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Whipping Post Vintage Tote

Hard-wearing, good-looking and with easy access to the contents, the Vintage Tote embodies what a tote should be. The bag is constructed from beautiful leather available in two colorways, with tough copper rivets adding to the visual appeal. The main compartment is spacious, with an interior slip pocket for quick access to smaller items. Striking, simple, great value, and an all-round solid choice.

KILLSPENCER M-22

The M-22 adds a little carry flexibility to the tote format. This stylish tote can transform into backpack mode, giving you hands-free carry when you’re on the go. Smooth and strong vegetable-tanned bullhide leather is the star of the show here, with a choice of black or natural leather. The tote is large enough to hold a 15-inch laptop, while the interior slip pocket fits an iPad Mini.

Property Of Niels Day Tote

The Niels Day Tote merges fashion and function. Tough and attractive waxed cotton canvas teams up with leather handles and detailing in a design that looks good for work or the weekend. The bag features a nylon lining and a YKK zip that secures the contents in the main compartment. There’s the option of carrying it using the shoulder strap or grab handles, while the four exterior quick-access pockets are great for stashing keys, a wallet, phone and other small items close at hand.

Tanner Goods Everyday Tote

The Everyday Tote is designed for daily use – and built to reflect this. Available in four colorways, the bag is meticulously crafted with a combination of hard-wearing heavy cotton canvas or waxed filter twill canvas and beautiful Horween Rich Chromexcel leather. Zippered access to the main compartment keeps the contents safe and sound, while the exterior pockets are ideal for quick-access items. Having this handsome fellow on her arm certainly won’t be a hardship for any mom.

Joshu+Vela Bucket Tote

Relaxing in the coffee shop, trips to the local market, carrying daily work essentials…the Bucket Tote is ready for a range of uses. Constructed out of cotton canvas and vegetable-tanned leather, the tote comes in black and natural and can be carried with the top handles or the removable and adjustable shoulder stap. There’s also three exterior pockets to avoid rummaging for those smaller items.

BEXAR Goods Co. Cruiser Roll Top Tote

Eye-catching and sure to turn heads, the Cruiser Roll Top is one fine-looking piece of carry. However, there’s substance beneath the surface. Made by hand, this tote is built to last and features an attractive combination of waxed canvas and vegetable-tanned English bridle leather, both of which will age well. Rounding things off is rugged brass hardware and copper rivets, along with reinforced stitching. The roll-top closure keeps the elements at bay, while the two exterior pockets and single interior pocket provide organization options.

QWSTION Tote

The kings of versatility, Swiss brand QWSTION, always deliver a sleek and modern aesthetic complemented by a functional twist. In this case, it’s a tote that flips into a backpack. It comes in range of nailed colorways and material options. The main compartment is topped and shielded by a sweet pointed cover flap with a side-zip upping the access. Oh, and there’s a handful of pockets for small things like phones – a nice change in the usual layout of tote-dom. 

Billykirk Simple Tote

As the name suggests, this tote keeps things simple and easy to use. Three exterior pockets, an internal section for a laptop or tablet and pockets for smaller items means there’s no need to dig around in a jumbled heap trying to extricate a specific item. Plus sturdy leather handles team up with a choice of fabrics and color options to suit different tastes and styles.

National Publicity Yosemite Tote

The Yosemite Tote from Korean carry brand National Publicity is full of sleek and modern styling that’s great for urban settings. The tote is made with synthetic Saffiano leather and offers two carry options – handles and a shoulder strap. It also features a handy exterior organization pocket that is convenient for keeping frequently needed items within easy reach.

Ally Capellino Lune Paper Tote

For something a bit different, check out the Lune Paper Tote from Ally Capellino. Available in black or gray, the tote has a vegan-friendly construction featuring recycled natural cellulose and a small amount of latex, with a cotton webbing shoulder strap and grab handles. The interior zipped pocket is handy for small valuables and the clean, minimalist aesthetics lend themselves to a variety of environments.

FRANCA Freelance Paper Leather

If you’re looking for a luxury option, the FRANCA Freelance is a classy choice. The Freelance features FRANCA’s Paper Leather, an attractive textured leather that will develop a beautiful patina with use, as well as eye-catching handles that are carefully hand-woven by skilled Colombian artisans.

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It’s a single strap messenger that can deal with a laptop, some tech, a change of clothes, and will be comfortable enough for a cycling commute. Being Carryology, it also needs to be versatile, deal with at least a light drizzle, and even do well on a plane trip or three.

