The Greatest Messenger Baggage of 2024

Extra sensible than a tote bag and extra accessible than a backpack, one of the best messenger baggage proceed to be our selection for day by day carry. We all know it may be overwhelming to have so many alternative baggage for various functions, and whereas every of those has a time and a spot, the messenger bag combines one of the best of many.

Our skilled gear testers have finished all of the legwork for you, and have recognized 10 of one of the best messenger baggage available on the market in the present day and totally examined them for this information. Whether or not you’re aiming for a lifetime buy just like the top-pick Timbuk2 Traditional or simply want one thing to get you thru the following semester, just like the Carhartt Messenger Bag, we’ve received choices for everybody.

We’ve reviewed these baggage for over a yr now, from the small city of Bishop, Calif., to commutes within the massive metropolis of Los Angeles. We took every of them out on a number of bike rides, loaded them up and walked with them a mile to the native espresso store, and scrutinized the strengths and weaknesses of their organizational options that can assist you resolve which bag would possibly greatest fit your wants. 

Editor’s Notice: We up to date our Messenger Baggage information on November 21, 2024, to refine our Worth & Worth part and add extra testing suggestions from continued use.

The Greatest Messenger Baggage of 2024

Different Shoulder Baggage to Carry Your Package

Our prime picks in messenger baggage are those we lean on essentially the most for our bike commuting, however there are lots available on the market that do it nearly as properly. Whereas they aren’t our prime picks, the next 4 packs are glorious choices to contemplate.

Messenger Bag Comparability Chart

How We Examined the Greatest Messenger Baggage

Our Knowledgeable Testers

Our GearJunkie testers are avid commuters, with a long time of mixed expertise touring by way of bike, practice, bus, and aircraft. From town streets of Los Angeles to the mountain city of Bishop, California, our testers have coated quite a lot of floor with these messenger baggage and know what to search for in a superb one. 

From flying incessantly across the nation for work, to biking day by day to espresso retailers in her small city, our lead tester, Miya Tsudome, has had over twenty years of hands-on expertise with messenger baggage, her go-to selection from school till now. She makes use of a messenger bag for her day by day carry and likewise has a messenger bag for her images gear.

Our Testing Course of and Testing Grounds

Miya examined this fleet of baggage over the course of a month, ensuring to hold every with a full load for a motorcycle commute of 4 miles roundtrip, walked to many espresso retailers and ran errands round city, and punctiliously evaluated their group, weatherproofing capabilities, and high quality of their design. 

Although nobody bag “has all of it,” there are various high-quality baggage to select from, and a few which will suit your wants higher than others. Are you in search of a traditional messenger bag to tackle a motorcycle commute? Or a extra informal shoulder bag for taking the practice to the workplace? Are you in search of one thing modern sufficient for the workplace or rugged sufficient to face as much as some climate?

It’s price contemplating how massive your laptop computer is and ensuring the bag you select is suitable. Additionally, think about the final quantity of the bag relying on how a lot you intend to hold. And in case you are the sort to pack so much, perhaps think about a backpack so that you don’t damage your shoulders.

Purchaser’s Information: How one can Select a Messenger Bag

Consolation

Consolation is a crucial metric when evaluating a bag that you simply’ll possible be carrying so much — from dwelling to workplace, by way of airports and practice commutes, and past. The most important indicator of a bag’s consolation is within the development of its strap and its carry fashion. If you happen to’re after a pack that’s in it for extra of the lengthy haul, take a look at our Greatest Journey Backpacks information.

Carry Type

Historically, a messenger bag is supposed to be carried in a crossbody fashion. With roots in bike messenger journey, these baggage have straps that can sling over one shoulder with the bag oriented diagonally throughout your again. This enables the bag to remain nearer to your heart of gravity whereas driving, and gained’t get in the way in which, very like a backpack.

The Timbuk2 Traditional, Osprey Metron 18, Mission Workshop Monty, and Mission Workshop Khyte are examples of this traditional messenger bag carry fashion. We expect that this carry fashion is conducive to extra consolation, as they usually have bigger, padded straps and the diagonal orientation excessive up in your torso gives higher weight distribution and is much less more likely to trigger sore shoulders.

The opposite carry fashion is a daily shoulder strap that causes a bag to fall on the hips. You’ll be able to put on these baggage crossbody in fact, however the bag will keep in a horizontal place decrease in your torso. Examples of this are the Timbuk2 Nearer Laptop computer Briefcase, Peak Design On a regular basis Messenger, and Aer Commuter Tech Transient.

Some people might not need the extra specialised look of the standard messenger bag and go for this extra informal shoulder strap fashion of carrying. When loaded up, nevertheless, these baggage can get heavy and aren’t as conducive to bike driving. They will additionally swing round in your again extra and trigger strain factors in your shoulders. The Topo Designs Mountain Cross Bag comes with two straps, so you may select your most popular carry methodology. 

