How to Choose a Leather Laptop Bag: 13″, 15.6″ or 17″ and What Actually Fits
The question we hear most often is: "I have a 15.6-inch laptop, which bag should I get?" The answer depends on more than the screen size. It matters how thick the laptop is, whether you carry a charger and papers, and how you carry the bag: by hand, on the shoulder or on a suitcase handle. Here is what we tell customers when we help them choose.
Measure the laptop, not the screen
Screen size is measured diagonally, but the whole body goes into the bag, and two 15.6″ laptops can differ by a few centimetres. The easiest way is to measure the length, width and thickness. Typical body sizes:
| Laptop | Approx. body size |
|---|---|
| 13-14″ (MacBook Air 13″, MacBook Pro 14″, ultrabooks) | 11.8-12.2 × 8.3-8.7 in (30-31 × 21-22 cm) |
| 15-16″ (MacBook Air 15″, MacBook Pro 16″, most 15.6″ laptops) | 13.4-14.2 × 9.4-9.8 in (34-36 × 24-25 cm) |
| 17″ (17.3″ work and gaming laptops) | 15.4-15.7 × 10.2-11 in (39-40 × 26-28 cm) |
| A4 sheet, for reference | 11.7 × 8.3 in (29.7 × 21 cm) |
Leave a few centimetres between the laptop and the bag wall. The leather is dense, so a laptop that fits edge to edge goes in tight and wears the corners quickly.
Our bag sizes
Most of our laptop bags and briefcases are made in three sizes. Outer dimensions:
| Bag size | W × H × D | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | 15 × 10.6 × 3.9 in (38 × 27 × 10 cm) | A4 papers, 13-14″ laptops, tablets |
| 15.6″ laptop | 16.5 × 12.6 × 3.9 in (42 × 32 × 10 cm) | 15-16″ laptops, MacBook Pro 16″ |
| 17″ laptop | 18.1 × 12.6 × 3.9 in (46 × 32 × 10 cm; EveryDay 46 × 35 cm) | 17.3″ laptops, thicker work laptops |
If your laptop sits between two sizes, go one size up, especially if you also carry a charger, mouse, documents or lunch.
How you will carry it
- Office every day, laptop plus papers. A flap briefcase with two locks keeps its shape and looks sharp, for example Bronx or Roger: one large compartment with a divider, a phone and document pocket on the divider, plus zip pockets outside.
- Travelling light. Pick a clean design without extra flaps, like Logan: one main compartment with a laptop section and inner zip pockets.
- Lots of small things. Go for front pockets, as on the Buffett briefcase: two outer pockets with mini locks under the buckles, a large zip section above them and another pocket on the back.
- Frequent trips. Look for a trolley strap on the back. On Logan it runs the full width, so the bag sits on your suitcase handle. If you also need clothes for a night or two, see our leather weekenders and travel bags.
Details you only notice up close
Laptop compartment. A separate section or a soft divider keeps the laptop away from keys and chargers. Make sure it is made for your size, not "up to 15 inches" for a 16-inch machine.
Closure. A full-length zip (as on StyleMen or EveryDay) opens wide, so you can pull the laptop out with one hand. A flap with briefcase locks looks more classic but takes a second longer.
Base. A firm base holds the bag's shape and protects the laptop when you put the bag on the floor. StyleMen and EveryDay have one.
Shoulder strap. With a laptop inside, the bag gets heavy, so the strap should be comfortable and adjustable. Ours are full leather and adjustable in length.
Weight of the bag itself. Crazy Horse leather is about 1.5 mm thick and dense, so a leather bag will never be as light as a nylon one. As a rough guide, our models weigh about 0.7-1.2 kg (1.5-2.6 lb) depending on size and pockets. If weight matters, message us and we will weigh the exact model.
Why Crazy Horse leather
This leather is finished with oil and wax. It turns lighter where it bends or gets scratched and darkens into a patina over time, so the bag looks better after a year than on day one. Small scratches can often be rubbed out with your thumb. We wrote more about how Crazy Horse leather ages and how to care for it.
Made your way
Every bag is made to order, so when we confirm your order you can ask for:
- laser engraving: initials, a logo or text;
- a different combination of leather colors;
- adjusted dimensions to fit your laptop.
Making a bag usually takes 3-5 business days, and we ship across Ukraine and worldwide. Please note that personalised items can only be returned if they are defective. See returns and exchanges for details.
The one-minute version
- Measure your laptop and check the chart above. If it is borderline, size up.
- Decide how you carry it: for the office every day, a flap briefcase; for a minimal look, Logan; for lots of small things, Buffett.
- Check the laptop section, the closure and the base.
- Not sure? Send us your laptop model on Telegram and we will suggest the size.
Browse all men's leather laptop bags and briefcases, or if you prefer to carry it on your back, our leather laptop backpacks.
