leather messenger

A messenger bag is one of the most versatile options when it comes to carrying your daily essentials and is a great choice for anyone who wants to branch out from toting around their trusty backpack. While some messenger bags can feel a bit too casual for an office or after-work event, there’s one material that immediately dresses up their aesthetic: leather.

Leather is as hard-wearing as it is good-looking and is a great choice for an item you plan to use almost every day. Commuting looks different for everybody, and some may need more storage than others, so we’ve gathered a variety of leather messengers to suit the needs of anyone looking to upgrade their go-to bag.

The Best Leather Messenger Bags

What to Consider

Type of Leather

Leather is something we’re all used to seeing in bags, shoes, and jackets, but the sourcing and processes that leather goes through greatly differs from type to type. “Full-grain” describes leather made from the entire top part of the hide and includes all the material’s natural texture and fibers, giving it a unique finish; it is the most durable and highest-grade leather available, though it comes at a higher cost than other types.

The most common material used by leather goods brands is top-grain leather: This is leather that’s been split off the top of the hide and sanded down, making it smoother but also a bit less durable. Top-grain leather is widely available and easier to work with for manufacturers, so products made from this type are more affordable.

All the bags listed are top-grain except for the ones where we’ve specified that full-grain leather has been used.

Size

Base the size of your bag off what you plan to carry. Some people like