You have a lot of options when it comes to hauling your gear to and from the office. The traditional hardshell briefcase of years gone by has given way to a myriad of unique options. Only you can choose the right one for your needs and your style preferences, but allow us to present a few possibilities, all of which are winners in our book.
Yeti Tocayo Backpack 26
Yeti makes plenty of outdoor gear we trust, from coolers to camp chairs. So when it comes to backpacks, you know the brand’s offering is going to be tougher than a lot of the competition. The Tocayo Backpack 26 is that bag, and, unsurprisingly, it boasts a resilient shell that’s waterproof and built from PU-backed 1000D nylon. Inside you’ll find a 360-degree padded laptop vault and plenty of space for office necessities. Plus, the clean appearance makes it professional enough for the office.
$250
Mission Workshop Transit Arkiv
Mission Workshop’s Transit Arkiv, a bag they bill as a “Laptop Brief,” is infused with the same reserved cool as all the other products the brand has released over the years. That means it’s not loud or flashy but still demands attention. Not only that, this thing is tough as nails, as the weatherproof bag is designed for bike commuters and city slickers. Made in the USA and compatible with Porteur-style bicycle racks, this durable piece of baggage is ready for the grind.
$235
Bellroy Slim Backpack
Bellroy makes some of the nicest wallets and card cases we’ve come across. Turns out the brand can also build a damn fine backpack. The Bellroy Slim Backpack is the perfect backpack for office wear, as it’s more professional in appearance than, say, a JanSport. Outfitted with a leather magnetic snap closure, external quick access pocket, and soft lined pockets for sunglasses and pieces of fragile tech, the Bellroy Slim Backpack is a flat-out winner.
$149
Bleu de Chauffe Jupiter Business Case
Dressing for the job you want doesn’t just refer to your shirt, pants, and shoes. Accessories matter, which is why we recommend an investment bag for the office. Few snag our attention like the Jupiter from Bleu de Chauffe. The business bag is part briefcase and part travel bag, and it’s built from beautiful vegetable tanned leather that will wear wonderfully with the years. The bag also boasts an integrated felt sleeve for your laptop, removable zipped cotton pockets for accessories, and a back pocket with magnetic closing button. It’s an investment piece, and it’s so worth it.
$495
Bobby Urban Anti-Theft Backpack
Your work bag will no doubt hold some precious cargo. From laptops and tablets to important paperwork, the last thing you want is someone with sticky fingers to gain access to it while you’re at a coffee shop or on the street. No worries if that bag happens to be the Bobby Urban Anti-Theft Backpack, which is made from cut-proof material and offers no point of entry for would-be thieves.
$150
Samsonite SXK Core Messenger
You want durable? How about reinforced-with-Kevlar durable? That’s what you’re getting when you drop the money on Samsonite’s new SXK Core Messenger. Built for exceptional durability, the bag is crafted from fabric reinforced with Dupont Kevlar fibers. Dedicated tech compartments fit up to a 13” laptop and a 9.7” tablet, while a Fidlock magnetic release slider allows for easy, one-handed closing. But, again, the selling point here is the fact that it’s made from the same stuff as bulletproof vests.
$250
Aer Commuter Bag
We love Aer bags because the brand infuses them with a dose of modern cool. This all black Commuter Bag is yet another fine example. Built from 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon and a water-resistant front, the bag is truly built for the demands of biking to the office day in and out. Multiple compartments give you some needed organization for all your work gear while multiple carry options make it easy to lug around in whatever way you choose.
$125
Wings+Horns x Porter Tote Bag
The tote bag is kind of the do-everything bag. That means it’s good for work, travel, or grabbing a few groceries. Wings+Horns teamed up with Porter for an elevated tote that’s a bit more professional than others on the market. The bag is made from ripstop taffeta with nylon satin side panels, and storage comes courtesy of a pair of exterior zip pockets, a padded sleeve with velcro closure, and the large main compartment.
$269
Rowing Blazers Banker Bag
For overnight trips, there’s the Banker Bag from Rowing Blazers, a cheeky nod to Wall Street. The quirky bag is decked out with logos for “Pierce & Pierce Mergers and Acquisitions” and is built in collaboration with Warden Brooks, the mother-daughter owned company that has made the Wall Street Duffle since the late ‘70s. Just brush up on your Wolf of Wall Street tactics before you add this bad to your collection.
$125
Billykirk No. 235 Leather Tote
The guys over at Billykirk know how to craft timeless goods using simple tools and leather. If you’ve trusted them with the wallet you carry every day and the belt around your waist, you know they’ll do you right with the No. 235 Leather Tote, a gorgeous bag that’s wonderfully simple. Made from Dublin, a premium leather from Horween, the bag will only get more stunning with use.
$420
Filson 24-Hour Tin Cloth Briefcase
The 24-Hour Tin Cloth Briefcase is built for the worker on the go, the person who has coffee shop meetings before catching a flight to meet a client. It stands up to all weather conditions and boasts a trolley strap so it stays with your luggage. But at its heart, it’s a briefcase, one perfectly suited for the 9-to-5. And since it carries the Filson badge, you know this thing will last for your entire ascent of the corporate ladder.
$395
The Adjustable Bag
Can’t decide between a duffle, backpack, or sling? With The Adjustable Bag you don’t have to, as it’s all three of those things in one. That makes it the work bag that transforms into a gym bag, which, in turn, transforms into a commuter bag so you can hop on your bike and get home after a long day. Built from PU treated nylon and lined with 210D polyester, The Adjustable Bag is tough enough to handle getting tossed by a desk and into a locker for quite some time.
$150
Tumi Carbon Fiber Morley Backpack
Want to get nuts? Let’s get nuts. This backpack costs more than 25 JanSports and is built from freaking carbon fiber. Tumi’s Carbon Fiber Morley Backpack is truly an elevated backpack, complete with tech storage spots and an indestructible exterior. Is it over the top? Absolutely. But how many people can say their work bag is built from the same material as the most ridiculous supercars?
$1,295
