If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
Best Overall
Waterfield Designs Executive Messenger
Best for iPads and Tablets
Waterfield Designs Shinjuku Messenger Bag
A Ludicrously Capacious Bag
Bellroy Tokyo Work Bag
For 9-to-5 Commuters
Chrome Mini Metro
If I’m out and about and I don’t have a bag slung across my body, I feel naked and unprepared. It’s like venturing into a dungeon without any health potions. What if I need ChapStick? Did I bring ChapStick? How can I fit my phone, keys, and face mask all in the truncated pockets of my jeans? Where do I put the cool rock I just found? Extra storage capacity is essential to my everyday carry, and being able to swing the bag around to the front and grab anything I need is crucial. Backpacks are better for heavy loads or all-day trekking, but for lightweight everyday needs, the best messenger bags are hard to beat.
Be sure to check out all our buying guides, including the Best Backpacks for Work, Best Totes and Purses, Best Bags Made of Recycled Materials, Best Fanny Packs, and Best Camera Bags.
Updated June 2024: We added the WaterField Shinjuku iPad Messenger Bag and adjusted pricing throughout.
-
Photograph: Waterfield Designs
Best Overall
Waterfield Designs Executive Messenger
I’ve gone through my fair share of messenger bags, even before writing about them was part of my job. But WaterField Designs’ Executive Messenger is hands-down the best messenger bag I’ve ever laid my hands on. Messenger bags are often bulky, even when they’re not full. The leather Executive Messenger addresses this problem by being slim but flexible. There’s just enough internal structure to keep my gadgets safe but enough flexibility that after a few uses it will start to contour to your body. Plus, it has ample interior pockets and pouches to store small things, like lip balm and charging cables. The interior lining is a bright orange, which helps with visibility.
It’s a stylish bag (very dark academia and scholar-chic), and it’s built to last, with a leather outer that has so far weathered nicely. They’re handmade to order, and that attention to detail really shines through. It feels sturdy, the seams are thick and robust, and the pockets and front latch seem like they’re made to last a lifetime.
-
Photograph: Waterfield
Best for iPads and Tablets
Waterfield Designs Shinjuku Messenger Bag
WaterField’s Shinjuku messenger bag was designed with the iPad in mind, and it shows. The interior pocket fits the iPad Pro 11 with a little room to spare, offers a spacious central pocket, and the lid flap seals with a magnetic closure. The thing that makes it a great bag for the iPad though is its size. It’s not just small—there are lot of bags that are small and can fit an iPad—but this one gives your iPad room to breathe without feeling over- or under-sized.
Small bags can feel tight with an iPad stuffed in there along with other accessories like a power cord, Apple Pencil, phone, and other everyday carry items. Others can feel way too big, like your iPad is swimming around loose inside a massive bag that feels awkward to carry around with you everywhere.
The canvas option uses the X11 fabric from X-Pac, a high-tech canvas with interior structure and a PFAS-free durable water- resistant coating. It’s durable, scuff resistant, and surprisingly water resistant. It held up to some heavy Seattle rain and kept everything inside nice and dry.
-
Photograph: Bellroy
A Ludicrously Capacious Bag
Bellroy Tokyo Work Bag
Bellroy’s Tokyo Work Bag is a deceptive little thing. From the outside it looks like any other messenger bag—if a bit more stylish. But once you open it up, that’s when you start to realize this isn’t any old bag. Inside you’ll find a wealth of thoughtfully placed pockets and dividers that make it easy to keep your cables, batteries, and precious trinkets all safe and separate from each other. It seriously feels like it’s bigger on the inside. It also has a padded pocket big enough to fit a 16-inch laptop.
Even when it’s fully stuffed, it never balloons too far outside its ideal silhouette, which is always a plus. The exterior is made from recycled polyester, and it includes a luggage strap on the back so you can plop it over the handle of a rolling suitcase.
-
Photograph: Chrome
For 9-to-5 Commuters
Chrome Mini Metro
Waterproof and built to last a lifetime, Chrome’s Mini Metro messenger bag is a classic. From its signature seatbelt-buckle strap to its double-clasp closure mechanism, this is designed with the life of a bike messenger in mind. You load it up and swing it around your back, keeping all the essentials safely packed away.
The waterproof finish and liner are heavy-duty too. I carried one of these for years through storms and snow. Each time, it was fully loaded with a MacBook and an assortment of notebooks, and everything managed to stay dry. The Metro is also a great choice if you need a little more storage space, as it will carry everything you need to and from the office.
