The 11 best work bags for men, tested and reviewed

Mission Workshop is a San Francisco-based technical gear company that produces hardworking, well-designed products from work bags to apparel with a minimalist aesthetic that's always stylish. The brand makes the Transit Laptop Brief in the U.S. from various rugged materials and comes in eight colorways. The Gray VX colorway I tested out is made from HT500 Nylon that's super durable, and water, stain, and scuff resistant, but still lightweight. Similarly, everything else on this bag is as sturdy, from the hardware to the handles. I abused this bag, aggressively swinging it while loaded down, yanking on the straps, dragging it across the floor, and generally beating it up, and the Transit delivered. I also sprayed the outside with water and it beaded up rather than soaking into the fabric, dried quickly, and didn't penetrate the interior. The same went for spraying the water on the zippers. And it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

The Transit weighs in at around three pounds, which is light considering its 19-liter carrying capacity that includes a roomy main compartment that can fit a change of clothes, along with your work gear, lunch thermos, water bottle, chargers, and other items like sunglasses. The padded and zippered laptop sleeve can fit a 16-inch laptop. There's a good amount of compartments and pockets to keep your gear organized. Inside, the main compartment includes two pockets. On the outside, there are two large pockets with snap closures and two smaller zippered pockets for items you want to keep close at hand.

The Transit easily transitions from messenger bag to briefcase and is comfortable to use in either mode. It also has straps that allow you to hook the work bag to a bicycle's front rack. At $315, it's an investment, but this American-made work bag is built to last, and you'll definitely get your money's worth out of it.

Bellroy is probably best recognized for its exceptional wallets, but the Australian company also produces a messenger bag called the Via Work Bag that's as well-made as the brand's better-known products. It's crafted from a rugged recycled polyester and nylon material that, based on my testing, is both water-resistant and abrasion-resistant. It comes in at less than two pounds, but is roomy enough to hold a 16-inch laptop, plus everything else you'd need for a day at work.

Getting items in and out of the interior is easy due to the wide opening. While the interior only has two main compartments — a padded space for your laptop and another space for other larger items — there's an interior pocket near the top that can fit sunglasses, keys, or other smaller necessities that you would want to easily access. There's also a large zippered pocket on the outside that's roomy enough for a book, notebook, or files. This pocket also has smaller interior pockets for things like handheld electronics and pens.

The bag is well-balanced, and I found the padded shoulder strap comfortable for long commutes, as well as the webbed handles, which are easy to grip and comfortable. Aesthetically, the messenger bag has a clean, modern style that comes in four colorways that are all office-appropriate. While the Via Work Bag may not have as many pockets as some of the other bags in this guide, the design still allows for keeping your stuff organized.

Stuart & Lau's Cary briefcase has been garnering accolades from us as well as other outlets for several years and it remains the briefcase to beat. We named it the best briefcase in our recent guide of the best briefcases for men, for "delivering the ideal balance of style, functionality, and user-friendly design." I concur with that assessment. To start, the Cary comes in three sizes: the Slim ($335), the Single ($375), and the Double ($395), and two other iterations, the Gen 2 Slim and two Tokyo Editions. I opted to test out the Single for this guide, which I found offered lots of space without being at all bulky. This bag is handsome, thoughtfully designed, and built to take a lot of punishment.

On the outside, it's made of Stuart & Lau's proprietary DuraLite waterproof nylon, which I tested out by spraying water on the material. It beaded up and didn't soak in or penetrate into the interior. It's also abrasion and tear-resistant, but still has an elegant look. The nickel hardware and YKK Excella zippers worked smoothly and performed well when I aggressively handled them during testing. Besides being durable, the Cary has Italian full-grain leather straps and handles that add to the overall refinement of the briefcase. Another nice detail is the integrated umbrella slot (with matching umbrella available for $95),

The Cary shines when it comes to functionality that includes design elements like the removable laptop sleeve that can fit a 15-inch laptop. It has a pair of ingenious magnetic latches to quickly get it in and out. There's also a sleeve with a magnetic closure that can fit a 16-inch laptop. The interior has a well-laid-out design with four interior pockets and an inconspicuous pocket near the handle for items like a cell phone or other personal items you want to have at hand. The Cary also has a large pocket on the outside with a magnetic closure with one internal pocket. On the other side there's three smaller pockets as well. At 2.75 pounds, it's not the lightest work bag in this guide, but it's well balanced, and the detachable shoulder strap is comfortable enough for a long commute. Other positives include the brand's use of sustainable materials like the recycled twill material that lines the inside, and small details like a magnetic key ring and a concealed AirTag pocket. The Stuart & Lau Cary offers high functionality, a refined look, and true durability.

