Before purchasing a leather briefcase, you will need to determine your storage requirements and analyze the ways in which you plan to use the briefcase most often. Some briefcases are quite large and heavy, necessitating the use of wheels and a telescoping handle. Others are very small and are designed to hold only a few documents and personal items. If you will be traveling with the briefcase frequently, you will need to choose a leather briefcase that is lightweight, durable, attractive, and an appropriate size to fit in overhead bins on airplanes.
Consider your budget for purchasing a leather briefcase as well. Leather tends to be more expensive than other materials because it is a durable and attractive material, so be prepared to make an investment to get the best briefcase for your money. The leather may be stretched over a hard shell, or it may simply be sewn in such a way that the briefcase is bag-like. Hard cases are best for ensuring documents and other items are not crushed, bent, or folded during transport, while soft cases are great for carrying larger amounts of items of varying shapes and sizes.
Consider carefully the handles or straps of the leather briefcase. Many hardshell cases feature only a handle, while soft cases often feature a handle as well as a shoulder strap. If you intend to do traveling with the leather briefcase, consider a model with a strong and attractive shoulder strap to make transporting the often heavy case much easier in airports, trains, and so on. For short trips to an from a courthouse or office building, a leather briefcase with just a handle should be sufficient and will lend itself to a cleaner aesthetic.
The grade or quality of the leather will have a significant impact both on the durability of the leather briefcase and the appearance. Higher-grade leathers tend to be more attractive and free of defects, and the leather is often thicker and more appropriate for carrying heavier loads. High-grade leather will be durable and long-lasting as well. Lower-grade leathers tend to be flimsier and not as long-lasting, and they are likely to have imperfections. While this may not matter to some consumers, others may want to opt for a more reliable and attractive grade of leather. Lower-grade leather will be less expensive than high-grade leather, so if the purchaser is on a tight budget, lower-grade leather may be the answer.
