12 Best Bags for Men, According to Guys Who’ve Tested Them All

“I completely understand why Lululemon’s ubiquitous belt bag is the most famous (or at least the most visible) option on the market: It offers exactly the shape and vibe you’d want from an on-the-go bag,” says Glamour commerce editor Jake Henry Smith. “The main compartment is the perfect size for the essentials, like a phone, a wallet, and keys. And there are three elastic slip pockets inside to help you keep track of smaller items—I use them for lip balm and headphones. It’s also built with a secret zippered pouch for more precious possessions, like cash or tech. The classic black is just the right color for every outfit, and I love that the hardware tag matches. (I don’t love external branding, but I appreciate that it’s mostly invisible here.) The strap adjusts nicely, whether you’re wearing it as a belt bag or a crossbody, my preferred style. Plus, there’s a buckle for easy on-and-off. No notes!”

• Style: Crossbody
• Material: Recycled polyester
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 2" x 5"

I became familiar with L.L.Bean in college, primarily surrounded by classmates with a preppy, New England upbringing. But it wasn’t until the summer after graduation—during a visit to a friend’s house close to the brand’s HQ in Freeport, Maine—that I, a New York City native, finally got my hands on the bag. I initially bought it as a novelty, a way to commemorate the trip. But after 15 years of carrying the bag, I fully understand why the Bean tote is so ubiquitous. It has become my go-to tote, grocery bag, beach bag, and sometimes gym bag. At almost every outdoor activity in the past decade, it has graced my shoulder. The spacious interior (mine is the large version, though options range from small to extra-large) allows me to really pack it to the brim. It can hold a hoard of stuff, which comes in handy on my monthly trips to Costco. And there’s no second-guessing the two sturdy double-stitched handles, which have carried cases of beverages to backyard parties unfailingly. Admittedly, the cream-colored canvas exterior does attract stains, but they come off easily after I pop it in the washing machine.

• Style: Tote
• Material: Cotton
• Dimensions: 5" x 17" x 7.5"

“Chrome Industries is pretty much the be-all-end-all of messenger bags for men—you couldn’t hope for anything more than what the brand offers,” Glamour’s Smith says. “This is the smaller of the two Citizen options, and it fits most laptops in a pretty economical size; it’s not embarrassing to carry on the subway. The water-resistant top flap is held in place by both velcro strips and two buckled straps. Inside, you’ll find a large interior, a water bottle holder, a microfiber-lined laptop pouch, and two magnetic slip pockets, meaning there’s room for everything a guy could need during the workday. The padded strap (with a secondary strap for support) keeps heavy loads comfortable, although the heavy buckle tends to clank and is a little noisy for my taste.”

• Style: Messenger
• Material: Recycled nylon
• Dimensions: 13.5" x 19.75" x 6.5"

After scoring a gig as an editor at a digital fashion magazine in 2012, I decided to splurge, really splurge, on a designer bag to celebrate a bright new start to my career. I eyed a Fendi leather messenger bag and Gucci leather backpack, but I landed on a Prada briefcase, the standard accessory to hold the essentials neatly: a laptop, documents, and, at the time, a whole lot of USB drives. I was instantly taken by the bag’s clean, minimalist look and the cross-hatched surface, which has proven very durable. The scratches it has accrued are hardly visible. There was even one instance when I found dry paint stains on one panel, which I easily wiped off with dish soap and a sponge. And the leather bag is also deceptively roomy. It can hold my necessities, particularly my 13-inch laptop, along with a sweater or even a pair of sneakers. Over the years, my Saffiano briefcase has accompanied me from one job to the next, retaining its shape and eye-catching exterior. I’m surprised that I’ve never felt the need to take it to a cobbler for repairs. The bag has really recouped its cost per wear, looking as good today as it did over a decade ago. It’s a testament to why Prada still offers the style. It has staying power.

