Commuting has undoubtedly changed for many of us in the past few years with the increase in remote and hybrid working. But if you are going into the office at least part of the time you still need a work bag, and ideally one you feel good about carrying.

The best options hold all you need, are stylishly constructed and can take the wear and tear of a commute. It can be tough to find all three assets in one bag, so we asked fashionable professionals—all of whom have jobs that require stepping beyond the home office on a regular basis—to share their top picks. These are the seven commuter bags they swear by.

Clean-lined and crafted with a single interior pocket, this 16-inch-wide leather style is a minimalist bag with a space-maximizing twist: It’s designed to be customized with inserts you can buy separately to keep you organized, like a laptop sleeve, flap bag and zipper pouch, all in the same luxurious pebbled leather as the tote itself. “Separating what I need for the day into designated zones is the easiest way to feel prepared,” says New York City-based fashion writer Nicole Kliest, who carries the Cappucino version with all three add-ons to meetings with designers and on frequent work trips abroad. The absence of hardware also makes this bag among the lightest we tried.

With a classic briefcase silhouette and abundance of interior compartments—four horizontal divided ones, four smaller vertical pockets and a single open card pocket— Creagh’s Workbag is another of Kliest’s favorites, especially when traveling for work. It has separate spots to hold a passport, laptop, wallet, keys and cosmetics bag, she says, adding, “I love knowing where everything is at all times and never having that moment in the taxi on the way to the airport of frantically searching for my driver’s license.”

The sole backpack to make our list is a weather-resistant, practical model that tech marketer Matt Tuffuor relies upon for his rigorously scheduled, split-city life. The founder of Toasted Life, a live events company, travels between Cleveland and Oakland, Calif. “A commute is valuable time to fire off emails, texts or squeeze in a quick read,” he says, “so I prefer a bag that I can toss on my back to free up my hands.” It’s also a sensible option for varying transportation modes, like “when you need to jump on an electric scooter or city bike,” he says. Two netted interior pockets and a felt-lined laptop sleeve keep items secure on a bumpy ride. And while backpacks generally aren’t known for stylish design (though these certainly do deliver), this is where Thule’s Chasm shines: Though it’s made of rugged performance nylon, the rounded front and hidden zippers give it a look that’s more urban sleek than solely outdoorsy.

Parisian brand Polène’s handcrafted bags are priced well below those from its European counterparts, and while much of the collection is made up of smaller silhouettes, the Cyme is big enough to accommodate a laptop and function as a commuter option. Magnetic tabs sewn into the leather on both sides allow you to expand the bag or fold it inward for a smaller shape. (That versatility has made it one of my favorite bags, as I can use it to haul all of my work gear one day and then carry it as a medium-size purse to dinner or drinks the next.) It’s also available in eight colors, including rich browns and lighter neutrals.

Anyone who prefers the structure of a traditional briefcase but wishes it were big enough for an overnight work trip will appreciate Shinola’s Vachetta leather option. Charleston, S.C.-based retail executive Scott Sanford, who previously worked at fashion brands Steven Alan and Robert Graham, uses it as a combo of commuter case and gym bag because “there’s no need to tote around additional baggage when you can carry just one.” It’s equipped with a shoulder strap and padded laptop compartment along with suitcase-style features including interior elastic shoe pockets and a clothing divider. It’s 8 inches wide and the heaviest of the styles we tried, so it’s best suited for car commuters.

The least expensive pick in our mix is likely to garner the most compliments, says Manhattan-based fashion editor turned real-estate agent Robert Khederian, noting it stands out with its modern monogram detail. He’s also a fan of the bag’s durable construction. Made of 100% natural jute with a water-resistant lining, “it’s almost designed to get beaten up,” he says. “If it rains on the way to and from [meetings], this bag can handle it.” The long leather handles are reinforced with nickel rivets, and according to the brand, the bag can hold more than 100 pounds.

This handmade pick from Khederian is constructed of tumbled leather, which means the material has been spun in rotating drums to soften it. We can vouch for the buttery feel. It’s also generously sized, with two deep exterior pockets that can hold a phone or folded newspaper, plus a roomy interior—a feature Khederian considers key. “I need something that fits more than a briefcase would,” he says, and this zipper-top tote lined with hardy Sunbrella fabric easily accommodates a few post-work groceries or a bottle of wine. It also offers two carrying modes, with a shoulder strap and top handles.

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