Frank Clegg

This is not a list of rad messenger bags to sling over your back while racing on your fixed-gear bike. This is a list of bags that can solve the eternal conundrum of the modern man: the man-purse problem. Also known as "how come there's no guy's equivalent of a purse" and "how do I carry my stuff when people seem to have decided that adult men shouldn't wear backpacks?" Nailing the balance of cool-but-not-girly is a feat that's famously hard for a leather bag, especially when you're not in a suit and tie, and a briefcase isn't the right move. But after years of testing brands, these are the leather messenger bags I always find myself reaching for — and they'll definitely meet the standards of the man who demands a zero percent chance of anyone calling his bag a purse. All of them are durable, suitable for everyday carry, and are comfortable when slung over your shoulder for long periods of time. Since they're all messenger bags, they're all relatively casual, and they're all about as good as each other, but readers like it when I rank things, so the list is below. Keep reading for the pros and cons of each so you can pick the right one for you. Our Top Leather Messenger Bag Picks Best Overall: Satchel & Page Mailbag ($535) Coolest: Cravar F.C. 15 ($425) Best Value: Thursday Boot Co Commuter Bag ($349) Most Sustainable: Bleu de Chauffe Eclair Postman Bag ($445) Best USA-Made: Billykirk No. 486 Satchel ($700) Their Mailbag in the light, showing more color depth than your average veg tanned leather Best Overall: Satchel & Page's Mailbag Satchel & Page’s Mailbag captures the vibe of "high quality but not dressy" better than any bag I've seen. Inspired by early 20th-century US Postal Service mailbags — I've actually had a stranger point that out when wearing it on the subway — the design is simple, secure, and masculine. What I Like The best bag leather I've seen Tanned the old fashioned way in Tuscany, certified by the Genuine Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather Consortium Simple design, easy to open, and secure closed on the go No breakable parts Padded laptop sleeve secured with its own stud closure Available in a smaller size Lifetime warranty There aren't a ton of features, but minimalism is just what a lot of guys want in a messenger. Downsides But Not Dealbreakers Unlined, which some might feel reduces the 'luxury' element No other colors available No zippered compartments/pockets to boost security Features / Specs 12" x 16" x 4.5" (14.1-liter capacity) 4 pounds Padded, suede-lined shoulder strap for comfort The antique brass buckle closure gives it a rugged look and confidence that your gear won't spill out, but it's not hard to get into when you're on the go, plus there's an open sleeve along the back for when you want to stuff your phone or magazine in there without opening up the main compartment. The unlined interior is a little sparse — I would have loved a zippered pocket to stash extra valuables — but you get a padded laptop sleeve with a good amount of pockets and sleeves in which I pop my wallet and pens. The luxury but not formal vibe is underscored by the edges being finished with burnishing and wax instead of rolling or binding, and the use of antique brass hardware and hand-hammered copper rivets, but the real star is the leather. Their Mailbag in the light, showing more color depth than your average veg tanned leather Leather Listen, I've been to tanneries all over the world and handled every leather there is, and I know there are different priorities for boot leather and jacket leather, and when it comes to bag leather, Satchel and Page is simply unmatched. It'd be uncomfortable for footwear, but this kind of vegetable-tanned leather is perfect for a bag. Unlike its chrome-tanned counterpart, this is tanned in Tuscany the way we've been making leather for thousands of years, and it's even certified by the Genuine Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather Consortium, earning the highest marks for sustainability from the Leather Working Group. Instagram stories, I posted the very month that I'm writing this — yup, I use this bag a lot. I could buff those scratches out if I wanted to, but I don't! Fortunately, in this case, the most sustainable material is also the best: full of oils and waxes that give it gorgeous highs and lows, this is exactly the kind of leather that gets better looking with each passing year, and they give you a lifetime warranty so that you know it'll make it to the next generation. Value $545 is a fair price for the lifetime of use you'll get here, especially as it only gets better. You can also get a slimmer version for just under $500. The bag's only real downside is how minimalist it is — no lining, no zippered pockets, not a ton of pockets in general — but the fact is that a total lack of bells and whistles is what most guys prioritize when looking for a leather messenger bag. Further Reading 11 Best Leather Briefcases for Men in 2024: High-End, Budget, Vintage, and More We spent over a decade testing leather briefcases before landing on our top ones. Learn more → Coolest: Cravar's F.C. Leather Messenger Bag Satchel and Page's leather is superior, and the Mailbag's simple design makes it easier to take to professional spaces, but Cravar beats them for functionality and, well, coolness. It's not like their bestselling F.C. bag is bristling with tech, though: it's just a well-designed bag that stands out in just the right way. What I Like Unique design: casual, functional, and low key all at once Water-resistant closure system No breakable parts Finished edges (some bound, some waxed) Fully lined (makes cleaning easier) Lots of colors and sizes available Lifetime warranty A not professional shot from my Instagram stories to show that I really do use it all the time, and it just gets better with age. Downsides But Not Dealbreakers No laptop sleeve (but they'll add one for a surcharge) The lining is acrylic, so it's easy to clean, but it can pill The carry handle angles outward; this keeps it hidden, but it's a bit awkward to carry by hand Note these handy, book-sized pockets that are hidden under the front flap. Features / Specs 15.5" x 12" x 5" (15.2-liter capacity) 4 pounds Padded and articulated shoulder strap for comfort I put Satchel and Page up top for their leather quality (and I feel like the average guy might prefer its ultra low-key looks), but truthfully, I use my Cravar bag more often. It's got so many features that are unusual, yet it doesn't commit the cardinal man-bag sin of looking complicated or overthought. It's rainproof: the flap actually curves over the edges of the bag so the interior is completely protected. Thanks to the lining, there's no hardware encroaching on the interior to scratch any belongings. Nowhere does metal touch metal, so it's a totally silent bag (I know guys who hate hearing any jangling as they walk). There are weight-bearing straps that encircle the entire bag to distribute the load and keep the leather bottom from stretching. The closure system is really cool: those weight-bearing straps run through belt loops and are secured closed with studs, and I know it doesn't look secure, but it is. When they're studded and threaded through the loops, they won't come unstuck — they've never even come unstuck for me when they aren't threaded through the belt loops, making it really easy to open and close when on the go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vz1Uw5RKh5aU I made sure to visit the founder when I was traveling through Indonesia – after I'd already spent years using his bags. Leather Like all the best bags, they use large, single pieces of leather wherever possible to minimize failure points, and they use vegetable-tanned leather. It's not really a pull-up leather; you don't get a lot of highs and lows in the appearance, but many guys prefer that, and it still ages very well. A big bonus is that Cravar offers the F.C. in a wide range of leathers: there are currently eight colors available, and there's a range of F.C. bags made of cotton twill with leather trims. In addition to that, there are three sizes to choose from: mine is the largest, measuring at 15 inches long, but there are 13- and 11-inch models too. Just make sure it fits your laptop. There are heaps of different colors and sizes of the F.C.,, from black to green and a few cotton versions too. Price and Value $425 for the larger F.C.s, $385 for the 13-inch ones, $355 for 11 inches. You might have been expecting something cheaper for something Indonesian; I know from my excursions to Indonesia's bootmakers that their export taxes are killer. But the price includes shipping, and you're supporting a small brand where your dollar is very meaningful. I'd have liked a zippered pocket somewhere and the lack of a laptop sleeve is baffling, but if that's your dealbreaker, peep their R.F. or Rana bags. Or you can just ask for one: the brand reached out to me after I published this article to say that if no laptop sleeve is really so baffling, they'll stitch one into your F.C. for an extra $20. Email them and they'll give you a special order link. Cool brand! Best Value: Thursday Boot Co's Commuter Bag Through some alchemy of direct-to-consumer branding and mastering the boring science of logistics chains, Thursday Boot Company makes the most well-priced boots on the market. They've now performed the same feat with their Commuter messenger bag, which is made with the same emphasis on versatility as their boots: depending on the leather you get, it's just as easy to use the Commuter