Best Work Shoulder Bag Champion | Carry Awards X

With its elegantly timeless style, premium materials, and adaptable organization, our Best Work Shoulder Bag champion brings class and versatile functionality to any work setting…

1st Place

Wilboro Revival Satchel

There are times when a bag catches the industry off guard and grabs attention. The Wilboro Revival Satchel is one such bag that immediately caused a stir amongst both our staff and readers. From Ontario, Canada, Wilboro is a one-man team making considered and innovative pieces of carry. 

The Revival Satchel is a magnificent example of design, manufacturing, and progression. In many ways, this feels like the upgrade that leather goods have been waiting for in the world of EDC and tech carry. This is the type of bag that gets people talking, regardless of their interest level in the world of carry.  Each gorgeous piece of Wickett & Craig Leather is perfectly placed on this elegant pattern, and it creates a unique yet under-the-radar modern-day messenger. This leather body is upgraded with X-Pac® UVX40 for the liner and finished with hardware that is a mix of Fidlock® magnetic snap closures and an AustriAlpin Cobra Pro buckle on the strap. The internal removable laptop sleeve is a mix of felt, leather, and YKK® zippers. There is not an expense spared with this construction and it is immediately noticeable from the moment you hold it! 

The laptop sleeve can hold a 14″ MacBook Pro or iPad Pro with keyboard, and is conveniently detachable for use at your desk. The laptop sleeve is a great example of Wilboro’s brilliant design ethos; small touches that make the product all the more enjoyable to use. Coming from a one-man workshop, its combination of thoughtful, functional design and its marriage of heritage and modern materials make the Revival Satchel a celebration of all that is great in the world of carry. A worthy champion! Bravo, Wilboro!

Highly Commended

These are the pieces that just missed out, and in most cases, by the smallest of margins. To them, we award a High Commendation. The below were of outstanding quality, displaying fine craftsmanship and design flair. With honor, we bow our heads in the utmost respect and kudos. If this were a dais, they’d be biting their teeth into silver medals, while their flags were hoisted into the horizon – a feat not to be overlooked. And we’re sure they’ll be back, to take it one notch higher, next year.

Bellroy Tokyo Work Bag

The Tokyo Work Bag’s deft blend of minimalist style and thoughtful organization makes this a truly versatile piece for both formal and informal work settings, while keeping gear quickly accessible throughout the day. Useful features such as a wide opening and considered pocket placement for your tech, EDC, a water bottle, and small accessories prevents the need to waste time rummaging for specific items.

Add in grab handles, a removable shoulder strap, and a luggage handle pass-through for flexible portability and you get a piece that adapts smoothly to the commute, zipping between meetings, and business trips. And with 100% recycled exterior fabric and linings, eco-tanned leather accents, and a choice of work-friendly colorways, you can enjoy sustainable style along with intuitively practical design. Great job, Bellroy!

Code of Bell APEX LINER PRO

With many people now embracing a hybrid approach to working environments, perhaps splitting their time between the office and home or their local cafe, Code of Bell wanted to create a bag that would adapt easily on the fly. Their answer to this challenge is the APEX LINER PRO, a daily carry bag and work bag in one.

Three separate compartments and an assortment of pockets keep gear well organized and secure yet quickly accessible on the go. And there’s an additional clever feature with this bag; the laptop compartment opens up to create a portable workstation for your laptop, letting you work in privacy wherever the workday takes you. An expandable front compartment accommodates bulkier items such as an outer layer or change of shoes and you’ve got multiple carry options including a shoulder strap, grab handles, a luggage pass-through, and even an optional backpack harness for on-the-back carry. Burly weatherproof construction with X-Pac fabric and water-repellent YKK zippers adds extra peace of mind in inclement weather, making this a trusty piece for a range of environments and weather conditions. Fantastic work, Code of Bell!

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