For men like you, keeping it brief doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or content. It means choosing the best parts for high level conversation, so you can start taking action as soon as your feet hit the ground. With that sentiment in mind, we designed our collection of leather briefcases to encompass all of the best elements of a work bag without the nonsense and frills—helping you keep it short, sweet, and to the point.
Our briefcases are full-grain leather: the top layer of the hide, left whole, so it gets better with wear instead of peeling or cracking. The Roosevelt line is water buffalo leather, the Ryder Reserve line is American bison, and the Jefferson and Walker lines are cow leather. We design them in Matthews, North Carolina, and have made them since 2009 with partner workshops in India and Mexico. Prices run from $299.95 to $699.95.
Which Briefcase Fits How You Work
| Briefcase | Material | Size in inches (as listed) | Weight and laptop | Best for | Price and rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt Briefcase | Full-grain water buffalo leather | 16 x 8 x 10 | 5 lb 14 oz. Sleeve 14.75 x 8. | A roomy, structured everyday briefcase. Made in India. | From $299.95 4.8 (156 reviews) |
| Roosevelt Leather Briefcase, suede lined | Leather with a suede lining | 16 x 8 x 11 | Sleeve 13.5 x 9.5. | A little taller than the Roosevelt Briefcase, with a suede interior. Made in India. | $379.95 4.8 (89 reviews) |
| Ryder Reserve Bison Briefcase | Full-grain American bison leather | 16 x 6 x 12 (15 L) | 7 lb 2.8 oz. Sleeve 13.5 x 9.5. | Our top-of-the-line briefcase, with the most capacity in the collection. Made in Mexico. | $699.95 4.9 (68 reviews) |
| Ryder Reserve Laptop Briefcase | Full-grain American bison leather | 16 x 3.25 x 10.5 (10 L) | 4 lb 7.2 oz. Sleeve 14.5 x 8.25. | A slimmer Ryder Reserve built around a laptop. Made in Mexico. | $649.95 5.0 (28 reviews) |
| Jefferson Modern Briefcase | Full-grain cow leather | 16.5 x 4.2 x 11 (12 L) | 4 lb 13.4 oz | A cleaner, more modern profile. Made in India. | $399.95 4.5 (38 reviews) |
| Jefferson Attaché | Full-grain cow leather | 15.5 x 2 x 10.8 | See product page | The thinnest briefcase here, for documents and a tablet. | $374.95 4.9 (23 reviews) |
| Walker Vintage Briefcase | Full-grain cow leather | 16 x 4 x 10 (10 L) | 2 lb 9 oz | The lightest briefcase here. Made in Mexico. | $349.95 4.8 (15 reviews) |
Prices, ratings and review counts as of October 2026. Each product page shows the current price, color options and stock.
How to Choose
- By laptop. Measure your laptop and compare it to the sleeve on the product page. The sleeves listed above run from 13.5 x 9.5 inches (Roosevelt suede-lined and Ryder Reserve Bison) to 14.75 x 8 inches (Roosevelt Briefcase).
- By weight. The Walker is 2 lb 9 oz, the Ryder Reserve Laptop 4 lb 7.2 oz, the Jefferson Modern 4 lb 13.4 oz, the Roosevelt 5 lb 14 oz and the Ryder Reserve Bison 7 lb 2.8 oz. A full briefcase is heavier than the bag alone.
- By capacity. The Ryder Reserve Bison holds 15 L, the Jefferson Modern 12 L, and the Walker and Ryder Reserve Laptop 10 L each.
- By office. A briefcase reads more formal than a messenger bag or backpack. If your office is casual or you carry a lot, compare our leather messenger bags, and read briefcase vs. backpack at work or attaché vs. briefcase.
Why Our Leather Briefcases Are Something Special
Sturdy, rugged, and perfectly built, our leather briefcases are made for the ideal rugged man. Tough, no question, but also clearly refined, be at ease with whatever’s headed your way. Whether jet setting to your next meeting or carrying it along on a weekend retreat, we know this—you’ll feel the difference in our handcrafted design and full grain leather. Carry on your shoulder or store under the seat in front of you to handle the stress of today’s travel while allowing you to arrive at your destination in unmistakable style. Our leather briefcases are a classic option for today’s rugged professional that works in a formal or traditional office environment.
