Leather and canvas briefcases

A briefcase accompanies you through the working day, with room for your laptop, documents and everything you need on the move. Discover handcrafted business bags in leather and waxed canvas: thoughtfully organised, timeless in design and full of character.

Marlon business bag in chestnut brown, main view

Briefcase »Marlon« Chestnut Brown

€199,90

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Briefcase »Marlon« Black

€179,90

€199,90

Aurelio briefcase in Chestnut Brown – main view

Briefcase »Aurelio« Chestnut Brown

€219,90

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Aurelio business bag in chocolate brown, main view

Briefcase »Aurelio« Chocolate Brown

€219,90

Aurelio business bag in black, main view

Briefcase »Aurelio« Black

€219,90

Silvio briefcase

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Briefcase »Aurelio« & Cable Organiser »Porto« – Chestnut Brown

€249,90

€289,90

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Briefcase »Aurelio« & Cable Organiser »Porto« – Black

€249,90

€289,90

Hugo leather briefcase in Havana Brown – three-quarter view

Briefcase »Hugo« – Havana Brown

€179,90

Hugo leather briefcase in Vintage Black – three-quarter view

Briefcase »Hugo« – Vintage Black

€179,90

Hugo leather briefcase in Coffee Brown – three-quarter view

Briefcase »Hugo« – Coffee Brown

€179,90

Man carrying the blue Noah shoulder bag beside an off-road vehicle

Noah briefcase

Cover of the book “Der moderne Gentleman's Guide”

Book »Gentleman's Guide«

€45,00

Noah shoulder bag in Forest Green, made from waxed canvas and leather, angled front view

Shoulder bag »Noah« – Forest Green

€179,90

Noah shoulder bag in Ocean Blue, made from waxed canvas and leather, angled front view

Shoulder bag »Noah« – Ocean Blue

€179,90

Silvio leather briefcase in Chestnut Brown, three-quarter view

Briefcase »Silvio« Chestnut Brown

€209,90

Silvio briefcase in black leather, three-quarter view

Briefcase »Silvio« Black

€209,90

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Angelo 48-hour business bag in chestnut brown, three-quarter view

48h Briefcase »Angelo« Chestnut Brown

€219,90

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Angelo 48-hour business bag in chocolate brown, three-quarter view

48h Briefcase »Angelo« Chocolate Brown

€219,90

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Edward messenger bag in Coffee Brown buffalo leather with flap, buckles and carry handle

Messenger Bag “Edward” – Coffee Brown

€189,90

Leon messenger bag in Havana Brown – three-quarter view

Messenger Bag »Leon«

€169,90

Mason 48-hour travel briefcase in Forest Green waxed canvas and leather – perspective view

48-Hour Travel Briefcase »Mason« Forest Green

€199,90

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Mason 48-hour travel briefcase in ocean-blue waxed canvas and leather – angled view

48-Hour Travel Briefcase »Mason« Ocean Blue

€199,90

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Open Flavio padfolio in Black with card slots and A4 notepad holder

Leather Padfolio »Flavio« Black

€139,90

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Open Flavio padfolio in Chestnut Brown with card slots and A4 notepad holder

Leather Padfolio »Flavio« Chestnut Brown

€139,90

Leon messenger bag in Coffee Brown – three-quarter view

Messenger Bag »Leon«

€169,90

The briefcase: from paper documents to digital working life

The history of the briefcase began long before the laptop. As early as the 18th century, statesmen and ministers commissioned fine leather document cases. Fastenings protected confidential papers from prying eyes. In the 19th century, leather bags also accompanied merchants on business trips, carrying business papers and essentials for the journey.

Today, contracts and notes often travel digitally, but the idea remains: a bag that keeps things organised and important items together. DRAKENSBERG brings this tradition into the modern working day. Clean shapes, natural materials and practical compartments combine the character of classic briefcases with space for a laptop, smartphone and personal belongings.

Which briefcase suits your working day?

What you carry each day determines the right size and layout. Compare the materials, laptop compartments and carrying options of these four models, from a slim companion for a few documents to a business bag with separate main compartments. Find the briefcase that makes your working day easier.

