Bringing clarity to your carry: our

guide to the best bags for men

Published in March 2021

Bags: from briefcases born out of the

Industrial Revolution, to the ‘bread bags’
of the Great Wars and the 21st century man
bag, ever since we’ve needed to carry our
possessions, we’ve relied on them.

Perhaps more than ever before, men are embracing bags.

They are lauded as functional and stylish accessories.

But with so many different types of bags available — and

in the knowledge that each could ‘make or break’ an outfit
— the question naturally surfaces: “Why are Carl Friedrik
yet to release a men’s bag guide?”

Well — we hear you. Keep scrolling to read our

comprehensive take on the essential types of bags for men.

Bag guide 1
 Briefcase

A timeless bag that has continued to evolve over

the centuries. The name ‘briefcase’ stems from
lawyers who used the receptacle to carry their
legal briefs in to court.

zippers and separate interior compartments to store items.

It has since become a symbol of power and economics,
immortalised by Wall Street bankers and Britain’s
Chancellor of the Exchequer, who carries documents in a
red briefcase on Budget day.
Although designs vary (more on that below), a briefcase is
essentially a rectangular container equipped with a handle,
usually made with leather.
It retains the functionality of the original, but refuses to
compromise on style.
In the past few decades, laptops and other electronic
devices have rapidly replaced written documents, hence
the need for a bag that safely stores the most precious
of items, as well as related paraphernalia like chargers
and headphones. Although often manufactured using
black nylon, a laptop bag made with leather is, in effect, a
variation of the modern briefcase.

There are two main variations of the traditional briefcase.
One version is defined by its box-like appearance, is open
and shut using clasps and has a hard exterior. The other
is soft-shelled, closed via a metal buckle on the front and
features a flap.
The briefcase is the obvious choice for making a statement
in a professional setting. Suave and refined, pair it with an
elegant suit and you’re onto a winning combination.

The modern briefcase is an infinitely more versatile

accessory, with features such as shoulder straps, all-round

Bag guide 2
Duffel vs weekend bag

Duffel is a historical Belgian town

reputed for producing sturdy
canvas cloth — the material used
to manufacture the early duffel
bag in the 17th century.
A practical weekend bag should be sizeable, yet compact
enough to fit into an overhead compartment on an airplane.
Typical materials include leather and canvas, with synthetic
polyester favoured for the interior lining.

The duffel as we know it today was popularised by the
soldiers and sailors of WWII. They stored their supplies and
personal belongings in military issued duffel bags, favoured
for their durability and spaciousness. Once the armed forces
returned home, the civilian population came into contact
with the duffel, and it became more widespread.
Contemporary versions generally incorporate two handles
and a shoulder-strap, providing a certain versatility when it
comes to carrying. While interior and exterior pockets allow
you to stow away your possessions in an orderly manner.

A typical duffel bag has a fabric — often canvas — exterior

and is closed using a drawstring or zipper. Large, soft-sided
and carried over the shoulder, it has a tube-like appearance.
Consider it a casual option, perfect for stuffing your gym
wear or sports apparel into.

The elegant weekend bag is a modern iteration of the duffel

with a self-explanatory purpose: to hold a weekend’s worth of
belongings (and to look good while doing so). Whether that’s
for a business trip, wedding or city break, it’s the essential
getaway companion.

