The Herbag Messenger 39 holds a 13-inch laptop, documents, and daily essentials in a horizontal canvas-and-Hunter-cowhide body. Compared to the standard Herbag, the shape turns sideways and the strap moves to the ends of the bag.
With the strap at the ends, the Messenger 39 is easier to wear crossbody than the taller Herbag Zip, easier to close than an open tote, and much cheaper than a leather Hermès briefcase. The tradeoff is depth: at about 9 cm, it fits flat work items and a few daily essentials, not bulky loads. For the full Herbag family — all sizes, the interchangeable canvas bodies, and pricing — see the complete Herbag guide.
Quick Facts
- Herbag Messenger 39
- $4,550, verified on Hermès USA pages in May 2026
- Herbag Messenger 39
- 39 x 28 x 9 cm / about 15.3 x 11 x 3.5 in
- Herbag Messenger 39
- 100 cm / 39.4 in
- Herbag Messenger 39
- Militaire or H Viking canvas with Hunter cowhide
- Herbag Messenger 39
- Clou de Selle closure
- Herbag Messenger 39
- Laptop compartment, exterior back zip pocket, removable interior zipped pouch, phone/key pocket
- Herbag Messenger 39
- Collapsible handle, shoulder strap, crossbody strap use
- Herbag Messenger 39
- Palladium plated
Herbag Messenger 39 Price In 2026
The verified U.S. retail price is $4,550. Current U.S. Herbag Messenger 39 listings in noir/noir, bleu marine/bleu indigo, écru/noir/noir, and écru/beige/naturel sable all show the same price.
European and U.K. pages are useful for context, but not as a U.S. price substitute. Recent Hermès pages show 3,150 euros in France and Ireland and 3,080 pounds in the U.K. Currency differences, taxes, and local pricing mean those numbers should not be converted into a U.S. MSRP.
- Verified price
- $4,550
- Use it for
- Primary price for U.S. shoppers
- Verified price
- 3,150 euros
- Use it for
- European price context
- Verified price
- 3,080 pounds
- Use it for
- U.K. price context
- Verified price
- A$6,340
- Use it for
- Regional comparison only
Size, Dimensions, And Laptop Fit
Hermès lists the Herbag Messenger 39 at 39 x 28 x 9 cm. On U.S. pages this appears as about 15.3 x 11 x 3.5 inches for Militaire canvas versions. Some H Viking canvas pages list the length as 14 inches, while keeping the height and depth at 11 and 3.5 inches.
The important measurement is the 28 cm height. That is enough for documents and many slim laptops, but the 9 cm depth limits bulky loads. Hermès says the bag has a laptop compartment; it does not publish a separate laptop sleeve measurement.
Design, Closure, And Pockets
The Messenger 39 uses the familiar Herbag mix: a canvas body, an unlined Hunter cowhide flap, a Clou de Selle closure, and palladium-plated hardware. The bag closes more securely than a tote, but it is slower to open than a zipper-only messenger.
The pocketing is better than the outside suggests. Hermès lists a removable interior zipped pouch and an exterior zipped back pocket. The product story also mentions a laptop compartment and a pocket for phone and keys, which makes the bag more useful for commuting than the standard Herbag shape.
How It Works As A Daily Work Bag
The Herbag Messenger 39 works best when your work carry is flat and organized. A good daily load is a 13-inch laptop, a few documents, a charger, phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses, and a slim water bottle. A soft pouch helps because the bag has structure at the flap and strap points but not the padded build of a technical laptop bag.
It is less comfortable when the load gets round or heavy. A large bottle, lunch container, over-ear headphones, and a thick laptop sleeve will quickly use the 9 cm depth. If that is your normal day, a Garden Party 36 or larger travel-oriented bag will be easier to live with.
Works well for
- • Slim 13-inch laptop
- • Documents, notebook, and tablet
- • Charger and small tech pouch
- • Phone, wallet, keys, and sunglasses
- • Commutes where crossbody carry helps
Wrong if you carry
- • Large laptop or thick laptop case
- • Gym clothes or shoes
- • Lunch containers
- • Several bulky pouches
- • A large water bottle every day
How It Compares
- Best for
- Crossbody work carry
- Main difference
- Horizontal canvas-and-leather body with laptop-focused organization
- Best for
- Classic Herbag shape
- Main difference
- Taller Kelly-like shape; less satchel-like on the body
- Best for
- Office briefcase use
- Main difference
- More structured and more formal, usually much more expensive
- Best for
- Tote capacity
- Main difference
- Open-top carry with more room for bulky items
- Best for
- Backpack carry
- Main difference
- Hands-free backpack shape with a higher leather-bag price
- Best for
- Casual crossbody
- Main difference
- Softer and easier, but no work-bag structure
Herbag Messenger 39 Vs Herbag Zip
The Messenger 39 is the better choice if the bag has to ride crossbody with a laptop and documents. The Herbag Zip is the better choice if you want the taller, more recognizable Herbag outline. Both use canvas and leather, but the Messenger feels more like a work satchel.
Herbag Messenger 39 Vs Sac à Dépêches
Sac à Dépêches is a more formal office briefcase: more structured, more rigid, and more expensive. The Herbag Messenger 39 suits casual commuting because the canvas body keeps weight and price down, and the strap makes crossbody carry natural.
Herbag Messenger 39 Vs Garden Party 36
Garden Party 36 holds more. It is a tote, so bottles, pouches, scarves, and a lunch container are easier to drop in. The Herbag Messenger 39 is the better pick if you want a closed flap, a flatter profile, and crossbody carry.
Herbag Messenger 39 Vs Hac a Dos
Hac a Dos is a backpack. It is better for hands-free walking and travel, but it costs much more and has a more specific look. The Messenger 39 is simpler if your main need is a laptop-and-documents bag with a shoulder strap.
Retail Vs Resale
Buy at retail first when the color you want is online or available through a boutique. At $4,550, the Herbag Messenger 39 already sits far below leather Hermès briefcases and backpacks. Paying above retail only makes sense for a color you cannot find.
Resale availability is thinner than for Herbag Zip, because the Messenger 39 is newer and less common. Expect listings to vary widely by color and condition. As a practical rule, look for clean examples near or below retail after fees unless the color is hard to replace.
- When it makes sense
- You can catch your color at $4,550
- What to watch
- Stock can disappear quickly
- When it makes sense
- You find a clean used bag and do not need a boutique purchase
- What to watch
- Check corner wear, canvas marks, strap wear, and included pouch
- When it makes sense
- You need a specific color immediately
- What to watch
- The extra cost is hardest to justify on common neutral colors
Where To Buy The Herbag Messenger 39
The Herbag Messenger 39 appears on Hermès USA product pages and in the men's bags category. Recent U.S. listings include black, blue, red, grey, and écru combinations at the same $4,550 retail price.
If you are buying online, decide your color range in advance and act quickly when it appears. Alerts help because the bag can be visible on product pages without staying available for long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Hermès Herbag Guide →
The full Herbag family, including Herbag Zip sizes, materials, and how the line changed over time.
Hermès Sac à Dépêches Guide →
The briefcase comparison for shoppers who want a more structured Hermès office bag.
Hermès Garden Party Guide →
A practical tote comparison for laptop, documents, and open-top daily carry.
Top Hermès Bags for Men →
A ranked look at Hermès bags for work, travel, crossbody carry, and everyday use.