The Best Briefcases Are Just Trying to Make a Living

Ah, the briefcase. Hearing the word may conjure pre-moon landing visuals of men carrying them to work, back when we were firmly in an age of paper, files, and, well, briefs. And while these days you’re more likely to see even your boss with a backpack, nobody talks enough about what’s been lost in this particular sea change.

Because briefcases are great. They help you focus on the essentials, ensuring that you’re not overpacking just because you can. The result is a much lighter daily carry that will be especially useful over the fall and winter seasons we’re now barreling towards, when surprise showers will soak even the hardiest of totes.

And today’s briefcases are totally modern, tailored to the person who may be toting a laptop and gym clothes around instead of three binders and a pencil case. They come in leathers, canvas, nylons, and harder shells, designed by many brands you already know and love. On the inside, dedicated laptop sleeves provide safe and secure storage, while easy-to-access outer pockets are often perfect to slip your phone, keys, access cards and reading material into. All of which is to say, a well-designed briefcase is well worth your consideration. And while we can’t promise a briefcase will get you a second job interview, it will definitely get you a second look.

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The Best Men’s Briefcases, According to GQ

Best Lightweight Briefcase: Porter-Yoshida & Co. Tanker 2Way Briefcase

Porter-Yoshida & Co.’s famous Tanker bag is inspired by military flight jackets: you can see it in the standard-issue sateen fabric with contrasting orange interior, which makes finding your goods easy. Visibility then gets even better: the main compartment hinges open from one side, lying flat like luggage. Carrying it is easy on your arms too, because the ultra-light (but ultra-strong) nylon adds practically nothing to its overall weight. And that’s still not mentioning the “2Way” part of the Tanker’s name: It can go from brief to cross-body in a flash, with a detachable strap that clips into place in seconds.

Best Briefcase for Organizers: Bellroy Via Work Bag

Should you be toting a host of gadgets around, you’ll want to find something with plenty of pockets to keep your phone, earpods, and cords in their proper place. Bellroy’s got a knack for minimalist design with maximalist functionality, and its Via Work Bag is a deceptively simple briefcase that belies its many features. Inside you’ll find a padded laptop sleeve, a mesh zip pocket for keeping your smaller items like keys and sunglasses protected, and a generous center cavity for anything else you may need to haul to and from the office. On the outside, it’s got a cleverly hidden zip pocket for easy-access items like a book or an iPad as well as a luggage pass-through feature that lets you attach it to luggage. But the most clever feature might be the hidden AirTag slip pocket so you can feel safe and secure.

Best Leather Briefcase: Carl Frederick Palissy Slim Leather Briefcase

For classicists seeking a bit of modern streamlining, this is the pick. It feels like the briefcase you’d see the employees of Sterling Cooper carrying back in the ‘60s, thanks to the extremely elegant vachetta leather, which is the de-facto go-to material for high-end bags. But it’s not just that gloriously smooth, blemish-free exterior that will age gracefully. The gorgeous nickel-silver hardware really pops, and will only look better the more you use the bag. Plus, it’s on the slimmer side of things, while still ensuring you’ve got enough room for a laptop, a tablet, and multiple other essentials thanks to a handful of interior zipper pockets. (We especially love the built-in strap that attaches to a rolling suitcase.)

Best Rugged Briefcase: Filson Rugged Twill Original Briefcase

Filson has a storied legacy (dating back to the Gold Rush) as a manufacturer of dependable goods and clothing, which is to say that their Original Briefcase is built to last. Constructed from a heavy-duty twill fabric that’s similar to what you’d find on a sturdy work or chore coat, the exterior will stay together no matter how rough on it you are. It’s also lightly waxed, so that it’s water-resistant if it gets caught in the rain. And critically, the bottom is super reinforced, so that when you’re loading up the two wide stow interior pockets, the fabric won’t rip or shred.

Best Casual Briefcase: L.L. Bean Stonington Daily Carry Work Bag

If leather feels a little too heavy for you, I can suggest this rugged-yet-refined canvas “work bag.” It has tons of organized pockets, and a bookish, “Is he an architect?” energy. And it’s L.L.Bean, so you know it’s made with care.