Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Large

I had my last Timbuk2 bag for 15 years. I like everything about my new one except that the zippered pocket on the front inside isn't as big as in my last bag and the one thing that I find truly annoying, namely, that the clip that holds the size of the strap often easily comes undone, as opposed to my last bag where, when I set it it would stay. I wish you all had stayed with the old clips. Other than that, it's great!

This is a replacement bag for my 12yo custom bag. The old bag is actually still going strong, I just passed it down to my 13yo kiddo. My take on this bag is that overall it's a good bag!! It's mostly as I had expected! The few cons for me are that first, I don't like the thinner softer strap. I loved the sturdy strap of my old bag much better. Second, the adjustment latch on the strap just does not hold once locked down. It's annoying, but since it has a small grab strap on it making it easier when I want to control adjusments, I will get over it. Third, the velcro on the flap is too weak. I cannot pick up the bag by the grab handle without it buckled or the velcro will instantly peel open practically dumping my stuff all over. This happens even with just a few things in my bag like a waterbottle, wallet, keys, sweater, and bike helmet. The other materials of the bag and the fabrication is of the high quality I have always experienced with Timbuk2 products. I would still recommend this bag, but I don't love it as much as my old one.

I love timbuk2 bags! I use this bag everyday, hauling groceries for events, weekend photography jaunts and have stuffed this bag with many oddities from the beach. I have had bags already and each one has a break in period ,like a pair of brand new Levi's. Once they are broken in the bag is awesome! The down side is the shoulder strap is not at all heavy duty. It's a less then desirable when I have a full load. It twists around way to easily. The webbbing on my last bag was much better and I miss that quality in this new bag.

This is the 4th timbuk2 bag that I've bought in the past 6 months.....i love them!

Change the strap attachment location to be the same as your catapult sling version (i.e. on the back of the bag instead of on the sides) and it would be perfect. Right now, I am switching between the two on a weekly basis trying to decide which I like better. Check my catapult sling review.

I use this bag to travel for work with my computer and many other items that I cary. Mostly AIRPLANE travel. It NEEDS the Middle back panel to have an opening on the top and bottom of the back so that it can slide over the Rollerboard carryon-!!!!!!!! I also used to have the Medium and its strap was soooooo much more sturdy and longer. I miss that a ton- You also do not have the clear business card pouch in the Small bag- I miss that too- I am a huge advocate of your company and/or bags- Don't get me wrong- I am also a fine tuner by nature and this bag needs a few tweaks!!

Timbuk 2 bags rock. They are amazing quality. I have owned MANY and plan to keep buying. Having said that there are some things I would like added to the classic messenger bag. Magnet clip bag closures like on the Timbuk2 Especial- so much easier to open and close then the two handed plastic buckles. I would also love a simple outside stash pocket- I always want to throw something in the bag without opening the main compartment. Maybe these could just be upgrades to the custom bags but still. Oh and the water bottle pocket is too small

The fabric and construction are fantastic and I love the extra pockets, of different size and orientation, in the front. As I am using this as my cycling commuter back every day, it is a bit large. If I had a full size lap top I needed to tote around, its size would be more relevant, but I was looking for something no bigger than the width of my back, and alas, this is not it. It does work well for when I need to bring athletic gear to ultimate frisbee games though.

I like this small bag for going to meetings or running administrative errands. The only trouble is it becomes covered with the lint from sweaters. Though easily cleaned with a bit of tape, it is a bit of a detraction.

I have a small sized bag but was looking to downsize a little bit for certain occasions (daily use/festival use). It holds my Nalgene bottle well and fits everything else I need. The only downfall is there is not front pocket on this size which is where I keep my cellphone (it fits perfectly and is easy to get to), but other than that I like it. The canvas material - I am not sure how to protect it from weather or beer, perhaps I will need to treat it somehow.

I love it. Roomy, durable, beautiful. The mesch bottle punch could be deeper. The strap length could be a little longer (I'm 6'2"). The inner compartiment could be larger (got the large bag).

I've had two T@ messengers, for the last 11 years - both have held up very well, and been my constant companions, on both local and long-distance trips. Generally, I use the medium-size bag around town, but on long-distance trips, the large size is absolutely necessary. the new bag has several re-designed details, which are all genuine improvements - with one exception: in my opinion, the new-spec interior pocket-panel is overly-simplified (compared to the previous design) - however, the outer pocket re-design is a real improvement, so 'on the balance', I'm very satisfied... I'm 6'1" tall / 240 lbs. - I just wish T2 made an 'XL' size messenger that was fully customizable...

I love the Timbuktu bags. I use a larger TSA approved bag regularly for work going on two years. I used an extra small messenger bag for a couple of years for weekend travel and general man bag needs, but it was too narrow for my computer and some european folders. Also the strap was too stiff. My new bag is a small and fits everything perfectly. I also appreciate the the strap is softer and easier to fold away when I go in to conference lectures or have to stow it away in church. The new bag has fewer pockets than the older bag which is a little disappointing for longer trips, but there are enough for day to day needs.

I've had a Timbuk2 bag before, so I knew that they hold up really well. The challenge, on the Web site, is figuring out which size is right. Also, the exchange process is NOT easy. It takes FOREVER. That said, if you can figure out what you want and you don't need to do an exchange (as I did), you will ultimately be satisfied with the product, which is thoughtfully made and built to last.

