The Best Leather Messenger Bags for Men

Frye Logan Messenger Bag

The Frye Logan Messenger Bag oozes sophistication. Its classic cognac style will never go out of trend. It has a cotton lining that keeps the leather material safe from anything you place inside the bag.

The texture gives this leather bag a genuine look. The stitching is also very subtle, preserving the minimalistic design of the bag.

There is an adjustable shoulder strap attached via brass hardware to the bag. It’s not removable though, which is not a big deal in my opinion. The leather is very soft, so it’s comfortable and easy to wear even if you choose to have it close to your body.  It also makes for a great work messenger bag, at least in my opinion.

There aren’t a lot of pockets on the bag, however. There are a few on the interior of the main compartment, which is useful for phones and keys. Other than that, there are not too many options for the organization.

Since the bag is leather, there will be some fading and wear on the brass slider that adjusts the length of the strap. Nevertheless, it doesn’t take away the quality and durability that you will enjoy with this bag.

S-ZONE Men's Crazy-Horse Leather Business Briefcase

The S-Zone Crazy-Horse Leather Business Briefcase is very rustic and has a vintage vibe. This is mainly thanks to the crazy-horse leather material, which changes color and texture with bends, scratches, and use. Crazy horse leathers are made by applying a special kind of wax to a full-grain leather surface.

The wax rests independently on the leather fibers allowing the coloration of the leather surface to change if rubbed without the colors immediately reversing back.

However, while this wax gives this leather bag a very unique look, it also tends to smear on light clothing. The “stain” can be easily washed, but it can be an inconvenience.

It has a dual buckle design and a zippered compartment, ensuring that your items are very secure in the bag. The strap is attached with a buckle so you can easily remove it from the bag. There’s a top handle that allows you to carry the bag as a briefcase. There’s an adjustable padded shoulder strap to make it more comfortable to carry around as a messenger bag.

There are several internal compartments and a laptop carrier in this laptop messenger bag. There’s also a zipped back compartment for extra security of more valuable items.

Samsonite Colombian Leather Messenger Bag

The Samsonite Colombian Leather Flap-Over Messenger Bag is another masterpiece from the tried-and-tested brand Samsonite. This versatile piece will fit any business or casual engagement. It’s not too flashy but still very stylish.

You can carry this leather bag as a briefcase with its leather top handle. You can also attach the straps to carry it as a messenger bag. The strap is not leather, however, but made of weaved nylon, but has an attached shoulder pad for comfort.

It also conveniently has several pockets and compartments for organization. There is an external slip pocket for quick items like pens and business cards, with an additional zippered pocket for more valuable items.

The main compartment is also secured with a full zipper and opens up to even more internal pockets for easy access to your smaller items. It can also be called a laptop bag because it has a dedicated laptop carrier.

This leather messenger bag is covered by a flap that is secured by two clasps. A simple press of the button opens up the flap.

It’s made with genuine leather, so it’s not particularly waterproof. There will be some scruffs and wear from daily use.

Fossil Defender Leather Messenger Bag

The Fossil Defender Leather Messenger Bag features a simple, no-fuss design. It’s built for functionality; everything you will need to bring with you on a daily basis has a place in this bag.

It has a genuine leather exterior and a fabric-lined interior. While there are two buckles on the flap, there are push locks underneath that release the flap to reveal the main compartment.

There are 2 slip pockets, 1 zipper pocket, 1 zipper pocket, 3 pen holders, and a D-ring. There is also a large slip pocket at the back of the bag that closes with a magnetic snap. It also has a laptop pocket, but the padding is thin and may not be very protective for thinner and more fragile devices.

The strap is removable, but there are no top handles to convert the bag into a briefcase. The strap is webbing but has leather attachments to the hardware. While it’s advertised as a men’s bag, its design is sleek and streamlined enough to fit any gender.

PL Vintage Handmade Leather Messenger Bag

Not all good-quality leather bags need to cost you a lot. This PL 18-Inch Vintage Handmade Leather Messenger Bag from Komal’s Passion Leather is a very fine piece of craftsmanship from a small group of passionate crafters.

It is made of handmade goat leather with olive fabric interiors. The design of the bag is classic through and through, from the very recognizable satchel design, classic buckle closures, and rustic finish on the leather.

The strap is affixed with brass hardware, but it also has a leather top handle. The shoulder pad makes wearing the bag more comfortable.

It has several sections for better organization. In the interior, there is a big front pocket that will fit tablets or documents, 2 small inner compartments, and 1 big inner compartment for carrying larger files. It doesn’t have a dedicated laptop pocket, so you’ll need a separate sleeve if you want to slip your laptop inside the bag.

There is an external zippered pocket at the back for extra storage.

It’s bulkier than other bags in this list, both in terms of size and in terms of extra parts and components. However, you’ll be able to fit a whole lot of stuff in this bag, including a full-size 17-inch laptop.

Kattee Men's Crazy Horse Leather Shoulder Briefcase

Another affordable option is Kattee Men’s Crazy-Horse Leather Shoulder Briefcase. The style is very distinct and rugged, which is emphasized by its crazy-horse leather material. This is another bag that will look better with age, which will only complement its half-classic, half-modern style and shape.

The reinforced leather and cloth strap can be removed so you can carry the bag as a briefcase with the top handle.

The decorative buckles hide push locks underneath. The flap opens to reveal the main compartment secured with a zipper. The interior has 2 compartment pockets that can hold a 14-inch laptop and A4 documents, 1 wall zipper pocket, 2 slip pockets, and 2 pen holders. It doesn’t have a dedicated and padded laptop holder.

There is a zippered pocket at the back of the bag as well.

Since it is made with crazy-horse leather, it has a wax coating that gives the bag its unique and rustic look. The wax has a tendency to rub off and transfer color on light clothing but is easily washable. And there is a nice padded shoulder strap, which not all leather bags in this review have.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Leather Messenger Bag

Kenneth Cole doesn’t mess around with designing a top-notch leather messenger bag. The Kenneth Cole Reaction leather bag features high-quality cowhide Colombian leather with self-repairing zippers. So you know it is going to last a while.

But they don’t stop there either. The features of this laptop bag include a padded 15.6-inch laptop sleeve, as well as a spot for your tablet. There is a handy organizer section so you can stash all your daily gear like your phone, notebook or passport, pens, and more.

And if you happen to need more space while on the go, you can expand it by 1.5 inches as well. Now that is handy!

It comes in both brown and tan, so you can choose the color you love, and you know it’s from a brand that produces quality gear.