior lining, it can accommodate whatever the day requires.

Boldrini Selleria Double-Handle Briefcase

This dapper bag features a front slip pocket that seals magnetically, protective feet and gold-toned hardware. Made in Italy using smooth brown leather, what truly distinguishes this double-handle briefcase is its bright blood-red twill interior.

J.W. Hulme Co. Fremont Attaché

Although J.W. Hulme Co. makes several styles of briefcases, the new Fremont Attaché is one of our favorites. Completely made in America with leather, it’s suitable for both office and casual settings. It’s slim, has several functional compartments and can fit a 15-inch laptop.

Travelteq Trash

Beautifully constructed with Florentine Vacchetta leather, the Trash is capable of carrying a lot in its small frame (16 x 12 x 3.25 inches). It has eight compartments, all lined with water-resistant nylon, and room enough for a 15-inch laptop. Additionally, there are specific areas to hold travel essentials like your plane ticket, travel guidebooks, sunglasses, smartphone and even a cigar.

The Commuter Briefcase by Frank Clegg

This Frank Clegg briefcase, made from tumbled leather in Massachusetts, is simple and functional. It consists of one large easy-access gusset and two exterior slip pockets.

BUY NOW: $960

Colonel Littleton No. 1943 Navigator Briefcase

This WWII-inspired briefcase is handmade in Tennessee with polished leather and boasts an expandable body and adjustable side gussets. Inside, there are two dividers and several smaller pockets for necessities. Along with its solid brass hardware and intricate system of straps, this briefcase feels like an heirloom.

Robert Clergerie Zip-Around Briefcase

Unlike the traditional briefcase, this one doesn’t have a rigid rectangular shape. The black-grained calfskin bag comes in the shape of a small weekender and features no exterior pockets; the interior is lined with black twill and has two leather pockets (one that zips up and one for slipping items in).

OVER $1,000

Want Les Essentiels de la Vie Trudeau 17-Inch

The Trudeau has a minimalist exterior and a compartmentalized interior with 14 pockets to hold pens, notepads and business essentials. Also, it’s large enough to hold a 17-inch laptop and comes with a padlock and key.

Ermenegildo Zegna Legal Document Bag

Available in either black or dove grey, this 100 percent calf-leather bag is scratch resistant, has a palladium metal plate and its interior is lined with suede. Luxurious indeed — but don’t get it if you’ve got a laptop bigger than 13 inches.

Serapian Evolution Double-Handle Briefcase

This Italian-made double-handle has two main compartments, each with two large slip pockets and several other organizing slots. On the bag’s exterior there’s a full-length zip pocket and a newspaper holder. The hardware is palladium and the bag’s small logo is made with silver.

Alfred Dunhill Chassis Leather Briefcase

This bag is made with scratch-resistant chassis leather and is embossed to look like carbon fiber. Inside, it’s lined with dark brown suede and decked out with numerous organizing pockets.

Ghurka Counselor No. 95 Leather Briefcase

Ghurka is renowned for crafting leather goods that evoke American timelessness — and this briefcase is no different. It boasts two large interior compartments, can fit a 17-inch laptop and features polished brass hardware.

Zero Halliburton 3 Carbon Fiber Attaché

In the big action movies, there’s usually a guy handcuffed to a briefcase full of cash. Well, if you’re that guy you’ll want this attaché from Zero Halliburton. Made with an impervious carbon fibre shell, this carry-on has a red leather interior and a three digit combination lock for additional security.

Valextra Accademia Classic Briefcase

Slender and lightweight, this elegant briefcase is ideal for the cosmopolitan gentleman. It has a single zip-around compartment, which is padded to protect valuables, and another easy-access pocket along its exterior that zips across. Each bag is made in Italy and monogrammed with a serial number that verifies its authenticity.

Berluti Un Jour

Berluti designed this bag as a day bag for businessmen (“un jour” means “one day” in French). This Venezia leather briefcase boasts a timeless hand-polished patina, one main compartment and a small frontal zip pocket. Additionally, its accented with brass hardware and has a cotton-lined interior.

Böle Country Governor Briefcase

This Böle briefcase is made from spruce bark-tanned Swedish leather, has a Nordic reindeer skin lining and comes with a 15-year guarantee (and annual servicing). It’s the Rolls-Royce of the briefcase world.

SEE ALSO: The only 3 pieces of jewelry men should wear

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