Leather Bags
Leather Briefcase vs Messenger Bag (and Laptop Bags) for Men
A leather briefcase is the formal work bag carried by a top handle. A messenger bag hangs on one strap. A laptop bag adds a padded compartment. Compared here.
At a glance
- A briefcase carries by a top handle and keeps papers flat.
- A messenger bag is softer and worn on one shoulder strap.
- Only the laptop bag states a laptop size.
- The zip briefcase is the slimmer and cheaper of the two briefcases.
Leather Flap Briefcase with Two Front Pockets, Dark Brown, 42cm £159.99 · Free UK delivery Shop A leather briefcase is the formal work bag carried by a top handle. A messenger bag is the softer bag worn on one shoulder strap. A laptop bag is either shape built around a padded laptop compartment.
What is the difference between a briefcase and a messenger bag?
A briefcase carries by a top handle and keeps papers flat. A messenger bag hangs from one shoulder strap and leaves your hands free. Both carry documents and a day’s kit.
We sell two briefcases, one messenger bag and one laptop bag with a messenger shape. The table compares all four.
| Flap briefcase | Zip briefcase | Messenger bag | Laptop bag | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £159.99 | £64.99 | £69.99 | £189.99 |
| Size | 42 x 29 x 10cm | 39 x 28 x 7cm | Medium, 10 inch (supplier) | 38 x 28 x 10cm |
| Weight | About 1.9kg | About 820g | About 626g | 1,400g |
| Laptop size stated | No | No | No | Up to 14.5 inches |
| Carry | Top handle, shoulder strap | Two handles, shoulder strap | Shoulder strap | Shoulder strap or by hand |
What does the flap briefcase hold?
The flap briefcase holds papers and books in its main compartment, with two front pockets. It is the traditional briefcase shape. A deep front flap closes over the buckled straps. A leather top handle sits at the centre and a shoulder strap clips to the sides.
The product photo shows the flap closed over both buckled pockets.
The supplier’s inside photo shows books and papers lying flat. The supplier lists an expansion function.
What is the zip briefcase for?
The zip briefcase is the slim option for documents and a tablet. The supplier lists its capacity as under 20 litres. A zip across the top closes the main compartment and a second zip closes the front pocket.
It weighs roughly 1.1kg less than the flap briefcase. Its two webbing handles are joined by a leather grip.
What does a messenger bag do better?
Our messenger bag is the lightest bag in this guide. It has a zip top with a zipped inner pocket, a phone pocket and a document pocket.
The supplier gives no length, height or depth. The men’s leather messenger bag suits a light daily load.
What makes a laptop bag different?
A laptop bag is built around a padded laptop compartment. The vintage leather laptop bag takes laptops up to 14.5 inches. The listing names the MacBook Pro 14, Dell XPS 14 and ThinkPad X1 Carbon as examples. A4 documents also fit flat.
It has solid brass buckles, three internal pockets and a dedicated phone slot. The photo shows the distressed leather and the shoulder strap.
How do you check a laptop fits?
Check a laptop fits by measuring its length, width and thickness against the bag’s stated compartment or outside size. The laptop bag’s padded compartment is 32 x 23 x 3cm.
The flap briefcase, zip briefcase and messenger bag listings give no laptop size. Measure your laptop’s length, width and thickness. Add room for a charger and a sleeve. Then compare the numbers with the outside sizes in the table. Outside sizes include the leather walls and lining. The usable space inside is smaller.
How do you carry each bag?
The flap briefcase carries by its top handle or a clip-on shoulder strap. The zip briefcase carries by two handles or a shoulder strap with swivel metal clips. The messenger bag hangs on one webbing strap with a buckle to adjust it. The laptop bag carries on a detachable strap that adjusts from 90 to 140cm.
The laptop bag is the only one of the four with a stated strap length. With the strap off you carry it by hand. A single strap puts the load on one shoulder. Swap shoulders during the day and keep heavy items close to your back.
What are the bags made of and how do you care for them?
All four bags are leather as listed by the supplier. The flap briefcase, the zip briefcase and the messenger bag are first-layer cowhide. The laptop bag is top-grain leather.
Linings differ. The flap briefcase has polyester cotton and the zip briefcase has cotton. The messenger bag has polyester and the laptop bag has cotton twill.
Wipe the leather with a barely damp cloth and let it dry away from heat. Our guide on how to clean a leather bag covers stains and conditioning. Keep a work bag off wet floors and out of heavy rain.
What do they cost and when do they arrive?
Prices run from £64.99 for the zip briefcase to £189.99 for the laptop bag, and all four ship free to the UK. The messenger bag and the flap briefcase sit between them on price.
The briefcases and the messenger bag arrive in 7 to 12 working days. You can return any of the four within 30 days if it is unused and in its original packaging.
Which bag should you choose?
Pick the flap briefcase for papers and a formal look. Pick the zip briefcase for a slim commute bag, the messenger bag for a light load and the laptop bag for a laptop.
| If you need | Pick |
|---|---|
| A stated laptop fit | Vintage laptop bag |
| A formal flap and buckles | Flap briefcase |
| The slimmest and cheapest briefcase | Zip briefcase |
| The lightest bag | Messenger bag |
All four work bags sit in Leather Bags.
Leather work bags compared in this guide
| Product | Price | Why it is here |
|---|---|---|
| Leather Flap Briefcase with Two Front Pockets, Dark Brown, 42cm | £159.99 | A dark brown cowhide flap briefcase with two buckled front pockets, a top handle and a shoulder strap. |
 Leather Zip Briefcase, Coffee Brown, 39 x 28cm | £64.99 | A slim coffee brown zip briefcase for documents and a tablet, with a front zip pocket. |
 Men's Leather Messenger Bag, Brown Cowhide Shoulder Bag | £69.99 | A brown cowhide messenger bag with a zip top, phone and document pockets and an adjustable shoulder strap. |
| Vintage Leather Laptop Bag. Top-Grain, Fits 14-Inch | £189.99 | A top-grain leather messenger-style bag with a padded laptop compartment and a detachable strap. |
Questions answered
Does a briefcase have a shoulder strap? +
Yes, both of our briefcases have a shoulder strap and a top handle or handles.
Which bag fits A4 documents flat? +
The vintage laptop bag is the one listed to fit A4 documents flat. The briefcase listings give outside sizes only.
Is a leather briefcase heavy? +
No, not the zip briefcase. It weighs about 820g. The flap briefcase is heavier at about 1.9kg.
Can you use a laptop bag as a briefcase? +
Yes, the vintage laptop bag strap detaches. You then carry it by hand as a briefcase.
Is the messenger bag strap adjustable? +
Yes, a buckle adjusts the length of its single shoulder strap.
