Leather Briefcase Bag vs. Backpack: Which One Do You Prefer? 

Choosing the right bag for everyday life is more than just a fashion statement—it’s about functionality, comfort, and practicality. There are many options one can choose from when deciding on an everyday bag, but the main two options are either a leather briefcase bag or a backpack. Although they serve the same purpose, the two options are very different in terms of style and usage. Some prefer leather briefcases while other people prefer backpacks.

Leather Briefcases or Backpacks? A Never-Ending Debate

If you’re a fan of both leather briefcases and backpacks and simply can’t settle on one, then this article is for you. We get it, sometimes a backpack is so convenient – you throw everything you can possibly need inside, put it on your back and then you’re on the road.

But then comes the leather briefcase bag, a sleek and stylish bag that you can proudly show off at the office, at business events and when taking a stroll downtown. How do you choose between the two? Read more to find out.

1. Style and Professionalism

Few accessories in life match the classic and timeless look of the leather briefcase bag. It shows authority, it demands respect, it fits in perfectly in corporate or business places and it makes you stand out in the best way possible. Because you can get them in multiple colors, they are also very versatile and you can even pair them with your suitcase for a polished look. Leather gives them this endless and classic appeal that is very much appreciated. You can find high-end traveling bags in other materials, but when it comes to aesthetics, leather briefcases take the win.

Backpacks, on the other hand, are extremely practical, there’s no doubt about that. But that practicability comes with a price and that is elegance. Backpacks are usually more casual and they give off a youthful and careless vibe, as opposed to the classical and respectable image offered by the high-end alternative. If you really need to use a backpack in a business context, we recommend having a leather backpack, as it can somewhat bridge the gap between a backpack and a leather briefcase bag.

2. Comfort and Ease of Carrying

You already know which one is going to win this “battle”. While leather briefcases are comfortable because they’re made of leather, their structure makes them inherently less comfortable than their counterpart, the backpack. However, if you want that stylish look without compromising your everyday comfort, you can go for a style that includes the following elements:

• padded straps
• ergonomic handles
• dual handles
• adjustable straps

Backpacks are one of the; if not the most, comfortable carrying devices you can get out there. Their structural design grants them that. Yes, you can still find uncomfortable backpacks on the market, that is not uncommon, but generally-speaking, backpacks usually take the win in this category. However, if you don’t want to rely on your back to do all the hard work, especially after a long day on the road or at the office, then you might want to go for a briefcase.

3. Organization and Storage Space’

This aspect is similar to a two-faced coin. On one hand, the backpack has obviously more room for storage. However, a briefcase provides more options in terms of organization. With briefcases, you can have a designated spot for your laptop, one for your pens, you can have special compartments for documents and files and you will always know where everything is.

Backpacks may provide you with more room, but it is often one big compartment where once you place something inside, it is prone to being moved around. This can cause you to damage or lose some objects. If you work in law or other industries that require you to walk around with papers, then you know a backpack will not get the job done. If you ever had to carry around papers inside a backpack, then you know the struggle very well. Not to mention that it is not very professional of you to pull up to your office and start rummaging through your bag for the files you need.

4. Durability and Longevity

We’ve decided to leave the most complex and difficult-to-determine aspect for the end. Obviously, both of them fulfill this requirement of durability quite well and that increases their longevity. However, one has to do better than the other. How do you choose between a leather briefcase and a backpack, when the only criterion is durability?

With proper care, a good-quality leather bag can last you for decades. Leather ages like fine wine; the more time passes by, the better your leather bag will look. That is because they develop a patina, which is a mark of time and use. When other accessories would develop signs of wear, leather develops a patina. Not only that, but leather is known for being one of the most durable materials out there. Because they come from animal origin, they are very resistant by nature. They are water resistant (to some degree) and can withstand scratches and other signs of wear.

Backpacks are also somewhat durable, but their degree of durability depends a lot on the material they’re made of. Nylon or canvas backpacks may be lightweight and easy to maneuver, but they may wear out faster than leather.

Should You Get a Lather Briefcase Bag?

Depends. Do you need a sturdy, durable, high-quality bag? Do you need a place to store all your belongings? Are you in need of an all-purpose kind of bag? Then yes, you do need a leather briefcase bag. They’re classic, they’re durable, they can make you look good in any place and any scenario and, once you buy one, you can rest assured that for years to come you won’t have to buy another bag.