The right work bag can be a game-changer in your daily routine. It not only needs to fit your essentials but complement your style and provide comfort during your commute, too.

Let’s explore the best work bags for men, comparing six popular options: leather laptop bags, messenger bags, backpacks, tote bags, briefcases, and crossbody bags and the pros and cons of each.

Find a work bag that fits everything you need – you don’t want to get fired for leaving your sketchbook behind every day because it doesn’t fit your light and comfortable cross-body bag.

If you’re exposed to the elements at any point during your commute, you’ll also want to make sure your equipment is protected.

Trust us, your manager will have something to say about you needing a new laptop ever month.

So pick a practical bag that keeps everything you need safe and worry about weight and comfort second.

Messenger bags offer easy access and versatility with ample space for a laptop, documents, and daily necessities. Designed to be worn across the body, they distribute weight evenly for comfort during long walks or bike rides and allow quick access to items without removing the bag.

• Easy access to belongings
• Comfortable for longer wear
• Stylish and versatile

• Can look too casual for formal settings
• Limited structure can make organisation tricky
• May shift around when carrying heavier loads

Functionality

Messenger bags are all about easy access and versatility. They offer ample space for a laptop, documents, and other daily necessities. The large main compartment is often accompanied by several smaller pockets, helping you keep everything organised. Messenger bags typically fit large laptops, making them ideal for those who carry larger devices.

Comfort

Worn across the body, messenger bags distribute weight more evenly than shoulder bags, making them more comfortable for longer walks or bike rides. Their design allows for quick access to your items without needing to take the bag off, which is a big advantage in fast-paced environments.

Style

Messenger bags strike a balance between casual and professional. They’re perfect for creatives, tech-savvy professionals, or anyone working in a more relaxed office setting. With various materials available, from canvas to leather, you can easily find one that suits your personal style.

They’re sometimes mistaken for satchels.

Laptop bags are perfect for those seeking style and functionality, securely holding your laptop and essential accessories with padded compartments and organisational pockets. They offer a polished, professional look that’s ideal for formal office settings.

• Elegant and professional appearance
• Durable and long-lasting material
• Well-organiSed compartments for essentials

• Heavier compared to other options
• Less comfortable for long commutes
• Typically more expensive

Functionality

Leather laptop bags are designed to securely hold your laptop, along with essential accessories like chargers, documents, and small electronics. They typically offer a main compartment with padding to protect your laptop, plus additional pockets for organisation. Most are sized to fit laptops up to 15 inches, making them perfect for those who need to carry their tech gear in style.

Comfort

While leather laptop bags are often carried by hand or with a shoulder strap, they may not be the most comfortable for long commutes, especially when fully loaded. However, their streamlined design makes accessing your items quick and easy, which is a plus in busy environments.

Style

If you’re aiming for a polished, professional look, a leather laptop bag is one of the best work bags for men. The luxurious material and sleek design make a strong impression in formal office settings, whether you’re attending a meeting or heading into the boardroom.

Briefcases are the go-to professional work bags, designed to keep your documents, laptop , and office essentials organised and protected. While typically carried by hand, with some offering a shoulder strap, they’re ideal for short commutes between the office and meetings. Their structured design and quality materials, like leather, make a powerful statement in traditional professions where first impressions count.

• Highly professional and authoritative appearance
• Excellent organisation and structure
• Durable and protective

• Less comfortable for carrying heavy loads
• Limited capacity compared to other bags
• Can be inconvenient to carry

Functionality

Briefcases are the epitome of professional work bags. They are designed to carry documents, laptops (usually up to 15 inches), and small electronics in an organised manner. The structured design ensures that your items stay protected and wrinkle-free. Many briefcases also include compartments for pens, business cards, and other office essentials.

Comfort

Briefcases are typically carried by hand, with some offering a detachable shoulder strap. While they may not be as comfortable as backpacks or messenger bags for long commutes, they are perfect for short trips between the office and meetings.

Style

For a classic, authoritative look, nothing beats a briefcase. It’s the best office bag for those in traditional professions like law, finance, or business, where first impressions matter. The structured design and quality materials like leather or high-end synthetics make a strong statement about your professionalism.

