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- 01/08/2023
Looking for the best vegan messenger bags in 2023 for women and men? Here’s our list of the top sustainable and cruelty-free options for your daily, on-duty needs.
p.s. If you’re looking for more help in the vegan handbag and purse world, check out our full guide to the 33 best vegan handbags and purses!
The best vegan messenger bags in 2023
Sure, sometimes it seems like we are living in an era when fashion-over-function is celebrated a bit too much. You’ve probably noticed that most options are less carry all than they are carry-one-essential-thing.Â
That’s where the best vegan messenger bags really shine!Â
Because if we are about to spend a few dozen or even hundreds of dollars on a heavy-duty crossbody bag, it better carry more than a mini tablet, our phone, gum, and credit cards!Â
So, we took it upon ourselves to find the most sustainable, durable, and ridiculously stylish options that won’t leave you with a sore back or force you to look like the neighborhood mailman.
From waterproof messenger bag options made of soft cork to the best vegan messenger bag styles for die-hard minimalists, we listed plenty of alternatives for every taste. Let’s introduce your laptop, tablet, and all other work essentials to their new ethically-made, vegan and cruelty-free home, shall we?
How do I choose a messenger bag?
When choosing the best vegan messenger bags on the eco market, you should take into consideration your specific work/travel needs.
Opt for a style that has enough organizational compartments to fit all your essentials for your power packs, laptop, tablet, cell phone, etc.
Remember, heavy purses and straps without padding put a lot of pressure on the body which most often results in shoulders, neck, and lower back pain. This is why you should always choose a lightweight bag with quality, padded straps.
Then, there is the issue of personal style. Your bag will accompany you everywhere, so make sure to find vegan messenger bags that match your usual sartorial color palette.
Last but not least, if you are constantly on-the-go, maybe a waterproof messenger bag is the best option for you.
What do people put in messenger bags? ​
The best vegan messenger bags for women and men can carry a slew of essentials. Most people use their bags to store Headphones (noise cancelation or otherwise), phones, tablets, laptops or e-Readers, chargers, cards, IDs, and Reusable Water Bottles. If you are a traveler, you may want to add your camera gear, important documents, etc. One thing is certain, your bag should be able to withstand the weight, hang comfortably and look stylish while doing so.Â
This post is about sustainable messenger bags for work and travel
Best Vegan Messenger Bags in 2023
When it comes to the best vegan messenger bags for travel and work, Carry Courage reigns supreme. Comfort, durability, and sustainability are non-negotiable for this woman-owned brand.Â
The take-me-everywhere bags SEPIA and COAL are enhanced with multiple different compartments — including cargo, zippered, and slip pockets! This way you can pack all your accessories and gadgets like your laptop, phone and tablet.
Also, each bag is made individually by hand using PETA-approved vegan cork fabrics sourced from Portugal as well as organic cotton. Oh, and you can opt for bold or simple crossbody straps from Carry Courage’s strap collection to give your best messenger bag an extra oomph.
Price: $349
Ethics: Woman-Owned, Sustainable Materials, Handmade In Portland
Shipping/Location: Portland, USA,Â
Shop Carry Courage Here
Aside from the slew of accessories that double as  Affordable & Low Waste Stocking Fillers for everyone, Tiradia Cork also crafts some ah-mazing vegan messenger bags.Â
The Productivity Briefcase, for example, is ethically handmade in Portugal, exclusively out of sustainably sourced high-quality natural cork. You can easily carry your laptop, books, charger, headphones, and other accessories thanks to the numerous compartments. Plus, this PETA-approved vegan bag comes in 3 beautiful colors — natural, brown & black!
Price: $175
Discount code: Use code SKL10 for 10% off
Ethics: Women-Owned, Cruelty-Free, Sustainably Harvested, Vegan, A Tree Planted With Every Purchase, Safe And Fair Labor
Shipping/Location: USA
Shop Tiradia Cork Here
Corkor’s highly-coveted vegan messenger bags are, as the name suggests, crafted from soft cork from sustainably-managed forests.Â
What’s even better than having a spacious main compartment for storing your laptop and documents? Keeping them protected, duh. That’s why the brand came out with this waterproof messenger bag for rainy days. On top of that, this eco-conscious, PETA-approved beauty is made in Portugal and comes with a 2-year guarantee. Yes, they aren’t kidding when they say that their products are top-notch!
