Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Large

I use my new medium classic custom messenger to carry stuff back and forth to work. I LOVE IT. For my purpose, it may be a bit too much of a bag...meaning it is so sturdy and well built.....far better than I need for this purpose. But I won't complain about that. I love my color selection. The on-line tool to create a bag is the bomb! Super!

Love the color combinations and size. Durable and lightweight

It's not as bad as some ratings. Many reviewers give it poor ratings because it doesn't 'look' as durable with the slimmer strap and other compartmental reductions... but it is a great bag with notable improvements! Designers did their homework imo. Here are the differences below that came as a surprise to me compared to my previous custom classic messenger bag: 1) handle is not aligned with the top of the bag. Reason: the handle is now more within reach when I grab the bag from my back. The weight distribution is more balanced...it's a messenger bag not a briefcase. The laptop bag will have handle in center. Also, it makes it easier to hang when full on a hook or even strapping to your wheeled-luggage when travelling. Genius imo. 2) strap is slimmer. Reason: this does not mean it's weak by any means. time will tell. it's smoother and finer and less abrasive to your outerwear. Also, had I known this I would have purchased a pad with it, the previous model had a fat strap and with the padding it just became too fat. This is a great improvement imo. 3) the angle of the strap stitching is now better angled. Reason: makes it more comfortable to wear. 4)Reduced number of compartments. Reason: not sure of the science behind this, however too many compartments made it difficult for me to remember where i kept my stuff lol. This is more simple. I'm okay with it. it's lighter. loading the compartments now does not add bulk that settles towards the bottom so its easier to slip in a laptop or camera. I like it. 5)Cover, when closed, creates a folds on both sides that prevent water from entering the bag. This is a huge improvement from previous model that. nice work. Pros: lighter, reduces clutter. increases primary storage, uses the same Camera bag insert from previous model, nice. Cons: Timubk2 should have made these changes very clear in their website so existing customer expectations are set.

I hadn't realized how long I'd had my bag until I bumped into an old friend. He asked if I'd recently gotten a new bag with the same design as my old one. I have had my bag about 17 years from what I can figure out. I've used it through undergrad and grad schools. I've brought it on at least 10 international trips. I used it on my honeymoon and when both my kids were born for the hospital trips. I use it for work now, which includes bringing my laptop to the office and going out for field work, for things like wetland delineations. I wash it normally when it's dirty and chuck it in the dryer. I use it just about daily. To say I've gotten my money's worth is an understatement. I don't think I've had any item for this long, other than things that sit of shelves. Nothing compares to the quality construction of this bag.

My son loved his Messenger Bag, but it was beginning to show wear after being used daily for years! He custom made this and sent it to me for a gift purchase. He couldn't be any happier with it!

I purchased my first Timbuk2 bag in 1994 and I still use it today. I am a photographer and I love my Timbuk2 messenger bags with the camera inserts. I have them in all 3 sizes and find that they each have a specific use in my line of work. I just purchased my first custom bag and the experience was a blast! This is my new everyday bag. I love that I can strap it across my body and have my hands free while shopping. It's so much more than a bike messenger bag. It's my purse, it's my backpack, it's custom made for me by Timbuk2.

Very useful bag, both with the camera insert and without. I like that the camera insert becomes a separate bag for storing the camera when removed from the bag. My intended use is as non-camera-bag-looking camera bag for camera and other things necessary and as an office bag without the insert. Seems to handle both very well. The strap could be a tad longer like 10-25cm (5-10" for you metrically challenged) as I sometimes use it with an instrument backpack and it must hang low for that to be comortable. Also it would be nice to be able to swap the strap direction.

I bought this bag to carry it around for my daily office trips. This fits perfectly for that need and the custom options are great and i love it. I had to pay extra shipping since i live in India, but its worth it.

I am used to commuting time. The size of the room even taking lunch, the tablet PC in addition to the work clothes. I feel relieved to some rain because it is waterproof. The only complaint is that the shipping is high that it is buying from Japan.

