Starting in consulting in the fall - looking for a solid leather briefcase/messenger bag that is under $500, that is not only durable for frequent travel, but also some aesthetically appealing. Feel free to leave any suggestions - any help is appreciated as I'm on a budget.
Jul 16, 2015
Trending Content - Management Consulting Forum
Career Resources
Career Advancement Opportunities
June 2026 Consulting
-
Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
-
Bain & Company 99.0%
-
McKinsey and Co 98.4%
-
Oliver Wyman 97.9%
-
LEK Consulting 97.4%
Overall Employee Satisfaction
June 2026 Consulting
-
Cornerstone Research 99.5%
-
Bain & Company 99.0%
-
Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
-
McKinsey and Co 97.9%
-
Oliver Wyman 97.4%
Professional Growth Opportunities
June 2026 Consulting
-
Bain & Company 99.5%
-
Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
-
McKinsey and Co 98.4%
-
Oliver Wyman 97.9%
-
LEK Consulting 97.4%
Total Avg Compensation
June 2026 Consulting
-
Partner (4) $361
-
Principal (30) $294
-
Director/MD (58) $274
-
Vice President (54) $246
-
Engagement Manager (113) $232
-
Manager (170) $173
-
2nd Year Associate (185) $142
-
3rd+ Year Associate (116) $135
-
Senior Consultant (354) $132
-
Consultant (642) $122
-
3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
-
1st Year Associate (576) $121
-
NA (16) $114
-
Engineer (6) $114
-
2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
-
Associate Consultant (176) $101
-
1st Year Analyst (1163) $90
-
Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
-
Intern/Summer Analyst (632) $68
16 IB Interviews Notes
“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”
Leaderboard
| 1 |  |
99.2 |
| 2 | |
99.0 |
| 3 | |
99.0 |
| 4 | |
99.0 |
| 5 | |
98.9 |
| 6 | |
98.9 |
| 7 | |
98.9 |
| 8 |  |
98.9 |
| 9 |  |
98.9 |
| 10 | |
98.8 |
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship
“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”
Tumi
a bit above your price range... but pretty cool imo.
http://www.estiebags.com/products/briefcase
I personally like to carry my laptop and documents using an Ivy League intern. They arent as durable as I would like but they sure are affordable, convenient and some models are even aesthetically appealing.
The Tumi Alpha Bravo messenger is great. Anything Tumi is great - super durable and great value.
You don't need leather. Nylons are tougher and cheaper, and nobody will think they're inelegant.
Do one of the below Tumi's or similar and you will be a very happy man. Going on 4 years with one of these and still looks great. Also, my principal after 7 years with the same bag had the shoulder strap rip out of the bag and Tumi fixed it for free. It's just a great quality for the long term value.
http://www.tumi.com/p/tumi-t-pass%C2%AE-expandable-laptop-brief-026145D…
http://www.tumi.com/p/tumi-t-pass%C2%AE-expandable-laptop-brief-026145D…
This will probably do the trick: http://www.thompsonspackaging.com/media/catalog/product/cache/3/image/9…
I've had a Filson bag for the past year, and found it very durable. There is also a lifetime warranty.
Agree, Filson is a good choice.
+1 for Filson
Ive been using this Allen Edmonds for the last year and love it. It doesn't fit so much but its perfect for the amount I use it for. They have other wider bags too http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF96102A_1_40000000001_-1…
Briggs & Riley or Tumi
Agree with bfin
I would try and get a smaller laptop bag (i.e. http://www.briggs-riley.com/shop/engage-mini-brief) as opposed to a larger one (http://www.briggs-riley.com/shop/large-expandable-brief). You'll end up filling up the larger bag with useless stuff.
Also, make sure the bag has the ability to slide onto the handle of a wheeled suit case.
Ernest Alexander is another good choice.
I would not recommend leather under $500 unless you find a good deal. Otherwise the leather and build quality won't be that great and it won't last very long
Tumi is good quality, but everyone has one and I just personally hate things with logos.
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/thinfrontpocketbriefcase_2?quantity=1&…
I hate Tumi - just screams "I'm a corporate traveler with no creativity." Yes, I know they are durable and functional, but c'mon, every consultant at the airport has one.
