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A leather portfolio is a must-have for those working in business or education. A portfolio keeps you organized and looks great, giving you a professional edge anywhere you go. Never wonder if you have a pen on hand or where your business cards are again. Your leather portfolio will keep all of your work essentials stored safely while at the office or on the go.
There are dozens of different portfolios out there. With so many options to choose from, how do you pick the best leather portfolio for your specific needs?
This article will cover what to look for in a portfolio, the difference between leather materials, and a list of portfolio options that will fit any budget.
What do you intend to store in your portfolio? Do you want a portfolio that's lightweight and only used for the purposes of carrying your notepad and pen? Or do you need additional pockets for business cards and technical gadgets, like a tablet or laptop?
Depending on the portfolio you choose, you may find:
Do you want a zipper or not? This simple question greatly affects your portfolio options, as well as how you will use your portfolio. If you want a portfolio to protect your tablet or laptop, you should look for a zippered option, so you never have to worry about your device slipping out onto the floor.
Alternatively, if you want to be able to access your notes and other supplies quickly without the hassle of unzipping, choose a portfolio without a zipper.
The price of a portfolio is often determined by the quality of the material, namely, whether the product is made with real leather or synthetic leather.
Within those two categories, there are still many differences between the types of real leather used, as well as how synthetic leather materials are produced.
The material of your portfolio will determine its durability. If you’re looking for a portfolio that will last you a long time, perhaps a lifetime, go with an expensive full-grain leather product. If that’s not in your price range, opt for a lower-tier leather or synthetic leather, but know that you may need to replace your leather portfolio after a few years of consistent use.
Full-grain leather is the highest quality leather available. Leather artisans use the entire grain of hide with all its imperfections and toughness. It’s an incredibly durable material that, if treated properly, should last an entire lifetime.
Top-grain leather is used in most of the purses and wallets produced by designer brands. Heavily treated, products made with top-grain leather have an excellent finish and color, while not being quite as durable a material as full-grain leather.
💡 Learn more about the difference between full-grain and top-grain leather.
Genuine leather is a bit of a tricky term employed by the fashion industry. Genuine leather is the lowest-quality leather available. It doesn’t guarantee the quality, only that the product is made from 100% real leather. This terminology can get a little complicated, as full-grain and top-grain leathers are also ‘genuine’ leathers since they are both made with the actual material. Take care to read labels boasting ‘genuine leather’ closely before you make a purchase.
PU leather is an artificial leather. It is made to look and feel like genuine leather, so don’t be surprised if you cannot tell the difference right away. One surefire way of determining if the leather is PU or genuine is the price, as PU leather is the decidedly cheaper option.
If you see a great-looking leather portfolio but can’t believe how inexpensive it is, it’s probably made from PU leather.
Bonded leather is a leather byproduct and is not genuine. Bonded leather is made up of thin layers of polyurethane or vinyl mixed with adhesives and tiny, chopped up scraps of leftover leather. It is then sprayed-glued onto the back of other materials, such as polyurethane.
It’s at the lowest end of the leather spectrum and peels after extended use.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some leather portfolios.
Since price plays such a significant role in the type of leather portfolio you purchase, we’ve broken down portfolio options into high, mid, and low price ranges.
Time Resistance
Made from full-grain calfskin, this is a portfolio that’s built to last. It’s designed to age with you and keep your documents and technological devices organized while maintaining a sleek, stylish exterior. Don’t expect to need another portfolio after making this purchase.
Price: $162
Zipper: Yes
Features:
Choose this portfolio if money is no object and you want a quality, full-grain leather product.
Maruse Accessories
The Italian Leather Padfolio by Maruse is 100% handmade in Italy. This custom leather portfolio is crafted with full-grain leather and finished internally with the finest quality fabric lining. Turn it into a personalized leather portfolio with custom embossed initials available in Silver, Gold, or Blind.
Price: $135-$145
Zipper: Yes
Features:
Choose this portfolio if you want a quality, full-grain leather product that’s 100% handmade with an option to turn it into a personalized leather portfolio.
Rustic Town
Handcrafted by skilled artisans, this versatile business portfolio is made from 100% genuine buffalo leather. Durability is guaranteed with its thick, hardbound cover and strong stitching. Complete with plenty of pockets, this portfolio can hold a laptop up to 13 inches.
Price: $99.45
Zipper: Yes
Features:
Choose this portfolio if you want an option that’s made from real leather that can hold a small laptop.
Moonster
Moonster’s rustic padfolio is made from 100% genuine buffalo leather. This portfolio offers a simple design with a stylish look inside and out. It’s naturally tanned with oils so that no two portfolios look the same.
Price: $69.95
Zipper: No
Features:
Choose this portfolio if you want a stylish option made from genuine leather. If you want a unique look, this is the portfolio for you since the natural finish leaves no two alike.
Rustic Town
This business portfolio is made from 100% genuine buffalo leather, handcrafted by skilled artisans. Soft and supple with a premium finish, this portfolio offers a simple and clutter-free design. The added 360 flip feature allows you to spin the cover around for quick and easy note taking.
Price: $69.95
Zipper: No
Features:
Choose this portfolio if you want an affordable option made from genuine leather.
Time Resistance
Made from full-grain calfskin, this is a portfolio that’s built to last. It’s designed to age with you and keep your documents and technological devices organized while maintaining a sleek, stylish exterior. Don’t expect to need another portfolio after making this purchase.
Price: $162
Zipper: Yes
Features:
Choose this portfolio if money is no object and you want a quality, full-grain leather product.
Samsill
Samsill’s Contrast Stitch Leather Padfolio is an affordable option made from synthetic bonded leather. The portfolio features a minimalist design that’s clutter-free and functional. The large interior pocket can hold documents or double as a tablet holder for most sized tablets.
Price: $23.79
Zipper: No
Features:
Choose this portfolio if you need an affordable option with a simple design and don’t mind bonded leather.
Blue Summit Supplies
The Executive Leather Zippered Portfolio made by Blue Summit Supplies is full of storage options. This portfolio is made from black PU leather, which means it’s synthetic, but still maintains the look and feel of real leather. The affordable zippered portfolio can store everything you need and more, including a padded, zippered tablet pouch that will keep your screen safe and secure.
Price:$17.99
Zipper: Yes
Features:
Choose this portfolio if you need an affordable zippered option with plenty of storage and versatility
Blue Summit Supplies
The executive leather portfolio made by Blue Summit Supplies is made from black PU leather, which means it’s synthetic, but still maintains the look and feel of real leather. The affordable portfolio has a simple, clutter-free design with functional pockets just where you need them.
Price:$12.99
Zipper: No
Features:
Choose this portfolio if you need an affordable option with a simple design that won’t flake like bonded leather.
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Jordan works remotely, from home or abroad, on projects that increase brand awareness, online engagement, and website traffic. She specializes in clear and concise writing that helps businesses conquer their online messaging. Through human-centered content, she aims to delight both human readers and Google bots. Spark an immediate and detailed conversation by mentioning Mad Men or Game of Thrones.
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