The American heritage luggage brand Hartmann has been getting people from point A to point B in style since 1877. The brand's Metropolitan 2 Executive Backpack has a professional polish and an array of features in a fairly compact size of about 18 x 13 that make it perfect for commuting to the office and for travel too. Hartmann built the Metropolitan 2 so it easily stands on its own, and with a foldout design, so you can quickly load and unload the backpack that has a large main compartment, a second smaller compartment with a variety of pockets to keep everything organized, and a separate laptop sleeve. This space has a lot of padding with room for a 15-inch computer, plus space for chargers and other electronics.

I used this backpack on a recent trip to Scotland and was very happy with the experience. I found it to be exceedingly comfortable to wear with nicely padded shoulder straps and handle, and balanced weight distribution. The backpack is made from a very durable nylon that I found to be both water and abrasion-resistant. The design allowed me to easily get what I needed from the bag while in a cramped plane seat, and had enough room for everything I required when flying, including a change of clothes. For added security, the backpack's front pocket has RFID blocking technology to keep thieves from potentially stealing your credit card or other personal information. If you're looking to change up your work bag from a briefcase, the Hartmann Metropolitan 2 should be high on your list of candidates.

The Apex Tote from Troubadour, the British luggage brand, is sleek and modern, but still tough and highly functional. Maybe it's the brand's UK roots where wet weather is common, but this bag can handle a good bit of water and still keep your belongings dry. I sprayed water on the FortiWeave fabric (made from recycled plastic bottles) and it immediately beaded up and then dried quickly without soaking into the material. I also sprayed water directly on the zippers, and no water penetrated into the interiors.

The bag's water resistance isn't the only thing it has going for it by any means. With a carrying capacity of 16.5 liters, it offers a lot of space for all your work gear, including a change of clothes, water bottle, and thermos. The bag's design also helps keep everything organized. In the main compartment, there's a nicely padded dedicated area for a 16-inch laptop, a mesh pocket for electronics and chargers, two spaces for items like water bottles, and three smaller pockets as well. There are also two outside pockets (one zippered, one not).

Additionally, there are thoughtful details like magnetic fasteners on the interior of the laptop sleeve and the bottle holders. In the first instance, you can easily get to your computer without having to undo a snap, but it still stays secure. In the second instance, it helps keep your water bottle or thermos upright. Another nice detail is the outside pocket that can double as a luggage sleeve, so you can secure it to a rolling suitcase. The only fault I found with the Apex Tote was that the shoulder strap is an extra $19, and without it, the bag is slightly less functional. But given all of the Apex Tote's positives, this is a small quibble.

Hulken is a young brand based in Switzerland that made its name thanks to its viral rolling tote bags, but has begun branching out into other luggage. The Hulken Essential Laptop bag is, as the name suggests, a compact work bag meant to carry a laptop and other work essentials. It comes in at less than $100, is made in Hungary, well constructed, and lightweight (it's less than a pound when empty), but has a surprising amount of room for its size. The bag has three main compartments, including a soft, well-padded space for a computer, and three smaller pockets for items like keys, and a large zippered compartment on the outside.

I used this messenger-style laptop bag for a recent work trip from the Hudson Valley to New York City that included traveling by train and subway and walking, and found it to be extremely lightweight and comfortable.

I was able to fit my 14-inch laptop, a lunch thermos, T-shirt, three chargers, sunglasses in case, a notebook, and keys. The only thing I couldn't fit was an 11-inch water bottle.

The Essential Laptop Bag has a minimalist aesthetic, comes in either black or white, and has a PU coating that easily sheds water. At $95 it's a great deal.

The Utah-based outdoor brand Cotopaxi is known for its durable, well-crafted, and sustainably made gear. The Todo Convertible Tote offers a lot of advantages, including its ability to easily convert from a tote to a backpack, which I found was comfortable to use both ways.

