Our Favorite Messenger Bags

How to make your Decision

1 Price Expectations

Expect to pay $100-400 for thoughtful designs + legit materials.

2 Look & Feel

Click on the bags you like below to watch the video and get an informed look.

3 Keep Notes

Note which bags interest you and what you like/dislike to help you make your final decision.

In daily life I love the styling of the Bellroy System, the functionality of the Mystery Ranch 3-Way, the simplicity of the Topo Global Brief and the richness of the Filson.

However, every bag on this list is worthy…

Hemmingway.

Filson 24 Hour Tin Briefcase

This bag from Filson is easily one of my favorite briefcase-type bags due to it’s excellent materials, organization, and classic aesthetic. view bag

Techy. Tactical. Protected.

Peak Design Everyday Messenger

A delightfully innovative messenger with the capabilities for both serious office bag and adventure photography/drone bag. view bag

Stylish & Capable

Bellroy System Messenger Bag

Lots of capacity, design details and premium feeling materials. Subtle rolltop with a g-hook for the latch. Great handles. view bag

Apocalypse Ready

Mission Workshop Khyte

Epic build quality and design. Extremely durable and tough. Sleek looks. It’s the techy older brother to the basic messenger. view bag

Everyday Badass

Mystery Ranch Expandable 3-way Briefcase

Excellent materials. Two main compartments (middle one is expandable) and a front “grip it and rip it” pocket. Stowable backpack straps. view bag

Dry Finished Wax Canvas

Trakke Wee Lug Messenger

The Week Lug from Trakke is made from premium materials and features just enough organization for modern life. view bag

Slimline. Classic.

Topo Global Briefcase

The Global Briefcase from Topo converts from backpack to briefcase with enough external access and style to be one of my personal favorite daily carry bags. view bag

Epic Expandable.

Black Ember Forge

The Forge from Black Ember is a convertible backpack-briefcase-messenger with expandability from 20-30L. view bag

Simple & Solid

Nutsac Messengers & Satchels

High quality waxed canvas and leather. Simple organization. Some models use magnets to latch. Simple and solid. view bag

Everyday Organized

Vanquest Messenger Bags

Rugged builds with lots of organization and access. Organization inserts available. Lots of capacity. Multiple sizes. view bag

The Organizer

Nomatic Messenger Bag

The Messenger Bag from Nomatic is chock-full of organization and tech-lifestyle features for the modern commuter. view bag

Tight. Sleek. Capable.

Peak Design’s 10L Everyday Sling

Innovative and sleek, functional and delightful. Multiple compact sizes. Lots of thoughtful features. view bag

This Peak 10L Sling is only for smaller carry, but if your stuff fits it’s great on the daily.

Large-ish Messengers

Often large enough for minimal travel.

The Mountain Professional

Topo Global Briefcase 3-Day

A very capable minimal traveler’s bag or large-ish daily carry brief that converts to a backpack or messenger. Simple and solid tech organization, capacity and unique style. Kinda fiddly main compartment interiors. view bag

Organized & Classy

Pakt Anywhere 25L Duffel

Great for short trips and shines as a daily carry brief/messenger due to all the organization, quality materials and thoughtful design. view bag

Big & Classy

Bellroy Weekender

A large shoulder bag/briefcase with casual style, premium materials and enough capacity for light travel or heavy everyday carry. view bag

Delicious. Rich. Techy.

Waterfield Atlas Executive Holdall

The Atlas Executive Holdall from Waterfield is an excellent large-ish capacity shoulder bag designed to help you shift seamlessly from tech gear to gym gear. view bag

Organized. Built Tough.

Tom Bihn Tristar

The Tristar from Tom Bihn is an excellent almost business-class duffel/backpack conversion bag that makes for excellent use in transit. view bag

Messenger Bags

Show up for work or play with a stylish, organized everyday briefcase or shoulder bag.

daily carry bags