Briefcases look awesome, but in the era of carrying laptop, charger, phone, note pads, batteries, tablet etc, they just haven’t kept up the pace in functionality terms (at least in my opinion) and always forces you to have one hand for carrying, which sounds like an odd comment but in the rain when you need an umbrella and coffee as well, the needs to limbs ratio just doesn’t stack up.

I bought the Samsonite travel top loader about a 18 months ago and have absolutely loved it. RRP for around $380 but it’s always on sale (saw it just now around $230) Classic leather look with a ton a space to bring everything you need (always a must for me) plus the design allows it to easy stand up on its own, comes with the samsonite warranties etc.

Kudos to you for keeping the suit look classy btw. Nothing ruins a sharp image of a fine 2 piece than having some slazenger school kids backpack that costs $48.41 from Big W strapped to your back (Jk of course as bellroy stuff is always top notch also)

I’d buy a briefcase if I knew where to store my lunch..

Briefcase wanker!

Filson

https://preview.redd.it/1wsgl1r38w6f1.jpeg?width=1206&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9d4526b131593722db808edf378fc790d6fcf378

Great options but I like my briefcases a bit more rigid - not soft leather. My Tailor has a custom-made option - made in Spain. I am still eye'ing the dark brown.

Don't own that exact ROF briefcase but I do own their weekender, another briefcase, a toiletry bag, and passport case. Big fan obviously haha

Can't fault the quality, and always felt my laptop is safe in the briefcase.

don't own any of them but the second one looks nice. it really depends on what you're wearing

Manual digging through endless threads is the killer; filtering signal from noise eats my day. I’ve burned hours refreshing HN with Indie Hackers alerts on, hoping a relevant comment pops up before it’s stale. Even with TweetDeck columns for key phrases, half the hits are folks venting, not shopping. What’s saved me is building a tight keyword list-only the exact problems my tool solves-and auto-routing each hit into a Trello board with a 15-minute snooze window. That forces me to reply fast or dump it. For deeper dives I batch-schedule one hour late night to write reusable answer templates so I’m not starting from scratch every time. Product-wise, VisualPing keeps me on top of competitor launches, F5Bot catches the odd Reddit mention, and Pulse for Reddit flags live threads where users actually ask for a fix I offer. Manual digging through endless threads is the killer, so anything that limits the scroll wins.

Topo Designs. Made in Fort Collins, Colorado. Cool designs and made with the pretty much indestructible material Cordura.

Not exactly a briefcase/messenger, but Uniqlo's 3-in-1 bag is incredible for a similar purpose. It converts between a backpack, messenger, and briefcase-style carry and is my go-to work bag and walking-in-the-city bag.

Transit Arkiv from Mission Workshop. I've had this for 3 years and it's still like new.

Peak Design makes a nice messenger with a ton of smart storage ideas incorporated. All of their products I have used are incredibly well thought out.

Greenburry. I use this one every single day, and everything about it is perfect – looks great, the layout is absolutely perfect, and the materials are sturdy and feel good.

Vermilyea Pelle Standard Briefcase

It's a Filson briefcase, but with every detail improved.

(kkcy93 here, created a new account for my leatherwork)

Wow, I'm honoured that you found my work to be an inspiration. Since then I've really honed in on making bifold wallets, but this year I plan to embark on another briefcase project again. If anyone is keen to follow, I post semi-frequently on my Instagram account.

Rothco

Coming in well under 100 they have a myriad of options from pouches to crossbody to messenger styles to chose from.

Quality is not amazing but they punch above their weight for the price.

I've had this one for 3 or 4 years. Started to fray at some edges but still functional.

Pro tip: they make for a great diy wax project as well.

Copper River Bags. Made in the US with a 100 year warranty. I really like mine that I bought about seven years ago. Most of their stuff is rather casual and rugged looking, which works great for me, but it might not fly in more serious business settings. The only complaint I'd have is that there isn't any structure built into my bag, so it flops over and kinda pools into itself when nothing is in it.

Also, it appears that they have switched from a straight forward pricing model to a Kohl's sales stacking on sales model since I bought mine. I get coupon codes via email to stack on top of sale prices frequently from them. So that's kinda lame. But on the upside, it looks like they stopped nickel and diming people by upcharging for a leather shoulder strap versus a standard nylon.

Akurtz

I've had my Cottonwood messenger for over a year now. Very sturdy canvas fabric and it was under $100.

Filson Original Briefcase

I have the discontinued and slightly roomier 257 and absolutely love it - it's surprisingly roomy and goes with almost everything I wear. My office dress code ranges from business casual (more on the business side) to full on suit and tie, depending on the stakeholders/clients people work with and I've only received compliments on it. It's one of the few items I bought before I seriously got into dressing better that I absolutely love now.

One downside is that it isn't very structured and loses a bit of its shape if you're not carrying stuff. Getting stains out of it can also be very difficult if you're not willing to embrace that #patina #wabisabi aesthetic.

