Ever trend-resistant, I’ve spent the past decade avoiding men’s belt bags. Then, Harber London released its aesthetically balanced and impeccably handmade take on the leather crossbody. Color me converted. By my calculations, the belt bag had a resurgence in the 2010s before becoming the cool-guy staple it is today. Tastemakers took what was essentially a fanny pack and hung it on one shoulder and across the chest, similar to how Gen Z tied their sweaters—far cooler than the symmetrical ways of their preppy forefathers—and so not me. Yet, the Harber London Leather Crossbody Bag works for everyone: Me, my Nike-obsessed 14-year-old nephew, my practicalist grandfather who hates fashion and loves EDC, and possibly you.
Let’s start with its functional value. The interior, a mix of soft lining and protective leather, features efficiently arranged pockets that keep your belongings secure without making them difficult to withdraw. I use the zip pocket for important items like passports and keycards, and the small patch pockets for earbuds or pill cases. While camping, this bag ensured my hydration pack and folding hunter’s knife were always safely on my person. At the airport and during a touristy jaunt through Paris, the frontload design kept pickpockets (or at least my fear of them) at bay.
Style-wise, the high-end leather is certainly chic, and the minimalist composition allows it to work for any dress code. From the exterior’s organic pebbling, rich color, and musky aroma to the stable yet flexible structure, you don’t need to know anything about bags or textiles to appreciate the full-grain leather and solid stitching. It’s the kind of bag that’ll wear in before wearing out, which makes me excited to see how it patinates. My favorite part is the military-grade buckle, which adds some industrial EDC muscle to the look. Overall, the Harber London Leather Crossbody exudes class sans stuffiness, style without faddishness, and brawn minus machismo.
