Premium Leather Briefcase Backpack

A Leather Briefcase Backpack as Unique As You

The MacCase Premium Leather "Flight Case" is not for everyone, which is an odd thing to hear from a company hoping you'll buy their product. The world is full of perfectly acceptable laptop cases, in all their boring, dull, uninspired glory.

We created this design to stand apart from that, a handmade leather briefcase backpack combo that is as unique as the people who chose to purchase one. Whether you choose our classic, pebble-grain black or our vintage brown briefcase, each makes a statement as unique as you. 

Many of the traditional briefcase touches are present in our design. But look closer and you'll see that not only does the bold design set it apart, but the details do as well. The beefy, riveted leather handle and the stainless steel finished metal clasp for the flap are familiar. But notice how the clasp does not attach to the exterior surface of the front flap as on most cases.

It's attached to the underside surface allowing for a much cleaner and understated look. The chrome feet along the bottom edge will keep both the leather and the contents of the case safe from wear and tear, extending the life of the case. The front panel loop is the safety catch attachment point for the removable pouches.

For 2021, we've updated the design with features and improvements that came directly from customer input. When asked what additional features they wanted, customers answered overwhelming with "a place for cards and pens".

New and Improved Vertical Leather Briefcase for 2022

For 2022, we've added an under flap organizer to our leather briefcase backpack similar to the ones used on our other models. This gives every user a convenient place to store these items so often needed. We're happy to finally add this feature to this long-running and very popular model. 

Also new for 2022 is the relocation of the anchor points for the shoulder and backpack straps. Why is this important? This case has been in production for over 10 years. You receive a lot of feedback in that time. Customers put our designs through their paces in the real world. If you listen, you can learn a lot. 

Rounding out the list of new features is a dedicated slot pocket for an Apple Air Tag. Why do we hide this detail inside the case vs. dangling the Air Tag on some key chain on the outside like so many others? If someone walks off with your case and sees the Air Tag on the outside, what is the first thing they are going to do?

They're going to remove the tracker and get as far away from it as fast as they can. If the tracker is somewhat hidden on the inside, this gives you a chance to track your case (and your laptop or tablet) and get it back. Placing the tracker on the inside gives you a strong chance to retrieve your property. Knowing this provides an extra layer of security and peace of mind.

One of the biggest wear issues on the case was the attachment point of the shoulder strap and backpack straps. This was the same area the handle is riveted to on the main flap. This was great from a production standpoint as you are building something once that serves two functions. 

Long-term customers reported back that over time, (in this case, a long time) the leather in this area would lose its structural integrity. This is the most highly stressed area of the design. This was exasperated by a lack of maintenance for the hides. (MacCase recommends adding back oil to the hides each year to preserve softness, pliability, and protect them from the weather).

By moving the mounting points to the rear panel, this long-term stress is relieved. This increases the longevity of the case and creates an even greater value for our customers. It also allows the backpack straps to be mounted in a more natural way which increases overall comfort as well. 

Whether it's the new features for 2022 or ones that were part of the original design laid out 8 years ago, all these details come together to create a design that is radically new, yet somehow familiar.

A Vertical Convertible

Functionally, the Flight Case holds a wide variety of hardware including laptops up to 16" along with any tablet you need to carry with it. The padded, removable divider ensures that the two will not come in contact, keeping them both safe. Other things like a writing folio, a three-ring binder, or printed reports will also fit.

The main compartment is complemented by three additional larger pockets as well as the removable front pouch. If more room is needed, an optional extra-large pouch is available with 50% more room than the standard pouch. So as laptop cases go, it's got the room to store, transport, and protect the things you need to carry.

One of the things that make this leather laptop briefcase so unique is the ability to turn it into a full-fledged backpack. While the look is not one of a traditional leather backpack, the fit is comfortable thanks to the optional backpack strap set featuring the beefy 35mm wide leather straps.

As with any backpack, wearing the Flight Case this way allows for a hands -ree user experience and also distributes the weight more evenly across the body preventing fatigue.