Bag guide 3
Backpack
No guide to the best bags
for men would be complete
without mentioning the humble
backpack: synonymous with
anything from carefree school
days to the stress-inducing
morning commute.
Bag guide
It began circulating at the turn of the 20th century and
was predominantly used
by outdoorsmen. But in 1967 the first modern nylon
backpack hit the market, paving the way for the mass
consumption of backpacks.
Aside from the obvious advantage of keeping your hands
free, backpacks also distribute weight evenly across your
body, which reduces physical strain. Because they store
your essential everyday carry, backpacks are normally
waterproof and contain a selection of item-specific
storage sections.
In recent years, the zipped backpack and flap backpack
have been elevated to the world of haute couture.
Comfortable padded straps are still essential, but there
is now an increased emphasis on visual appeal and
expensive materials (think high-quality leather).
Opinions are divided on whether the backpack is
suitable for the office. Some are sternly against it, while
others point to it as a practical and — at times — smart
solution for the white-collar professional.
A key point of contention is wearing a backpack with
a suit. Combining a casual, or worse, sporty backpack
with a formal outfit is fashion faux pas. But an elegantly
designed backpack can actually enhance your office
attire. If you do take the plunge, remember not to
overload your backpack and only wear it for short
periods of time. This should prevent your suit jacket’s
shoulders from becoming disfigured.
In essence, the allure of the backpack lies in its
versatility — from outdoor use to being one of the best
bags for commuting to work — and the fact that it is
comfortable to carry.
4
Satchel vs messenger bag

You could be forgiven for thinking that

the messenger bag and satchel are the
same bag. Both are worn cross-body,
available in a range of hardwearing
materials — from leather to waxed
cotton and canvas — and timeless in
design. Yet crucial differences exist
between the two.

Start with origins. The messenger bag is an American

invention, first used by horse-mounted mail deliverers in
the 19th century and later by masses of postal workers and
couriers (hence the name).

The satchel predates the messenger by millennia and was

traditionally used to carry books — whether by monks
and scholars in antiquity, or European schoolboys in the
Middle Ages. While both are designed to be worn on the
shoulder, satchels rest on the hip and have a lengthier strap
to accommodate for this. Messenger bags are intended to sit
against the lower back and consequently use shorter straps.
They can easily be swivelled to the front should you need to
access something.

Modern prototypes of each bag incorporate zippers, front

flaps and buckles. Shoulder straps are padded to maximise
comfort and there are usually plenty of pockets to store daily
essentials.

Due to their design, messenger bags are particularly well-

suited for cyclists and carrying office paraphernalia. A satchel
could equally be used for your daily commute, and is also
handy for trips to the local coffee house or bookstore. That
said, an elegant messenger bag or satchel could just as easily
be a status symbol.

Bag guide 5
Tote
A tote bag has two long,
parallel handles, so it can
be carried either by hand
or rested on the shoulder.
It is commonly produced
using cotton or linen.
Bag guide
It became a mainstream bag in American society of the
1950s, well-suited for light shopping trips. The verb ‘tote’
actually means ‘to carry’.
Now a permanent feature of the urban landscape, the
fabric tote bag is revered as an ethical replacement for
plastic bags and a stylish accessory — often printed with
political messages or pop culture symbols.
Simple in design and unfussy, most tote bags only have
one compartment, eschewing order in favour of easy
access. As a general rule, the tote bag is a casual option,
but leather and nylon totes are beginning to challenge
this view.
As a lightweight but relatively strong bag, the tote is best
employed for light shopping trips, strolls around town
and — if you’re fortunate enough to live by the coast
— visits to the beach. The major downside is that tote
bags don’t close tight and are rarely waterproof, so your
possessions are generally at the mercy of the weather.
6
 Man bag

The man bag: it fits only the essential essentials:

phone, keys, wallet, maybe your headphones,
anything else is likely to be a squeeze.

One of the smallest types of bag in our guide, the man

bag, or ‘man purse’, makes use of a cross-body strap and is
designed to rest either by your side or back. Think of it as
a miniature satchel (or messenger bag).

Ultra-lightweight and loose-fitting, the man bag is the

ultimate holiday bag, allowing you to quickly reach for
your passport, camera or bundle of foreign notes.

While a canvas or nylon man bag matches a relaxed fit,

an understated leather option could easily complement
smart-casual evening attire.

Bag guide 7
Portfolio

Another relatively small

option, a portfolio should
tuck effortlessly under your
arm, and be used to transport
important documents, small
laptops and tablets.
Rectangular in shape, a portfolio has no handles or
straps, and is opened using either a zipper or a fold over
flap. Certain types will feature pen holders, padding to
protect your electronic devices and internal pockets.

