One thing a decent travel bag must do: hold things.
Men's duffel bags and carry-on bags should be able to fit everything you need for a trip in the most space-efficient and easily accessible manner feasible.
In spite of being crammed into an airplane overhead bin and dumped in your car's trunk for years, a high quality travel bag should outlast your passport—and even better, you.
In the TSA queue, everyone should be envious of your luggage.
In this article, we'll compare the best travel bags for men, as well as how to choose one.
Best Travel Bags for Men 2023
Here we go over our top picks for travel bags for men by style and size:
Best Duffel Weekender Bag 2023
Winner: Weekender Leather Travel Bag
This leather weekender is a classic bag that will last a lifetime. Made from full grain leather, it looks and feels premium, and ages well with leather patina (unlike cheaper canvas bags that look tatty after a few uses). It has a dedicated laptop compartment, a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap, and two durable top carry handles.
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- 16-inch internal padded laptop sleeve.
- Internal zipped pocket for travel essentials like your passport and wallet.
- Plenty of space for all your gear and travel accessories.
- Ideal for a business trip or as a weekend bag.
- Adjustable shoulder strap.
- Duffle bag for a long weekend.
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Perfect overnight bag.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
- Available in black, brown, or tan leather.
Best Plane Carry-on Bag with Wheels 2023
Winner: Voyager Leather Carry-on with Wheels
The Voyager rolling carry-on is ideal for casual and business travel alike. It's made from premium full grain leather, the highest grade you can buy, which means it will last for years and age really fashionably. The easily accessible laptop sleeve makes it easy to get your tech out when sitting down on the plane. Available in a range of colors, but we love the brown leather version.
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Hand luggage compliant.
- 16 inch laptop sleeve.
- Luggage tag included.
- Two exterior pockets for easy-to-reach items.
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Handmade in Italy
- Designer travel bag.
- Can be personalized
Best Small Laptop Travel Bag 2023
Winner: CITY Leather Laptop Bag
The CITY laptop bag is perfect if you need a smaller personal item to carry a laptop. It has a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap, so you can use it like a briefcase or messenger bag. It's made from premium full grain leather, which looks and feels luxurious. The various zipped compartments are ideal during travel, helping you to have quick access to your passport or other travel documents.
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Detachable shoulder strap
- Fits up to a 15.6 inch laptop (also a 17 inch version here)
- Handmade in Italy
- Dedicated laptop compartment
- Additional zipper pockets
Best Travel Backpack 2023
Winner: 10X Leather Laptop Backpack
The 10X is best for those who prefer a backpack that's functional and fashionable. The full grain leather material ensures it doesn't look casual, making it ideal for smart casual or business travel. It can be used as both a backpack and a messenger bag, with multiple straps available.
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Dedicated compartments, perfect for travel.
- Can convert from backpack to shoulder bag for ease of access.
- Top and side handles for when moving through airports.
- Fits up to 15.6 inch laptop or tablet.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
- Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.
- Unisex.
Best Garment Holdall Travel Bag 2023
Winner: Grand Leather Garment Bag
If you travel with a suit you don't want to crease, then the Grand garment bag is for you. The suit is zipped into the fabric of the bag, which prevents any hard creases, so it reaches your destination ready to wear. It is a duffel style bag, providing lots of room inside for other essentials, including a dedicated laptop compartment. The full grain leather is very high quality, and will age well with leather patina.
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Dedicated garment carrier.
- Carry a suit and shirt without creasing.
- Large main compartment for other items.
- A great travel and gym bag.
- 16-inch laptop compartment.
- Adjustable shoulder strap.
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
Best Underseat Laptop Travel Bag 2023
Winner: CITY Large Laptop Briefcase
Pros:
- 17 inch laptop compartment.
- Full grain leather.
- Handmade in Florence, Italy.
- Soft cotton lining.
- Durable YKK brass zippers.
- Spacious design, without being bulky.
- Can be personalized.
The CITY large is available in black, brown, or tan leather.
Browse the CITY Large online here.
Best Shoulder Bag Carry-On 2023
Winner: Elegant Slim Briefcase
Pros:
- Full grain leather.
- Handmade in Florence, Italy.
- Soft cotton lining.
- Durable YKK brass zippers.
- Minimalist design and profile.
- 14 inch laptop compartment.
- Top handles & detachable shoulder strap.
- Can be personalized.
It's available in black, brown, tan, and red leather.
Best Small Travel Toiletry Bag 2023
Winner: Superior Leather Wash Bag
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Durable waterproof lining
- Handmade in Italy
- Strong YKK zippers
- Available in brown, tan, red, or black leather.
- Internal zipped pocket for small accessories.
- Plenty of space for toiletries.
