Wow, is this a beautiful bag. The first thing you notice when you unpack the Leatherology Henderson Laptop Brief Bag is the high quality and lovely fragrance of the leather. It is smooth and perfect. I almost want to leave it in the packaging and just stare at it rather than get it scuffed up through travel. But, like all good leather products, quality leather is designed to withstand regular use and age with an elegant patina.

Let’s just admire the outside for a bit.

Leatherology says its leather has a soft, buttery feel, and I agree. I immediately sprayed it with a leather protection solution so that the bag does get easily stained. The leather’s texture varies per bag, says the company, because it depends upon the part of the hide that is used. They are exceptionally well-crafted. To clean the surface, you can gently rub it with a damp cloth. Leatherology also sells its recommended leather cleaner.

This bag is part of Leatherology’s Henderson collection, which focuses on a more traditional look and feel. That is evident in the simple exterior of the bag and the more muted color palette compared to the more vibrant colors of its Classico Collection.

The leather handles are soft and cushioned, and an optional, adjustable shoulder strap can be added if you prefer to carry it that way. My favorite feature is that it has a back compartment that can be used as a pocket or unzipped to slide over the handles of a rollaboard bag. This dual functionality is amazing giving you more ways to use the bag depending upon the purpose of your trip.

In addition to the main compartment, there is a front pocket that unzips with more places to keep smaller items like keys, pens, and coins. It is where you put things that you might need to grab quickly.

The bag easily fits underneath the seat in front of you on the plane or can slip in between other bags in the overhead compartment. It’s a great bag for travelers on short trips.

The zipper and accents are nickel and add a nice sheen, as well as durability, to the bag. Even the stitching along the edges is meticulously constructed. The real value is in the detail and craftmanship with the Leatherology Henderson Laptop Brief Bag.

Leatherology Henderson Laptop Brief BagWhat’s inside

While this bag has a traditional appearance, it is designed for the modern-day traveler. It has a laptop sleeve designed for a 15-inch computer as well as other paperwork or even a tablet that can be nudged in there. There is a Velcro strap that keeps everything in place.

Not meant to be a large bag, this slim tote is a soft-sided briefcase where you can fit paperwork, documents, and reading material plus cords, small items, and toiletries. I can see this as a great bag for day trips, but also an everyday work tote for the office. There are pockets to keep things organized, which is one of the most important features of a good work bag.

The zippered pocket behind the neoprene laptop pouch is especially valuable because it is a great place to store more valuable documents like credit cards and passport. I have learned that such documents should never be kept in the front pocket of any briefcase.

What strikes me most about this bag is that it is a style piece. It is not the kind of thing you try to stuff everything you own into, as I often do when I travel. It is as much a part of your wardrobe as your choice of attire.

The Leatherology Henderson Laptop Brief Bag comes in a few subdued colors and leather styles. You can also choose to have it personalized for $30 more making the ultimate Father’s Day gift. The Signature bag retails for $300 while the Premium leather version goes for $480 on Leatherology.com. I put the quality and appearance of this bag on par with or above more familiar briefcase brand names like TUMI and Briggs and Riley.

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