-
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Our Favorite Camera Sling
Wandrd Rogue Sling
If you’re looking for a camera sling to end all camera slings, take a look at Wandrd’s Rogue. Inside you’ll find the usual complement of zippered pockets and customizable dividers to keep your camera and lenses safe and separate. WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu loves using the exterior straps to attach his tripod, making for a very portable go bag that can carry all the most important gear.
It’s comfortable to wear for long periods even when it’s chock full of hardware. The way the exterior zippers are laid out, you can sling it around to your front and have immediate access to the interior without having to take it off or wrestle with it. You can fit a small tablet in the rear zippered pocket, but it’s worth paying for the optional Laptop Case ($59) to accommodate up to 14- or 16-inch machines.
-
Photograph: Carhartt
Extra Durable
Carhartt Crossbody Snap
Carhartt has a reputation for hard-wearing clothes and accessories, and the Crossbody Snap is no exception. The water-resistant polyester material is thick and sturdy, and the seams and pockets feel like they’ll stand up to just about anything you throw at ’em. I’m always on the lookout for a small bag that can carry an iPad and a couple other accessories, and lately the one I’ve been reaching for has been the Crossbody Snap. It’s just tall enough to fit an 11-inch iPad Pro, but it more comfortably fits the new iPad Mini. Plus, it looks nice with just about any outfit.
-
Photograph: Mission Workshop
Best Extra-Large Messenger
Mission Workshop Khyte
The Mission Workshop Khyte is a modern take on the classic messenger bag. Built to be fully waterproof, the Khyte is designed for heavy use. The interior pockets are intuitive and expansive; every time I thought I couldn’t fit more stuff into it, I found extra room and pockets. This bag is practically a hiking backpack. It can carry just about anything and stay bone dry at the same time. There’s plenty of style to go with the substance too.
The exterior closures are magnetic and snap securely and easily into place, and it supports Mission Workshop’s Arkiv system, so if you don’t have enough pockets and pouches, you can always add more. The Khyte is not the kind of bag you throw a tablet into and carry to a café. It’s the kind you bring when biking to work in a rainstorm.
-
Photograph: Fjallraven
Best Small Shoulder Bag
Fjallraven Greenland Pocket
Soft and lightweight, the Greenland Pocket is an excellent everyday bag. It’s big enough to carry a Nintendo Switch, a notebook, and a variety of essentials. The cotton and polyester exterior is water-resistant enough to stand up to Portland rainfall, and it’s really soft—so much so that I sometimes wonder if I carry it around just to pet it. It’s also a stylish option that pairs just as well with winter wear as it does with lighter spring and summer outfits. Overall, this is one of my all-time favorite small-sized shoulder bags.
-
Photograph: Lo & Sons
For Everyday Elegance
Lo & Sons Pearl Crossbody
The Pearl crossbody is a lovely, elegant shoulder bag with two zippered pockets, a central compartment, and tons of internal organization. It’s honestly the one I grab on my way out the door on most days. It’s small enough that it’s not bulky, and it’s big enough to fit an 11-inch iPad Pro in the central pocket. Plus, it looks nice. It pairs well with most business casual or casual-casual outfits without being ostentatious.
I also like the fact that the pockets are accessible from the top, and not obstructed by a flap. That way I really can just reach down and grab my lip balms, or pick up a cool rock to put in there. The interior organization is perfect for stowing cards, keys, and devices, and it keeps everything separate but easy to spot. The price is steep, but we’ve seen it dip below $200 before.
-
Photograph: Peak Design
A Multipurpose Camera Sling
Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L
The Everyday Sling comes in a variety of sizes, but my favorite is the 10-liter version. It’s technically a camera bag, but it also works as a standard small messenger. With ample pockets for organization and optional flexible dividers (to store a camera body and a lens), this bag can also comfortably fit a MacBook Air, a charger, and plenty of other accessories. Even fully loaded, the Everyday Sling maintains a slim profile that makes it easy to keep it close to your body. The strap is made from a seatbelt-like material, designed to slide easily over clothes, and it doesn’t bunch up on your shoulder as some straps do.
It’s spacious enough to carry makeup, my 11-inch iPad Pro, a power bank, and loads of other random supplies. And it’s comfortable to carry either slung at the side or cinched up like a backpack.
-
Photograph: Peak Design
Sleek and Small
Peak Design Field Pouch V2
The Peak Design Field Pouch V2 excels in its role as a small everyday-carry bag for a couple of reasons. First of all, it’s weatherproof and doesn’t soak up water even when you’re out in a rainstorm. Second, the horizontal orientation and slim profile make it a surprisingly spacious but ultra-low-profile bag to carry around. It’s big enough for a smartphone, wallet, and small camera, plus it comes with Peak Design’s signature seatbelt-fabric-style strap, making it easy to sling around your body.
