Men's bags now cover a broad, mainstream range. For everyday carry, the most popular shapes are the crossbody (worn across the body, hands-free, ideal for commuting and travel), the messenger or shoulder bag (a flap-front bag roomy enough for a tablet and daily kit), and the backpack (two straps for comfortable, even carrying of heavier loads). For work, structured briefcase-style bags and smart backpacks carry a laptop and documents professionally. For trips and the gym, holdalls and weekender bags offer rugged, roomy carry, while larger travel and utility bags prioritise capacity and weatherproofing. Alongside these, small leather goods -- bifold wallets, slim card holders and coin pouches -- are everyday essentials. The right mix depends on your lifestyle, but most men are well served by a daily crossbody or backpack, a work bag if needed, a holdall for trips and a quality wallet. Browse our men's bags collection to see the shapes.

For most men, the best everyday bag is either a crossbody or a backpack, depending on how much you carry. A crossbody is ideal if you want to travel light and hands-free -- worn diagonally across the body, it keeps your phone, wallet, keys and a few essentials secure and easy to reach, which makes it excellent for commuting, city days and travel. If you carry more -- a laptop or tablet, a water bottle, gym kit or study materials -- a backpack is the more comfortable choice because it spreads the weight across both shoulders and has become just as acceptable for everyday and smart-casual wear as for the outdoors. Between the two sits the messenger or shoulder bag, a good middle option for carrying a bit more than pockets allow without a full backpack. Choose the material to match your setting -- leather for a smarter look, or technical fabric like The North Face uses for rugged, weatherproof daily use.

A men's work bag needs to protect your tech, organise your essentials and look professional. Prioritise a design that fits and cushions your laptop or tablet -- a padded compartment is ideal -- along with enough organised space for documents, a charger, a notebook and daily bits, so nothing rattles loose. Decide between a structured briefcase-style shoulder bag, which reads more formal, and a smart leather or technical backpack, which is more comfortable for longer commutes and increasingly office-acceptable. Favour quality materials: a good full-grain or saffiano leather looks sharp and ages well, while a clean technical fabric suits a more modern or active commute. Keep the styling minimal and the colour neutral -- black, brown or navy -- so it works with your work wardrobe, and check the straps and closures are sturdy since a work bag is used hard every day. BOSS offers sharp, minimal leather work bags worth a look in our BOSS collection.

A holdall -- also called a weekender or duffel -- is a roomy, open bag with two carrying handles and usually a detachable shoulder strap, designed for short trips, the gym and overnight stays. Its wide opening and soft, capacious body make it easy to pack bulkier items like clothes, shoes and toiletries, and the dual handles plus optional strap give you flexible ways to carry it. You should reach for a holdall whenever you need more than a backpack but less than a suitcase: a weekend away, an overnight work trip, a gym session, or as a cabin bag for flying. Material matters for durability and weatherproofing -- Barbour's waxed-cotton holdalls offer heritage toughness and can be re-waxed, while The North Face duffels use rugged technical fabrics built to be thrown around. If you travel light or hit the gym regularly, a good holdall is one of the most useful bags a man can own. Browse our men's bags collection for holdalls and duffels.

Choose by matching the bag's shape and material to how much you carry and where you are going. For minimal daily carry, a slim crossbody or a card holder keeps you light and hands-free; for a bit more, a messenger or shoulder bag adds room for a tablet and essentials; for heavier or bulkier loads, a backpack spreads the weight comfortably and works for commuting, study and the outdoors. For the office, a structured work bag or smart backpack with laptop protection looks professional and keeps you organised. For trips and the gym, a holdall or duffel gives rugged, roomy carry. Then match the material to your use and taste: quality leather (as BOSS and Paul Smith use) for a smart, long-lasting look; technical nylon (The North Face) for rugged, weatherproof everyday and travel use; or waxed cotton (Barbour) for heritage durability. Most men end up with a small set -- an everyday bag, a work bag, a holdall and a good wallet. Our choosing hub covers the full buying approach.