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Insight · Wedding Gift Guide
Best Man Gifts: 12 He'll Actually Keep
The short answer
The best man gift should be one special thing, not a bundle of small ones. A full-grain leather duffle is the gift most men keep for decades, and our Roosevelt Travel Duffle ($399.95) is the one we would give. For a smaller budget, a leather dopp kit or padfolio between $109.95 and $164.95 still says thank you properly.
Give your groomsmen a matching set, and give your best man a clear step up from it. He did more of the work. The gift should show it.
Your best man is the one who talked you through the ring, planned the bachelor weekend, and will stand next to you when your knees go soft. He has probably been there for a lot longer than the engagement. A bottle opener with the date on it does not cover that.
This guide is only about him. If you are shopping for the whole wedding party, read our guide to the best groomsmen gifts first, then come back here for the one gift that sits above the rest. Every piece below is something we make, it is in stock, and it is built to be carried for years.
Best man gifts by budget
Start with what you want to spend, then pick the piece that fits the way he lives. Prices are current as of this update.
| Budget | Gift | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $100 | Roosevelt Leather Luggage Tag | An add-on to a bigger gift | $24.95 |
| Under $100 | Leather Care Kit | The man who already owns good leather | $49.95 |
| Under $100 | Roosevelt Leather Trifold Wallet | Every day, every pocket | $84.95 |
| $100 to $200 | Roosevelt Buffalo Leather Dopp Kit | The man who travels light | $109.95 |
| $100 to $200 | Jefferson Leather Passport Wallet | The international traveler | $129.95 |
| $100 to $200 | Jefferson Leather Dopp Kit | Hotel rooms and business trips | $154.95 |
| $100 to $200 | Roosevelt Leather Travel Padfolio | Meetings and job sites | $164.95 |
| $200 to $350 | Roosevelt Leather Briefcase | The daily commute | $279.95 |
| $200 to $350 | Roosevelt Buffalo Leather Duffle Bag | Overnights and weekends | $349.95 |
| $350 and up | Walker Leather Weekend Bag | Three-day trips, carried by hand | $399.95 |
| $350 and up | Roosevelt Buffalo Leather Travel Duffle | A weekend to a full week | $399.95 |
| $350 and up | Dakota Waxed Canvas Weekend Bag | Road trips and rough weather | $429.95 |
The big gift: a bag for every trip after the wedding
If you only read one section, read this one. A leather bag is the best man gift that keeps working. He carries it to the bachelor weekend, to your wedding, and to every trip for the next thirty years. Every time he packs it, he will remember who gave it to him.
Roosevelt Buffalo Leather Travel Duffle Bag | Dark Oak
Our biggest duffle, cut from thick full-grain water buffalo hide with antique brass and iron hardware. Three buckled exterior pockets, a zippered main compartment, and a green canvas lining. At 24 by 11 by 11 inches, it holds a weekend to a week-long trip. This is the one we would give our own best man.
$399.95
Shop the Travel Duffle
Roosevelt Buffalo Leather Duffle Bag | Dark Oak
The same full-grain water buffalo leather in a more compact size, about 20 inches long. Two buckled exterior pockets, a brown canvas lining with interior pockets, and a padded, adjustable leather strap for carrying it crossbody. Right for the man whose trips are one or two nights.
$349.95
Shop the Duffle
Walker Leather Weekend Bag | Vintage Oak
Cut from a lighter full-grain cowhide than our buffalo bags, so a 30-liter duffle weighs 3 pounds 10 ounces empty. One wide top opening, a cotton lining, rolled leather handles, and a removable strap with a leather shoulder pad. Built for the Friday-to-Monday trip.
$399.95
Shop the Walker
Dakota Waxed Canvas Weekend Bag | Field Khaki
Rugged 15 oz waxed canvas with top-grain vegetable-tanned leather trim, copper rivets, and a full leather bottom. Side buckles let it expand or cinch down, and two zippered exterior pockets hold what he needs fast. The pick for the best man who drives more than he flies.
$429.95
Shop the DakotaNot sure which leather to choose? Our guide to full-grain vs. top-grain leather explains the difference.
For the best man who works for a living
If he spends his week in meetings, on a job site, or on the road for work, give him something he will carry Monday through Friday. A good work bag gets seen by more people than a duffle, and it gets used every day.
Roosevelt Leather Briefcase | Dark Oak
Full-grain water buffalo leather with two buckled front pockets, brass hardware, and reinforced handles. The laptop sleeve sits in its own compartment and fits most 15-inch laptops. It looks right in an office and holds up in a truck.
$279.95
Shop the Briefcase
Roosevelt Leather Travel Padfolio | Amber Brown
Water buffalo leather that holds a legal pad, pens, documents, cards, or a calendar. It is the gift for the man who still writes things down, and it makes a notepad look like it belongs in the room.
$164.95
Shop the PadfolioTravel gear he will use on every trip
A dopp kit is the most practical upgrade a man can get. Plenty of men still carry their razor in a plastic bag or a worn-out nylon case. A leather one lasts decades and makes a hotel counter look a lot better.
Jefferson Leather Dopp Kit | Elderwood
Full-grain cow leather with a wax pull-up finish, a herringbone wool lining, and YKK brass zippers. An interior zip pocket keeps small things apart, and an exterior pocket holds what he needs first. Part of our limited Jack Andrews collection.
