Best Work Messenger Finalists:
Fourth Annual Carry Awards

Practical with pleasing aesthetics. Ease of access and versatile carrying options. A dialed work messenger, or shoulder bag or brief (because they fall into this category too) are things of beauty…and not easy to achieve. But our ten finalists hit that sweet spot of work-friendly functionality with a generous splash of style. And because all business and no play is boring, these contenders can graft outside of office hours when you need them to.

Log your vote at the bottom of the page!

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Côte&Ciel Riss

The Riss takes the innovative form of the Isar backpack, and lays it over for a messenger format. Surprisingly, it actually works better this way. You get the beautiful drape and fashion sensibility that Côte&Ciel are known for, with access that is simple and intuitive. The Riss may be inspired by ancient Samurai armor, but it’s built for modern-day battles. Suit up  by wearing it as a shoulder bag or across the back and battle the elements with a choice of water-repellent fabrics. A padded laptop pocket defends up to 13” tech, while an additional two pockets keep your smaller work essentials safe and secure.

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KILLSPENCER Attaché

Leather attachés are the new briefcase – small, purposeful, and meaning business. KILLSPENCER gets the look just right, creating a slim yet confident attaché for your work essentials. We warn you now, this sophisticated and practical bag is likely to cause serious office envy and put a little swagger in your step with its classy leather construction featuring a fur-lined and padded interior that provides premium protection for your tech. Slim exterior pockets and webbing take care of your quick-access items and a removable strap lets you alternate between hand and shoulder carry.

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Brooks Lexington

The Lexington Briefcase is a clean and appealing attaché for work tools and papers. Its party trick is the Klick fix system, which clips easily over any standard bicycle rack. So you get confidence on your commute and confidence in your suit. The Lexington has a light-colored interior for easily locating items, and is large enough to fit a 15” laptop, books, documents and notepads while still retaining a sleek profile.

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Mission Workshop Transit 19L

Do you value utility-derived style, weatherproof construction, and plenty of pockets to store smaller items? Meet Mission Workshop’s Transit 19L Laptop Shoulder Bag. Reliable and discreet, the Transit moves between work and travel needs with ease, providing a sleek way to carry a laptop, folders and other daily essentials. And when it comes to carrying, there’s no shortage of options either. Secure it to the front rack of a bike, grab the handles for shorter distances or sling it over your shoulder when you need to cover ground.

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bleu de chauffe Remix

The Business Bag Remix is like a weekender for the messenger world. Taking a relaxed silhouette and casual hardware, you get effortless style with just enough formality that you’ll still look sharp in a suit. The Cordura canvas and vegetable-tanned leather are a hard-wearing but attractive partnership, and a combination of top handles and a removable strap lets you alternate between briefcase-style and shoulder carry.

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Porter Hybrid 2WAY Brief Case

‘Technical’ and ‘work’ often clash for us. Shiny performance bling and faux carbon fiber just seem to be over-compensating in an office environment. But Porter being Yoshida & Co, they’ve managed to hide the tech just enough to make it exciting rather than overbearing. Plenty of organization means fast and easy access to tools and documents, the slim profile looks smart in work settings, and the luggage pass-through sleeve keeps your carry tidy on business trips. There are details in this bag that you won’t discover until six months in. It really is amazing.

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QWSTION Simple Office

We love the ability to transform a shoulder bag into a backpack, and the QWSTION 1-for-2-System is one of the simplest ways to do this. The Simple Office then has loads of charm in the shaping, pockets that are practical, and webbing that adds fun without becoming overly expressive. Living up to its name, this bag is simple to use, efficient in design and versatile enough to adapt to a range of carry needs.

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Building Block Weekday

We were a bit late in finding Building Block, but we’ve been loving the process of discovery. Combining a fashion feel with a minimalist, almost architectural approach, they’re building stunningly simple leather carry goods that are both striking and adorable. The Weekday is elegantly understated, with pared-back but practical pocketing including two exterior pockets and an internal pocket that fits a 13” laptop.

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Parrabellum Slim Briefcase

In 2015 Parabellum did a reset, bringing their pricing almost within range of us mere mortals. And we’d like to celebrate that. The signature Bison leathers have strong character. The build is sound. And the look is unmistakably Parabellum. The Slim Briefcase is visually striking, and certainly looks the part in the boardroom and business airport lounges. Large enough for 15” tech, it includes a choice of interior and exterior pockets and a removable shoulder strap for carry ease on the go.

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Mismo M/S Soft Work

The Mismo M/S Soft Work nails the balance between form and function. The refined draping design offers fresh and interesting aesthetics without straying too far into informality. One of the key features is the secure fold and hook closure, and a variety of fabric options cater to your personal tastes. A good mix of pockets keep your tech and tools organized and within easy reach, while a removable shoulder strap and top handles provide carry options.

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Vote now!

(closes April 1st)