Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Commute (Small)

This is the perfect laptop bag for me. I'm a walker not a biker and I find this very comfortable and it holds the perfect amount. This is my 2nd Timbukt2 bag of this style and I wouldn't use anything else.

I've been hunting for a laptop bag with good storage without lots of flopping around space as well as plenty of pockets to stash and organize my gear. This bag is great and keeps me happy with lots of options to hide and store what I need. I've been using it almost daily for about a month and really like it. Well done Timbuk2. And an extra shout out for customer service. I messed up my order and they were super helpful correcting my mistake.

After commuting about 45 minutes to work, I'm into and out of my car several times during the day with a lot of "stuff." This messenger bag has the features I need (compartments, durable strap, comfortable grab handle) to be sure I have all that I need throughout the day. It was difficult to decide on which size would suit me best, but I'm happy I went with the small. It's big enough to carry my computer and iPad, and their accoutrements, along with my files and office supplies...without being unwieldy. Personal preference: I'm not wild about the reflective pieces on the ends of the webbing, but I solved this by keeping them folded over and secured with a rubber o-ring ($.59 ea.). Definitely happy with this purchase!

I love this bag. I love the fact the computer/tablet portion is separate from the storage part of the bag-making the insertion/removal of such items effortless. I wanted a bag that would hold my old-school bulky planner, as well as a full three-ring binder, a lunch, and a clutch. This bag is my answer. With all of the above listed things in my bag, I have room to spare. My personal belongings make the bag heavy, but I am not concerned about the bag holding up-it is solid and quality. I am so happy to have found what I had been looking for over the past several years.

The 2015 version was announced the day my Commute 2014 arrived, with features like the external zip pocket and bottle pockets that I really wanted. The exchange was easy and having to wait a little longer for my new bag was worth it. I'm very picky when it comes to this kind of thing and the design and quality are really important to me. The Commute 2015 excels in both. The strap is comfortable enough to support heavy loads for extended periods. The pocket arrangement keeps the stuff you need quickly handy and things you want to keep secure well buried. One unadvertised touch I really like is the Velcro "silencer" under the main flap. There are times I may want to use the Velcro closure along with the snap straps, but most of the time I prefer to do without the loud r-r-r-i-i-p!! when I arrive at the office at 7:30AM. Even if you don't frequently go through airport security, having a separate compartment for laptop and tablet is extremely useful, making this once case that serves two purposes extremely well. I chose the Jungle Polyester material and am very happy I did. It's a conservative, almost retro muted green color accented by a cool, playful turquoise trim. The material is almost begging to get beat up. It will look even better once it gets a few miles and some scratches on it. Though polyester, the material has a very organic, heavy canvas-like feel. The "Small" bag offers plenty of room for my needs, with my 13" MacBook and iPad fitting comfortably in the computer compartment, with room for a 15" laptop if I carry my work machine instead. Though I occasionally write for a computer magazine and have been given my share of bags to review over the years, this is the bag that I BOUGHT for myself. I think *that* says even more than any glowing commentary that I could ever publish.

Better than I even expected. Stylish while still being appropriate for a formal workplace, and practical enough to keep everything you need for a day at the office. Item was delivered in incredible time also, from the OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD in around a week. It takes longer to get most things from within this country in that time. Great delivery service.

I would be happier if there were another compartment on the back outside. It'd be more secure than one on the outside and quicker access than having to reach into the main compartment.

I am able to pack my laptop and some files, along with all my peripherals in this bag. I would recommend some additional outside pockets with zippers to avoid having to open the bag. The strap is wide and adjustable. I'm very pleased with my purchase and intend to get good use our of this bag. Thanks.

I use the small messenger on a daily basis. Looking that this commute bag is on sale, I grabbed it. It has a very solid construction and functionality. But I also notice that it is larger than my messenger bag of the same size (small). Perhaps because it is much more rigid? Anyway, carrying this looks funny on me. My laptop size is 13inch, and this commute bag is way too big for it, at least for me.