• Style: Briefcase
• Material: Leather
• Dimensions: 16.5" x 11.8" x 4.7"

After going through many, many options over the years, I found a travel bag that I simply can’t do without: Longchamp’s Le Pliage Expandable bag. There are three overriding characteristics that make it so dependable. The first is the exterior shell made of polyamide that has withstood kicks, tosses, and a whole lot of shoving as I’ve entered and left airports. (I’m genuinely shocked that it has remained tear-free with what I’ve put it through.) The second is the spacious interior that can hold what I need for my journey and beyond. And no matter what I’ve crammed inside the carry-on, it has been able to easily fit into an overhead bin or below the seat in front of me. Finally, the bag’s greatest attribute, as the name indicates, is its capacity to expand. So often I find myself leaving a destination with extra stuff, and with this feature, it’s like having makeshift check-in luggage. The amount of clothes, shoes, and souvenirs it can carry always comes in handy.

• Style: Weekender
• Materials: Polyamide
• Dimensions: 17.7" x 13.8/20.5" x 9.1"

“While roller bags certainly take the weight off (literally), when my husband and I travel, we love this versatile backpack that always smashes down in overheard compartments (wheels can’t do that) and fits a ton for a carry-on,” says Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz. “It’s also comfortable on the back and virtually indestructible. We’ve had it for five years and it’s gone everywhere from Asia to Iceland with us (plus it doubles as a laundry bag) and the colors haven’t faded, there’s no scratches—you get it. It also has convenient mesh compartments in the inside for organization and a handy outer zip pocket for immediate access to your charger, and, of course, snacks.”

• Style: Duffel
• Material: Recycled polyester
• Dimensions: 19.7" x 12.5" x 8.5"

Rains specializes in water-resistant apparel and accessories. Its pieces are streamlined, built to be ergonomic for commuters who have to navigate through relentless weather conditions. And the brand’s Messenger certainly lives up to this credo. The crossbody bag features an interior with two compartments lined in sturdy canvas. There’s also an adjustable strap that allows me to travel comfortably and hands-free. But the real highlight of this messenger is the sleek exterior made of a waterproof rubber-coated canvas—a godsend on days when I’m surrounded by brutal gusts of wind and snow flurries. There’s also a front flap for added security, which means that I never have to worry about my stuff getting ruined.

• Style: Messenger
• Material: Rubber-coated canvas
• Dimensions: 11.5" x 14.5" x 4.25"

Filson’s duffel bag is my go-to weekender bag. The main compartment packs everything I need for a couple of days: my dopp kit, a few jeans, sweaters, tops, undergarments, and a pair of boots. I also have enough space for my laptop case and, in one instance, a bottle of red that I planned to give as a housewarming gift. And the heavy-gauge zipper and heavy-duty waxed cotton made sure everything stayed securely inside. What’s more, the bridle leather handles and adjustable shoulder strap allowed me to hold the bag with ease.

• Style: Duffle
• Material: Cotton
• Dimensions: 20" x 12" x 13"

“First things first, I do not have a kid, so I can’t speak to the minutiae of this backpack’s kid-friendly features, which include a changing pad, stroller clips, zipper access for wipes, and an insulated bottle holder. Glamour contributor Shanna Shipin, however, says these features are amazing in our roundup of diaper backpacks,” says Glamour’s Smith. “I’m more interested in it for its 15-inch laptop compartment, virtually indestructible neoprene exterior, and incredible attention to detail; like every Dagne Dover bag I’ve tried so far, it’s arrived packaged securely and solves problems I didn’t even know I had. (Case in point: There’s a stretchy tether for your keys and a free bag for an extra pair of shoes.) The shape is pretty gender-neutral, although it does stick out more than other backpacks, so you might have to hold it by the top strap if you’re using public transportation.”

• Style: Backpack
• Material: Neoprene
• Dimensions: 12.25" x 7" x 13.75"

Osprey’s Daylite sling is so dependable on my morning coffee runs, trail hikes, or whenever I meet up with friends at our local watering hole. The compact carryall is the perfect size to fit a variety of stuff needed for each activity—particularly sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, my wallet, and a cell phone, which the two interior compartments and exterior zip pocket allow me to separate without complication. It’s even spacious enough to hold a bottle of water. There’s also a zip pocket on the shoulder strap, which is perfect for my earbuds. And the water-repellent finish ensures everything stays secure and dry. While the bag is definitely primed for outdoor activities, the sleek oval design and curved shoulder strap would work just as well on city streets.

• Style: Sling
• Material: Recycled polyester
• Dimensions: 14" x 7" x 2.5"