Best Messenger Bags of 2025

"I’m old enough to have a father who served in World War 2, Korea, and Vietnam. This olive drab messenger bag resembles old military gear, and it has plenty of pockets for my laptop, books, and get-away kit. It fits perfectly under a plane seat. I love slinging it on to tackle the city and subway. It's well-made and should last for years; now I want every color!"

"I got this bag to replace my old one, and it turned out to be much bigger than I expected. The wide strap helps disperse the weight, making it surprisingly comfortable. I can carry all my usual items and even have extra space. While it doesn't fit my 18-inch laptop, it works great as my daily driver for books and journals."

"I received this bag last week and haven’t used it for work yet, but it seems like a great product with plenty of room. It has numerous pockets and is an excellent value for the price. I love that it has no branding, matching my crossbody bag in the same material. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a basic bag with great features."

"I love how exactly it looks like the pictures. It's the perfect size for my books, laptop, and a heavy water bottle. The padded shoulder strap makes it easy to carry even when loaded. Plus, I'm a huge fan of the camo pattern and deep colors. After a recent car accident, my bag held up well; only my water bottle and cough drops fell out!"

"I needed a new bag for my art supplies and found this one. The material is sturdy and it has a decent number of compartments. However, the hook-and-pile closure doesn't work well, and the bag doesn't close properly even when not too full. Also, the shoulder pad squeaks as I walk, which is a bit annoying. For $20, it's decent, but I might consider spending more for better quality."

"Since retiring, I wanted a messenger bag for my drawing book and other essentials. This bag is just right for carrying my materials, and I finally feel ready for my artistic endeavors. It holds everything I need, and I love being able to pull out my writing when I have downtime!"

"I purchased the medium size for my upcoming international trip, and I absolutely love it. It's spacious enough to hold a lot, with pockets that keep my phone and wallet separate. It fits my camera, water bottle, and all the miscellaneous items my husband hands me. The over-the-chest strap is a game changer for me. Just a heads up, it’s a soft bag without much structure, so if you want a traditional backpack, this isn’t it. Overall, it's an awesome bag with plenty of pockets and secure snaps."

"I got the 15-inch bag in army green, and I couldn't be happier. It's the perfect size for my laptop, which fits snugly. I even treated it with beeswax for added water resistance and longevity. It has a great look, reminiscent of a WWI Musette bag, and holds up well to my wax treatment. I love this bag!"

"I bought this bag for my daughter, and she puts everything in it! The quality is impressive, and it has held up wonderfully so far. It's just a great bag overall!"

"I purchased this bag for travel abroad, but I ended up using it every day. The durable zippers and numerous compartments are fantastic. One of my favorite features is the side pockets for water bottles. The adjustable strap is very sturdy, allowing for a comfortable crossbody fit. It's also great to have the security clasp on the main zipper. I highly recommend this bag for anyone seeking a secure and stylish option!"

"I bought three Travelon bags for my trip to Spain and Italy, and the Classic Messenger bag quickly became my go-to. It held my Kindle, wallet, passport, and personal items, with extra room for souvenirs. It's practical, dirt-resistant, and secure—especially helpful when we encountered pickpockets in Barcelona. The bag features three separate locks and is easy to secure across my body. Overall, this bag has great security features and is the perfect size!"

"This bag is exactly what I needed on my two-week trip to the UK. After a disappointing experience with another 'travel safe' bag, I did my research this time. I was looking for strong zippers, rip and slice resistance, and lightweight accessibility for essentials like my phone and passport. This bag checks all those boxes! It even has a lining that protects against cyber theft. I'm thoroughly impressed with its comfortable design and stylish appearance for both travel and everyday use!"

"I found this to be a great gift for my husband. He often uses a reusable grocery store bag as his briefcase, and this bag fits everything he needs for days at the office. He loves it! There's plenty of room for his lunch too!"

"I think it’s all good overall, though I wish it had a few extra pockets for pens and small items. But really, it’s all good."

"I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend. It’s the perfect size for storing a MacBook and seems ideal for short trips. I really hope he likes it!"

"I received this bag as a Christmas present for my daughter, and we both absolutely love it! It looks just like the picture. Initially, there was a large tear in the lining, but I quickly requested a replacement through Amazon. I was amazed to receive a perfect new bag within two days, even before sending the damaged one back. The entire ordering and replacement process was seamless! I would definitely purchase from this seller again."

"As someone who prefers messenger bags over purses, I find this bag to be ideal for my daily needs. It’s cute and fits all my essentials, whether I’m going out or heading to work. Even though my first bag had a defect, I kept using it because it was such a great bag. The company reached out to assist me and offered a replacement, which I gladly accepted. I strongly recommend this bag — you won’t be disappointed!"

"I got this bag as a gift for my 12-year-old great-granddaughter, and she absolutely loved it! It's perfect for her needs and style."

"This bag is simply the best messenger bag you can purchase. It screams quality and craftsmanship, with just enough compartments and zippers for all my storage needs. It looks fantastic, offers great water assistance, and is the perfect size for a 13-inch laptop like a MacBook Air or iPad."

"As a Timbuk2 user for over 30 years, I appreciate this bag for my daily runs around town. The pockets are great for my essentials, and the size is perfect for my daily needs. These bags last for years—I got this one to replace my previous bag of 20 years and I'm loving the updates!"

"I found this bag to be well made and stylish, but it doesn't distribute weight as well as a backpack. I expected some discomfort carrying it on one shoulder. The small size was more compact than I wanted, leading me to return it."

"I absolutely love this style! It's not too big or small, and I have it in both colors. Whenever I buy one, I always get one for my mom too. We adore MK, and the packaging on this one is a 10. The quality is the best—you won't regret this purchase!"

"I was a bit skeptical before buying, but after reading all the reviews, I decided to go for it. The bag is really nice and larger than I thought. It was wrapped up very well, and I'm 5'8"—the crossbody strap is long enough for me. I'm glad I made this purchase and would definitely recommend it."

"I have to say, this is a beautiful purse! It's the great size for me, and it's affordable. What more can I say about Michael Kors?"

“I've had my bag for over a year, using it moderately to heavily, and I’m really happy with it. It’s rugged, flexible, and spacious, plus the wide strap makes it comfortable to carry, even with a heavy load. Just a heads up: don’t wash it in the machine like I did; it left white streaks that canvas sometimes gets. Overall, it’s a great bag, and I’d definitely buy it again.”

“So, I bought this bag back in April 2017, and here we are in June 2023—it’s still going strong! It’s huge, which is perfect because I have a tendency to carry everything with me, from textbooks to snacks for the movies. It’s held up beautifully through multiple washes, and I love how it bounces back. I did take off the Velcro on the inside flap because the sound was irritating, but now it opens quietly. Seriously, this bag can handle it all!”

“I’ve had this bag for a month, and I’m really impressed! It’s roomy—I can fit my planner, tablet, and even a change of clothes. The three outer pockets are super handy for my phone and water bottle. The only tiny issue is the Velcro; it could be longer for how much the bag expands, but it hasn’t caused any problems. Overall, it’s sturdy and comfortable to carry, with a nice color and great durability!”

"I bought the green bag for my 4H meetings. It's very roomy and the pockets are great for my smaller items like extra pens."

"I didn't realize how big this bag was when I ordered it, but it's perfect for work. I can fit my notebooks, iPad, and even my Switch when needed."

"This bag goes with me everywhere! I love that it holds everything I need without feeling cheap. It’s definitely quality material!"