I always have been a fan of my Timbuk2 messenger bags & purses but this slightly smaller bag is so much easier to keep organized. Instead of one or two big pouches there are more divided compartments. It's much easier to see what I have loaded up for the day. Great bag!

I've had my first bag for over two and a half years, use it everyday and it still looks brand new. Great quality, durable bag, but one of the clips broke recently and there's no easy way to replace it with a new one, at least not with the version of the bag I have. I bought a new bag hoping the clips had been upgraded, but they're the same clips as two years ago. The company needs to find better clips or make them easier to replace. You have a great quality bag at a great price, but if the clips break, the bags are useless.

Overall, this is a great bag. Timbuk2 makes the best messenger bags, and I've tried many! This one is a nice step up in organization over the Classic Messenger. I would buy a second in extra small if they made it, assuming that it would hug a 8.5x11 notebook (or my tiny MacBook computer) for when I need to pare things down. Pros: Size is great for all-around use. Organization options are wonderful! Lots of ways to secure contents in addition to convenient external side mesh pocketsand internal ones for edge items. Back internal pen organizer and zippered pocket area are useful. Zip pocket ensures that pens and such aren't flopping around. Ballistic vertical slip pockets in front panel are handy. I like that the pocket in the flap is small so I don't over-load it. In comparison to my medium classic Timbuk2 bag, this bag is much neater because the front area stays close to the bag. Cons: Small is just a bit narrower than my medium classic messenger bag. So it is not a pared-down size for me since I carry heavy items. I'm not a fan of the velcro closure for the full-width nylon internal slip pocket. Some other fastener might be better so it would remain connected while accessing contents without unfastening. I'd like a redesign of the strapI'm 5'2" and it's hard to adjust the strap so it isn't under the padded shoulder attachmentthe two ends of the strap come close together without leaving much room for expansion adjustment. (I didn't notice this problem on my classic messenger bag), The pocket in the flap is too short for my Samsung Note8, so I'm still exploring the other pockets where it fits to choose the one that is best for it. I'd like a different design for the strap because I'm 5'2" and in order to avoid the clips being under the shoulder pad, the end buckles of the strap come together without leaving much room for the quick-release adjustment.

Overall, this is a great bag. Timbuk2 makes the best messenger bags, and I've tried many! This one is a nice step up in organization over the Classic Messenger. I would buy a second in extra small if they made it, assuming that it would hug a 8.5x11 notebook (or my tiny MacBook computer) for when I need to pare things down. Pros: Size is great for all-around use. Organization options are wonderful! Lots of ways to secure contents in addition to convenient external side mesh pockets-and internal ones for edge items. Back internal pen organizer and zippered pocket area are useful. Zip pocket ensures that pens and such aren't flopping around. Ballistic vertical slip pockets in front panel are handy. I like that the pocket in the flap is small so I don't over-load it. In comparison to my medium classic Timbuk2 bag, this bag is much neater because the front area stays close to the bag. Cons: Small is just a bit narrower than my medium classic messenger bag. So it is not a pared-down size for me since I carry heavy items. I'm not a fan of the velcro closure for the full-width nylon internal slip pocket. Some other fastener might be better so it would remain connected while accessing contents without unfastening. I'd like a redesign of the strap-I'm 5'2" and it's hard to adjust the strap so it isn't under the padded shoulder attachment-the two ends of the strap come close together without leaving much room for expansion adjustment. (I didn't notice this problem on my classic messenger bag), The pocket in the flap is too short for my Samsung Note8, so I'm still exploring the other pockets where it fits to choose the one that is best for it. I'd like a different design for the strap because I'm 5'2" and in order to avoid the clips being under the shoulder pad, the end buckles of the strap come together without leaving much room for the quick-release adjustment.