Tote bags are spacious and simple, with a large open compartment that can hold laptops, documents, and even gym gear, though they lack extensive organisational features. Carried by hand or slung over the shoulder, they may not be ideal for heavy loads over long distances, but their open-top design allows quick access to belongings, making them convenient for busy days.

• Fashionable and modern appearance
• Quick access to belongings
• Versatile for various settings

• Less comfortable for long distances
• Limited organisational features
• Open design offers less security

Functionality

Tote bags are spacious and simple, with a large open compartment that can hold laptops, documents, and even gym gear. They typically don’t offer as many organisational features as other bags, but their simplicity is their charm. Most tote bags fit laptops up to 15 inches, along with other daily essentials.

Comfort

Tote bags are carried by hand or slung over the shoulder, making them less comfortable for carrying heavy loads over long distances. However, their open-top design allows for quick access to your belongings, which is great for busy days when you need to grab things on the go.

Style

If you’re looking for a bag that’s both functional and fashionable, a tote bag might be the best work bag for men. They offer a contemporary, stylish look that’s perfect for modern office environments. Totes are particularly popular in creative industries, where a bit of flair is appreciated.

Backpacks offer hands-free convenience with the largest capacity, making them ideal for carrying big laptops, books, lunch, and gym gear. Most feature padded compartments for laptops and multiple pockets for organising essentials. With a two-strap design that evenly distributes weight, backpacks reduce strain during commutes and often include padded straps and back panels for added comfort.

• Most comfortable for carrying heavy loads
• Hands-free convenience
• Ample storage space

• Can look too casual in formal settings
• May be impractical in crowded spaces
• Not ideal for quick access to items

Functionality

Backpacks are the ultimate in hands-free convenience. They offer the largest capacity of all the bags on this list, making them perfect for carrying laptops, books, lunch, gym gear, and more. Most modern backpacks come with padded compartments for laptops (up to 17 inches), along with multiple pockets for organising small electronics, documents, and other essentials.

Comfort

If comfort is a priority, a backpack is likely the best work bag for you. The two-strap design evenly distributes weight across your shoulders, reducing strain during your commute. Many backpacks also feature padded straps and back panels for added comfort.

Style

While backpacks are generally more casual, there are plenty of sleek, minimalist designs that are appropriate for the office. A well-chosen backpack can be both practical and stylish, especially in workplaces with a more laid-back dress code.

Crossbody bags are compact and ideal for carrying essentials like a tablet, phone, wallet, and keys, with one main compartment and smaller internal pockets. Worn across the back and can be easily slung to the front, they provide hands-free convenience with a lighter load, making them comfortable for extended periods, especially in urban settings.

• Compact and lightweight
• Hands-free convenience
• Ideal for quick, casual outings

• Limited storage capacity
• Not suitable for carrying laptops
• May not suit formal office settings

Functionality

Crossbody bags are smaller and more compact than other work bags, making them ideal for carrying just the essentials. They usually feature one main compartment with smaller internal pockets, perfect for a tablet, phone, wallet, and keys. While not designed to hold a full-sized laptop, they can accommodate a small tablet or a slim notebook.

Comfort

Crossbody bags are worn across the chest, offering hands-free convenience similar to messenger bags but with a lighter load. They are comfortable to carry for extended periods, especially in urban environments where you need to move quickly.

Style

Crossbody bags are perfect for those who want a minimalist, urban look. They’re great for casual workplaces or for professionals who need a bag for quick trips around the city. Their compact size and sleek design make them one of the best office bags for those who prefer simplicity.

Choosing the best work bag depends on your daily needs, comfort preferences, and personal style.

• For a professional and polished look: Go for a leather laptop bag or a briefcase.
• For casual comfort and easy access: A messenger bag or a crossbody bag is ideal.
• For hands-free convenience and larger capacity: A backpack will be your best bet.
• For a blend of style and practicality: Consider a tote bag for a modern, versatile option.

Each of these bags offers something unique, so consider what’s most important to you – whether it’s style, functionality, or comfort – before making your decision.