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	Noah	Hugo	Marlon	Aurelio
Laptop compartment (W × H × D)	36 × 25 × 2.5 cm padded	36 × 25 × 2.5 cm padded	35 × 25 × 3 cm padded	35 × 25 × 3 cm padded separate compartment
Capacity	15 L	12 L	8 L	11 L
Organisation	Reinforced base Pen holders Organiser pockets External zipped pocket	Organiser Pockets Pen Holders Exterior Zip Pocket	Organiser Pockets Pen Holders Exterior Zip Pocket	Document Compartment Organiser Pockets Pen Holders Exterior Zip Pocket
Carrying options	Removable shoulder strap Adjustable shoulder strap	Trolley Sleeve Detachable Shoulder Strap Adjustable Shoulder Strap	Trolley Sleeve Detachable Shoulder Strap Adjustable Shoulder Strap	Trolley Sleeve Detachable Shoulder Strap Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Material	16 oz waxed cotton canvas Full-grain buffalo leather	Buffalo Leather Vegetable-Tanned Leather	Cowhide Leather Full-Grain Leather	Cowhide leather Full-grain leather
Weight	1.5 kg	1.1 kg	950 g	1.3 kg
	€179,90 View model	€179,90 View model	€199,90 View model	€219,90 View model

Internal laptop compartment dimensions in width × height × depth. Compare them with your closed device, including any additional sleeve. Screen size alone does not confirm the fit.

Leather and canvas briefcases: from classic to vintage

A leather briefcase has a classic look and works just as well with a suit as with a shirt and jeans. Hugo is made from full-grain, vegetable-tanned buffalo leather: its natural surface develops an individual patina with use. Marlon and Aurelio are crafted from full-grain cowhide. Their subtle leather texture and clean lines suit an elegant business style.

Noah combines 16 oz waxed cotton canvas with full-grain buffalo leather. The sturdy fabric is water-repellent and brings a relaxed vintage touch. Whether leather or canvas, careful stitching, strong handles and accessible zips matter as much as the material itself. All four bags have a cotton fabric lining.

Briefcase with organiser: your everyday work bag

Before buying, gather what you really need: laptop, charger, documents, notebook and perhaps a binder. A spacious main compartment alone does not keep everything organised. Slip pockets and pen holders keep small essentials within reach, while an external zipped pocket provides quick access to frequently used items.

A slim office bag is often enough for a laptop and a few documents. Two main compartments are useful if you want to store technology and papers separately. Check the interior layout as well as capacity: a wide A4 binder needs more depth than a document folder. If you need a teacher's bag, allow for books, exercise books and the overall weight too.

A business bag for every occasion: black, brown or green

A briefcase complements your personal style without dictating it. Aurelio in black leather is understated and suits formal occasions. Chestnut brown brings warmth to Marlon's clean shape, while coffee brown highlights Hugo's distinctive character. Noah in forest green works with a relaxed business-casual look. Whether for client meetings, field work or the daily commute, choose a leather bag whose shape and finish complement your style. A quality bag can look professional and still feel personal.

Your commute also matters when choosing a bag. A removable shoulder strap turns a briefcase into a shoulder bag, while carrying it by the handles gives it a classic appearance. Hugo, Marlon and Aurelio have trolley sleeves. For long journeys on foot with a heavy load, a business backpack may be more comfortable.

Adjustable shoulder strap: carry your briefcase over the shoulder

Carrying comfort depends on more than a briefcase's empty weight. If you pack books and electronics every day, the strap should fit well and keep the bag close to your body. All four models can be carried by their handles or with a length-adjustable shoulder strap. Noah adds a shoulder pad to its solid saddle-leather strap.

A trolley sleeve is especially useful when travelling with a wheeled suitcase. Instead of carrying two bags, simply slide the briefcase over the suitcase handle. For the short walk to a meeting, you can remove the shoulder strap. If you regularly move between train, office and hotel, this flexibility is valuable, as is an easily accessible compartment for travel documents.

Leather briefcases: quality workmanship and suitable care

A quality leather briefcase combines suitable materials with a sturdy construction. Look at the seams, handle attachments, zip and lining in the detail images. Leather alone does not make a bag functional: its compartments should hold your equipment without being overfilled. With leather business bags, it is also worth checking the carrying points and shoulder strap attachments.

The right leather care depends on the finish. Only use leather balm or other care products that are suitable for the particular leather, and test them on a hidden area first. Too much product can change the colour and feel. Let a damp leather briefcase dry slowly at room temperature. Sensible packing and dry storage are just as important for its longevity as care itself.