Price: $149+
Ethics: Sustainable And Renewable Materials, Ethical Manufacturing, Handmade In Portugal, PETA-approved, Water-Based Inks, Small-Batch Made
Shipping/Location: Portugal, worldwide shipping available
Shop Corker Here
Aside from gorgeous Vegan Leather Boots and sumptuous accessories, Wills Vegan is also known as one of the top e-destinations for the best vegan messenger bags for women. The brand uses OEKO-Tex 100 certified vegan leather created from natural and recycled materials.Â
This means that their bags are phthalates, PFCs, nanotechnology, and APEOs-free! Moreover, every style is made ethically in small workshops in Tuscany, Italy, and Portugal. If using Bio-Oil Sourced From Organic Cereal Crops wasn’t enough, the bags are also certified carbon-neutral and adhere to REACH regulations.
Price:Â $159
Ethics: Certified Sustainable Vegan Leather, Made In Small Batches In Europe, Carbon Neutral, Plastic-Free Packaging, Solar Energy, Fair Wages
Location: USA, worldwide shipping available
Shop Will’s Vegan Here
Moving on to one of our favorite Sustainable Rain Boots Brands that also makes stellar vegan and cruelty-free bags. The Matt & Nat messenger bag is a beloved work and travel staple in the ethical sartorial sphere. Ideal for both men and women, this bag comes with a laptop compartment, a smartphone pocket, and a logo-embossed Vintage patch.Â
Also, All of the interior linings of made from 100% recycled water bottles. So approximately 21 plastic bottles are recycled for every vegan messenger bag. Last but not least, their factories operate by the SA8000 standard, which ensures quality work conditions for all.Â
Price: $115+
Ethics:Â Ethically Sourced Natural Rubber, Fair Labor, PVC-Free, Recycling Program
Location/Shipping: Sold from Canada, worldwide shipping available
Shop Matt & Nat Here
BEDI is a beloved minimalist brand focused on using sustainable and upscaled materials like Desserto leather, ECONYL®.Â
For under $300, you can get your hands on absolutely gorgeous and utterly versatile messenger bags for men and women like HAWKEN. Some waterproof messenger bags are made from water-repellent twill fabric while others feature leather made with organic cactus leaves without the use of toxic chemicals.Â
Even the belt webbing is upcycled from the automotive and aviation industries in Canada. To top it all off, the brand’s best vegan messenger bags are Lined with REPREVE® twill and enhanced with YKK METALUXE® zippers.
Price:Â $243+
Ethics: Sustainable And Recycled Materials, Made In Canada, Lifetime Guarantee, Second Life Program
Shipping/Location: Canada, worldwide shipping available
Shop BEDI Here
If you’re on the hunt for ethically-made vegan cruelty-free purses and the best vegan messenger bags for chic work ensembles, look no further than Labante.Â
Skillfully crafted from recycled plastic bottles, and vegetable oil in a SEDEX Certified factory in China, this PETA-approved brand is equal parts elevated and sustainable. The styles look just like regular tote bags, however, they can easily fit your laptop tablet, and all other work essentials.Â
Did we mention the multiple compartments? Yes, these vegan messenger bags for women are simply a workwear must-have in your on-duty capsule wardrobe.
Price: $159.00+
Ethics: Â Recycled Materials, Ethical Working Environments, Made In Korea, SEDEX Certification, Donations
Shipping/Location: London, UK, worldwide shipping availableÂ
Shop Labante London Here
This post was all about the best vegan messenger bags for work & travel
As you can see, you don’t need to settle for anything less than ah-mazing! The best vegan messenger bags for women and men above are practical, sustainable, and extremely stylish. On top of that, you can find options in an array of different sizes and colors – and some of them are well under $200.
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