With a 22-liter carrying capacity, it offers a huge amount of room with a padded area for a 16-inch laptop and another main compartment that has space for work gear and a change of clothing. While it may not have the same organizational capacity as some of the other work bags in the guide, it does have an easy-to-reach zippered accessories pocket that includes a key clip. This space is ideal for storing sunglasses and other small items. The bag also features two external mesh pockets for a water bottle and other larger items you want to keep at hand.

Cotopaxi is known for its fun colorways, and while the Todo Tote comes in several bright colors, it can still be used as a work bag for a job with a business casual dress code. At $85, it's a good deal for a high-quality product made from hard-wearing, water-resistant recycled nylon.

The San Francisco-based travel gear company Aer combines minimalist style, durable construction, and thoughtful design in its Travelpack 3 backpack that's perfect for commuters who want to hit the gym before or after work or for one-bag travel. The backpack offers a wealth of compartments and pockets — I counted 17 — with many of these spaces zippered for extra protection. There's seemingly a space for everything from the thickly padded compartment for a 16-inch laptop to the zippered pocket at the top of the bag for items you want at hand, like a smartphone or sunglasses. It's also easy to pack and unpack as it can lie flat with the clamshell design, allowing you to fully open the bag. If you're using this bag for the gym, there's plenty of room for shoes and workout clothes that you can easily keep separate from your work supplies.

For security, it has lockable zippers and a designated spot for an AirTag or other tracker. While it is on the heavier side at around four pounds when empty, I still found it to be comfortable to wear for long commutes with a good balance and nicely cushioned shoulder straps, adjustable load lifters, and even padded side handles. Plus, with everything else this backpack has to offer — a sturdy exterior, a design that makes it easy to stay organized, and a lifetime warranty — makes up for the extra weight.

Cotopaxi Cada Dia Mente 15L Messenger Bag

The Cotopaxi Cada Dia Mente messenger bag is a sturdy, hardworking messenger bag with a surprising amount of storage space of 15 liters for its size (17 x 13). I was able to fit a lunch thermos, a 14-inch laptop, a change of clothes, three chargers, sunglasses in their case, a notebook, keys, and an 11-inch stainless steel water bottle into the bag. The interior has two small pockets, a space for pens, and a padded sleeve for a 16-inch laptop that has a snap closure. Outside, there's a fairly spacious zippered pocket.

The Mente is made from a recycled polyester material that's water-resistant. I sprayed the outside and it beaded up and dried within a few minutes, and didn't penetrate into the inside of the bag. It comes with a stability strap that hooks to the shoulder strap that helps keep the bag from swinging around when you're hustling to get to work on time. The Mente messenger bag has a lot to offer at a fair price. The only negative I could find is that the shoulder strap isn't padded, which for long commutes, could be an issue.

Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel

The Terra Laptop Duffel comes from Calpak, a Los Angeles-based brand with a nearly 40-year history. This is a great work bag if you enjoy working out and need plenty of space for both your gym gear and work essentials, with a separate padded compartment for a 17-inch laptop and other electronics. It also functions as a travel bag, as it can be used as a duffel bag.

The shoulder straps are nicely padded, and I found them comfortable for longer commutes. With more than a dozen different compartments and pockets, mostly zippered, Calpak's design makes organizing your gear simple. There seems to be a space for everything. While I couldn't find much fault with this backpack, its polyester material, although very lightweight, didn't have the same heft and abrasion resistance as some other backpacks I reviewed that were made from tougher nylon.

Grams (28) 171 Laptop Sling

Grams (28) is a fairly new brand at the intersection of luxury and functionality. The brand's 171 Laptop Sling is a sleek, compact, and handsome messenger-style bag that can double as a briefcase. For being only 10 x 15 inches, it manages to have a lot of storage space. I was able to fit in a lunch thermos, 14-inch laptop, T-shirt, three chargers, sunglasses in their case, a notebook, and keys, without overstuffing it. This comes down to the bag's well-conceived design that includes two zippered outside pockets, interior pockets, and storage areas dedicated to items like pens and keys.

For being made of leather, it's fairly light when empty, weighing in at less than 2 pounds, which helps during long commutes. The brand makes the bag using a sustainably produced black pebbled Italian leather that's quite striking. Its small size which can't accommodate laptops larger than 14 inches, a lack of color choices, and a recent price change to $400, may keep some from purchasing this bag, but for others who are looking for a striking, well-made work bag, the 171 Laptop Sling may be a great choice.

