Briefcase Buyers Guide

Briefcase Buyers Guide Business tools are becoming more technologically sophisticated every year, but the briefcase has stood the test of time, and remains one of the most essential of all business accessories. That's not to say briefcases haven't changed. Messenger bags, laptop bags, and other business cases continue to challenge the definition of a briefcase. But in general, our briefcase buyers guide finds that the same shopping rules still apply.

How to buy a quality briefcase

Regardless of the form your briefcase takes, it should display the same quality materials, durable construction, and useful features you've come to expect from a briefcase. What will vary is how adaptable your business case must be to needs such as travel or tech storage, e.g. laptops, PDAs, and other personal organizers.

Briefcase material is a foremost concern. Leather reigns supreme as the popular choice for business cases, though durable synthetics such as nylon and polyester are showing up more often. Aluminum is a portable and resilient briefcase material for frequent travelers.

Paying for quality should ensure a briefcase with solid construction. Every briefcase looks good empty. A full briefcase requires a strong frame or reinforced bottom, a handle with a crossbar so it won't separate from the briefcase, and an ergonomic interior with pockets sized and placed to provide good carrying balance.

Don't ignore small aesthetic features when shopping for briefcases. The best manufacturers lavish attention on the details. Tight, well spaced stitching, sewn in zippers, and a lock open lid make a briefcase presentable and easy to use.

Other briefcase features to look for include wide and well padded shoulder straps (a common business traveler's condition is "airport shoulder"), tie down or buckled straps for more secure closing of stuffed briefcases, or double handles if your business case is especially wide. A good mix of interior and exterior storage compartments makes for easier access. All those features plus a striking design equals a briefcase worth buying.