I got a custom, medium bag because none of the standard color options were bright enough to use for commuting by bicycle (I went with safety orange and reflective stuff), and as a replacement for the Especial Messenger that I received as a gift that was a bit too big. The medium is large enough for the things I need for work (planner, lunch, pens/pencils, a notebook, a sweatshirt or change of clothes, other various things), and I'm reasonably certain it'll fit my U-lock as well. Lots of pockets, and it holds my laptop no problem, though with less room for other things. It works well as a day-to-day bag, and I've used it as a carry-on as well. Downsides: The bag itself is kind of heavy. The elastic in one of the internal bottle holders doesn't have a lot of give in it, so you're limited in what you can put in it. (It works well for glasses cases, though, and I just use the other one for water bottles/travel mugs.) The option of a waist strap would be nice, since the sternum and shoulder straps really aren't enough to hold it in place if there's anything heavy in it...like a laptop or a U-lock. (At least, on a road bike, which is what I commute on.) The other big downside (and why I haven't actually used it on the bike yet) is that cam buckle. It feels cheap, and it doesn't seem to close firmly, and if you bump it or tug on the strap the wrong way, the bag drops, which would be a bit of a problem while biking home. It's particularly an issue when there's anything heavy/bulky in the bag--laptop, heavy sweater, U-lock, that kind of thing. I far prefer the more robust buckle on the Especial Messenger, which is sadly discontinued. Finally, my bag is < 6 months old (and has only been used daily for about 4 of those), and it's fraying around the seams. I'd understand it if it was the Velcro pulling at threads, but the hook side of the velcro is on the bag itself, where it can't do that. Bottom line is: Not a bad bag, but there's room for improvement

Let me start off by saying that I love my bag. I was able to customize what I wanted the inside and outside to look like, so it really does look like what I want my bag to appear as. It shows my style as well as being practical. The strap angle and sliding adjustment allows me to adjust quickly while commuting if I'm wearing a coat, if the area is cramped and I need to swivel it around, or if I'm walking and want it close to my back. The pocket inside is not against the back so that the laptop is not taking a constant beating from my hip or back, which has caused pressure points in my screen in the past, so this is an important feature that I enjoy in my current bag. The minimal compartments are a plus, so that I'm not looking in a million pockets for what I'm wanting. The durability and water resistance are something that I can't live without in my way of life. Living in a big city, I commute daily, so my bag takes a beating without me wanting it to and the waterproof aspect keeps my personal items protected. For the cons, which aren't really cons - more like growing points - The pockets that I paid to put in additionally for water bottles or something of the sort are not large enough for my water bottles - non of them. I put mints in that pocket. I can *shove* one water bottle in, but if I pull it out while walking or on the train, I'm not putting it back in without having to go through the effort of *shoving* it back in. Another pain point is the pockets in the front. There are minimal pockets on the inside and several pockets on the outside. The problem is that these pockets are over lapping one another and thus results in a bulky front of the bag or potentially dropping things since they won't fall inside my bag if they do fall - so I don't use those pockets for much. These would be better used inside. All in all, I love the bag and would recommend Timbuk2 to anyone that can afford the price.

Again, my only real complaint is that the belt buckles cannot be replaced and are difficult to open.

I own an classic messenger bag which is ca. ten years old. Good quality and practical design! The thing is that having used the new custom bag some weeks now, I feel that the old one is more practical than the new one. I refer specifically to the changed position of the two 'locks' - now they are 'under' the cover part and more difficult to reach than before, not an improvement. And the length of the straps on the locks are much too long, or can't be made shorter if I want to. For me that is also not an improvement. So, still happy with the bag and its quality I wonder why you guys decided that the mentioned design changes made it any better? If I had known these changes ahead I wouldn't have ordered a new one! Better leave the classic the classic by not trying to improve it. That's what makes it a classic, no?

I bought the bag to replace a canvas one that had worn out. It's roomy with several compartments / pockets. It's very substantial and well made. I like the water bottle pocket too. I would like a longer strap and a back pocket outside of the Velcro. Overall I'm very happy with the purchase.

The shipping and excises to Ireland in total cost more than the product that i paid for. Maybe allow for a different courier company to carry overseas from the States. The product is great maybe a reflective outline could come as standard around the flap, for your northern hemisphere customers such as the long hours of darkness.

These messenger bags are wonderful...comfortable, well constructed and high-quality, roomy without being too large or bulky. The only change that would be nice to see is slight cushioning for a laptop.

I have the Commute bag as well that I use for commuting but I use this for weekends and other times when I need a bag. It's a good size for me, not too big but holds all the basic stuff I need to carry. I love the color. It's actually my second bag like this so happy to get a new one.

really cool that you offer reflectiv fabrics; since pedestrians & cyclists are dressed all in black ... the kink of the flap is the first part that wears down to damage - in combination with the laptop compartment even more critical

I have always had a Timbuk2 bag for carrying my teaching supplies, project materials, and loads of paperwork and random items. The bags have been great and have lasted a long time. My newest bag has the best colors that have been offered. However, the bag feels too light. The bag doesn't stay 'stood up' on it's own. It wilts. The interior laptop pocket is too weakly attached to provide a clear separator when I need it. It's not enough to turn me off the bag but it is enough to dampen my enthusiastic recommendation.

This bag is a warranty replacement for a bag that I carried for 8 or 9 years. T2 's warranty can't be beat.