The man bag has been reborn due to necessity. Men are
carrying man backs for all sorts of reasons today – for work, school, to carry
their essentials, look more fashionable, etc. given the many uses of the modern
man back today I think it’s necessary to update our list of the kinds of bags men carry. So here is a quick graphic and
summary.
- The briefcase – this is the bag your dad
carried. Designed for the 9-to-5 man, this roomy bag is perfect for daily
office essentials such as laptop, portfolio, magazines, pens and papers. It
comes in either soft or hard shell and geared primarily to protect the cargo. It
normally sports a heavy carry handle as caring by hand is the preferred form of
transport. Today’s briefcases or attaché cases as theirs called, are looking
less like our fathers and more like a bag weepy prior to carry on the weekends
as well.
- The tote – the tote is a softer longer bag
usually made of soft leather or canvas. Its strength is large tote handles and
a wide and deep open mouth. This gives the bag easy access and finding your
things forward daily on the move shopping or weekend activities.
- The messenger bag – the messenger bag is
typically what people think of when they hear “man bag”. It comes in the most
different types of forms and function, but typically is characterized by the
rectangular or boxy soft bag with large over flat. It gets its name from the
past use as a male carrying bag worn across the body. It is a favorite bag by
students, cyclists, general commuters, and now even as a carry-on bag. It
sports a long shoulder strap sometimes with a grip pad. This bag is normally
worn across the body or over the shoulder.
- The duffel – the duffel bag is a large soft bag
used to carry items for longer trips. It is a heavy-duty bag typically made of
canvas, leather, or nylon. It is characterized by a oversized main compartment
with top zipper closure sometimes extended to allow easier access. This bag is
usually associated with the old military duffel bag because it is sometimes
used for extended travels. This is the largest man bag.
- The weekender – the weekender is a smaller than
duffel bag larger than most other bags. As the name implies, it is used for
weekend length trips. This bag is usually a soft bag with roomy cargo space and
large top opening with zipper. It is also characterized by heavy dual tote
handles. This bag comes with an optional shoulder strap in most cases.
- The barrel – the barrel bag is similar to a
weekend or duffel bag except its main compartment is shaped like a barrel. It
is a soft bag made of canvas or leather or nylon with oversized tote handles
and a top zippered opening. It also comes with a removable shoulder strap. This
is a bag commonly used for the gym or short excursions.
- The sack – the sack is a minimalist bag. It is
made of soft cloth or nylon to keep it light. It typically has a drawstring
opening, one compartment, and then or string like shoulder straps that allow it
to be carried as a backpack. These bags are perfect for quick shopping trips or
the need to carry something very small. They are also great as half-day bags
that can be stuffed into luggage or even a weekend back.
- The backpack – the backpack has been around
since the Neanderthal. It is simply a bag with shoulder straps. Today’s
backpacks come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and uses. But the main
characteristic is the bag is to be worn on the back supported by shoulder
straps. These bags have evolved substantially in the last 50 years. Now
backpacks, and all sorts of varieties such as military tactical, fashionable
leather, retro canvas, and minimalist. Newer versions of the backpack include a
convertible&. These new styles can be switched between backpack or single
shoulder strap bag.
- The bowling – this bag looks like a bowling bag.
Made of semi-stiff material such as heavy canvas or thick leather, this bag is
made to be strong and sturdy. It normally sports to oversized tote handles and
a large zippered opening with wide mouth. This bag is ideal when you need
protection for your heavier items.
- The satchel – the satchel is a smaller bag made
of leather or canvas usually. It is the bag that has become more popular due to
its smaller size. It’s also one of the more fashionable types of bags you can
find today. These bags came from the need to carry the modern-day essentials
such as phone, keys, wallet, sunglasses. This bag is typically just big enough
to carry a small tablet but small enough to not the obtrusive or heavy. These
bags calm in zipper top or flap cover and large shoulder strap that is normally
worn over the shoulder or across the body. Bigger phones and electronic devices
have pushed the popularity of this bag in recent years. When most people think
of man bag, this is what comes to mind.
- The Fanny pack – the Fanny back is a bag that is
made of canvas or leather with a ergonomic shape designed to be worn around the
waist. Like the satchel, this pack has become more popular due to the need to
carry our phones, keys, cash. It is a convenient bag sometimes light on looks.
As those who wear a Fanny pack will attest, this bag makes it very easy to
access your items as their perched just under your waist.
- The Murse – the murse a word created by
combining purseand man or “man purse”.
Sometimes used as a pejorative term, the Murse has ironically created much
awareness of today’s modern man needing more cargo options. That said, the murse
normally refers to a bag more fashion or feminine qualities. These bags are
normally smaller like the satchel with emphasis on looks over utility.
And that’s it! These are the bags we normally see in today’s
world. But like any need in changing times, the man bag will continue to evolve.
All the bags mentioned here are transforming and looking more similar to one
another every year. This is a good thing. As you move into the future with our
changing needs to carry more types of items for more types of travel, the man
bag will continue to adapt and rise to the challenge. Long live the man bag!