An elegant addition to any modern professional’s

wardrobe, the portfolio is an emblem of sophistication.
It is most useful for bringing reports and other
documents to meetings, but you can wear it with pride in
both business and personal settings.

Bag guide 8
Different types of bags for different occasions

Briefcase Weekend bag Backpack Messenger Totebag

Work (formal) a a a a x

Work (casual) a a a a a

Commute (public) a a a a a

Commute (cycle) a x a a x

As travel bag x a a x x

To the gym x a a x a

Holiday x a a x a

Types of bags and their characteristics

Briefcase Weekend bag Backpack Messenger Tote bag

Size Small-medium Large Small-large Small-medium Medium

Style 4-5 1-4 1-3 1-5 1-4

Versatility 3/5 5/5 4/5 4/5 3/5

Ways to carry Handles & Handles & Shoulder Shoulder Handles &
shoulder shoulder shoulder

Bag guide 9
Notable mentions
Also known as a ‘fanny pack’ or ‘moon bag’, the waist
bag was in vogue during the athleisure craze of the
1980s. After a notable dip in popularity, it has enjoyed
a resurgence in recent years, with multiple high-fashion
brands releasing their take on the waist bag.

Worn around the body or waist, it is essentially a single

pouch secured with a zipper. You’ll fit no more than a
few small valuables inside of one. Much like the man
bag, the waist bag prioritises easy access. The trade off is
that they are limited in size and notoriously unstylish.

The bowling bag was popular with — you guessed it —

bowling players in the 1990s. Like a few others in this
guide to stylish bags for men, it was quickly appropriated
by luxury fashion brands.

Today’s bowling bags have two handles and are opened

using a zipper. They come in an array of shapes and
sizes, offering similar qualities to the weekend bag.

10
Purchase
considerations
Size
Don’t skip straight to thinking about aesthetics, size
is arguably the most crucial consideration. To roughly
calculate the dimensions you’ll require, start by
visualising what will be stored inside of your bag.

Phone and wallet? Look no further than the man bag.

Taking public transport to work with your laptop, charger
and a lunch box? A backpack is the perfect hands-free
fit for navigating the terrain. Regularly jet abroad on
business trips, or enjoy the odd city break? Then it’s a
tussle between the weekend bag or duffel — opt for the
former if you like to travel in style.

Colour
Our advice would be to stick with neutral colours
because they can be paired with almost anything. Shades
of brown and black, in particular, offer the greatest
versatility when matching bags with your wardrobe.

As a general rule, stay away from bright and vibrant

colourways, especially in a professional setting. After all,
the understated elegance of a portfolio or briefcase is
part of its intrinsic appeal.

Materials
It goes without saying that the right material for your
bag should be both stylish and durable. Leather is
a great choice if you want a refined feel. Premium
vegetable-tanned leather has an attractive natural look
and actually becomes more resilient over time.

A lot of bags are also manufactured using fabrics,

like cotton or synthetic canvas. Cotton offers a more
natural look, but both are hardwearing. You should also
know that synthetic canvas is easier to maintain.

Hardware
Clasps, zippers, buckles and bag feet: apart from the
tote bag, every bag in this guide incorporates at least
one of these components. But the unsung hero of bag
manufacturing often goes unnoticed.

Buckles and clasps can add ornamental value to a bag,

but they are predominantly functional features, and
should be sturdy as a result. As you’re probably aware,
there’s nothing as inconvenient as a broken zipper; so,
look out for smooth flowing zippers (such as Raccagni)
that are able to withstand a fair amount of pressure.
Lastly, ensure that bag feet are always firmly attached
— you don’t want your bag falling over every time you
place it down.
Summary

A quality bag is an essential that all

men should own. There’s a plethora
of options available — but now
you should be able to distinguish
between the main kinds of bags and
weigh-up their respective pros and
cons. All of which means one thing:
you’re one tentative step closer to
locating your ideal bag.

Bag guide 12