Buyer’s Guide :: Best Work Messengers (Part 1)

In the market for a work messenger and looking for some inspiration? If it’s time to retire your current bag and bring in a new recruit, our Buyer’s Guide for the Best Work Messengers has an excellent selection of candidates who are up to the job…

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KILLSPENCER Briefcase

KILLSPENCER nails sleek city styling with a touch of tactical to the aesthetics that gives their carry a sophisticated edge over a lot of other offerings out there. A slim silhouette, tough hardware, reliable build quality and a variety of material options make this a strong contender for people who are after a higher-end bag that will see them through work, travel and leisure situations for years to come.

Côte&Ciel Spree Messenger

Côte&Ciel brings a freshness to the carry world and the Spree messenger is no exception. Chic aesthetics merge with well-thought-out practical features in a variety of fabrics and colorways. Two concealed front pockets are handy for your small valuables, while the padded laptop compartment takes care of your tech, with two bag sizes to accommodate 13-inch and 15-inch laptops.

MAKR Post Bag

Casually refined, a quiet confidence – call it what you want, but MAKR’s Post Bag has it. The pleasing contrast of cotton duck and Horween leather keeps things interesting while suiting a work setting, with a versatile style that can do office-smart or relaxed-downtime depending on your needs. Throw in a mix of interior and exterior pockets, along with a detachable strap so you can carry it like a messenger or briefcase, and you’ve got convenient work carry sorted.

Trakke Wee Lug

As the name suggests, this bag is built for lugging stuff, with solid construction tailored towards people with a lean frame. The 22-liter volume is more than enough to carry your daily essentials, with four pockets for organizing your gear and a padded laptop section that fits a 17-inch MacBook Pro. The bag also comes in a choice of fabrics and colorways so you can choose a combo best suited to your work environment. Scope out our road test to see how it handles.

Trakke Mule

Big brother to the Wee Lug, the Mule is available in the same fabric and colorway options as the Wee Lug and also accommodates a 17-inch MacBook Pro. However, you get 10 liters of extra space, with a volume of 32 liters. The four-point suspension system will also keep the bag snug against your back for those mad dash bike commutes to work with large and/or heavy loads.

Bedouin Foundry Barbary

Some bags just make you take a second look – and the Barbary is one of them. It’s a damn fine-looking bag – but not just a pretty face either. This bag is built by hand to last, using top-notch materials, and will only get better with age. Plus the awesome linings add a little bit of secret fun that gives a pop of contrast every time you open the bag. Check out our Barbary road test – we dig it.

Bedouin Foundry Genghis

Packing plenty of eye-catching style but in a smaller package than the Barbary messenger, Bedouin Foundry’s Genghis messenger is crafted by hand using Scottish 10-ounce waxed canvas and top-grain vegetable-tanned leather, with AustriAlpin Cobra buckles. The messenger holds a 15-inch laptop, with two slip pockets and a zipped pocket for keeping smaller items tidy.

Ally Capellino Tommo Despatch Bag

Oiled canvas and leather detailing come together in an understated messenger that can glide between formal and casual when you need it to. Forming part of Ally Capellino’s Bags for Bikes range, the messenger keeps the contents safe with a waterproof lining, includes a padded 15-inch laptop compartment and a choice of pockets for your bits and pieces, while also featuring reflective hits for added visibility.

Timbuk2 Especial

Love your messenger bags packed full of features and ready for action? Then this one’s for you. Available in two sizes, the Timbuk2 Especial messenger boasts Fidlock buckles for one-handed access, an ambidextrous strap for comfortably wearing the bag on the right or left shoulder, reflective detailing, a waterproof lining and zips, plus plenty of pockets for your work tools. Get the details in our Timbuk2 Especial road test.

Porter Protect Shoulder Bag

Thoughtful design – such as the quick-access exterior front pocket and the flap which seals the bag’s edges while closing it – quality construction and versatile functionality make the Porter Protect Shoulder Bag a useful colleague to have around. It’s ready for business during work hours and can slip into leisure mode when you’re done. This is a solid offering from an iconic Japanese brand. Check out our road test if you’re keen to learn more.