Shoulder Straps

Shoulder straps are an apparent part of the consolation class, and may actually make or break an expertise with a messenger bag. WE recognize wider, thicker straps with ample padding to supply cushion and assist distribute weight extra evenly.

The Mission Workshop Monty has essentially the most snug shoulder straps we examined, with an non-obligatory sternum strap and a really satisfying, quick-adjust aluminum buckle on the entrance of the strap. Compared, the Mission Workshop Khyte has a lesser high quality strap, although you may swap it out with the Deluxe Messenger Strap for an extra $50. The Timbuk2 Traditional will not be overbuilt in any manner and has a easy shoulder strap made with OrthoLite foam. 

Group and Measurement

In terms of messenger baggage, measurement issues. Too massive, and also you’ll overload it with stuff and want you’d purchased a backpack as an alternative. Too small and also you’ll be bummed when it gained’t match a lot else apart from your laptop computer. The entire baggage in our evaluation are between 10 and 24 L. The utility of a messenger bag, moreover only a assertion of favor, is for fast entry to the inside by swinging it in entrance of the physique. So it needs to be considerably small and nimble. 

Group can also be paramount, as you don’t need your small gadgets to get misplaced inside a cavernous principal compartment. And one of the best messenger baggage could have some considerate organizational parts that can assist you bear in mind the place the whole lot is. 

When deciding on a messenger bag, particularly if group is a precedence for you, listed here are some essential options you would possibly wish to think about:

A number of compartments: Search for a bag with a number of compartments of varied sizes. This lets you separate and arrange your belongings effectively, stopping gadgets from getting misplaced or tangled.

Padded laptop computer compartment or sleeve: If you happen to carry a laptop computer or pill, a padded compartment is essential to guard your machine from bumps and scratches. You’ll wish to make sure that the compartment is appropriately sized to accommodate your machine. Most messenger baggage will match smaller laptops of 11-14”, however you’ll have to ensure to double-check the scale when you have a much bigger mannequin. And if you happen to’re on the fence about shopping for a messenger bag to hold your tech round, take a look at our evaluation of laptop computer backpacks that may make for a extra snug carrying expertise. 

Inside Pockets and Sleeves: Inside pockets and sleeves are nice for organizing smaller gadgets like pens, keys, and chargers. They maintain these necessities simply accessible whereas stopping them from cluttering up the primary compartment as a result of there’s nothing worse than your keys getting tousled in your charging cables. 

Exterior Pockets: Exterior pockets are useful for gadgets you want fast entry to, corresponding to your cellphone, pockets, or water bottle. Search for pockets with safe closures like zippers or magnetic snaps to maintain your belongings protected, or stretch pockets to accommodate an umbrella or water bottle. 

Key Clip or Key Ring: A key clip or ring contained in the bag gives a delegated spot to connect your keys, stopping them from getting misplaced within the backside of the bag. 

Electronics Safety

Whereas what you carry round in your messenger bag will fluctuate from individual to individual, it’s greater than possible that you simply’ll be carrying round some electronics. Most messenger baggage will include some type of a laptop computer sleeve or devoted compartment. It’s smart to search for ones which have padding for added safety, like within the Aer Commuter Tech Transient or the Topo Designs Mountain Cross Bag. 

The Mission Workshop Khyte has a devoted waterproof laptop computer sleeve which gives some critical safety in case you get caught in some inclement climate in your commute. And we love that the Osprey Metron 18 additionally comes with a rain cowl to actually convey you peace of thoughts when you’re out and about. 

The Mission Workshop Monty is the one bag in our lineup that doesn’t include a devoted laptop computer compartment, which is unlucky. Although it’s an general well-constructed and rugged bag that can maintain your gadgets protected below its heavy-duty flap, and can simply require you to have your laptop computer in a sleeve already.

We additionally want that the Peak Design On a regular basis Messenger got here with some climate safety as a result of it’s meant to carry a number of lenses and cameras, and will thus positively use a rain cowl or a beefier lid system. Although, we additionally rounded up a few of the greatest digital camera baggage if you happen to’re seeking to examine this particular form of bag.

Design and Supplies

While you’re in search of your subsequent messenger bag, make certain to take a look at the supplies and general high quality to make sure you’re getting one thing that’ll final. Nylon and polyester are light-weight and maintain up properly towards the weather. The entire baggage in our evaluation are fabricated from some kind of nylon. Different traditional messenger baggage will be made with canvas or leather-based, and painting a unique fashion if that’s one thing you’re in search of. 