for a business briefcase as it is to use it as a casual messenger. What I Like Excellent balance of value and quality Very versatile: can be a casual messenger or an office briefcase Lots of pockets and options for organizing belongings Level of finishing, like the rolled edges, is uncommon at this pricepoint Chrome tanned leather is softer and feels more "broken in" compared to pricier veg tan leathers Wide range of colors and leathers available Downsides But Not Dealbreakers The shoulder pad is slick at first, hard to keep on the shoulder Carry handles flop outward a little awkwardly when not in use Lined with polyester; some prefer natural fabrics Definitely works as a casual bag, might not be as casual as you want Features / Specs 16.5" x 11.25" x 3.5" (10.6-liter capacity) Made of casual leathers but with a design that leans a little dressier than other optionson this list, the Commuter is a neat balance of smart and casual, like Thursday's boots. Actually, there are a few design elements that seem intended to bring to mind boots: the leather reinforcements on the corners seem reminiscent of a boot's heel counter, for example. The Commuter boasts plenty of compartments for laptops, documents, and smaller essentials like keys and phones. I also like how there are two large, external pockets on either side of the bag and that one's open air while the other has a zipper closure, so you can pick your external pocket based on security versus ease of access. Tons of pockets, compartments, and zippers both inside and outside this bag. You can use those external pockets to tuck away the handles for a more “messenger-like” appearance — it doesn't work perfectly and the carry handles can hang a little awkwardly when not in use, but the upside is that the handles let you use the Commuter as a shoulder / cross body bag or as a briefcase if you detach the strap. The strap also allows you to change the length without needing to adjust notches with a buckle, which is neat: you just pull it through the slider, which is both convenient and gives you more control over the length. Leather The Commuters are all made with full grain leather, but their characteristics differ considerably. Mine is the Tobacco colorway (designed, if you want it to, to match their Tobacco leather boots), and a few of the other leathers match Thursday's popular boots as well. So if you love the brand, that's a fun upside. If you don't own their boots, the leathers are great in their own right: the Black Matte is slightly buffed and consistent in color, while the Burnished Toffee and Old English are smarter and have more of a sheen to them. The Commuter also comes in a few canvas colors, a material I prefer when I'm wearing a leather jacket. Another upside is that you can get this bag in a few canvas colorways as well. A potential downside is that none of the leathers are vegetable tanned, which is what I prefer for leather bags, but that's to be expected at this pricepoint — plus, chrome tanned bags are a lot softer and they can come in more vibrant colors. Price $349 is a solid price for a casual leather bag, especially when you note that they're using large pieces of leather that span the length of the bag; bags at this pricepoint are usually covered in seams because they've saved money by using multiple, smaller pieces of leather. Most Sustainable: Bleu de Chauffe's Postman I didn't think "Most French" would be a category that would make much sense to anyone, but Bleu de Chauffe is an extremely cool brand that deserve a lot of attention for their unusually soft veg tan leather, historically informed aesthetic, and ethical manufacturing in the south of France — $445 is a really low price when you consider all that. What I Like Veg tan leather that's unusually soft and colorful Rustic aesthetic based on traditional French workwear bags Ethically made in a cool workshop in the French countryside Buckles conceal stud closure system that's quick and easy to open Felted compartments are good for cameras Zippered internal pocket; rare in this game Three sizes available Downsides But Not Dealbreakers I don't love how the Large bag is more square than the others No pockets are accessible without opening the bag Unlined with raw edges; it suits the utilitarian heritage, but some prefer more finishing https://www.youtube.com/watch?vLuw-RgqgfEI I stopped by their workshop while I was visiting friends in France — this was after I'd been enjoying their bag for years! Features / Specs 15" x 11" x 4" 10.8-liter capacity (Medium size) Since our primary consideration when curating this list of bags was the fact that most guys are worried someone will liken their messenger bag to a purse, we've kept all the leather messenger bags here very minimalist. Bleu de Chauffe's, one could argue, is the