I haven't checked what discounts/second hand prices look like but I got it new for ~£120 in 2013 so I imagine that finding one under $250 isn't hard if you're patient.

it depends on a lot on ur job and ur vibe, but i recently got a vintage Halliburton attache in dark grey and its so damn awesome. only cost me $130, it’s indestructible and i get tons of compliments on it-here’s my briefcase

I work in finance too. I love convertible briefs so I can still sport the backpack when lugging 20 pounds of memos around. I own a few: Topo global brief, wexley Norton, and Stuart and lau campaign (havent received this one yet). There are others out there too, like black ember forge.

I have a couple bags from Waterfield and they are sooo nice. Highly recommend! https://www.sfbags.com/collections/briefcases

Check out the Alpaka Elements Tech Brief Pro. Can carry as a backpack, messenger, or brief.

Filson brief

Filson

Waterfield designs

Filson of course

Topo Designs Commuter

I picked up one of these on a trip when I needed to look smart unexpectedly… I thought it’d end up donating it when I got back but… I love it. It’s so great. And very cheap.

I have the Osprey Aeode briefpack. Kind of hybrid briefcase, messenger bag and some hidden backpack straps.

i was intrigued by this bag. went the piquandro website, did a search for CITY MOVER.... zero hits?

I hadn’t heard of that brand before. Pretty nice stuff! Really pricey to import to the US, but I like what I saw.

I'm leaning towards #4 and #5. Either way, if they give you the option to use or skip the long strap, that's perfect.

See if you can check them out in person so you know for sure they'll handle what you need them to and that they actually work with the shades of leather for the accessories or shoes they may be going with.

Don't forget the leather care!

Anything that doesn't have a shoulder thing (english is not fist language) Just a handle looks so much better.

You attached to lugging that much in a shoulder bag? I've carried around a D850, D810, and pro glass and thwas was miserable. Laptops on top of that would break me.

That said... take a look at Wotancraft. I have one of their camera cubes and it's shockingly well made. My standard camera bag is a limited edition MIUSA Filson you can no longer get, and this is comparable in quality. Every review I've seen of them is rock solid, and I'd pick one up if the Filson ever died.

But fitting two laptops is going to be a rough ask. I'd strongly suggest you grab a camera bag and then a different solution for laptop carry. You can always chuck a camera cube in something else. Anything that can handle it is likely to be way too bulky to be comfortable for camera user, and will get in the way more than it is useful.

Mission Workshop Transit may fit the bill. Not leather.

I have seen that Saddleback bag in person. It makes the person carrying it look like some sort of RPG character. Well made, but it is very much a lot and not something I could imagine bringing on a date without giving off... a certain vibe.

Filson 48 Hour is better looking IMO.

I have a nice bag for sale if you are interested it’s a luxury bag and I’ll give you a sweet deal. It’s worth $800 but I’ll sell it for $200. It’s a TUMI and it’s really nice. If you are interested send me a message. Here is the bag - https://www.ebay.com/itm/356947957738?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110010%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.DISCCARDS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20240423163527%26meid%3D94713ef74fa945df97717420614526bd%26pid%3D102132%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D356947957738%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DDiscOrganicAspectsRecallWithCoaspectWithMskuSeedAspectsWithPreRankingWithGreedyCardsForHpSeedless%26brand%3DTumi&_trksid=p4375194.c102132.m167900&_trkparms=parentrq%3Afbd251971960a8ddd3126de9ffffa9c2%7Cpageci%3Adb1c97f0-379e-11f0-b9b5-b68d27f75e84%7Ciid%3A1%7Cvlpname%3Avlp_homepage

Before you do anything, check out Gfeller Casemakers Diamond Creek Satchel.

Just get something from Ona Bags for the camera and laptop. It’s not quite what I’d call BIFL because the leather isn’t incredible (look at Wotancraft), but even so, they’re beautiful, high quality bags from a company that specializes in leather camera bags.

Just get another briefcase for when you actually go to work. I have a beautiful leather bag from Aunts and Uncles (German brand, I think) called the “Fella”, and it would hold a laptop and other stuff, but it’s not particularly organized. Beautiful leather and buckles, though.

I have been enjoying the rodeo messenger. Don’t think I’ll be replacing it anytime soon ✌️

https://preview.redd.it/2g8cdbjpzqaf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=abf3a967978102383cba55b64a27dac021f3d375

Have you seen the Ferragamo Hug? I think pretty masculine and understated

I'm not usually a BV person, but I love this https://a201812232313071210118632.szwego.com/weshop/goods/_d80qferwrkguZySRZf_ZQg-WrqKOpDnCk-DLT8A/_duZqfvRIk0g2vkkbF-aXfW6HwT1cJ-XhS5MP-7g

https://preview.redd.it/ru98t0sw7oaf1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=a9b0043894558b1b55f8cfdfca7ec912134c5fc2

https://a201812232313071210118632.szwego.com/weshop/goods/_d80qferwrkguZySRZf_ZQg-WrqKOpDnCk-DLT8A/_d-MqfX7oTmbo7Bc4Wokwl8IA772fpepTU5j4w0A

I bought the Rodeo in large for my husband and he loves it. He also stole my Margaux 17 from me and has used it a few times, but that one isn’t a crossbody.