I have a Coach briefcase and I love it. Most o their bags run ~$500. The handles are big so you can flip them over the extension handle on a roller board. Here's a good one:
http://www.coach.com/coach-mens-leather-business-bags-metropolitan-comm…
You might as well wear a t-shirt that reads: "My other briefcase is a Louis Vuitton."
(P.S. Coach is made-in-China crap for upper-middle class teenagers and nouveau-riche Asians)
Definitely get messenger bag over a suitcase
Briefcases for Work? (Originally Posted: 05/02/2015)
Any good suggestions on briefcases that won't break the bank?
I've been carrying all my shit around in a black nike bag for the longest while, and it's been good because it's black (matches my suit), but I've been looking to get a briefcase of some sort. I do feel like I see them way less than I used to, but I'd still be interested in getting one either way.
Filson makes a classic briefcase - can be had for ~$200 or so if you wait for a sale.
Filson bags look awesome. Briggs and Riley also makes some nice work bags for $300.
Try Tom Ford, small briefcase is great, $2k will do :)
Saddleback briefcases. I have two the medium and the large. Get constant compliments on them. Also, I have the padfolio - that too reals in compliments
Get an L.L. Bean school bag with your monogram
jansport FTW
Duluth, Orvis, Saddleback, Mitchell Leather, and Tumi all make quality ones.
Any thoughts on those aluminum briefcases you see in movies? Always thought they were really cool
Are you delivering stacks of hundreds to some shady guy in a basement casino? Works really well if you handcuff yourself to it as well, instant promotion.
Budget? Color? Leather or canvas?
Also, black suits are generally not preferred in any finance role.
You can probably grab a Coach leather briefcase from an outlet pretty cheap. Usually pretty classic looking and quite durable.
Can't imagine using anything other than Saddleback.
Tumi, LV, Shinola.
just don't get jansport ...get a tom ford but thats probably too much money, nothing that looks like a computer case...a leather piece is best classic
Who the heck carries a brief case these days?
You need a MAN BAG! :-D
Briefcase wanker
They should give you a bag on your first day - ~80% of us used it first 2 years
Briefcase Rec (Originally Posted: 08/21/2014)
Looking for recs on a decent business briefcase for when I travel. Prefer nylon over leather, and also prefer not to go the Tumi route like everyone else. Would be used for 13 inch laptop, ipad, and would like to have some extra room for other stuff (e.g., set of gym clothes). Not interested in spending over $250. Any thoughts much appreciated. Thanks!
Especially if you prefer Nylon... Tumi is great. I understand the whole "I don't want to have the same brand as everyone else", but there's a reason people like it. I have this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Tumi-Alpha-T-Pass-Expandable-Laptop/dp/B00KFRO6YE
It's awesome.
+1. The Tumi zippers and pocket organization is so much better than the B&R's. Have this exact same bag and love it (as do a couple other people on my team).
My current briefcase broke this week and a few buddies recommended Briggs & Riley. I just bought the below a couple days ago. So I can't say first hand how I like it, but I have been told it fits the bill.
http://www.briggs-riley.com/category/productDetail.aspx?id=Medium-Slim-…
Filson 72 hour briefcase.
Briefcases - Second year associate at a bulge firm (Originally Posted: 07/10/2009)
All,
I apologize in advance for posting a superficial question but would appreciate thoughts from those in the know. I'm a second year associate at a bulge firm in a regional office...just bought my first nice briefcase...a black ferragamo revival. by way of background, I'm a relatively conservative/boring dresser. Initially I thought the briefcase was relatively conservative, but am now questioning whether it was good judgement for obvious reasons. While I'm sure no one cares if a junior banker splurges on ferragamo, zegna, or some other designer brand of shoes, is a designer briefcase over the top? Whould also be curious to know the norm in New York...as I rarely travel there.
Thanks in adance.
You're a second year associate - if you want a Ferragamo briefcase, you can have one. I'd be less concerned with the name, and more concerned with the look. If it's flashy, shiny or trendy you can get some funny/judgmental/appalled looks (as I know of a few Ferragamo bags that fall more into this category). If it is conservative, subtle and good quality, then nice purchase and all the power to you. I have a black Coach briefcase and it is subtle, conservative, yet great quality, and wears very well.
IBanker www.BankonBanking.com Articles, News, Advice and More Break Into Investment Banking
Flashy, shiny and trendy...that's exactly my concern.
You're fine.
