It’s not that briefcases are out of date. It’s that alternative versions of the archetypal business bag are now accepted as appropriate in most work environments. Backpacks, messenger bags and trendy canvas totes have taken advantage of this cultural easing and attempted to displace the briefcase in productive everyday carry, but it has held on to its position as the most respected work bag.
Today’s briefcases aren’t the cubic leather carriers you might imagine a bowler-wearing businessman would pair with his favorite trench coat though. They’re more casual, and more like the satchels and shoulder bags that initially inspired the design’s creation. The new species of briefcase carry laptops, tablets and daily essentials instead of overstuffed folios of paper, and durable, weather-resistant materials like waxed canvas and Cordura nylon come in handy for that. It’s no wonder that outdoorsy brands including Patagonia, Filson and Topo Designs have managed to not only make the briefcase more functional but also more contemporary.
Orvis Battenkill Briefcase
Perhaps the closest to the stiff rectangular original, Orvis’s Battenkill Briefcase exchanges hinges and latches for canvas and locking zippers. Its build and aesthetic are very much in tune with the brand’s sportsman roots.
