Whether you’re working in an office, attending yearly conferences, or taking classes, a briefcase is a great bag that will keep you organized, keep your important tech gadgets and documents safe, and keep you looking professional. With a handful of features and lightweight and functional design options, briefcases are a must for anyone who has a meeting, a presentation, or an important assignment in their future.
Depending on your area of work or study, a briefcase designed with a more traditional and classic style may be your best option. First impressions are important and having a bag that is professional and in good condition can make a big difference when going on a job interview or presenting your big case in class.
If you travel for work or you’re heading home between semesters and need to get work done in transit or when you arrive at your destination, having a briefcase that can keep up with you as you clock in some miles is a must-have. A briefcase designed with a luggage strap is ideal for travelers, helping to free up your hands and take the weight off your shoulders as you stand in line waiting to board, waiting for a taxi, waiting to check into your hotel…there’s a lot of standing involved in travel.
We love briefcases because their design makes it easy to quickly access important things, like your cell phone, keys, pens, or laptop, with shoulder straps or handles putting the briefcase in front of you or on a table quickly. Many briefcases offer additional storage compartments, with enough room to pack clothes for your trip to the gym after work, or a meal and some snacks, which is great if you don’t want to carry an extra bag for food.
Want a bag that can take you from the classroom to the office to the plane? We’ve got three great options that are fashionable and functionable.
1. Samsonite Leather Flapover Case
Made from luxurious Colombian leather and featuring the classic flapover briefcase style, the Samsonite Leather Flapover Case is ideal for anyone looking for a professional and functional briefcase. The padded sleeve fits at 15.6-inch laptop and a rear compartment is large enough to hold papers and files. An organizer with pockets for pens, a phone and more is included inside the bag and antique brass hardware and leather wrapped carry hand add elements of style to the briefcase. As the only leather option on our list, the Samsonite Leather Flapover Case is also our most expensive and heaviest option, weighing 4.4 pounds. The bag does not come with a luggage strap, so it’s not a great option for anyone doing a lot of traveling.
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2. Samsonite Classic Business 3 Gusset Business Case
Using military grade 1680D ballistic durable nylon, the Samsonite Classic Business 3 Gusset Business is a great option for anyone who is tough on bags. Ideal for a commuter, the Classic Business is tough and practical, featuring a padded sleeve to fit a 15.6-inch laptop, a large compartment for files, and numerous organizer pockets for tech accessories and pens. The bag has a contemporary design and is similar in size and pocket options to the first Samsonite but is less expensive and features a luggage strap. Some customers note they were able to fit a 17-inch laptop in the padded sleeve.
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3. Ytonet 17 inch Laptop Bag
Our most versatile pick is the Ytonet 17-inch Laptop Bag. The bag has many pros that make it ideal for travel and commuting, including a water resistant exterior and shockproof foam padding that protects laptops up to 17 inches. The bag features a luggage strap to make traveling with a rolling suitcase easy and the bag expands 7 to 9 inches, transforming it from a briefcase to a duffle. The Ytonet features more than 10 compartments for easy organization and it’s our least expensive and lightest option, weighing only 2.5 pounds. Some customers note that the numerous zippers on the bag are confusing and add unnecessary bulk, and the bag does not have the same durability and quality as the Samsonite options.
Image courtesy of Amazon