How is Our Leather Briefcase Different From Our Flight Jacket?

In a word, structure. The Flight Jackets are fully padded but unstructured. This full-grain leather briefcase backpack, while looking radically different from a traditional brief, is built in a traditional way. This is a signature of MacCase design. We've become very good at taking a tried and true method and doing something completely new with it. 

Basic structural panels are covered in foam, lining materials then exterior hides. This not only provides some of the highest levels of protection for your laptop and tablet inside but also allows the handmade vertical briefcase combo to be free-standing, like a typical brief. 

While there are many sizes for the Jacket models, iPad, 13-inch, 15-inch and 16-inch, there is only one Flight Case. This leather hybrid briefcase backpack is for someone who likes the look of the Flight Jacket but needs a bit more room than these compact designs can provide.

The extra room comes from the 2.5" width of the vertical briefcase where the Jackets are much more narrow. Also, this handmade leather case is compatible with any size laptop from any brand up to 16-inch. The FJ's work best as a MacBook Pro case.

Briefcase Colors and Options

Whether you choose the black or distressed, vintage brown, the design has a much more substantial handle than their compact brothers. The optional backpack straps are also much wider. The brief includes the padded shoulder pad as part of the package. This is an option on the Flight Jacket.

Lastly, the Flight Case has a Large Pouch option which adds storage capacity. Both the brief and Flight Jackets are convertible into fully functional leather backpacks. While we agree that each doesn't fit any definition of what a leather backpack traditionally looks like, over 70% of customers who order either model, order the backpack strap option. 

Both the Flight Case and the Flight Jacket are extraordinary laptop cases. The handmade leather briefcase just happens to be an excellent case whether you are carrying a laptop or not. If you have any questions about which one is best for you, give us a call at 760 729 0620 between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm PST and we will be happy to help.

FAQ - 

Will this case fit my 16-inch MacBook Pro laptop?

Yes. This case will hold the Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro laptop with room to spare. 

What is the best leather briefcase?

The best leather briefcase is determined by how well any given case meets your individual needs. An attorney's needs for a case will be different than that of an on-site contractor. Consider all the things you need your case to do. Find one that does them. That case will be the best, for you.

What is the best backpack for business?

The best backpack for business eschews the outdoor, camping, hiking aesthetic for a clean, smart, modern design that looks at home in the conference room or the corner office. Your business bag should not reflect where you are in your career, but where you want to go.

Are briefcases outdated?

The idea of a briefcase is not outdated. Outdated briefcase designs are outdated. Most briefcases look like they’re from the 1850s. Why? Do you drive a car that looks like a covered wagon? If you do not want to carry an outdated briefcase, choose a modern 21st-century design.

Are attache cases out of style?

Many attaché cases look like they come from the mid-1800s. Their designs are hopelessly outdated. Because so many people don’t know that clean, modern designs are available, the perception is that the idea of an attaché is out of style. It’s not. 150 -ear-old designs are.

Why is a briefcase called a briefcase?

In the late 1800s and early 1900s people used very large, heavy cases when they traveled. Compared to these, a much smaller case designed to be carried back and forth to work each day, was in essence, a “brief” version of these large travel cases. This is why they are called briefcases. 

Are Briefcases Still Used?

Briefcases are still used by many people in many professions. While backpacks and messenger bags have made inroads into many traditional briefcase strongholds, briefcases still function the best for certain professionals. Briefcase design has evolved to help them stay relevant. 

Are Briefcases Still In Style?

Briefcases are still in style though they are experiencing heated competition from other styles. Many younger professionals have eschewed the traditional horizontal briefcase for a backpack or messenger style bag. For many professionals though, a briefcase still serves them the best. 

Are Briefcases Obsolete?

Briefcases are not obsolete. They are used by many professionals in a variety of professions. They do function to transport documents almost better than any other form factor. Moreover, they represent the final accessory to how a professional person should appear to a client.