least minimalist: look at those buckles on the flap. There are two of them! But look, if you're comfortable with a messenger that's just the tiniest bit ornate, you'll like the Eclair Postman Bag. Far and away the brand's bestseller (though the suede Fisherman's bag is a contender), the two buckles are actually decorative: they conceal a stud closure system that's both very secure and very easy to quickly open. The interior is bisected by a felted laptop sleeve, and I'm pleased to report there's a zippered pocket attached to the inside of the back panel: when looking at good quality leather messenger bags, zippers are few and far between. A not great screenshot from our review of the bag written by Mike Smith. Leather I clearly prefer vegetable tanned leather for bags, but what stands out with Bleu de Chauffe's is that it's remarkably soft for that kind of tannage. It's also available in a good range of colors; one of the downsides of veg tanning is that you can't achieve as many colors as you can with chrome tanned leather, but the Postman is available in a cool blue hue that has become quite well known. I love the bag, but Stridewise contributor Mike takes better pictures of it! Price $445 for the Medium and $520 for the large, depending on the exchange rate. This is a bonkers price for a bag that's made in France with veg tan leather, even when factoring in the $70-ish shipping fee to the States. The bag being unlined and the edges raw would be significant contributors to the lower price here. Those elements might make it feel less "luxury" to the seasoned bag fan, but hey — this is a casual bag, after all. Billykirk's Schoolboy Satchel is made with extra hardy bridle leather from the US. Best USA-Made: Billykirk's No. 486 Schoolboy Satchel There aren't a ton of great messengers that are made in the United States, but I found the badly named Schoolboy Satchel to be a solid option because of its versatile design and that it uses America's toughest leather: bridle leather from Pennsylvania's Wickett and Craig. What I Like Made with bridle leather, perhaps the toughest veg tan leather Versatile and minimalist design Beautiful leather Both made in the USA and with American leather 3 colors available The measurements are similar to the other bags here, but the design makes it not that spacious, especially as it's hard to close when it's packed full. Downsides But Not Dealbreakers Not spacious Hard to close when it's packed full No external pockets Unlined, which some might not prefer Features / Specs 15.5" x 11" x 4" (11-liter capacity) 3.8 pounds The construction is very simple: no external pockets, no zippered pockets, just an internal laptop sleeve with some open pockets stitched to the side that can fit wallets and pens. But it's still an interesting bag: I like how the shoulder strap attaches to two points on the back of the bag rather than at the sides, I like how simply and effectively the closure system secures the contents, and I love how the carry handle is designed to stay flush when it's not in use — though I imagine it would stay less and less flush as the handle gets shaped with use. Leather The leather is a big deal because not only is it vegetable tanned and not only is it American, but it's the toughest leather from the most celebrated producer of vegetable tanned leather in the United States: Wickett and Craig. This is called bridle leather: an especially hardy material originally designed for horse bridles, so it's means to be tough enough to be yanked around by horses and endure years of sunshine and downpour. It's insanely stiff and will take a long time to soften up but hey, that's the bargain you make when you want a really tough leather — and this is America's finest. A very well-loved Schoolboy satchel, courtesy of Billykirk. Price It fluctuates a lot, I've seen it range from $600 to $750. For American made with Wickett and Craig leather I think that's not too bad — feel free to let me know if you find better alternatives made stateside! It's low on features and pockets so this might not be for you, but if you don't need anything flashy, this bag can for sure pull double duty in both casual and professional use cases. Me taking the Billykirk satchel from jeans-and-boots to business casual. Wrapping Up If you're a guy who shies away from messenger bags for looking too teenagery, this list should provide a few great options. Each of these bags is suitable for most business casual offices and comes in a variety of colors (except for the Satchel and Page bag). We value stuff that'll last, no plastic buckles or cheap nylon, just quality leather and durable metals. If durable casual menswear is your jam, subscribe to the Stridewise YouTube channel and watch us use the heck out of boots, waxed canvas, denim, and a lot more.