As we continue with the business theme, let’s talk about your daily carry. From a work perspective, laptops have gotten smaller and we aren’t in a world where we have to carry around a lot of hard copies of anything. So with that said, buying the right bag is important for your daily commute.
Whether it’s a traditional briefcase, a tote, or a backpack, your business bag should reflect a) your work, and b) your style. Do you wear a sport coat or a suit every day? Avoid the backpack. Do you wear jeans and a vest every day? Avoid hunter-green leather. You get it.
Since we are all heading back to the office at a greater frequency, let’s think about a refresh. Here’s what I like:
From top left:
1. Colonel Littleton No. 1943 Navigator Briefcase: Probably my favorite leather option on the market. The bag is everything that is good about American craftsmanship: thick leather, nod to history (WWII), and just the right size.
2. Old Enfield Supply Rambler Backpack: I’ve resisted backpacks for a long time, but I get it. There are some really smart people making good designs, and Old Enfield is one of them. This backpack is easy on the eyes, and super easy to carry around.
3. Filson 256 Twill Briefcase: The classic. I’ve been carrying mine for about eight years and it’s just getting broken in. You can find some GREAT second-hand deals on Ebay, like this Harris Tweed special edition.
4. Orvis Battenkill Briefcase: A great design with an outdoor feel. I carried this for a while until my dad stole it. It holds a lot more than you think, so if you are one of those laptop-two notebooks-three folders-etc. people, this one is for you.
5. Hudson Sutler Slim Laptop Bag: …and if you are the opposite (carrying a laptop only), the slim laptop bag from Hudson Sutler is just what the doctor ordered.
6. Topo Designs Daypack: This is what the evolution of that old Jansport backpack looks like. So smart, so cool, and offers some fantastic color choices. We use this as our everything bag – specifically a diaper/kid bag when we are out and about, but it’s got all the insides to accommodate laptops and business accessories.
7. Billy Reid X Moore & Giles Quinn Commuter Backpack: They had me at green leather.
8. Frank Clegg Zip Top Briefcase: They had me at navy leather.
9. Mission Mercantile Theodore Leather Briefcase: Mission Mercantile’s Theodore collection is some of the nicest tumbled leather on the market, and the price is insanely good for what you get. Don’t sleep on this option.
What do you carry?
Love my Bennett Winch backpack. Pricy, but worth it. Very Bond.
https://www.bennettwinch.com/products/backpack-navy
I’ve been looking at their stuff. The Weekender looks really great and is pretty temping.
I have been carrying the Orvis Battenkill since I started practicing law 12ish years ago. Fantastic value purchase….has held up remarkably well and aside leather patina, looks brand new. Great, great product. Works well for air travel as a personal item also, as you can fit your toiletries or similar items in it even if you are carrying a laptop, ipad, documents, etc.
I’ve been carrying a Filson 257 daily for about a decade. When I travel for work I switch over to a Fjallraven Raven 28L as I find it’s easier to navigate airports and rental car shuttles with a backpack. Great content. Cheers.
I love my Filson Dryden. I prefer the nylon to the leather, because it is easier for me to clean. Enough room to fit my laptop and all of the essentials, and can also pull double duty as a small carry-on. I had my monogram stamped on the leather carrying handle. It’s a Filson, so it’ll last forever.
Great list. Big +1 on the Filson 256. Another maker to check out is Frost River. Their Single Briefcase is classic and hand-made in Duluth, MN. https://frostriver.com/collections/briefcases
Filson Dryden backpack – padded laptop spot, yeti holster, and space for your pens/pencils, notepad, lunch, etc.
I find a tote bag much easier to use. I’d been using a Filson zip tote, but came across the Nubuck tote from Frank Clegg and picked it up. Steep but worth it and I find it works well with both casual (jeans/t-shirt) or with a slacks/sportcoat outfit https://frankcleggleatherworks.com/the-nubuck-tote-brown.html
I’ve got the FIlson Laptop Bag that I’ve had for at least six years now (I can’t remember exactly when I bought it). Carry it to the office every day, though I rarely actually transport anything to or from. Definitely a solid bag, but I would never pay their current price for one. If I had to do it over again, I might just get the 256 model, though I guess having the extra room is never bad when you really need it.
I carry a Filson 256 in green. I can’t believe they are charging $450 for them new now. I think I got mine new on sale for half that when I purchased mine only a few years ago. If I were someone getting one now I would definitely go the used route. Get a head start on the patina and save some dough. .
Love my Mission Mercantile Theodore Brief. Got it for law school graduation and wouldn’t trade it for anything
Big fan of my Founder by Satchel & Page. American company based out of Dallas with great Italian leather. I just carry a laptop and ipad for everything so the Founder is all I need. You would want to size up if you need more space. Worth every penny at around that $500 price point.
I have carried a navy canvas and brown leather trimmed Coach Metropolitan briefcase that my wife bought me for almost 10 years now. It works well in a financial field, travels very well, and is just rugged enough to not look out of place when I’m dressed casually. It’s still showing almost no wear even after carrying it everyday for this long.
Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase replaced a Filson canvas about 5-6 years ago and I love its versatility. The heavy brass zipper on the Filson always scratched my watch when grabbing anything out of the main compartment, but it was a good bag.