The Timbuk2 Traditional, Nearer, Peak Design On a regular basis Messenger, Topo Designs Mountain Cross Bag, and KÜHL Eskape Messenger are all made with recycled supplies as a bonus. It’s all the time good to search for materials with a DWR end, which stands for sturdy water repellant and is a coating that makes the material extra waterproof. 

It’s also possible to take note of the denier of the material, which is a unit of measurement that signifies the thickness of the material’s particular person threads and, thus, its general sturdiness. The Mission Workshop Monty has the very best denier material in our evaluation, made with 1000-denier Cordura. Another baggage, just like the Peak Design On a regular basis Messenger and the Osprey Metron 18, are made with 400-500 denier material which continues to be a testomony to their high quality and is lots sturdy sufficient for day by day use. 

When you’ve received the fabric down, check out the stitching and {hardware}. You need stitches that may deal with your load with out popping, particularly round stress factors just like the straps. The KÜHL Eskape Messenger is bolstered in high-abrasion areas, and the Aer Commuter Tech Transient has 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon facet exteriors. 

And people buckles, zippers, and clasps? They need to be clean operators that give you quick access whereas protecting your stuff safe. 

Lastly, it’s all the time good to present the bag a once-over for craftsmanship. You need clear seams, tight stitching, and all of the items lining up good. Unfastened threads or wonky seams may be an indication of shoddy development that’ll go away you hanging down the highway.

Climate-Proofing

Whether or not you’re dodging raindrops in your day by day commute or trekking by way of unpredictable climate, you desire a bag that may maintain your gear dry. Search for supplies like nylon, polyester, or handled canvas that supply waterproof or waterproof properties just like the aforementioned DWR discovered on the Osprey Metron 18 and Peak Design On a regular basis Messenger.

Sealed seams and waterproof zippers are additionally must-haves to maintain moisture from sneaking in by way of the cracks, as discovered on the burly KÜHL Eskape Messenger. And if you happen to actually wish to go the additional mile, some baggage just like the Osprey Metron 18 include rain covers or built-in waterproof linings for added safety when the skies open up.

While you’re searching for a messenger bag that may stand as much as the weather and go the gap, protecting a watch out for weatherproofing options and sturdy development ensures you’re investing in a bag that’s prepared for no matter journey comes your manner.

Worth & Worth

Funds

Messenger baggage are available a variety of costs, catering to completely different budgets and preferences. On the decrease finish of the spectrum, you could find inexpensive choices ranging from round $20 to $50. Although not coated on this evaluation, you could find baggage on this value vary, and these budget-friendly baggage usually function fundamental designs and supplies like nylon or polyester, with fewer organizational options and fewer sturdy development.

Whereas they could lack a few of the bells and whistles of higher-priced choices, they will nonetheless function useful carryalls for on a regular basis use, making them a stable selection for these on a good finances or in search of a easy answer. Our greatest finances choose is a little more at $75, however we expect the Carhartt Messenger Bag is an plain cut price.

Mid-Tier

Within the mid-range, messenger baggage sometimes vary from $50 to $150, which make up the majority of the baggage in our evaluation. These baggage strike a steadiness between affordability and high quality, providing a greater variety of supplies, types, and options to select from. You’ll discover choices comprised of sturdy materials with waterproof properties, just like the Osprey Metron 18 Messenger ($120), with extra organizational compartments, padded laptop computer sleeves, and bolstered stitching for added sturdiness.

Though they could require a bit extra upfront funding, these mid-range baggage usually present higher worth when it comes to longevity and performance, making them a well-liked selection for these searching for a dependable on a regular basis carry, an excellent bike commuter companion, or a modern briefcase for the workplace. We expect that the $130 Timbuk2 Traditional is nearly one of the best messenger bag for most folk accessible in the present day.

Premium

On the larger finish of the worth spectrum, messenger baggage can vary from $150 to $400 or extra. These premium baggage will be crafted from high-quality supplies like 1000-denier nylon material, or, although not coated on this evaluation, full-grain leather-based or waxed canvas. These baggage could have meticulous consideration to element and superior craftsmanship.

The Mission Workshop Khyte, at $390, is the most costly bag in our evaluation, with its two-layer waterproof development and premium buckles and zippers. Whereas the preliminary price could also be steep, these top-tier messenger baggage supply unparalleled sturdiness, fashion, and performance, making them a worthwhile funding for individuals who demand one of the best.

In the end, the worth you pay for a messenger bag depends upon your finances, wants, and private preferences. Whereas budget-friendly choices can present an economical answer for fundamental carrying wants, investing in a higher-priced bag can supply higher high quality, sturdiness, and options that improve your on a regular basis carry expertise. Whether or not you’re in search of a easy and inexpensive choice or a premium bag that mixes fashion and performance, there’s a messenger bag on the market for you.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions