Black Friday and Cyber Monday: The Work Bag Guide
Black Friday falls on 27 November 2026, and Cyber Monday on 30 November. If you are planning to buy a briefcase, a work backpack or a professional gift in that window, the useful work happens before the weekend rather than during it — deciding what you actually need, checking it fits your laptop, and getting on the list for early access.
This page covers the dates, how early access works, and what to sort out beforehand. For which bag to buy, see the guides linked throughout.
Key Dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Late October | Early-access lists open. This is when to join if you want the first look |
| Mid November | Order deadline if you want engraving — see below |
| Friday 27 November 2026 | Black Friday |
| Weekend of 28–29 November | Popular colourways start selling out |
| Monday 30 November 2026 | Cyber Monday |
Do This Before the Weekend
Every year the same three things cost people the bag they wanted.
1. Check the laptop size, not the bag size
Most work bags are built around a 16-inch machine. If yours is 13 or 14 inches, the padded compartment will be too large and the laptop will move inside it. Either choose a bag sized for your device or plan to add a sleeve. Our guide to bags for a 13-inch laptop covers both routes.
2. Decide the size you actually need
Around 8 litres carries a laptop and documents. Ten to 16 litres adds a water bottle, a layer and lunch. Twenty litres and above covers a work-to-gym day. Working this out in advance is the difference between buying the right bag quickly and buying the discounted one. See Slim vs Spacious Briefcase for the full capacity comparison.
3. Sort engraving early — this is the one people miss
Engraving is applied before dispatch, so a personalised order takes longer than an unpersonalised one. During the BFCM weekend, engraving capacity is at its tightest of the year. If the bag is a gift and you want initials on it, order well before the weekend rather than during it.
What to Shortlist
Build the shortlist now, so the weekend is a decision rather than a search:
| If you are buying… | Start here |
|---|---|
| A briefcase for a formal office | The Best Briefcases Under $500 |
| A work backpack for commuting | Best Work Backpacks Under $300 |
| A gift for a colleague or manager | Professional Gifts Under $500 |
| Gifts for a whole team | Corporate Gifts for Managers and Employees |
| You are not sure which format | Backpack vs Briefcase for Work |
| You want to see what people actually carry | Best Work Bags by Profession |
Early Access
Subscribers get the offers before the weekend opens, which matters most for the colourways that sell out — navy and black go first, in almost every collection, every year.
Joining the list also means you do not have to watch for the start time. If you already know which bag you want, early access is usually the difference between getting your colour and getting the one that is left.
Sign-up and social links go here — keep them above the fold on mobile during November.
Buying Well in a Sale
Three rules that hold every year:
- Decide before you look at the price. A discounted bag that is the wrong size is not a saving.
- Check the colourway stock, not the product stock. A product page can show hundreds of units and hold only a handful in the colour you want.
- Buy the accessory at the same time. A laptop sleeve, a tech organiser or a luggage tag is easier to add to an existing order than to buy separately afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday 27 November, and Cyber Monday on Monday 30 November. Most retailers open offers in the days before the Friday, and early-access lists usually open in late October.
Does Maverick & Co. run Black Friday offers?
Yes. Offers are announced to subscribers first, ahead of the weekend. Join the newsletter for early access — details and specific offers are published here and by email when they go live.
What should I buy in a work bag sale?
The bag you had already decided on. Work out your laptop size, your daily capacity and your office formality in advance, then shortlist two or three models. Sales reward preparation, not browsing — the most common regret is a discounted bag in the wrong size.
Can I get a bag engraved during Black Friday?
Yes, but order early. Engraving is applied before dispatch and capacity is tightest across the BFCM weekend, so a personalised order placed on Black Friday itself will take noticeably longer to arrive than one placed a week or two earlier. If it is a gift with a delivery date, build in the margin.
Which colours sell out first?
Black and navy, in almost every collection. If you want either, early access is worth having.
Get Ready
Sort the size, sort the engraving, and shortlist two or three bags before the last week of November. Then the weekend is a five-minute decision instead of an hour of scrolling.
Start with What Makes a Good Work Bag? if you are choosing your first one, or browse the full range.