Created this bag hoping that it would turn out well. I could not be happier with the end result! I love the size and the colors that I chose. When you create your own custom bag, you really get to have fun with combinations of colors, textures, and styles. You can not go wrong with Timbuk2. They have the reputation of being awesome.

I have severe hip arthritis and now use a cane. My bag has no dividers, pockets, ... It is just a big bag I can carry with the strap across my body in which I put other bags. Mine is simple black. Now I have my cane on my left side and my bag on my right side. My right had is free to open doors. I have better balance. It works great. PS: If I am carrying prepared food and the container leaks, the mess stays in the bag -- sort of the opposite of rain protection.

Absolutely love this bag! Always looking for something that is stylish AND roomy without being bulky. This bag does it all!

I use my messenger bag daily for work and travel. It holds my Ultrabook and iPad with room to spare. I liked the option of building my own to get the color combination I was looking for. A word of advice - if you do travel often and have to remove your laptop from your bag, you may want to consider the TSA friendly version.

Inside water bottle pocket not big enough for a water bottle but perfect sleeve to keep my sunglasses from getting crushed.

The bag was customized to look like the German flag since my husband is a German teacher. It turned out better than we thought. It was perfect and he was excited to receive it.

Perfect office commute bag, room for lunch, laptop, paperwork, both mobile phones and personal stuff! Looks great and as it's custom designed it's also individual. If there was anything I would change, the inside pocket on the front could be a little larger ( or I could carry less stuff!). Arrived much quicker than I expected as well.

My daughter is heading into middle school next year, and I wanted to get her a new school bag. The 'design your own bag' option is perfect. She got to spend time looking at all the options and got what she wanted. I know that TIMBUK2's quality is superior (I have many bags myself), and that this bag will last and last.

I love being able to have a all stylish and professional messenger bag/ brief case type bag that makes me more professional by day and more visible on my bike or even as a pedestrian at night. I give this bag 5 stars. There is always room for improvement, but not much on this bag! I've owned other quality messenger bags and this is the best one I've found

Exactly how I ordered it, exactly what they said I would get. I went for a custom large and thought it would take a while to construct and deliver. It was surreal how fast it arrived at my apartment. It felt like I ordered late at night and it showed up the next day.

So far I've used my bag for my books, mp3, phone and such. I carried a thermos of soup around one day and that worked really well, too. I love all the various little pockets and compartments, I got the littler laptop divider in the back and while I haven't used it with one yet, it works really well for floppier stuff like one subject note books and magazines. I also really like the little slider thingy on the strap (sorry, I don't know what to call it) that lengthens and shortens it quickly. It's really small, easy to use and comfy. All and all I love my bag very much. :)

I use this bag daily as I commute back and forth to school and work on my bicycle. I have the medium, custom messenger bag and am very pleased. it is comfortable and spacious (sometimes too spacious and I put too much stuff in it which can really weigh down on my shoulder the strap crosses.) It took some getting use to with using all the options on the bag, so give it ac couple days before you decide how you feel. All in all I'd say great bag, worth the purchase and would recommend to family and friends for sure.

I love this bag. There are so many uses and it fits a lot for the size that I purchased. I walk to work, and it fits my lunch and everything that I need plus my laptop. Also impressed with the material and how it's made. Highly recommend.

I wanted a distinct bag that was durable and fit my style. Using the customization feature, I was able to create a bag that is functional and embodies me.

This bag rocks! My previous timbuk 2 back has lasted me for over 10 years (and still looks/works great!). I wanted a smaller bag, though, so I ordered this one and absolutely love it. It's stylish, organized, and is easy to carry around.

The new Cam Lock Strap adjustment is awesome. It's quick to adjust fun to lock, and I can do it with one hand! I was first worried about the bag being too big (Bought the largest size), however, If you pack lightly the bag is not too bulk and is very light to carry even with a few things. It can also pack a decent amount for traveling, and the number of compartments make it great for gear and other things you'd like to put and place in specific locations. For extra storage, I totally recommend the Bag Silencers so you can use the full length of the D-clips, without the Velcro nuisance.