Is the position of Work Messenger up for grabs in your carry collection? These applicants are all eager to take on the role – welcome to part 2 of our buyer’s guide to the best work messengers…

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Mission Workshop Rummy

Mission Workshop makes some of the best carry out there, particularly if you’re commuting to work by bike. The Rummy gives you rolltop and flap-down access for carry flexibility, a 27-liter volume, a mix of quick-access and interior pockets and solid weatherproof construction. If you’re on the go a lot and want a bag that can keep up and glide between work, play and travel, the Rummy is well worth considering.

Mission Workshop The Shed

Got a shed load of stuff you need to haul to work? Mission Workshop’s The Shed is ready for duty. The same handy features as the Rummy but with a 35-liter volume means you’re covered when you need to carry extra gear.

Mission Workshop VX

Like the sound of The Shed and Rummy but looking for something extra tough? The Mission Workshop VX messenger takes things up a notch, featuring the Arkiv® closure system and a three-layer VX fabric for increased durability and waterproofness. There’s two colorways and three sizes to choose from to suit your preferences.

Defy Recon

If you like your bags with a generous dose of stealthy style, scope out Defy’s Recon messenger. Available in M35 military tarp and waxed canvas options, the Recon rocks rugged hardware (AustriAlpin Cobra buckles) and a range of sizes to suit diverse missions. There’s also a choice of exterior and interior slip pockets to keep your gear tidy. If you want something that’s a lot bolder than your average messenger, this is it. See the road test here.

Defy Vicious

Sometimes you want to organize all your gear; other times you just want to bung everything in your bag and go. The Vicious from Defy does both. A variety of organization options are available on the front panel and the strap, while the main pocket-free compartment keeps things simple, with a red lining for enhanced visibility of the contents. While the strap has an AustriAlpin buckle, there’s two options for the flap buckles – wallet-friendlier chunky buckles or pimp the bag with more Cobra buckles.

Seventy Eight Percent Gustav

Tired of carting the same old boring bag around? Well be prepared for envious looks from colleagues because the Gustav messenger is one handsome piece of carry. It’s not all fashion without the functionality though, as the bag accommodates up to a 15-inch laptop, with front and back exterior pockets as well as interior pockets for organizing your work tools. Plus it works for travel and leisure use too, making it a good option for people who want versatility out of their bag. Find out more in our road test.

Property Of Tommy Work Bag

The Tommy Work Bag balances casual-chic style with office-friendly design. Slip a 15-inch laptop in the main compartment, while smaller quick-access items find a home in the front and back exterior pockets. Add the flexibility of carrying it with the shoulder strap or by the handles as a briefcase and you’ve got a bag that ticks all the boxes for good-looking and functional work carry.

DSPTCH Briefcase

Want a trusty work companion that’s simple to use, with reliable construction that will see you through long days and longer travel trips? Meet the DSPTCH Briefcase, which is full of everyday functionality to get the job done. Sling it over your shoulder when you’re on the go or stow the strap away and carry it as a briefcase. Separate sections for a tablet and 17-inch laptop take care of your tech, with external quick-access pockets for grabbing items in a jiffy.

Filson Padded Computer Bag

If you lean towards the everything-in-its-place approach to packing, Filson’s Padded Computer Bag is one to have on your radar. Plenty of pocketing means all your work gear can be neatly organized, while the rugged construction and understated aesthetics that work in a variety of settings means you can haul it pretty much anywhere. Speaking of hauling, you can either opt for the removable shoulder strap or grab handles depending on your needs.

Veja Acacia

Veja creates fair trade and eco-friendly goods and their Acacia bag is a fine offering for work environments. Available in a variety of fabrics and colorways, the bag will fit a 15-inch laptop and looks good whether you’re catching that business flight, meeting up with a client or kicking back in the coffee shop.

Tom Bihn Founder’s Briefcase

If you love organization, this briefcase will have you in your element. The briefcase holds a 15-inch laptop and an optional Packing Wedge clips into the bag for carrying the likes of a change of clothes for an overnight trip. The aesthetics tend towards casual, so if your work setting is more laidback or you need to hop on a plane or train, this bag will see you right. Check out our drive by for more details.

Crafted Goods Carrera

With a style that’s bike-bag-meets-work-bag, the Carrera lends itself to the commute and the office equally well – so much so it scooped a High Commendation in our Best Active Messenger Award. There’s a few different options for organizing the contents, a 15-inch laptop will fit inside, plus the protective recycled inner tube tire base is an awesome added touch. Find out more in our road test.

Archival Field Bag

Understated, durable and functional, if you don’t need to carry tons of stuff or awkward loads the Archival Field Bag has pretty much everything you need in a work bag. The timeless design has you covered for years to come, the front and back exterior pockets are handy for stashing quick-access items, while the main compartment is large enough for a laptop, work folders and other assorted daily items you might need.

