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Satchels and messenger bags will never go out of style, solely because they are highly functionable and loved amongst all generations. They are perfect for carrying your things to and from work, university, or just on your daily errands. Although the satchel has been associated with carrying books for centuries, it has quickly transformed to its current role as a practical and lightweight piece of everyday luggage. And while the basic design of the satchel stays the same, it has a ton of variations, each designed with different uses in mind, so you are bound to find something that fits your needs. But, since finding something that is perfect for you can get overwhelming really quickly, we have created for you the perfect guide detailing everything you need to know about these bags.
The Best Satchels on the Market in 2024
Egoelife — Top Pick
Key Features
- Detachable and adjustable shoulder straps
- Two neutral and attractive colors
- Made from a high quality canvas and leather
- Waterproof and scratch resistant
The Egoelife satchel is the perfect traveling companion for you. Regardless of where you have to go, it is great for carrying your work supplies or other essentials so that they are on hand whenever you need them. Available in two attractive colors, a coffee brown and charcoal, this is a great product for daily use, which means it is capable of withstanding everyday wear and tear. It provides you with some nice exterior pockets to store your ID, pens, and other small things that you generally need quick access to. It comes with a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap so that you will be comfortable wearing it with no uncomfortable compression feeling. Made from a mixture of high quality canvas and leather, this bag is waterproof and scratch resistant so you can be sure that this investment will last you a long time.
ECOSUSI — Most Fashionable
Key Features
- Comes with a hook and loop fastener and a back zipper pocket
- Made from a high quality and durable vegan leather
- Vintage look and attractive colors
- Adjustable and removable shoulder strap
While our first pick might’ve been targeted for men, this one is bound to please the ladies. Available in an exciting range of colors, you can pair a different colored bag with your outfit each day. Made from a vegan leather, this briefcase satchel has a comfortable zipper closure. The design of the bag has a stunning vintage look. It comes with updated durable hardware that is perfect for everyday use, and makes an excellent gift for the student or corporate woman in your life. It is spacious enough to hold a laptop that is up to 14 inches, along with any notebooks, files or paper sized documents. The strap is adjustable and removable and is paired with a top handle for easy use.
DHK — Best Vintage Look
Key Features
- Adjustable strap
- Available in 2 sizes and a classy, distressed vintage look
- Multipurpose use
- Provides ample storage space
Available in two sizes, this DHK vintage bag may be the closest satchel bag you can find to Indiana Jones’. It is made from a full grain leather and lined with durable canvas to create a super rugged, vintage look. It even comes with a pocket big enough to fit an iPad on the exterior, along with multiple small pockets that can fit your mobile phones and other essential items. It’s perfect to carry your school and work supplies, and maybe even has enough room to serve as an overnight bag. This bag is an extremely practical investment that is sure to reward you in the long run. What’s more, it features an adjustable strap with shoulder pad so you don’t have to compromise on your comfort on long commutes to work.
RAVUO — Best Minimalistic Style
Key Features
- Extra padded laptop compartment
- Adjustable shoulder strap with a movable thick shoulder pad
- Comes with 14 pockets
- Heavy duty and water resistant
Another great product is this Ravuo waterproof men’s satchel that comes in the perfect neutral color palette and features a unique flap closure. This bag is made from a durable material, a soft cotton canvas, which is also heavy duty and protects all your valuables from water. It also provides you with the ability to store different items in different compartments, as it comes with multiple compartments (14 to be exact) with external pockets providing quick access to your cell phone, ID, and other small items. The extra padding is perfect to carry a laptop safely. The wide and thick shoulder strap helps you comfortably carry the weight. The shoulder strap is also adjustable and the bag can be carried in various different ways, including as a briefcase, crossbody bag, or messenger bag.
Mactso — Also Consider
Key Features
- Waterproof and scratch resistant
- Made from 100% imported leather
- Multiple pockets for easy storage
- Adjustable shoulder straps
The only satchel on our list that is available in a striking blue color with a sleek and sophisticated design, this is the most simple bag yet looks the best out of all the above options. Made from a waterproof and scratch-resistant canvas with 100% imported leather, the satchel has a smooth zipper made from a rustproof metal with a polyester lining. There is a wide array of pockets on the exterior and interior, including one main compartment, one security zipper pocket and two pockets for phones and cards. The shoulder straps are adjustable so that you can comfortably carry the satchel everywhere you need to go with no discomfort. Overall, it is the perfect messenger bag for work, school, short trips or any other kind of daily use, all packed up in a unique vintage look.