I purchased the large Commute Messenger Bag as a replacement for an older messenger bag that busted. I have a 15" laptop that is more workstation than laptop. my laptop is about 1.5" thick with about a 17" diagonal. The fit is very tight, especially if you use any of the pockets in the laptop area. If the pocket has about 1/2 inch more depth and 1/2 inch to length and height it would be perfect, or maybe they could make an XL version of this bag.

Nicely constructed bag, it does have many pockets however the majority of them are open, it would be incredible to have two more small zippered pockets. I don't ride a bike with it so I have removed the shoulder strap and never installed the cross strap, as a daily briefcase and "European carryall" it fits my needs. I do travel (infrequently) and will make use of the laptop pocket and strap eventually, so it is versatile.

Pros: 1. Solid construction 2. Quality materials 3. Sound design features 4. Aesthetically pleasing Cons: 1. Certain design features need enhancement 2. Somewhat heavy My search for a daily carry included the following criteria: 1. Plenty of pockets/compartments for organization 2. Water resistant/proof 3. Fold over front cover that can be secured 4. Dedicated side compartment(s) for drink container 5. Cross-body style carry 6. Large enough to fit all my daily work items and a set of gym clothes and sneakers, small enough not to be cumbersome; weighing as little as possible The Timbuk2 Commute Messenger Bag (L) fits the bill very well. However, I feel there are some design improvements that need to be incorporated for it to be the best bag on the market. 1. The dedicated drink compartments are way too shallow a. Recommendations: i. Taller compartments ii. Incorporate some type of retention system (could be a circumferential cinch or, preferably, a strap that would wrap around the top of the container and snap or buckle) 2. The front pocket is advertised for cell phone storage but is too small, by today's cell phone sizes, for this to be possible. a. Recommendation: i. Make the compartment taller, possibly extending up to the handle 3. Side inserts which would prevent interference between items placed in the internal size pockets and the side drink compartments. Material similar to a thin shin-guard could be inserted into this area, to prevent interference, without sacrificing the flexibility of the bag sides. The bag is very versatile; and for the most part I am pleased. But, for my every day carry, I would like the aforementioned list incorporated to really bring this bag to the highest level. Thank you for your time and the opportunity to review.

I bought this bag for commuting by bike to work. I like the look - stylish enough for office and client meetings but durable and large enough to be an effective commuting bag. My only complaint is the strap on the back (for attachment to roller bags) is significantly thick, and it has rubbed my back raw where it rests on a vertebra, especially when I carry heavy items (laptop + shoes). So I'd say 5-stars for most people, 3-4 stars for cyclist who commute with any weight

Looks great and fits legal documents. Looks more professional then I initially thought.

I like this bag. It's the "medium" size, and is very sturdy, holds my 13" MacBook Pro in the TSA-compatible pocket (one of my main reasons for purchasing this product line). The only suggested improvement: make the small pocket on the flap bigger, as it doesn't hold much more than some earbuds, and sunglasses.

Great Bag! It's perfect for commuting on bike to office job or while traveling. The strap is too long for a short person like me and I wish there was a more comfortable way to offset the weight with a waist strap while walking.

I use this as my daily work bag and occasional weekender. Great amount of storage spaces. The bag works great for my laptop. I also like the included attachment chest strap as it secures the bag in one spot when you are cycling or running for the train. However, I find the strap a big long even after shortening it as much as I can (I am 5 foot 6) and with the laptop, it can get heavy quickly. The included shoulder pad helps a lot though. I am also a bit disappointed I went with the black on black, wished I had picked a more colourful one now!

Velcro stitching separated immediately. Main flap, large Velcro patch closure. Super glue seems to help. Quality control seems to have let me down.

more like a messenger bag

I have an Iphone 6 with a case and it does not fit in external zipper pocket - I have to put it into a main compartment which usually means I have to undo the clips, open the entire flap and juggle

Recommend the "small" of most purposes. Medium for major travel.