Top messenger bags on Amazon
Carry all your work gear in one bag conveniently. Never leave your favorite accessories behind because of the lack of space in your bag. Messenger bags are spacious enough to help you carry your items over long distances without causing backache like backpacks.
Whether you are a worker, biker, courier, student, pole climber, or urban fashionista, the messenger bag is a multipurpose bag that can make your life easy.
This guide will discuss what to consider before choosing a messenger bag and recommend the top messenger bags for functional wear on Amazon.
What are messenger bags?
The messenger or courier bag is an umbrella term used for sack-like bags produced from cloth. The spacious bags are called carryalls, while their smaller counterparts are called sling bags. Unlike backpacks, these bags are designed to be carried over one shoulder using a strap that crosses the chest diagonally, putting much weight on the lower back.
Pros of Messenger Bags
Several bag options are available, from the satchel bag to the backpack. If you are going to settle for the messenger bag, you need to be sure. Below are the advantages of purchasing the messenger bag.
Perfect for Bikers
The messenger bag is suitable for bikers and professionals who are always moving. You can easily regulate the tightness or looseness of the shoulder strap using the adjustable fittings.
Your files are too important to slide out of your bag while cycling. That’s why courier bags come with easy-to-adjust hinged buckles. While riding at high speed, the bag could drift from the back position, making cycling inconvenient.
To prevent instability, some courier bags come with a second stabilizing strap that could be worn around the rider’s waist or slantingly across the chest like the first strap.
Do you intend to drop a letter or item for a friend before heading to work? The messenger bag is designed so you can easily swing the bag from the back around the chest for easy access using the bag’s top opening. It is also designed to accommodate important accessories such as lights, U-locks, or phone holsters.
Weather-proof
Sometimes the weatherman is wrong, and it gets rainy on a day that was predicted to be sunny and dry. At such times, your work gears are at the mercy of your bag. With these bags, you don’t have to bother about the effect of the rain on your work accessories.
Most bags like this are waterproof. Manufacturers can make use of PVC waterproof material or nylon.
Great for emergency travel
Business takes you places you never planned to visit, and not all business meetings are meant to be held online. If you cannot afford to go back home to get your traveling bag, your messenger bag can be used as an alternative.
Make a business-casual statement.
Courier bags go with any professional outfit. They allow you to switch up your style from a strictly professional look to a business-casual appearance, a classy CEO statement, to a friendly, techy boss look.
Cons of Messenger Bags
Like all things in life, the messenger bag is all shades of good and bad. It may not be the best option for everyone, every situation, and all times. Below are the cons of these bags.
Not the best options for the tidy freaks
Some people want every item to be specially organized in their bag. We are afraid the messenger bag does not provide enough organizational features to accommodate every office accessory apart from your laptop. Looking for separate compartments for your phone, power bank, book, charger, etc.? The backpack is your best option.
Not suitable for heavier loads
Unless you are interested in developing a hunchback, don’t try carrying heavy items using the messenger bag. You can use it to carry your files, laptops, a few books, and a few accessories, but don’t be tempted to make it heavier than it needs to be.
Top 5 Messenger Bags for Functional Wear
Poorly-designed courier bags spoil a good day and worsen an already-hectic one. This section will recommend the top 5 side bags for functional wear.
Leaper Canvas Messenger Bag
Price: $30.99
Looking for a bag that doesn’t hinder you when cycling? Leaper Canvas Messenger Bag is the best option for you. The mini backpack does a perfect job of carrying your essential work gears without slipping off your shoulder while cycling at any speed. The canvas material adds friction and prevents instability.
The vintage look of the messenger bag fits all professional outfits. Both males and females can wear it. If the strap is lagging or too tight, you can easily adjust it until you are satisfied with its looseness or tightness. It is a perfect fit for high schoolers who detest carrying exhausting loads to school.
Pros
- Unisex.
- Not expensive for the high canvas quality and design.
- The bag is durable.
- You don’t have to worry about lost personal items as it comes with buckles and zippers for security.
- Has an adjustable strap.
Cons
- Not waterproof
- The size is small, making it unsuitable for large laptops and big books.
- Its canvas is synthetic leather, a non-organic and weaker type of leather.
