Best Leather Padfolio

In a world where technology is taking over, finding the best leather padfolio may seem like a thing of the past. Who needs paper when you’ve got a miniature computer right in your hand? The short answer is padfolios and portfolios are useful for carrying your iPhone, smartphone or tablet. The longer answer is a bit more complicated and on a case-by-case basis.

Imagine you’re at a networking event and someone asks for a business card. You realize portfolios such as the ones below may come in handy. Sure, you could ask a potential client to type in your info on his or her phone and do away with the extra baggage. But then you’d have to hope that that person would also remember your website, what services you provide and where you two met.

Whipping out a simple business card from one of the padfolio holders takes care of that for you. And if you want to take notes while you’re at an event or conference, it may be easier to jot a few notes down with a padfolio that has pen and paper ready to go than to try to type in texts and emails quickly before the next speaker goes onstage. And if there are handouts at the event—assuming you don’t have a padfolio or portfolio—get ready to start making room in your purse or pockets to try to fit it all. (Padfolios are often smaller if you prefer to carry less, and portfolios often have straps to keep your hands free.) So if you have the option to invest in a padfolio or portfolio, why make your work and/or school life harder than it needs to be?

Best Leather Padfolios

1. Wundermax Padfolio Portfolio

Whether you want to use this padfolio for resumes with your job interview, ticket information for your business travels, or to work on notes for your dissertation in grad school, this padfolio has your work needs covered.

Key Features

• Polyurethane (PU) leather
• Metal zippers
• Special-made pockets for iPad and/or Samsung tablets

This black padfolio (13.5 inches x 11.2 inches x 1.5 inches) has plenty of space for all of your office or education needs. Storage areas includes a letter-sized writing pad, three pen holders, six business card holders, an ID window and several zipper pockets. And its slim body makes it perfect for your suitcase, bookbag or other handbags.

Cons

• PU is not biodegradable
• PU is also susceptible to cracking and ultraviolet damage

And whether you’re right-handed or left-handed, this is the best padfolio for both. Additionally, there is a current promotion to get a free notebook with your order. And if you’re not satisfied with the product, there is a lifetime warranty.

2. Leatherology Organizer Portfolio

What could be better than your best leather portfolio? A purple one. Its soft front and back cover structures make it both lightweight and colorful to carry around.

Key Features

• Full-grain leather
• Three paper pockets
• Two business card pockets

Unlike top-grain leather, full-grain leather doesn’t remove the “imperfections” or natural marks that are found on leather. Without this purple padfolio (13 inches x 10 inches x 0.75 inches) being buffed, sanded or snuffed, this could mean the appearance may vary with each one. In addition to the pockets, there is also a large zippered compartment for letter-sized paper or a tablet.

Cons

• Magnet closure on the outside may be difficult to replace if/when magnet stops working

And if you’re not into semi-aniline, drum dyed pebbled leather, but think the design is one of the best padfolios for you, choose from various other colors: black onyx, brown, charcoal, chartreuse, cobalt, cognac, ginger, grape, mauve, navy, rose, scarlet, teal and turmeric.

3. Vintage 3-Ring Binder Portfolio

Whether you want to use this portfolio for your iPad, MacBook Pro, or use it for a general pad and paper, this combination can do it all.

Key Features

• Handcrafted by 100 percent genuine thick buffalo leather
• Flexible three-ring binder
• Can hold up to 100 sheets of A4-sized, loose leaf refills

This portfolio (13.8 inches x 10.6 inches x 1.6 inches) has an option for personalized engraving (initials or full name) so you can keep track of it in case it goes missing. In addition to holders for cards, pens and tablets, there’s also an option to place your cell phone inside. With all of these pocket choices, who needs a computer bag or briefcase?

Cons

• Color may change if scratched or rubbed
• MacBook Air cannot fit

Get the most out of this padfolio before the 10-year unconditional warranty expires.

4. Professional Portfolio

Use this padfolio for your phone, tablet and paper. And if you have a couple more things to add on, there are additional pockets for last-minute storage.

Key Features

• Litchi Stria full-grain genuine leather
• One outer snap button pocket
• One open pocket

This padfolio case (12.99 inches x 10.24 inches x 1.57 inches) can be used for simple pen and paper, or take advantage of the four leather elastic straps to make this an iPad case instead. Keep in mind though that the iPad option is intended for an iPad Pro (10.5 inch max). With a place for a phone pocket (6.3 inches x 3.3 inches) and a writing pad, this has most cases covered.

Cons

• Maximum size for iPad is 10.5 inches

The perk of having various pockets (and straps) is the ability to add more things inside of the padfolio. But be careful with padfolios with plenty of pockets for tech equipment. Make sure that the power button doesn’t lean on it. If so, as mentioned in one padfolio comment, your phone and/or tablet may continuously shut down.

5. Premium Portfolio Binder Organizer – Vegan Leather

This animal-friendly, vegan leather portfolio has various pockets for paper, tech equipment, business cards and even memory cards.

Key Features

• Can hold a smartphone as big as a Samsung Note or iPhone 8
• Velcro seal to secure smartphone
• External hard drive and/or flash drive holder

This portfolio (11.42 inches x 14.37 inches x 1.57 inches) has a three-ring binder, in addition to room for pens, a cord/headset organizer, a tablet stand holder, smartphones and more (as mentioned above).

Cons

• Does not hold legal-sized documents

Enjoy this portfolio, plus a free writing pad and two free sheet protectors to get your organization mojo going. And when you’re ready to get going, use the adjustable handle that slides in and out of its own pocket. If this portfolio is not the one for you, according to the site, there is a no-hassle guarantee for a refund or replacement.

