The Best Laptop Messenger and Shoulder Bags of 2023

The Timbuk2 Proof is, in our mind, the premiere laptop messenger bag. We’ve had several in use for years around our office and have taken them all over the world and back again. The main part of the bag is made of extremely durable, stylish canvas, with leather accents on the straps, flaps, and buckles.

The Proof features a main interior compartment that will fit a 15-inch laptop, two sewn exterior pockets, a zipped interior enclosure, a zipped rear enclosure perfect for holding a phone or tablet, and several interior pockets for holding business cards, cables, or whatever else you need. The shoulder strap is made of durable woven canvas and hasn’t snapped on us in over three years of daily usage.

The Kenneth Cole Reaction crossbody messenger bag features an incredibly stylish full-grain leather design. It’s available in three colors—a rich cognac, a deep chocolate brown, and a classic black—fits up to a 15.6-inch laptop, and has an adjustable shoulder strap that extends to 60 inches.

This leather bag will look excellent with jeans or a suit. Though there's not much here for extra storage, it should have enough for the essentials. The flap doesn't lock as securely as some buckled designs,it does include snaps on the inside to keep it shut when you're on the move.

The Case Logic VNM-217 laptop is ideal for the person who wants a standard messenger laptop bag with a durable design and lots of storage but who doesn’t want a lot of frills. Its design is simple and no-nonsense, with lined compartments for your chargers, notebooks, pens, and other assorted essentials.

The bag can pretty comfortably accommodate laptops up to 17 inches, reviewers say. For most standard 13- and 15-inch laptops, you should have no trouble. The design here doesn’t scream “premium” with plastic attachments and accents, but it should hold up for a long time where plenty of metal, leather, and canvas stress points tend to break down over time.

If you rely on a smaller laptop or tablet to get your work done, the Case Logic LoDo Attache Case is a great choice. This canvas bag is small compared to others, but it’s also lightweight and easy to bring with you everywhere without getting in your way.

Reviewers were particularly fond of the LoDo’s many easy access pockets, as well as its design, which takes some premium elements from more expensive bags but doesn’t drive up the price dramatically. It's a great bag from one of the most reputable names in laptop accessories.

Though most classic messenger bags use a traditional crossbody/over-the-shoulder design, the Mosiso Leather Tote Bag is more like a large tote or purse with an interior laptop pocket. It features excellent style, organization, and comes in a variety of colors and sizes, perfect for customizing it to your exact needs and taste.

The main drawback reviewers noted is that the actual laptop pocket is very snug, suitable primarily for 13-inch laptops and not larger 15- and 17-inch laptops. Those may fit in the bag, but it would likely have to just go into the main pocket, rattling around with whatever else you throw in the bag. Otherwise, this is an excellent commuter-friendly bag that offers excellent style at a great value.

The classic all-leather travel shoulder bag is a staple in many people’s closets, but it’s surprisingly tricky to find a nice leather laptop bag that doesn’t fall apart in a month—including high-quality designer ones. The KomalC seems to have figured it out, with a functional, durable design that can fit most laptops with style. The zippered pocket on the outside opens to reveal space for all your essentials.

It’s not perfect—reviewers were quick to note how the leather can get scuffed up rather easily—but it’s a gorgeous bag that should wear its scars well over time.

If you’re looking for a basic, no-frills laptop shoulder bag, the Lenovo T210 is the way to go. It’s one of the most popular (and affordable) laptop bags, with over 11,000 reviews and a wild 4.7-star rating. That’s remarkable, but it’s well deserved.

If you want a super stylish bag designed with premium leather accents and tons of storage for your entire life, this isn’t the bag for you. But if you want a water-resistant laptop messenger bag that will keep your essentials protected and organized while on the move, this is one of the best (and most affordable) ways to do that.

Sometimes you really just need a basic laptop bag. The Voova padded laptop sleeve bag is it, with a very simple design that’s elegant and stripped down to the bone. Like the name suggests, this fully waterproof bag is effectively a laptop sleeve with a couple extra pockets and a shoulder strap.

It’s stylish, affordable, and it’ll keep your laptop well-protected while you’re on the go. It has just enough room to include your headphones, a notebook, and your charger—but little else. If that’s all you need, this is a refreshingly lightweight way to tote your gear around.

The Lacdo 17.3-inch 360° Laptop Shoulder Bag is another barebones bag that is little more than a padded laptop sleeve with a shoulder strap. For a lot of people, that’s ideal, and this still comes with enough extra storage to get you through your day with two exterior zippered pockets.

Reviewers praise the bag’s style, and we’re inclined to agree. It comes in a variety of colors, with sizes ranging from 13.3 up to 17.3 inches, though we recommend that you size up relative to what you’re trying to fit, as the laptop pocket can be a bit snug.