Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Large

I saw a Timbuk2 xs messenger bag in a local store. I noticed it was the perfect size to carry my iPad and the rest of the stuff I normally carry with extra space for a few things I might pick up, but disliked the color combination. I went online and checked out standard Timbuk2 xs messengers but didn't find a combination that suited my particular tastes and style(over 30 business owner and mom). So I created my own. The extra expense is the only reason I don't give the bag 5 stars. If, like me, you aren't ready to compromise on appearance or function, and don't see a standard bag that's exactly what you want-this is the only way to go.

I love my Timbuk2 Classic Messenger bag! It is a beautiful bag which I foresee accompanying me on many an archiving adventure. My only complaint about the bag is that the colors I received and the colors displayed on the website are quite different. For example, I ordered the Cordura Raspberry fabric for my bag and expected a bright pink color. What I got was a deep pink almost red shade. If I had known this beforehand I probably would have chosen a different color.

I love this bag. It's fantastic and roomy enough to put my luch bag, wallet, small necessetie pouch, notebook and a pen case. HOWEVER, I wished it had a grip holder and the strap of the bag was longer. THis bag was quite short in strenghth and had to call TIMBUK2 customer care to send me more strap material so I could get it adjusted from a local seamtress. I like wearing the bag cross body its more comfortable and allow me to move wuickly better,but weaing this bag cross body is so uncomfortable that I have to advert back to my old back untill I can get the straps adjusted. All in all a great bag that I wish was a winner right out the package, but that is not the case I am going to have to spend additional money to get the some adjustments that I wish was offered from the customization process I had to the bag, before committing the order.

I use this bag for work. I use it to carry a 13" MacBook and a zippered folio along with chargers for laptop and phone. I still have room for additional thin items like a few magazines or folders. I have the small and had water bottle pouches added as options. I can't use them with my rather large folio...that's my fault for not getting a larger size.

I've only had it for a short time. Seems well made and I like the outcome of my custom design. They could trim the stitching a little neater but that's a small detail. It's a little bigger than I expected, those are the only reasons I didn't give it 5 stars. I would recommend this to anyone else.

I use the bag to carry my phone(s), tablet, wallet, etc... to and from work. It's a great size for that. My laptop (13.3 in) is slightly too wide to fit but that's ok. My only minor complaint is with the organizer pockets. They are kind of flimsy and there is no pen/pencil slots. My old timbuk2 bag had much nicer organizer pockets.

Lots of good with this bag. I got a small with the beaded reflective fabric + tan waxed canvas to carry a new MacBook Pro, after years with a smaller MBAir stuffed into a variety of bags. It's just the right size for a minimalist to get all I need for work. It is my everyday bag. NB: It's a little small for my international flights, where I like to sneak more snuff into the cabin. Winter revealed some drawbacks in the design. The small quick-release buckles cannot be accessed with a gloved hand. I have to take off my gloves to get in my bag. Likewise, the grab handle is a bit small to grab with gloves on. I really miss having big buckles on the outside. I am also not in love with the velcro. It's good for the street, not good for meetings where I have to reach in my bag with a loud noise. It would be nice to be able to purchase strips that fit on the velcro and thereby make it optional. Overall, a good bag in need of some tweaks. Please make larger buckles an option for those of us who don't have SF weather year round...

I bought this messenger bag because I needed something that I could fit my laptop into and some clothes for when I stay at my boyfriend's house. I initially thought a medium-sized bag would be ideal, but thanks to Timbuk2 I was able to enter the dimensions of my laptop and learn that I would need to purchase a large bag if I wanted my laptop to be able to fit inside. PROS: A) It's totally worth it to create a custom bag as I was able to select a laptop sleeve that would offer more protection than the regular classic messenger bag and it looks really cute! B) The bag is very roomy but I would have liked the option to add another sealed pocket or two just so that I don't have to worry about everything shifting around so much in the bag. C) The Napoleon pocket is handy to use when you need to access your cell phone, but I only feel safe with keeping my phone in this pocket when I am sitting with the bag on my lap. I am afraid that if someone is familiar with the design of this bag he or she could try to pickpocket me on a crowded bus or train while I am standing with the bag on my back. D) There's a strap that I found inside one of the inner, zippered pockets of the bag that can be used to secure the messenger bag to your body a bit better. It definitely made it easier to run to catch a bus without having to worry about the strap slipping off of my shoulder. CONS: A) I didn't select the "custom strap pad" option because I assumed that a regular, plain strap pad would come with the bag. But I was terribly wrong! I am a 5'3", 132 lb girl and when the bag is full it is HEAVY. I felt like the strap was cutting into my shoulder and after commuting with it on my back for a little over an hour I had red marks on my shoulder and back pain for the rest of the day. I highly recommend purchasing the Super Strap Pad along with this bag because if you use anything less than that you're going to have a bad day. It's still uncomfortable for me to use with the Super Strap Pad but it's a lot better than not having a strap pad at all. B) Timbuk2 thankfully tries to show you what this bag would look like on one who is a woman. I knew that this bag would be quite large on me, but I liked the design of it so much that I purchased it anyways. My complaint about the size is that I bump into people a lot because the bag is wide and it can cause difficulties for someone who is trying to fit onto a crowded MUNI bus or BART train. When I scan my Clipper card to enter the area to get to the BART trains I have to turn my back awkwardly so I can make it through the gate.

