Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Large

I love my bag, however there are a couple of things you need to be aware of that I took for granted. When you customize your bag and DONT pick a strap pad color you don't get one at all. Pretty disappointing since when loaded it requires one. Also no bottle holders inside which are an option and not standard "in the custom bag" I would also suggest that you order the size carefully, I went with the large intending on using it for my daily commute but it's just not appropriate. It too big, awesome non the less for my business trips but I will buy another one (small) for daily use, with all the straps, pockets etc. PS I love the Napoleon pocket for travel documents without opening the bag.

I love the bag. I use it for work and when I travel. It's a great size. I love the product.

Still difficult to tell the final size of the bag...this one was the tiniest bit on the small size for my wife. Thankfully it's just big enough for what she needs, but if I had it to do all over again, I'd get one size bigger.

The tab on the zippers didn't last very long. I replaced mine with nylon parachute cord. Now they work well.

I am a college student (again) and haven't managed to blow out this bag with all of my books, computer and other stuff needed for class. Trust me, I pack this bag full and it is holding out just fine. The adjustable strap is quick to adjust and holds quite well, the bag itself has a lot of internal room for large textbooks and binders and I really like the fact that this bag is made in the U.S. The only con I have is that the internal water bottle holder is too small in diameter, if it would hold a standard Nalgene bottle this bag would be perfect. Buy this bag, it is worth it!

Comparison to previous model: - strap is too thin (cutting/theft prevention) and looks flimsy - i liked the larger Inside bags - the side bits were straight/level and now the sides are higher and get bent. + bottle holder + nice mAterial + Foto Insert (however, Zipper is unnecessary) for "small equipment" (large needs separate bag I Hope the reflecting cord is durable and doesn't tear off.. Thanks!

I use this bag for all of my every day carry items. I purchased the small messenger since I knew it would hold my essentials. I enjoyed creating the bag with colors that appealed to me, the option of adding the laptop attachment as well as the bottle holders made me feel like I had a unique bag. I love how there are many pockets for organization without sacrificing room. I was only disappointed when I realized that the bag didn't come with a strap with padding. I understood that there was an option for a nice thick shoulder pad, but I assumed that they at least came with a generic one. Still, I am quite pleased with my purchase and recommended the product to my girlfriend. Not only did she purchase one, but her mother and sister as well. Timbuk 2 should send me a padded strap as commission for the business I sent their way.

Excellent bag, wish the changes were listed--and/or there were options if you would like more compartments, but overall very happy with the bag.

I love this bag, it's great, it's practical, but... I designed this bag to be as elegant as possible given its general shape. I chose some polka dots on the outside and so decided to chose the polka dot option inside. I was hugely dissapointed. It looks way too plasticy. From the computer screen it looked like it was polyester fabric, not shiny plastic. Plus the edge of the dots is not sharp, giving it a slopy look. My other complaint is about the width of the shoulder strap. I understand that the width gets larger with a larger size bag. But on the medium size I have, it is very large and I find it not elegant or feminin. Then since it is a larger bag with a larger width, the straps underneath the bag to collapse it are long. So unless your bag is full, a large piece of strap dangles and I find it untidy. Maybe have the strap in velcro?

I have had a Timbuk2 bag since I graduate high school and received it as a gift. Back then, I wasn't much of a biker, but I thought the bag was cool, and I used it throughout my college experience. It's been almost five years since I received that bag, and I've often thought of getting another, just because I want to customize it. My 22nd birthday seemed like a great excuse to finally pull the trigger. I was having trouble deciding on fabrics, and the great guys at Timbuk2 sent me some swatches of fabrics that I was considering, and it really helped me make my decision. I use this medium sized bag for biking to and from school. I pack my laptop, my clothes for the day, my lunch, my various notebooks, and the little things I bring every day. It handles it all without looking bulky or weird, and without messing with my balance while biking. I've since stopped biking to school, but this bag is still with me wherever I go. It's a wonderful bag. The improvements that have been made to this model when compared to my old one are great. I was incredibly surprised at how light it is, even though it doesn't feel any less durable. I like the way the bag is shaped now, it's a little bit deeper and things don't spill out as easily. The organizer pocket is improved, it's more out of the way and I can fit more in this bag than in the same size of an older model, even with the new laptop sleeve that I now have. I use the sleeve for folders and papers, as well as my 15" macbook pro, and everything is securely out of the way of the other, bulkier items I bring, like my blender bottle and my lunch. There are a couple of issues that I've encountered, but they're minor. The buckle that I had on my old bag was a lot more cumbersome to tighten than this one is. However, the way this buckle moves along the strap makes it easy to catch and unfasten, sending the bag sailing downwards until it catches with a jolt on my shoulder. This has happened a couple times now, and I think now that I'm aware of what I'm doing, it won't happen as often. The strap is overall improved, though. The other issue I have with it is how small the internal water bottle pockets are. They can barely hold a standard 16oz store-bought disposable water bottle. My 24oz contigo bottle has NO chance of fitting. It's fine, as I end up using the pockets to hold lotion, packs of gum, and my sunglasses, but I would have liked an actual useable water bottle pocket. The bag is well crafted, well thought out, and overall, the improvements are great. The strap is thinner, comfier, and easier to adjust. The pockets are less droopy and more efficient. The clasps for the lid are hidden, giving the bag a sleeker appearance. It's a fantastic bag, and I recommend it to all of my friends.

