My husband was carrying a ton of books and loose papers around with him to and from work, and it was driving me slightly insane. I got him this smallish messenger back to put his stuff in and he loved it. Very sturdy, holds all the miscellaneous crap he was schlepping around (books, papers, folders, his Kindle Fire, the occasional snack). If he needed to lug a laptop he'd need something bigger, but for small items this bag is perfect.