Explore more collections

Man with a black leather laptop bag and a wheeled suitcase in front of a glass façade

Leather laptop bags

Man carrying a brown leather messenger bag with a flap and buckles over his shoulder

Messenger bags

Brown laptop backpack with headphones beside a workspace

Laptop backpacks

Man in a beige coat carrying a black leather teacher bag on a staircase

Teacher Bags

Traveller with outstretched arms on a sunlit rocky plateau

Made for Good Journeys

DRAKENSBERG grew out of our shared passion for travel. We wanted to create bags made to accompany people for many years and many journeys, not just a single season.

That is why we combine timeless designs inspired by travel history with traditional craftsmanship and premium natural materials. To us, a great product is not about having the most details, but the right ones.

Timeless Design · Genuine Craftsmanship · Premium Materials

Our Story

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Frequently asked questions

What is a briefcase?

A briefcase is a work bag for documents and everyday professional essentials. It typically has a rectangular shape, carrying handles and a clearly organised interior. Modern briefcases often include a padded laptop compartment and a shoulder strap, combining the traditional document case with the functions of a laptop bag.

Briefcase with laptop compartment: 15, 16 or 17 inches?

All four models in this comparison have a padded laptop compartment: Marlon for up to 15 inches, and Noah, Hugo and Aurelio for up to 16 inches. The actual dimensions of your closed laptop are what matter. Compare its width, height and depth with the compartment dimensions; an additional sleeve needs extra room. Screen size alone does not guarantee a fit. None of these four models is specified for a 17-inch device. Choose a larger laptop bag with confirmed compartment dimensions for such a device.

Which briefcase has room for A4 documents and binders?

All four models can carry A4 documents. According to its product description, Noah has room for an A4 binder. Aurelio has two main compartments to keep technology, documents and other work essentials separate. For binders, check the spine width and what else you need to carry; Marlon is deliberately slim, with an external depth of 7 cm.

Briefcases for women and men: what matters?

Whether you are looking for a women's or men's briefcase, the key factors are size, weight and personal style. The clean designs are versatile. A compact bag is understated, while a larger business bag provides more space. Choose the model that suits your equipment and how you like to carry it. Men's and women's briefcases do not necessarily differ in function. Consider the proportions and make sure your new shoulder bag remains comfortable when full.

Briefcase, laptop bag or messenger bag?

A briefcase focuses on carrying handles, a defined shape and organisation for work documents. A laptop bag is designed primarily to transport a computer. A messenger bag is mainly worn over the shoulder and often has a flap. The categories overlap: a briefcase with a laptop compartment and shoulder strap combines several functions.

Which business bag is suitable for business trips?

Hugo, Marlon and Aurelio are practical when travelling with a wheeled suitcase thanks to their trolley sleeves. At 15 litres, Noah has the largest stated capacity in this comparison, but no specified trolley sleeve. For air travel, check your airline's baggage dimensions and fare rules. A 48-hour briefcase may be more suitable if you also need clothing for an overnight stay.

Is a leather briefcase water-repellent?

None of the four models is sold as waterproof. Noah's waxed canvas is water-repellent. Hugo, Marlon and Aurelio are not specified as water-repellent, but can be treated with a suitable protective product. Give sensitive electronics extra protection in prolonged rain and test care products on an inconspicuous area first.

How do I care for my briefcase?

Remove dust with a soft cloth and let damp bags dry at room temperature, away from radiators. Use only suitable leather care products and test them on a hidden area first, as they may change the colour. Do not machine-wash waxed canvas. Follow the care instructions for each material: regular, appropriate care helps your bag last longer.

A quality leather briefcase: attention to every detail

Look for clear material information, neat stitching, strong handles and easy-to-use fastenings. Genuine leather alone is not a quality grade: the leather models compared here use full-grain leather. Marlon and Aurelio have YKK Everbright® metal zips. A good leather briefcase combines quality materials with an interior layout you will actually use.

Buying a briefcase online: what should I check first?

Measure your laptop and decide which documents and accessories you carry every day. Then compare compartment dimensions, weight and carrying options. Product photos show the interior layout, while close-ups help you assess materials and workmanship. This makes it easier to narrow down the choice. Our briefcases offer different solutions so you can select the bag that suits your needs.