-
Photograph: Savage Industries
For Makers
Savage Industries EDC Two
I was a fan of Savage Industries’ EDC One bag, but even I had to admit it was a little too big and bulky for me. Then the EDC Two came out. This is essentially a smaller version of the original, which makes it much comfier to wear for long periods (even when it’s filled to the brim with farmer’s market produce). The top opens up like an old-timey doctor’s bag, revealing the entire interior, so you never have to dig around for things.
The lining of the black version of the bag is a gorgeous high-vis orange that makes it easy to spot any small items that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle. Its generous size and tough, utilitarian design make it a great pick for makers, or for anyone who needs a hybrid toolbox and shoulder bag.
-
Photograph: Waterfield Designs
For Artists
Waterfield Designs Muzetto
When I first saw this bag, I was skeptical. I’ve always had mixed feelings about vertically oriented messengers. They have a bad habit of banging against my hip when I walk and can be tough to cinch closer to my body. WaterField’s Muzetto crossbody shares the sturdy construction of its bigger sibling, but it has fewer internal pockets and the leather doesn’t have as much give, so stuffing it with bulky objects, like full-sized headphones, can be awkward. The big weighty front flap secures seamlessly (and quietly) with a magnetic closure, and it flips over the back and rests securely against your body so you can walk around with it open. That’s something I never thought I’d want to do, but reaching down to pluck out a camera, a sketchbook, or my phone makes it feel like an assistant is handing me the things I need.
Because it’s vertically oriented, there’s much less risk of your stuff spilling out onto the sidewalk if you crouch down to take a photo. It’s the perfect bag to take to a museum for an afternoon, perfectly sized for a sketchbook and pencils, and the whisper-quiet magnetic closures make it super discreet. Nobody wants to open velcro in the reverential hush of a museum.
-
Photograph: Rothco
For Traveling Light
Rothco Vintage Canvas Messenger
Made of simple, humble canvas, with just three pockets and a zippered pouch, this messenger bag is as straightforward as they come. It’s inexpensive and lightweight, and it’ll last you a really long time. I’ve had one since 2006, and while the color has faded a little, there are no holes or rips. Even with my stable of more expensive bags, I often pick this one up because it’s not structured, and when carrying a light load it’s pretty thin and light. It’s not a good choice if you need something water-resistant though, as the canvas soaks up water like a sponge.
-
Photograph: Billingham
For Stylish Travelers
Billingham Hadley Pro Camera Bag
Billingham bags have something of a reputation among photographers. These slick and stylish shoulder bags are renowned for their durability, understated style, and lifetime warranties. They aren’t just for cameras though—they are excellent everyday totes if you’re looking for a premium bag at a premium price. The Hadley 2020, in particular, is a perfect midsize bag that can fit a 15-inch laptop with ease, along with other essentials. It features two front pockets and a water-resistant exterior so it can withstand the elements. For more camera bags, read our guide.
-
Photograph: Bellroy
A Teeny-Tiny Sling
Bellroy Sling 7L
The Bellroy Sling 7L is the first hands-free sling I’ve absolutely fallen in love with. It’s big enough to carry some essentials (keys, masks, hand sanitizer, phone, wallet, and sunglasses) with room to spare, and because of its slim and flat profile, it doesn’t feel bulky, no matter how much you pack in there. It sticks close to your body and swings around to the front with ease, making it a great choice for everyday use in a world of social distancing. It’s small enough to feel unobtrusive but expansive enough that you can fit everything you need. Read our Best Fanny Packs guide for more sling recommendations.
-
Is a Messenger Bag?”,”brand”:{“name”:””},”id”:”647a774d88479249e0cc29b3″,”index”:16,”contentType”:”product”,”offers”:[],”component”:”gallery_slide_component”}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photograph: Collab Media/Getty Images
What Is a Messenger Bag?
A Brief Taxonomy
A messenger bag … well, it carries messages. It’s the modern descendant of the rectangular satchels with crossbody straps used by early letter carriers and the back-slung bags used by modern bike messengers. That doesn’t mean manufacturers are all going to agree on what constitutes a messenger-style bag. I’ve seen the terms “convertible tote,” “satchel,” and “laptop bag” all refer to the same style of bag. For our purposes, we’re using “messenger bag” and “crossbody bag” to mean a bag that has at least one strap long enough to carry it over one shoulder or across your body. Generally, these bags rest on your hip.
What sets these bags apart from slings is that they are more like backpacks with a single strap. They sit very differently on the body.
Jaina Rodriguez Grey is a product writer and reviewer at WIRED covering coffee, sex tech, and gaming. Previously, she was a legal researcher for Thomson Reuters and a tech reporter for Digital Trends. She currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with her partner and a pet rabbit named Lola.