- Handles on both sides
- 2 main compartments
- 23cm wide, 13cm high, 8cm deep
- Can be personalized
Best Satchel Briefcase Travel Bag
Winner: No3 Leather Satchel Briefcase
Pros:
- Full grain leather.
- Handmade in Florence, Italy.
- Soft cotton lining.
- Durable YKK brass zippers.
- Locking function.
- 13-inch laptop compartment.
- Detachable shoulders strap.
- Can be personalized.
- Available in black, brown, or tan leather.
Is Leather Best for a Travel Bag?
Full-grain leather is the most common material used to create the greatest men's travel bags.
Leather is by far the most professional and stylish choice, especially when compared to cheaper nylon alternatives.
Leather protects your stuff and, with time, takes on a unique patina that's uniquely yours. If you want a luxurious hide, though, you'll have to pay for it.
Should You Go Personalized?
If you're scrambling around the cabin for your bag after a flight, having a very similar bag to everyone else is a recipe for disaster.
By choosing to personalize your travel bag, you can ensure you have a guaranteed way to know which bag is yours, avoiding confusion.
Plus it's a nice unique touch to make that bag extra special.
Choosing a Travel Bag
There are a few models that could be appealing to you based on your preferences and way of life. In any case, there are only a few fundamental rules to follow while purchasing a bag. Lightweight but strong enough to hold multiple items and able to fit in the overhead compartment of a plane or train.
When purchasing a weekender bag, here are some things to keep in mind:
Space
Investing in a well-designed bag that doesn't take up too much room, yet is large enough to hold all of your essentials, is what you're looking for. Investing in a bag that can accommodate a variety of items for a variety of journeys is also a smart idea. Whether you're going on a beach holiday or a skiing excursion, you'll need a separate bag for each.
Material
If you only travel for business, then a classic leather bag could be the best choice. But if you're looking for a weekender bag, you may want to look for one that's both durable and waterproof. It's all up to you; after all, only you know how you intend to put it to use. Don't settle for anything less than the best you can afford.
Related pages:
- Best Travel Bags
- Best Carry-on Luggage
- Laptop Travel Bags
- Leather Travel Bags
- Leather Duffel Bags
- Business Traveler Bags
- Large Travel Bags
- Men's Overnight Travel Bags
- Women’s Leather Travel Bags
Compatibility
Allow us to explain why compatibility might not be the best phrase. The rigidity of some materials means that they are difficult to fit into overhead compartments or compact areas. Try to choose a purse that is more versatile. In that manner, you may fit it in a variety of places without causing any harm to it.
Pockets
A multitude of pockets with a distinct function and a well-defined structure is a godsend. In particular, if you want to utilize the bag for many reasons. You won't have to rummage through the bag to get what you need, and you won't have to ruin the rest of the contents. Additionally, it aids in the organization of your possessions.
Price
This is a highly personal decision, one that you must make after evaluating your own requirements. The quality of a bag doesn't necessarily imply that you have to spend a lot of money, and we've selected several bags that fall into a wide range of price points.
Related pages:
- Monogrammed Duffle Bags, Backpacks & Weekender Bag
- Under Seat Travel Bags
- Designer Travel Bags
- Minimalist Travel Bags & Laptop Backpacks
- Leather Carry On Luggage
- Best Weekend Getaway Bag
- Best Lightweight Luggage
- Best Business Travel Backpacks
- Best Crossbody Bags For Travel
How Much Should You Spend on a Travel Bag?
If you're on a tight budget, then you should only spend what you can afford on a travel bag. If you have a larger budget, then for a quality leather travel bag, look for something around $750.
If you're looking to buy a large suitcase, then you can end up paying upwards of $1000.
What Makes a Travel Bag "for men"?
Typically, a man's travel bag is larger and has a more masculine design than a regular travel bag. They're often used for business, and will be made of durable materials that can survive hectic travel. The average man owns between 3 and 4 bags, with 20% of men having never packed their own bag for a trip.
The colors of a bag that's for men will tend to be darker and more subtle as well. Colors like browns, blacks, and dark greens are popular options. Women's bags, on the other hand, tend to be brighter, with light blues and pinks a popular choice.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our article on the best travel bags for men.
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, or email Von Baer at info@vonbaer.com.
Related:
- Best Underseat Luggage
- Best Travel Laptop Backpacks
- Best Travel Briefcase
- Best Overnight Bags
- Best Travel Duffel Bags
- Best Soft Sided Luggage
- Best Travel Garment Bag
- Best Luggage for Men
- Best Carry On Luggage with Laptop Compartment
- Best Designer Luggage
- Best Leather Weekender Bags for Men
- Best Weekender Bags for Men
Browse related articles on travel here.
Author: Albert Varkki
Albert Varkki is the co-founder of Von Baer. He understands leather products as a consumer, supplier, and a manufacturer, helping you with the inside knowledge you need, to choose the perfect leather product for you. Connect on Linkedin
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