If our leather briefcases really speak to you and your daily mission, consider browsing our Leather Journal Covers and Office Accessories to match your new-found look. Store these accessories along with your laptop in our briefcases with multiple pockets and enclosures. Are you constantly on the move and want another bag to go with your briefcase that says “I’m professional”? Then read up on our guide for Best Men’s Work Bags.
How to Maintain Our Leather Briefcases
It rides with you to work, it carries your laptop, books, pens, chargers — your briefcase is your trusted companion in the daily rise and grind. And it’s been exposed to its fair share of raindrops, spills, and dirty floors. Make sure you properly condition and clean our leather briefcases to wipe away the grit, but keep the rugged exterior. Read up on our guide How to Care for a Leather Briefcase and follow our 4 tips to ensure your briefcase has a good, long life. If you’re going to make the investment in one of our leather briefcases, it only makes sense to take the time to care for your leather.
Before You Buy
- The briefcase buying guide
- Best briefcases for men
- Messenger or briefcase for the commute?
- Full-grain vs. top-grain leather
Shop More
Brown leather briefcases · Messenger bags · Leather backpacks · Leather padfolios · Office accessories · All leather bags for men · Leather care
Frequently Asked Questions
- What color briefcase should I get?
Our customers can get a variety of different colored briefcases based on personal preference, although brown, black, and tan are usually the most common colors for briefcases. Colors and finishes vary by model, so check each product page. - Are briefcases better than backpacks?
It depends on how you work. A briefcase is more formal and keeps its shape. A backpack spreads weight across both shoulders and usually carries more. Our guide, briefcase vs. backpack at work, goes through it. - Why is it called a briefcase?
The briefcase got its name from its original intended use of carrying legal briefs. - What is Buffalo Jackson's best briefcase?
All of Buffalo Jackson’s leather briefcases are handcrafted by partner artisans from full-grain bison, water buffalo or cow leather, so you’re getting the same quality in every one. Our most-reviewed briefcases are the Roosevelt Briefcase (4.8 from 156 reviews) and the Roosevelt Leather Briefcase with suede lining (4.8 from 89 reviews). Our top-of-the-line is the Ryder Reserve Bison Briefcase. - How and where does Buffalo Jackson make its briefcases?
By partnering with creators, artisans, and crafters from around the world, Buffalo Jackson is able to make handcrafted briefcases and deliver an outstanding product that lasts our customers for decades. We design them in Matthews, North Carolina. The Roosevelt briefcases and the Jefferson Modern are made in India, and the Ryder Reserve and Walker briefcases in Mexico. - Will a leather briefcase fit my laptop?
Sleeve sizes vary by model: 14.75 x 8 inches on the Roosevelt Briefcase, 13.5 x 9.5 inches on the Roosevelt suede-lined and Ryder Reserve Bison, and 14.5 x 8.25 inches on the Ryder Reserve Laptop. Measure your laptop and compare it to the sleeve on the product page. - What leather are Buffalo Jackson briefcases made from?
The Roosevelt briefcase is full-grain water buffalo leather, the Ryder Reserve briefcases are full-grain American bison leather, and the Jefferson and Walker briefcases are full-grain cow leather. - Should I get a briefcase or a messenger bag?
A briefcase is more structured and looks more formal. A messenger bag carries on a shoulder strap and looks more casual. See messenger or briefcase for the commute. - What is the lightest leather briefcase you make?
The Walker Vintage Briefcase, at 2 lb 9 oz. Next is the Ryder Reserve Laptop Briefcase at 4 lb 7.2 oz. - How do I care for a leather briefcase?
Wipe off dust and dirt, condition the leather once or twice a year, and let it dry naturally if it gets wet. See how to care for a leather briefcase and shop leather care products.
Updated October 2026. Product details, prices, and links on this page are reviewed by the Buffalo Jackson team.