Briefcases - Good briefcase for analysts? (Originally Posted: 01/14/2008)
Whats a good briefcase for analysts? I don't need to know about which ties to wear, or what order of colors to buy for a suit, I just need to know whats a good briefcase for work.
I have found plenty that were my style, but I think were too over the top for a conservative work environment. I have been looking at Kenneth Cole/Cole Hahn's and I like their styles but are there other affordable briefs that I am overlooking?
very resilient and quite stylish.
You can do quite well by hitting the coach outlet. Worth a look.
I personally think Tumi is one of the nerdiest things I've ever seen. They lack any sense of refinement. I think Tech Support when I see one.
Sorry if that offends anyone, I'm certainly not GQ magazine, I'm just opinionated.
I just used the bag my bank gave me when I started - dont really need an expensive bag
A simple brown leather is nice. Brown is also a tad more stylish than black. Try Macy's. Tumi is pretty computer geeky.
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
You won't need a briefcase or bag really at all. Aside from during training (when they gave us all bags), I didn't need any sort of bag until my first meeting, at which point I saw that most people there (MDs, VPs, Associate), had whatever free bags they had accumulated over the years. Starting analysts and associates straight out of business school generally are the only people with nice bags.
There were actually some posts about this before, mostly about whether or not to buy a Tumi bag. Use a backpack, something free, something given to you by the bank and you'll be fine.
Whenever I see someone walking with a company bag, all I can think about is how square they are to be carrying one around. Don't be a square.
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
I didn't know a single analyst with a breifcase. Everyone used the company bags and laptop cases. I very rarely took my work home with me, though (usually when you leave at 1 or 3AM, you're done for the day). I would bring gym clothes with me occassionally, so the little bank gym bag was always with me. People generally don't care about breifcases at the analyst or even associate level.
Ditto with Gametheory. No analyst carries a briefcase, there is no need..unless you leave it at the office.
Had no idea Tumi had such a poor rep in America, it is fine in Europe. Agree that if you get some large clunky case designed to carry a comp it does look somewhat unwieldy, but I have a thin one that looks fine. I just think it looks younger and more modern than your standard case.
No briefcase for starting analysts but if you absolutely, positively must then make it a Zero Halliburton attache. Not the carbon fibre one though because y'know...
Don't you use your company's computer at work? Why do you need to take a laptop in that case??
i use the company bag. Who really gives a shit?
couldnt put it any better.
i will add this though...and ok, ill admit its probably more of a personal annoyance than a universal one...but if you do get/use a bag, just please dont let it be a fkg backpack. seriously. this is the real world. schools out people.
Veniam et qui vero odio a illum impedit. Non ab qui minus ea aut. Laudantium aut ab ullam recusandae quis omnis autem. Enim tempore culpa perferendis harum. Quam architecto facilis minima earum exercitationem aut reiciendis perferendis.
Praesentium enim quas odio architecto atque magnam. Ad fuga aliquid officia quaerat. Nostrum ea voluptatum non.
Qui sapiente adipisci doloribus qui ipsam esse et. Veritatis dolorum iusto id porro. Accusamus et est ipsa repellat provident.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Voluptatem ut qui repellendus. Quia ad asperiores architecto sint et repellat beatae. Temporibus reprehenderit omnis eligendi doloribus voluptatem architecto. Illo iusto ut vitae qui et ut dolore. Dicta incidunt consequatur voluptatum omnis.
Qui porro nemo illo rerum. Praesentium omnis quia omnis iusto omnis quos corrupti.
Illum dolore placeat voluptate magnam voluptatem. Voluptatem ut nostrum perspiciatis officiis. Et dignissimos perspiciatis autem ut eum quibusdam. Fugit repudiandae cum fugit nobis. Quis sequi et excepturi distinctio et. Voluptas maiores qui qui est culpa voluptas tempora. Rerum autem qui sed inventore.
Consequatur repellat qui est delectus. Vel enim et quae qui eos quae. Repudiandae placeat sint praesentium cumque. Nisi minus tempora architecto dignissimos. Officia ipsa omnis et at qui.
At ut repellendus assumenda odio ut. Possimus incidunt veritatis numquam voluptatum quidem veritatis recusandae.
Accusantium dolorem velit ex natus autem. Vero eius quae sed cum. Sed nisi perspiciatis nihil sit. A hic quibusdam non quaerat officia.