Trakke Portobello Laptop Briefcase Review

The Trakke Portobello Laptop Briefcase is a messenger-style bag with a classic briefcase style. Its flexibility and internal organization make it a fantastic option for daily commutes, heading to class, or traveling. Crafted from a durable Scottish-made waxed canvas, it features high-quality YKK zippers with a water-resistant covering for weather protection. With three different carrying options, this bag offers plenty of flexibility for those on the go.

The clever internal organization provides plenty of intuitive and convenient storage for smaller items, and its expandable design ensures you can carry all your daily essentials. A dedicated laptop compartment, tablet or notebook sleeve, and additional slip pockets make it ideal for those seeking a reliable, professional-looking bag that can effortlessly transition between work, school, and travel.

External Components

The Trakke Portobello Laptop Briefcase’s Scottish-made waxed canvas has a dry finish that gives it a heritage-style aesthetic and is rugged and comfortable to the touch. Despite its appearance and canvas feel, the material is fairly rigid and stiff, increasing durability. While it does tend to attract dirt relatively easily, it can be easily brushed or cleaned off. Setting this down on airport or coffee shop floors has not led to anything we have not been able to wipe off, even with this light colorway.

The YKK zippers have metal circular pull tabs that give them a unique look and make them easy to use. The circular zipper pulls have a nicely sized diameter, so those with bigger fingers should have no issue. They also have a very subtle T embossed on them for a nice aesthetic touch. The exterior zippers have a protective coating for additional protection against the elements, ensuring no water can slip in.

The only two attachment points on the bag are located on the back towards the bottom. These attachment points use the same black cotton material as the shoulder straps and provide an easy point for connecting additional gear. As for branding, the front face of the bag has a branded patch with the Trakke logo. This patch uses a hook-and-loop attachment, so it’s removable and replaceable. This is an excellent way to add a little customization and is a small but unique touch. Trakke even sells additional patches for replacements, allowing users to customize and make the bag their own.

The Trakke Portobello Laptop Briefcase has three different carry methods that are incredibly easy to switch between with little to no setup or configuration. Two grab handles are located on the top of the bag to carry it like a briefcase. These handles have a minimal structured core wrapped in cotton. They are not the softest or most comfortable to use, especially over an extended period of time, but they feel sturdy. Their rigid form and construction ensure they maintain their shape regardless of whether or not you use them. This is only slightly annoying since, when not in use, they seem a bit clunky and can get in the way.

The second carry style uses the included shoulder strap. Trakke states that it is removable, but we have not found that to be the case. It can cleverly be oriented to run along the bottom of the bag to keep it out of the way when not in use and acting as an accent. Adjusting the shoulder strap proved slightly challenging at times. Depending on your preference, this can be a pro or a con. The adjustment mechanism is reasonably stiff, and the overall design takes a bit of getting used to. However, after you adjust it to the desired length, it feels securely locked in place. We recommend dialing in the right adjustment before putting it on, as changing it on the move or with it on proved challenging. The shoulder strap, a moderately comfortable cotton webbing, is a nice width. There is no padding, and the material can sometimes feel a bit rough. Despite these minor complaints, using the shoulder strap over a single shoulder or crossbody is pretty comfortable.

For frequent travelers, a versatile luggage pass-through sits flush against the back panel when not in use. It is a fairly simplistic luggage pass-through that allows you to set it on top of any roller luggage thanks to its wide opening. The pass-through orients the bag so it sits upright on top of your luggage, eliminating any concern of gear falling out of the pockets inside.

Fit Notes

The Trakke Portobello Laptop Briefcase’s design combines simplicity with sophistication thanks to its materials and layout. Its face features a clean, minimal aesthetic suitable for professional and casual environments. The additional customization touch also provides an excellent way to make the bag your own while not standing out too much. The waxed canvas and briefcase-style construction give it a classic heritage look that is as timeless as it is versatile. This particular colorway that they call Whisky has a nice casual aesthetic that can also blend in well in more formal settings. Overall, the messenger-style bag is pretty comfortable to carry despite some of the less comfortable materials.

Inside The Pack

The interior of the Trakke Portobello Laptop Briefcase is made with a vibrant orange dry-finish waxed canvas as well. They refer to this particular color as Trakke Orange. Not only does it provide a nice accent, but it also significantly improves internal visibility, so it’s easier to locate gear inside. The front pocket offers ample space for storage and has a small amount of built-in organization, such as a pen loop and a small slip pocket. When not in use, this pocket sits flush against the bag and stays out of the way.

On the front of the bag are two quick-access pockets with vertical access through water-resistant zippers on either side. The zippers are slightly recessed and work well together in order to provide extra weather resistance for anything inside. With one at each end, their simple design offers convenient access and decent expansion. There is no additional organization inside these pockets, except that one pocket has a key clip built into the top. It is made from cotton webbing, and while it is relatively short and lacks stretch, it still works decently well with the keys attached.

A rear pocket integrated into the luggage pass-through section offers a decent amount of storage for flatter items. This pocket spans the back panel adjacent to the luggage pass-through and uses a YKK zipper with a water-resistant covering. It is ideal for notebooks, passports, travel documents, magazines, etc. You could also store a phone or a slim wallet here, although bulkier objects might be slightly uncomfortable because it sits up against the back.

The main compartment on the Trakke Portobello Laptop Briefcase has the bulk of the storage. Dual zippers and a wide opening allow for easy access and a comprehensive overview of everything inside. Inside is a padded laptop compartment that can fit up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro comfortably. This compartment offers a decent amount of padding but lacks any kind of plush lining. In front of this is a slip pocket ideal for a tablet or notebook.

Opposite the laptop compartment is a medium-sized zippered pocket for additional storage. It has a decent amount of space and light separation and organization. The rest of the compartment acts as a spacious cavern for gear. It can expand or condense depending on the user’s need, which is always nice to see. This flexibility allows the bag to accommodate whatever is needed while maintaining the slimmest profile possible.

Empty, it collapses down a nice amount with a super slim profile. For example, we comfortably fit a power bank and a couple of cords for charging and data transfer in the front compartment on a trip to a local coffee shop. In front, the key clip provides easy access and enough space to store a wallet. On the other side, we store daily essentials like hand sanitizer, gum, and tissues. In the main compartment, in addition to a 16-inch MacBook Pro, the expansion comfortably allows for an extra tablet, a pair of Bluetooth headphones, an external hard drive, and a small mouse.

The Trakke Portobello Laptop Briefcase is as versatile as it is durable—designed for daily commutes, trips to lectures, or adventures abroad. Crafted from a durable waxed canvas that offers a traditional aesthetic with a robust feel that is easy to clean, this bag can handle whatever is thrown at it. The YKK zippers and water-resistant covering also ensure everything inside stays protected from any inclement weather. With an expandable capacity that can accommodate various gear with minimal internal organization, this bag is ideal for those looking for a flexible option to carry their daily essentials. Whether on the way to work, lecture or through the airport, this bag can adapt to match your needs while providing a stylish carry.