I used various real-world testing methods on 12 work bags of different types, price points, and materials while keeping people's needs, budgets, and types of commutes top of mind. I used both objective and subjective measurements to determine which were the best bags in each category. You'll find more detailed information on my testing methods and other determining factors below.

Daily Use Simulation

Since I don't regularly commute anymore, I tested out how comfortable the work bags were by filling them with what I would normally take to the office (back when I did that daily), including my 14-inch laptop, three chargers, lunch container, water bottle, a change of clothes, keys, a book, sunglasses, pens, and a notebook. I then walked around my neighborhood to simulate my old commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan. In some cases, I used the work bags when traveling or during trips into New York City from the Hudson Valley, which often involved train travel, walking, and taking the subway.

Organization, Accessibility, and Storage Capacity

Regardless of the type, a great work bag should be laid out so that it's easy to keep your items organized, easy to reach what you need, and have enough space to carry everything you might need for your work day. I assessed the layouts of each bag, including the number of pockets and other storage spaces, the storage capacity, and how easy it was to access each space when the bag was full.

Material Quality and Durability

Quality and durability are two crucial factors to consider, especially for a bag that will receive a lot of daily use. I first looked at the bags to make sure there were no errant or loose threads, imperfections in the materials, or anything else that might lead to a shorter life for the bag. I also aggressively handled the bags, yanking on the handles and straps, swinging the bags around while full, and dragging them across the floor. I also tested the zippers and fasteners to see how well they withstand rough use.

For the work bags that claimed to be waterproof, I sprayed water on the outside of the bag and on the zipper areas, and measured how long it took the material to dry. I also observed whether the water beaded up or soaked into the material, and if any water made it into the bag's interior. I followed similar procedures for those bags that claimed they were water-resistant but didn't use as much water and avoided the zippers.

Comfort and Ergonomics

If you commute by foot, bicycle, or public transport, the comfort and ergonomics of a work bag are vitally important. I tested each bag when full using the various carrying methods (handles, shoulder straps, and crossbody strap) to determine if they were comfortable while walking and whether they remained that way over time. I also assessed the bags' design in relation to weight distribution and considered the weight of the bags when empty.

I tested how easily the zippers, straps, and snaps worked when carrying the bags, how easy it was to reach any outside pockets while the bags were in use, and whether they could stand up on their own when retrieving items from the interior.

Aesthetics and available color choices

Since most people use their work bags regularly, including in professional settings, the bags' style should be considered. I assessed the look, material, and design of the bags to determine whether they were appropriate for a work setting and still visually appealing enough for non-work-related activities. An additional factor I considered was the number of colorways the bags came in, which allows the consumer to further express their individual tastes.

Other considerations

Sustainability

I took into consideration the sustainability of the materials and manufacturing methods as part of this review. This included whether the bags incorporated recycled materials or sustainably sourced leather. I also assessed whether the companies included any information on their websites regarding the manufacturing practices they used and looked for any information backing up those claims.

Maintenance

I considered how easy it was to clean the bags' materials and tested out how stain-resistant the bags were. I also considered whether the companies included any relevant information, either with the bags or on their websites, regarding how to clean and maintain their bags.

Security

I noted any locking mechanisms, whether the outside pockets had zippers or other fasteners that could help keep the items inside safe, and whether the interior had any zippered compartments to help prevent the potential theft of important items. I also noted whether the bags had any dedicated spaces for AirTags or related security features.

How do I clean my work bag?

For the best results on how to care for your work bag, you should consult the manufacturer's instructions. In general, start by shaking out any debris that may have collected inside the bag. For leather, you should regularly wipe it clean using a dry or slightly damp cloth and use a high-quality conditioner to prevent cracking, and a leather cleaner on it at least twice a year.

Nylon, polyester, and related materials can generally be spot cleaned using mild soap and warm water applied with a cloth or soft brush on the empty work bag before letting it air dry. For deeper cleaning, see the manufacturer's instructions as they can vary widely. When not in use, store your work bag in a cool, dry place.

What is the best material for a work bag?

When deciding the kind of work bag you want, whether it's a leather satchel, a nylon or polyester briefcase, or something with canvas, you need to consider several factors. These include whether you're outside a lot as part of your commute, your personal style, and how long your commute takes. Leather is a classic material, but it's typically heavier and less weather-resistant than materials like nylon or polyester. Even so, a leather work bag holds a visual appeal that these other materials may not share. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal needs and aesthetic preferences.