The 15 Best Messenger Bags For Guys to Rock in Fall 2020
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What message are you sending with your messenger bag? If you’re not sure, don’t worry. We’re here to help. In this article we’ll dive into:
- The best messenger bags for men
- A variety of looks that supply durable construction and affordable prices
- How they’re great for commuting, traveling or school
Guys, if you’re still lugging a backpack to the office or to class (even if it’s a great backpack), it might be time to consider an alternative. Messenger bags are briefcase/backpack hybrids that provide easy access to all your goods without sacrificing style. Not to mention, they’re really versatile. You can bring a messenger bag to work, school or even your weekend getaway. Plus, there are tons of great options when it comes to picking out the right messenger bag for you.
- Canvas bags are made from a rugged fabric that provides a look that’s very stylistically versatile. You can rock a canvas messenger bag during a city commute or at a rural music festival and look great.
- Leather bags are clean and often timeless in their design, so they’re a strong contender if you’re aiming for a sharp, professional-looking bag to bring to the office.
- Nylon bags are a perfect balance that meets in the middle between professional and sporty. They come in many different looks and often provide durable construction.
As you can see, the only problem with buying a messenger bag is sorting through all the options. There are hundreds of bags at low prices, but not all of them are well-built or worth buying. To help narrow down your search, we rounded up 15 of the best messenger bags for men in the most popular style variants that you can buy right now. Check them out below.
1. Fossil Defender Messenger Briefcase
BEST OVERALL
It’s important to note that this bag is ideal for those who travel lite. The handsomely crafted bag, made from 100% leather, is a bit on the smaller side, so it’s perfect for a laptop and a few select essentials. As with any compact bag, organization is key. The clean-cut design features a padded laptop pocket (with a structured base for added protection), a few zip pockets and a key ring.
Courtesy of Amazon
2. Herschel Supply Co. Grade Messenger Bag
BEST HERSCHEL MESSENGER BAG
Herschel offers a ton of great bags, but this messenger checks all the boxes. This durable messenger bag features a concealed Velcro closure, so the flap doesn’t fly open. The synthetic construction assures that you can load your laptop, plus a few extra items, and the bag won’t give out on you. The interior of the bag is fitted with an eye-popping red and white pinstripe design, which is the signature style for most Herschel bags. This bag is available in grey, navy or camo.
Courtesy of Nordstrom
3. Shinola Navigator Messenger Bag
BEST PREMIUM LEATHER
When it comes to sharp, premium leather, Shinola knows what it’s doing. This messenger is crafted from oiled calfskin leather, while a durable canvas cross-body strap keeps the bag in check. The slim bag features a clean-cut design, but it still has plenty of pockets to provide organized and accessible storage.
Image courtesy of Nordstrom
4. Alpine Swiss Messenger Bag
BEST LUXE UNDER $100
You shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for budget, which is why we love this messenger option from Alpine Swiss. The timeless and clean design of the genuine leather bag offers a luxe look at a decent price. Various slips and zippered pockets flank the padded laptop compartment, and simple matte black hardware pulls the piece together. The bag is also available in crosshatch gray with silver hardware, but regardless of the bag’s color, its functional and polished structure makes buying this a no-brainer.
Courtesy of Amazon
5. Sweetbriar Laptop Messenger Bag
BEST CANVAS BAG
Military-style has been having a moment recently with cargo pants, combat boots, camo and other service-ready colors. But there’s another military-inspired classic that we think everyone should consider: canvas messenger bags. This canvas messenger bag from Sweetbriar features a slightly larger size and a convenient padded laptop compartment. We’re also big fans of the throwback style that utilizes a few subtle leather accents and buckles to nail the look.
Courtesy of Amazon
6. Ted Baker London Faux Leather Messenger Bag
BEST FAUX-LEATHER
This handsome messenger bag is made out of faux leather, but when it comes to looks, this is a pretty solid dupe. Fit your laptop and notebook in the roomy main compartment, while the magnetic closure keeps a secure lid on things. To top it all off, a canvas stripe runs along the front of the bag — adding just the right amount of sporty yet sophisticated flare.
