Backpack, Briefcase, Weekender or Crossbody? A Man's Guide to Bags (2026)
Backpack, briefcase, weekender or crossbody? What each bag is for, and the A&W pick for each.
Last updated: July 2026
The bags most men actually need come down to four types: a backpack for daily carry and travel, a briefcase or messenger for work, a weekender for short trips, and a crossbody for light days. Match the bag to how you carry, what you carry, and how long you are out, and the choice gets simple. Here is what each type does best, and the pair of hands it belongs in.
In this article
- The four types at a glance
- Backpacks
- Briefcases and messengers
- Weekenders and duffels
- Crossbody and sling bags
- How to choose
- FAQ
The four types at a glance
| Type | Best for | Carry style | A&W pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpack | Daily carry, travel | Both shoulders, hands free | Vintage Cowhide Travel Backpack, $139.99 |
| Briefcase / messenger | Work, laptop, documents | Hand or shoulder | Luxury Cowhide Briefcase, $139.99 |
| Weekender / duffel | 1 to 3 night trips | Hand or shoulder | Full-Grain Weekender, $149.99 |
| Crossbody / sling | Essentials, light days | Across the chest | Rowan Crossbody, $59.99 |
Backpacks
The backpack is the workhorse: two straps spread the load, your hands stay free, and a good leather one moves from commute to carry-on without changing character. If you own one serious bag, make it this.
Rugged cowhide with real capacity. The do-everything daily and travel pack.
Briefcases and messengers
For laptops, documents and client-facing days, a structured briefcase or messenger reads sharper than any backpack. The crossbody strap keeps it practical for the commute while the silhouette stays professional.
Structured cowhide briefcase with a crossbody strap. Built for the working week.
Weekenders and duffels
One bag, one to three nights, no checked luggage. A leather weekender swallows a short trip's worth of clothes and looks better at the hotel than any roller case. It is the piece that makes short trips feel effortless.
Full-grain leather with room for two or three nights. The short-trip standard.
Crossbody and sling bags
For phone, wallet, keys and not much more, a compact crossbody or sling keeps essentials on you and hands free. It is the lightest way to carry, and the entry point into better bags.
Compact leather crossbody for the essentials. Light days, sorted.
How to choose
Start with your most common day. Commuting with a laptop points to a backpack or briefcase, frequent short trips point to a weekender, and light errand days point to a crossbody. Most men are covered by two: one work-capable bag and one trip or light-carry bag. For leather quality and what to look for in construction, see our guide to choosing a men's leather bag.
Frequently asked questions
What types of bags should a man own?
Two covers most lives: a work-capable bag, either a backpack or briefcase, and a trip or light-carry bag, either a weekender or crossbody. Add the others as your routine demands.
Is a backpack or briefcase better for work?
A backpack is more comfortable and practical for commuting; a briefcase or messenger reads more polished for client-facing roles. Many men use a briefcase-style bag with a crossbody strap as the middle ground.
What size bag do I need for a weekend trip?
A weekender or duffel around 35 to 45 litres handles one to three nights and still fits most airline carry-on allowances.
Are leather bags worth it?
Good leather outlasts fabric many times over and looks better with age. For a bag you use daily or travel with, the durability pays for itself.
What is a sling bag for?
A sling or crossbody carries the essentials, phone, wallet, keys, cards, across your chest with zero bulk. It is the lightest, most secure way to carry on casual days.
Go deeper: the best leather travel backpacks, the best weekender and duffel bags, the best work bags and the best crossbody and sling bags.
Find your carry
Backpacks, briefcases, weekenders and crossbody bags, all in one place.
Shop bags →Free shipping on orders over $99.