Pacsafe Intasafe Z400

The work-friendly aesthetics and handy organization features of the Intasafe Z400 are great for the office, while the range of nifty security features provides peace of mind when traveling with the bag. This is a thoughtful, versatile piece of carry that deservedly scored top honors in our Best Work Messenger Award.

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Property Of… has recently released their Spring/Summer ’14 collection which includes a number of pieces that will keep you company while lazing at an outdoor cafe, taking a leisurely stroll or getting busy at work. The collection features a range of new designs such as the Carter Ranger Duffle in green, the Louis Coin Wallet and the unisex Ray Day Bag.

However, it also includes the return of bestselling pieces in new color options, including the likes of the Hector Backpack in Dark Tan and new colorways for the Jeff pouches. The collection is available now but for a little preview of what to expect, check out the pieces below…

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With the holiday season right around the corner, we thought our readers could use some help with last minute shopping ideas for that special Carry fan in your lives. Though we have a handful of Buyer’s Guides, this is a more focused list with just two bags per category. We’ll present an “affordable” option as well as a more luxurious option for those who want to splurge.  You may find some repeats in our guides or even mentions of bags we’ve covered on Facebook or in Road Tests, but all that means is we really, really dig them. Let’s get started.

Work Messengers

Unless your job literally is working as a bike messenger, it’s unlikely that the same casual messenger bags that work on the bike do that well once you’re off it and in the boardroom.

Jack Spade Messenger

For a basic no frills bag, we’ll have to go with something from Jack Spade. Their products are always very well designed with clean lines and no frills. This bag is straightforward and functional and comes in different materials and colors, though in this case we definitely recommend black. You can find the nylon canvas day bag version here for $175.

Property Of … Tommy Work Bag

We have been following this brand for a while and their Tommy Work Bag is a real treat. The bag’s waxed cotton exterior makes it seem a little less stuffy while the leather straps and accents keep things professional. You can pick it up for about $300 USD (Hint: check out Gilt and other flash sale sites as they often feature Property Of …).

Casual Backpacks

This is probably my favorite category because it’s the type of bag I use most often. It’s perfect for using around the city, taking to work or school, or even on short trips. The emphasis is on comfort, durability, and of course price.

Topo Designs Daypack

Let’s get things started off right. This recommendation should come as no surprise to readers of this site. We are big fans of this company out of Colorado. They make all their bags in their LEED certified facility and quite frankly we think they offer a great product for a very reasonable price point. I still use the Daypack (Generation 1) as my go-to bag each day; in fact, there’s one sitting by my feet as I type this. If you haven’t had the chance, check out our review here. You can pick up the Daypack here.

visvim Backpack

For a nicer pack that is still considered casual, we would be remiss to go with anything but a visvim. This cult brand out of Japan makes some of the nicest bags we’ve ever seen and the 20L size is just perfect for a daypack. There are plenty of models and collaborations to choose from but one you can check out is the SOPHNET x visvim 2012 FW Collection. You can find it direct from visvim. Just a word of caution: get ready for sticker shock.

Weekenders

I don’t travel much but when I do it’s usually just for two nights. If you find yourself with a similar setup, a weekender is perfect for you. While bigger is usually better, there’s something sleeker and more refined about just hopping in the car and throwing a small bag in the backseat.

Everlane Weekender

Our pick for the more affordable travel bag is the weekender from Everlane. The bag features dual leather handles, a canvas body, and an internal zipper pocket for small items like keys or contact lens cases. It’s currently available in six colors and comes in at under $100; a true bargain. You can buy it direct from Everlane.

KILLSPENCER Weekender 2.0

For something more refined, look no further than this bag from our favorite Carry shop out of Los Angeles. With a choice of fabrics ranging from Nubuck leather to waxed cotton canvas, there’s a style to fit everyone’s personality. The size is just right for a 2-3 day trip and the attention to detail (e.g. Riri zippers from Switzerland) make this a bag that will last a lifetime. You can find it here for $475 in waxed cotton canvas.

Duffel Bags

Topo Designs Duffel

What can we say? We love this company. Their duffel bag is no exception, sporting a hefty 42L in capacity and coming in five colors. We are partial to the black or navy. We especially like the pull tabs in contrasting colors and the classy use of leather on the handles and sides. You can pick one up directly from Topo for just $129.

Porter 2Way Boston

One of a handful of “grail” companies out of Japan, Porter usually finds a way into any list we can dream up. The 2Way Boston duffel is gorgeous in its simplicity with a craftsmanship that is hard to beat. You can pick one up for $385.

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