I love my bag..only think is when I ordered it I thought I ordered the extra side bottle holders internal and the extra back ipad dept for extra space. I guess I didn't. I really needed it in order to use it for work. Now I guess it will be for leisure. I also wish the strap was a lil bit longer so that I could wear it over a bulky jkt in cold weather and the fact that I am a plus sized individual. Otherwise I love the colors I selected and it is beautiful.

My only real complaint is that it's slightly smaller than the bag it's replaceing and the strap slips when locked. Otherwise it feels very solid with several interior pockets, and the laptop pouch feels very secure.

I use it daily to carry all my usual purse type items to and from work.

Great bag, but when fully loaded the top flap doesn't cover the black outer zipper/Napoleon pouch area. This takes away from the overall beauty of the bag. If the flap was 2-3 inches longer, this would be eliminated.

I am very happy with my bag, it came with everything I wanted to have. My favorite part is the quick adjust strap, it is very useful when running and you need to have the bag adjusted quickly to keep it from bouncing all over the place. The reflective materia is excellent. I will custom order another one when new materials come out or designs.

No

This is my 4th Messenger Bag. Obviously I love them. The extra-small is a little too small for carrying water bottle, iPad or Kindle and other "stuff". The small is perfect for all of that. I use a medium for a carry on bag when I fly. My new one I just received has a thinner strap than I am used to but it still does the job. What I miss though is the two extra zipper pockets under the flap! Where did they go???? So sad. All in all they are great sturdy bags that hold whatever you want, and can be crammed full when necessary without ruining the bag.

I gifted the commuter bag to my daughter who takes BART into the city several days a week. She loves the bag for its roominess and style but would like to have more interior pockets. She gave it 4/5 stars!

So I finally decided to upgrade from my messenger that was given to me for high school graduation (about 11 years ago...lol). It took me a while to spend the money, but I couldn't be more happy. I am a bike commuter....biking about 12-20 miles a day! And this bag has been excellent for that. Its also quite stylish, I get mad compliments...ohh, its one-of-a-kind, because I designed it! YAY!

N

I use my bag everyday going back and forth to my business. I like it a lot more than my old computer bag becuase I designed the colors myself and it's not as bulky as what I had before.

I needed a bag to hold clothing and equipment for a long day at work. It's great!

This bag provided ample space for daily stuff: glasses, sunglasses, book, GPS, wallet, and etc. I have been able to stop asking my wife to carry some of these things when out to dinner or for an evening. I have had Timbuk2 bags before. One persistent nit to pick is that the velcro closures are noisy to open in quiet company: in a classroom, restaurant, etc. I would be fine with buckles only or an alternative that your fine designers might be more likely to think of than I.

My daughter uses this bag for middle school. She has to carry several binders. We decided to try a cross body messenger bag to see if it worked better for her back than a back pack. I'm not sure it was the best choice for a high volume of books & binders, because it can be hard to take on and off if it is packed too heavy and if she's wearing a bulky winter coat, but I've not heard any complaints. The bag itself is of excellent quality and made of very durable material. She chose the custom option. The colors and printed fabric are true to what appears on the website and they work beautifully together! She is really pleased with the design. The stitching is tight, the velcro closures are strong and the strap is wide. Overall, an EXCELLENTLY made product. And I love that it is made in the United States.

This is my second timbuk2 bag, but my first custom one. I mainly use it for commuting. The divider is great in keeping my stuff organized and files from floating around in the big pocket. The water bottle holders are too small. I would recommend having size options and an option for a holder on one side of the bad instead of only on both sides. My biggest disappointment when I received the bag was that one of the color patterns I chose was lighter than I expected it to be from the sample I recived. When I compared it to the sample to the bag I realized that I must have been looking at the back side of the sample. The front of this sample was not labeled as some of the other samples were. Overall it is durable and customer to my style and needs.

Enjoyed designing the bag and am pleased that it was sewn in the USA. Would definitely buy another.

awesome!