- It comes in only one color, limiting the options of the consumer.
Sechunk Vintage Military Messenger Bag
Price: 37.99
Overly detailed designs can come off as unprofessional and boring. A minimalistic vintage messenger bag goes with all functional outfits. Do you want a bag that exudes respect and high class? Sechunk vintage military messenger bags are the bee’s knees.
The Sechunk vintage military messenger bag owes its beautiful look to quality cotton and leather materials. It is with six pockets at different parts of the bags, reducing the overconcentration of load on one side of the bag.
Pros
- Very spacious.
- Adjustable strap.
- Multiple pockets.
- Durable cotton body.
- Zip and buckles for security.
- Comes in different colors, giving you multiple options.
- Goes with any professional and urban outfit.
- Possess essential organizational features.
- Quite durable.
- It has enough room to spare for unforeseen needs.
Cons
- No padding for laptops.
- Not water-resistant.
- Also, not a leather bag.
Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Mini Bag
Price: $41.99
Some go for vintage. Others go for cool. Travelon mini bags fit in the cool messenger bags category regardless of your definition of cool. The mini bag is also of the design against theft.
It’s the kind of bag you want to wear when you need to go for important dates or friendly hangouts.
Pros
- You can lock the main compartment to secure the bag content.
- Slash-proof material.
- It comes with RFID blocking and passport slots.
- Adjustable strap.
- Durable.
Cons
- Not for carrying heavy loads.
Travelon Women’s Anti-Theft Classic Bag
Price: $67.85
If you are a female looking for classy, modern messenger bags, this Travelon messenger bag is your best option. The slash-proof bag is fortified with a 5 point anti-theft security system to protect your bag from thieves and pickpockets. For females, this bag is the best shoulder bag we’ve recommended. Travelon women’s anti-theft classic bag goes with all outfits (as black is an all-rounder).
Pros
- Highly secure, especially for women living in areas plagued by pickpocketing.
- It has organizational features.
- Designed with magnetic flap hides.
- Highly durable.
- Goes with all outfits.
- Perfect for every occasion.
Cons
- Not for men.
- Only comes in one color.
- Quite expensive.
Choco Mocha Small Crossbody Purse for Teen Girls
Price: $21.99
Looking for the perfect gift for your teen girl? The choco mocha bags fit the bill without tearing your pocket. The choco mocha messenger bags come in multiple beautiful colors, giving you an array of options to choose from.
Pros
- It comes with adjustable straps for comfort.
- It has organizational features that fit the needs of a teen.
- Equipped with adjustable shoulder straps and zippered pockets where you can insert small items and water bottles.
Cons
- Strip and zippers are not of the best quality.
Messenger Bags vs. Satchels
The messenger bag is a single strap sack popular with Pony Express riders and couriers. On the other hand, the satchel is a cross-body bag commonly of use by students and popular in UK fashion.
Both satchels and messenger bags are of the design with a strap instead of two conventionally used in backpacks. However, some satchels can be into backpacks using the two additional straps by the manufacturer.
While they are both cross-body bags, how they are worn differ. The messenger bag is worn diagonally so that its weight rests on the lower back, while the satchel is worn so that the bag hangs on the opposite hip.
To qualify as a messenger bag, a bag needs to have a sack-like design, cross-body strap, and very secure closure. A messenger bag with no secure closure is useless to the courier or messenger, as these roles involve transporting delicate and important documents.
It is not uncommon for a messenger bag to be good for using zippers, buckles, and clasps. The overly secure closure is not as pronounced in satchels as in messenger bags.
The messenger bag is for bikers while the pouch is not. The satchel has a longer strap compared to a messenger bag. The long strap gives the satchel weight more freedom around the hip, making it desirable to school students but uncomfortable bikers. The messenger bag is your best choice if you want to appear youthful but professional.
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Final Thoughts
Bear in mind that how you handle and maintain your messenger bag can determine if it will last for a long time. The classic messenger bags in this guide have been of the review by a team of professionals and fashionistas who truly care about you.
We hope you try out any of these recommended these bags soon. Also, before getting a messenger bag, you should check for the warranty in case the product is of damage from the factory. Some manufacturers provide a lifetime warranty.