Image courtesy of Nordstrom
7. Ravuo Messenger Bag
CUSTOMER FAVORITE ON AMAZON
With hundreds of positive reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, this canvas messenger delivers quality at a bargain price. The bag claims to be water-resistant, so it’ll last through those rainy day commutes. Plus, it’s available in black (as pictured) or coffee tan, and it features several different sizes of compartments to keep your gear organized. What more could you ask for at $40?
Image courtesy of Amazon
8. Mulberry Leather Briefcase
BEST ELEVATED
This Belgrave briefcase is a sharp messenger bag for men looking to elevate their over-the-shoulder game. The interior of the bag boasts a large main compartment and a smaller slip for little accessories. With its polished silver accents and tan leather craftsmanship, this is a timeless bag that will last for years to come.
Image courtesy of Nordstrom
9. Timbuk2 Especial Stash Messenger Bag
BEST FOR COMMUTERS
Who says a messenger bag can’t be sleek and durable at the same time? The jet black Stash Messenger from Timbuk2 is an urbanite’s dream. The bag boasts a water-resistant shell, but it doesn’t stop there. It also features a padded, waterproof laptop compartment to keep your tech safe and sound. With several zippered pockets, there is a compartment for everything, so you won’t have to do an archeological dive just to find your keys.
Courtesy of Nordstrom
10. Luxorror Messenger Bag
MOST ORGANIZED
If you’re not familiar with the brand Luxorror, that’s okay. This bag was honored as “Amazon’s Choice” as one of the best laptop messenger bags, and after taking a peek inside, it’s easy to see why. The interior of this padded laptop messenger bag is loaded with several different pockets, an I.D. slot and several clips to keep cords and keys organized.
Image courtesy of Amazon
11. GUESS Windchill Flap Messenger
BEST QUILTED
The term quilted isn’t commonly used to describe messenger bags, but leave it to Guess to bring this style into the conversation. The bag features several compartments on the inside to store your laptop and notebook. Plus, it’s made out of a nylon/polyurethane combination with a polyester interior, making for a rather weather-resistant bag. It comes in olive green, which is a nice alternative to all the black and brown messenger bags out there.
Image courtesy of Amazon
12. Oakley Street Messenger Bag
BEST SPORTY MESSENGER
Suppose you’re someone who prefers a bit of the sporty look. In that case, the Street Messenger from Oakley is the perfect solution because it still offers an athletic look without compromising a professional demeanor. In other words, you could rock this bag in a workplace setting, and it would be fine. The bag comes in black, navy or green camo, although you’d probably want to stick with the solid colors if you’re using this for work.
Image courtesy of Amazon
13. Newhey Store Messenger Bag
BEST VINTAGE STYLE
Yes, this bag might look vintage, but make no mistake, this isn’t your grandfather’s messenger bag. It’s got all the modern upgrades, like a padded laptop slip and a phone slot. With over 700 5-star reviews on Amazon, this cowhide leather-crafted, water-resistant bag is a solid vintage throwback. Available in brown, coffee, grey, dark grey or khaki, there are plenty of variations to choose from for this old school homage.
Image courtesy of Amazon
14. Coolbell Convertible Messenger Bag
MOST VERSITILE MESSENGER BAG
Versatility is the name of the game for the Coolbell messenger bag. With a cross-body strap and two shoulder straps, this convertible bag can be carried as a messenger bag or a traditional backpack. The canvas-crafted bag is available in a range of colors from grey to khaki, and even a few different shades of black. There is a multitude of different zippered compartments to stash various belongings, making this a great messenger bag for work or travel.
Image courtesy of Amazon
15. Kattee Leather Canvas Messenger Bag
BEST MESSENGER BAG FOR DIGITAL CREATIVES
Listen up, all photographers, vloggers and podcasters! There’s a messenger bag made specifically for you. Whether you need to lug around a DSLR camera with a few lenses or need to stash your microphone for a podcast on the go, this roomy bag boasts cushioned gear dividers in the interior to assure the safe transport of camera lenses and other tech. It’s crafted out of a durable canvas material, while leather and brass accents pull the whole vintage look together. Of course, if you’re looking for other types of photography bags, we’ve got you covered.
Image courtesy of Amazon