6. Vegan Saffiano Leather Padfolio

Less is more. And if you don’t need all the bells and whistles in a padfolio, this vegan leather version should do the trick.

Key Features

• Nylon lining in pockets
• Expertly cut liners
• Interior pen holder sewn in

Although it feels like real leather, the vegan saffiano is definitely animal friendly. With perfect stitching and professionally cut liners, it has enough room to hold traditional pen and paper along with business cards, invoices, full-size documents, etc. The padfolio (13.5 inches x 9.8 inches x 1.2 inches) is big enough to fit a standard 8.5 inch x 11.75 inch legal pad. And the exterior pocket lays flat, even with its ability to open easily.

Cons

• Padfolio does not fold around (front to back)

If humanitarianism is as close to your heart as organization, you’ll also be happy to know that a portion of the proceeds for this padfolio will be donated to the Endangered Species International Foundation.

7. NERO MANETTI- Zippered Leather Padfolio/Portfolio

Leather tends to be expensive and for good reason. But you don’t have to break the bank to find the best leather padfolio—and it doesn’t have to be genuine leather to get the job done. This PU vegan leather design, inspired by Italian leather portfolio designers, has all the pockets and sleek feel that “real” leather would.

Key Features

• 12 interior pockets, plus one exterior pocket for documents
• Includes six business card holders
• Two pen holders

Additionally, there is a zippered pocket to avoid items falling out, a special-made padded universal sleeve for an iPad or tablet (12.5 to 12.8 inches), a self-adhesive phone sleeve large enough for an iPhone and an external pocket too.

Make use of the dual zipper on the binder (13.6 inches x 10.8 inches x 1.1 inches) not just to keep things inside from falling out, but also so you can quickly access one or two things without having to open the entire padfolio each time.

Cons

• This specific notepad may need to be ordered each time by company (regular notepad options can fit though)

In addition to the portfolio, this purchase also comes with a free adhesive phone wallet, a business card wallet and a 50-page notepad (8.5 inches x 11 inches). And if you want to make the best first impression, the ebook freebie (also included) has a step-by-step guide, too.

8. Zippered Leather Business Portfolio Padfolio

Available in black, matt black, dark brown and light brown, this modern portfolio isn’t too flashy but has enough compartments to get the job done as needed.

Key Features

• A4 writing pad included
• Zippered closure
• Premium NAPA-like PU leather

Inside of an expandable pocket, you can slide an electronic tablet sleeve inside of the padfolio (12.8 inches x 10 inches x 1.2 inches). The padded pocket has a Velcro latch, and the zippered closure keeps the tablet in place.

The padfolio can also hold five credit/debit cards, one transparent ID card, one pen, and a small mesh pocket that can be used for a variety of small objects (USB sticks, keys, loose change). It also accommodates both left-handed and right-handed people.

Cons

• Padfolio does not fold around (front to back)
• ID areas are not wide or long enough for standard American-sized business cards

If the last con is an issue (because business cards may vary depending on the region in which they are purchased), there is a front cover pocket to stash a few business cards when need be in this portfolio. 

9. COOPER FOLDERTAB Padfolio Case

Unlike traditional leather padfolios, the beauty of cruelty-free, premium vegan leather (and PU, in general) is there are more color options. In the case of this one, it comes in both blue and purple.

Key Features

• Premium polished faux leather
• Magnetic clasp
• Binder notepad refills

Designed to fit an Apple iPad Air 2 (A1566 or A1567), this padfolio has a holding tray to either hold separately or to toggle with the padfolio (ex. for note-taking). In addition to a tablet, there’s also room for five credit cards and five document pockets. Handy for both left-handed and right-handed people, there’s also room for a pen and a notepad planner with ruled sheets.

Cons

• May not fit all notebook sizes (designed for iPad Air 2) but universal model does

As with other padfolios, don’t just pay attention to the overall size of it. This padfolio (8.2 inches x 11 inches x 1.4 inches) has very specific measurements for the tablet area. Keep this in mind when it comes to any padfolio though. They’re not all universal. Compare your smartphone and/or tablet measurements to the potential purchase before ordering to avoid having to deal with returns.

10. Modern Design PU Leather Padfolio

While padfolios often have zippers or magnetic strips to keep items in, the problem is if that zipper breaks or the magnetic strip demagnetizes, it may be difficult to find a replacement. Two-button flaps make it easier to open and close in a rush.

Key Features

• PU leather
• Flap top with two buttons for security
• Medium-sized and large pocket

In addition to all of the above, this padfolio (7 inches x 9 inches) has one pen holder, two card slots and notepad holder with a writing pad included. While the left side is handy for business cards, ID cards, passports and possibly a smartphone, the right side is prepped and ready for note-taking.

Cons

• Dark green version currently unavailable
• Not ideal for resumes or standard notebook paper (without folding)

While padfolios come in a variety of sizes (usually big enough for large legal pads, this is an ideal one for someone who is looking to travel light. At this size, this padfolio can easily be stuffed into a general-sized purse.

Bottom Line

A common question consumers have when buying either a padfolio or portolio is whether you can do away with your suitcase or computer bag altogether. As with the choices mentioned above, each option comes in different sizes. Some can hold certain sizes in tablets, smartphones and iPads. Others cannot. What you don’t want to do is ruin the material by trying to shove too many things in it at once.

Yes, portfolios often have straps. However, there are weight requirements and space requirements for those, too. Before purchasing a padfolio or portfolio, keep in mind what you would usually put in a briefcase or computer bag. If your padfolio choice doesn’t have room for all of those options, consider trying a larger one. Or, use the one you purchased with its intended compartments and keep your bag as a backup. Just as you can never have enough notebooks pens, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra bag during your business or school trek too. Who knows what else you may collect along the way?