WP Standard Review: Testing Out The Woodward Briefcase

A quality leather briefcase can last for years or even decades. Personally, I love The Woodward Briefcase from WP Standard. Read on to find out why…

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WP Standards The Woodward Briefcase Review — Check current price

When I was a little kid, I remember hearing the garage door open just before it was time for supper.

I’d often run to the garage to hug my dad as he came home from work. Then I’d “help” him by carrying in his briefcase. (Or at least I’d try. That thing must have weighed at least 25 pounds).

A leather briefcase has been a shibboleth of working men for generations. Back in the day, doctors, lawyers, diplomats, and door-to-door salesmen all carried a briefcase. Some still do.

These days, though, many men opt for a backpack, as it’s arguably more functional and convenient.

The trouble is, the vast majority of backpacks clash even with the smart-casual clothing of the modern workplace. Besides that, like it or not, in much of the world, bringing a backpack to a business meeting is a faux pas in many professional circles.

Admittedly, between the accelerating shift to at-home work and the casualization of the modern office, you might go your entire career without needing a briefcase.

That said, if you care about your appearance (and you should), a solid, well-crafted briefcase can still be a valuable tool to have at your disposal.

For example, like many, I mostly work from home these days. However, also I frequently work in libraries and other public spaces as well. When I do, I often have other errands to run or appointments to meet throughout the day.

I want to look my best, and I need to carry my laptop, a notebook, charging cables, and sometimes a book I’m using for research.

In the past few months, The Woodward Briefcase from WP Standard has been my new favorite bag to carry. It’s sturdy, lightweight, and looks a lot better than my college backpack.

The Color

The Woodward Briefcase comes in three colors: desert black, tan, and chocolate. I choose chocolate. It’s a rich medium-dark brown.

The Leather

This briefcase is rugged (and it smells great!). That’s because this bag is crafted from 100% full-grain leather. That means that over time it will wear in, not wear out. (I suppose eventually it will wear out, but you get what I mean).

Unlike most lesser-quality materials, full-grain leather can be conditioned, cleaned, and repaired over and over again.

Another great thing about full grain leather is that it stands up well to the elements.

I’ve been caught out in a torrential downpour with the Woodward, walking about a mile without an umbrella. While I got soaked, I was kind of surprised when, upon arriving at my destination, I opened the briefcase and found its contents almost completely dry.

The items on top were a little bit damp along the zipper, but there wasn’t any damage. Granted, that day I wasn’t carrying my laptop, or other electronics. I wouldn’t trust this bag to keep my things bone dry in a big storm, but it’s good to know that it offers decent protection against the weather.

A few hours after the monsoon, the briefcase was dry to the touch and the leather returned to its original color (as far as I can tell).

The Pockets / Dimensions

This briefcase has two outside pockets and a large main pocket. Within the main pocket are a laptop sleeve and a zipper pocket for storing smaller items such as a wallet, keys, or small cables.

I use the outside pockets for storing my laptop charger, small notebooks, and sometimes my phone.

My laptop is huge, so it doesn’t fit in the laptop sleeve (so I just store it in the main pocket). However, the sleeve has added padding to help protect laptops or tablets.

Initially, I’d put my laptop in a laptop case before stowing it away in the briefcase. After a while, I realized that this was overkill and that the laptop was safe in the briefcase without another layer of protection.

Dimensions:

Width: 16.5″
Height: 12.5″
Depth: 4.5″
Weight: 3.2lbs

I don’t use the zipper pocket that often, but it’s a nice feature to help keep track of smaller items within the briefcase.

The Strap / The Hardware

Like the rest of the briefcase, the strap is made from full-grain leather.

I find that it’s very comfortable to use. The leather shoulder pad works well, and the strap is adjustable with a roller buckle and holes — just like a belt. Besides the buckle, there is a metal strap keeper for taming excess strap length.

There are clips that attach to d-rings on both ends of the strap to allow for easy removal.