$154.95
Shop the Jefferson Dopp Kit
Roosevelt Buffalo Leather Dopp Kit | Dark Oak
Tough full-grain water buffalo leather with nylon stitching, a carry handle, and an easy-clean lining. It opens to just enough room for a razor, soap, and the rest. Simple, rugged, and the most affordable leather dopp kit on this list.
$109.95
Shop the Roosevelt Dopp Kit
Limited Edition Jefferson Leather Passport Wallet | Black
A full-grain leather wallet for a passport, credit cards, a Field Notes book, and some cash. For the best man with a few stamps in his passport and more trips planned. Part of our limited Jack Andrews collection.
$129.95
Shop the Passport WalletWant the whole set? A dopp kit packed inside a duffle is the best man gift at its most complete. See all our leather dopp kits and leather duffle bags.
Under $100: small gifts that still say thank you
A tight budget does not mean a forgettable gift. Pick one of these on its own, or add one to a bigger gift to round it out.
Roosevelt Leather Trifold Wallet | Dark Briar
Water buffalo leather with nylon stitching and an open ID slot in the center. It is the one thing he will touch every day. If you are not sure what style he carries, read our guide to bifold vs. trifold wallets.
$84.95
Shop the Trifold
Leather Care Kit
A cleaner, a conditioner, and a waterproofing spray in one kit, all made in the USA. If he already owns a leather jacket, bag, or boots, this is the gift that keeps them going. It also pairs well with any bag on this list.
$49.95
Shop the Care Kit
Roosevelt Leather Luggage Tag | Dark Oak
Water buffalo leather with a clear window for an address or business card and adjustable leather clasps. Tie it to the duffle before you wrap it, so the gift looks finished the moment he opens it.
$24.95
Shop the Luggage TagBest man gift vs. groomsmen gifts: what is the difference?
Groomsmen gifts are a set. They should match, they should be useful, and they should cost about the same so no one feels left out. The best man gift is different. It is one gift, for one man, and it should be clearly a step above the rest.
The simplest way to do both is to stay in one collection. Give each groomsman a Roosevelt Dopp Kit and give the best man the Roosevelt Travel Duffle it fits inside. The gifts look like they belong together, and nobody has to ask which one is his. For ideas on the group gift, see our best groomsmen gifts.
How to choose the right best man gift
- Buy one good thing. One well-made bag beats a box of five small items. He will remember the bag.
- Match it to the way he lives. A man who flies for work wants a dopp kit and a passport wallet. A man who drives to the mountains every other weekend wants a duffle with room for boots.
- Think past the wedding. The best gifts get used for years. Engraved glassware gets used once and then sits in a cabinet.
- Pick leather that fits him. Water buffalo leather (Roosevelt) is thick and rugged. Cowhide (Jefferson, Walker) is smoother and a little dressier, and the Walker is the lightest bag on this list.
- Write the card. A few honest sentences about what he means to you is the part he will keep longest.
Timing: Most grooms give the best man his gift at the rehearsal dinner or privately on the morning of the wedding. If you give it a week early, he can pack his wedding weekend in it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for a best man?
One well-made thing he will use for years. A full-grain leather duffle or weekend bag is the classic best man gift because he will carry it on every trip after the wedding. If your budget is smaller, a leather dopp kit or a padfolio is a strong second choice.
How much should you spend on a best man gift?
There is no rule, but most grooms spend more on the best man than on each groomsman, because he did more of the work. Pick the number you are comfortable with and buy the best single thing you can at that price, rather than several small things.
Should the best man gift be different from the groomsmen gifts?
Yes. Give the groomsmen a matching set of something useful, and give the best man one gift that is clearly a step up. It can be the same collection in a larger piece, like a duffle bag while the groomsmen get dopp kits, so the gifts still look like they belong together. For the group gift, see our best groomsmen gifts.
When do you give the best man his gift?
Most grooms give it at the rehearsal dinner or privately on the morning of the wedding. Giving it before the ceremony means he can use a bag or dopp kit for the wedding weekend itself.
Is a leather bag a good best man gift?
It is one of the best. He will use it on the bachelor trip, the wedding weekend, and every trip after. Full-grain leather also darkens and softens with use, so the bag becomes more his over time.
What is a good best man gift under $100?
A full-grain leather wallet, a leather care kit, or a leather luggage tag. For a little more, a buffalo leather dopp kit sits just over $100. Pair a wallet with a luggage tag if you want the gift to feel bigger than its price.
What do you write in a best man card?
Keep it short and specific. Thank him for one thing he actually did, name a memory the two of you share, and tell him what it meant to have him standing next to you. A few honest sentences beat a page of jokes.
Can you give the best man a gift for the bachelor party?
You can, and a travel piece is a smart choice if the bachelor party involves a trip. A dopp kit or weekend bag given before the trip gets used right away and again at the wedding.
What if the best man already has a nice bag?
Go smaller and more personal. A leather padfolio, a passport wallet, or a dopp kit fills a gap most men have. If he already owns good leather, a leather care kit keeps his existing gear going.
Xan Hood founded Buffalo Jackson Trading Co. in 2009. He designs our leather bags and travel goods in Matthews, North Carolina.