Best Satchel Buying Guide
Now that we know what products are the best on the market, it is essential to know what exactly your needs are so you can buy a product that caters to them specifically. For instance, if you live in an area with a rainy climate, chances are your bag gets drenched to and from work – which is why you may need to choose a waterproof bag. But that’s not all, let’s dive in deeper and see what the different factors are that you need to consider when buying a satchel.
Things to Look For in a Satchel
Material
What your satchel is made of plays a huge role in determining whether it will be a good fit for you. There are a bunch of materials that are used to make satchels, with some of the more common ones being polyester, nylon, canvas, and leather. Polyester is usually a water resistant option, which is ideal if you want to take your satchel somewhere it is prone to exposure to mud, road grime, and rain. Nylon is a material that is rarely ever used for satchel bags as it is normally too shiny and tech-looking to provide the kind of design a satchel needs, however, bags of this material do exist.
That leaves us with canvas and leather. Although canvas is a very heavy duty and durable fabric, most people who have the budget for it won’t prefer it when they can get leather instead. That is because leather has become a status symbol and is extremely durable and long lasting. While canvas is stylish and weather-proof, available in waxed or coated canvas, leather provides you with that super luxe feeling and is a long term investment for you. But, if you’ve decided to opt for leather as your preferred material, then your job isn’t quite done yet. You still have to figure out which leather you should choose, since the different kinds of leather can alter the look, feel, and ultimately the durability of your satchel. Not to mention, the price of leather is high, which is why it’s important that you get this purchase right.
Leather is available in a few different types, including full grain leather, top grain leather, and genuine leather. Full grain leather is the highest grade leather that is available. It is made from the top layer of the hide and isn’t buffed or sanded, which is why you may notice imperfections on its surface. It is the type that the most expensive bags are made of because of its extra strength and durability. Top grain leather is the second-highest quality leather available and is the most commonly used type in leather messenger bags. It is the same as full grain leather, but it doesn’t have the imperfections on its skin – which does reduce durability slightly but still protects it from stains. Finally, we have genuine leather, which sounds like the highest quality but is actually the third class of leather. However, it is still durable and hard wearing and the most affordable leather option you can find.
Size
This is the second most important thing that you need to be careful about, because if it doesn’t fit your laptop then the bag will be pretty much useless for you, and all the money you spent on it will go down the drain.
The essential thing to remember is if the bag is 15 inches wide, it doesn’t mean that it will be able to fit your 15 inch laptop. What you need to be looking for is the dimensions of the laptop sleeve. So, a 15 inch laptop will require a bag that is at least 17 inches wide.
Measure the diagonal screen size of your laptop, or just check the manufacturer’s website. Then, compare it with the satchel’s dimensions. It is also recommended that you get a satchel that comes with a padded laptop compartment just so you can be sure that your laptop will stay protected.
Besides the laptop, you should also consider the extra gear you’ll be putting in your satchel. Will you just put a laptop and a few chargers, or are you going to use the satchel to carry your books, files, papers, lunch, etc? If you’re looking for a bit of extra storage, you can explore a satchel that comes with a good internal organization system with extra width and more external pockets.
Style
Another thing to consider is the style you want for your satchel bag. What color should you be going for? What kind of a look do you want? While black bags go with everything, a lighter brown is the better choice if you want to show off your style and make a statement. Grays and blues are also neutral shades that go with everything, and are comfortable colors that are likely to match all of your outfits.
Lightweight vs. heavyweight
If you are buying a satchel, it probably means you are carrying your laptop and other work essentials with you while commuting to and from the office or class. This means that you need something that is lightweight and easy to carry. A leather bag will add to the weight, as leather is heavier than other materials such as polyester and canvas. So, be sure to see what kind of weight you can handle before buying the product.