I waited to write this review because I was quick to dislike all of the changes at first and suspected I was just being resistant to change. That turned out to be mostly the case. Some I have grown to like, some I am still befuddled by. I should preface this review with the fact that I am a longtime customer and still have a bag I bought close to 20 years ago. Appearance - It is a beautiful bag. I love that the colors are customizable and that no one else will have a bag quite like mine (or at least my chances of running into them are slim ;). Pockets - The pockets are ever mutating with Timbuk2 bags, and in this incarnation I do not particularly care for them. I know a few years back they tried tons of pockets (pockets on top of pockets) and that was overkill, but now we are back to too few. Primarily, I miss the inner bag-width zippered pocket (with more pockets inside) very much. I also liked the key clip on the inside of the bag - the outer pocket it is in now is too small for bulky keys. On the other hand, I am smitten by the improvements to the optional laptop pocket. It is well padded and has a nice extra pocket for books. I also got the optional side pockets which are supposedly for water bottles. It's tough to put anything in these as they are small and so far down in a large bag that you have to dig around. Still, I think they will come in handy. Durability - I'm not sure. It does seem like the custom fabric (with a pattern) may wear faster, but hopefully not. The bag is much lighter than my others which at first bothered me, but I have come to appreciate it. All of my others bags have stood the test of time, so I suspect this one will as well. Size - Okay this may be all in my head, but this bag seems a bit smaller than my other large bag. The flap doesn't come as far down. I attached some pictures to illustrate this. Still, it is capacious. Strap - I hated this at first. It seemed way too slippery and just not as rugged as the old ones. But I have come around to really liking how much more comfortable it is. It doesn't get stuck on my clothes as much either. I do wonder about the cinch being less "cinch-y" and secure, but I haven't had any real problem yet. Other - Missing D rings for cross straps. I never really used this function, but I know a lot of fellow cyclists who liked it a lot. You can now cinch the straps on the bag if you don't have a lot of stuff in it. I always have a lot of stuff, but this still seems like a nice feature. Customer Service - Impeccable. I had a small problem with stitching and I could not have imagined a quicker and more satisfying response. So overall - as always an awesome bag.

This is a great bag that I use for school and work. My only regret is not selecting for a slash pocket in the main compartment to add a bit more structure and another stow for documents. Overall a great bag.

I love Timbukt2 products. I have several sleeves for my electronics - my nook, netbook, iPad mini, other small electronic devices. The sleeves are durable, stylish and well-made. Some I have customized and others I have chosen their colors. I receive many compliments about them. I recently customized a messenger bag. I actually wanted the NY map messenger bag but, unfortunately, it was no longer offered. I wasn't certain that a messenger bag was my style but ordered anyway. I am still not convinced it is for me but the bag quality is unparalleled and it is a very handsome bag. I would suggest that you order ballistic material and steer away from the specialized materials, I don't find them as durable. I also regret not customizing a grab handle for easy, quick portability. Timbukt2 is the best

This is my first Timbuk2 bag. Can't believe I didn't find these sooner! I've been looking for a camera bag that's not a camera bag. Most camera bags are usually (A) black, (B) heavy, and/or (C) bulky. Obviously most camera bags are marketed at men who don't want anything purse-like. Camera bags for women tend to look like leather purses but they're big, heavy, and expensive. No thanks. I prefer a messenger cross-body style that molds to my hip and doesn't bounce around. For my purposes, the XS Messenger is just about perfect. I usually carry one or two small mirrorless cameras (Fujifilm XT1 + 18-55 and X100s), plus my wallet, spare batteries, and other misc. things. There is room in this bag for these items and more. I don't bother with camera inserts (heavy/bulky) and instead create my own using a folded padded bottom and regular camera bag dividers. My solution is low tech but helps keep the bag light and molded to my hip. The custom colors are really nice. They look exactly like the online mockup. Having a calibrated monitor helps with accurate colors, I think. A couple things I don't like: --the dangly straps under the flap. I don't see myself ever using these and...well...I cut them off. Many apologies to the person who sewed these on. --The massive amount of velcro is great for security but makes the bag loud and difficult to open. I ordered silencers and expect these will solve the problem. --The bag is a bit expensive, but for something hand-made in the US, it's a price I'm willing to pay. There are a few things I'll do different next time: --I wasn't paying attention to the left/right-hand strap question. I'm right-handed and naturally ordered the right-hand strap. It wasn't until I read the description (after ordering the bag) that I realized I should've ordered the left-hand strap because I wear my bag over my right shoulder and against my left hip. I don't expect to adjust the strap that often so I can live with this. --The bag is small and light enough to not warrant the shoulder strap. Maybe I'll use for a bigger bag in the future.

I have a lot to say here so please bare with me and you may have some good insight as to why you should choose to purchase your custom bag. I should first point out that my current bag is a warranty replacement for my first bag that I ordered in 2012. It's a bit complicated why I love my bag given that the first one failed and the second one is already showing signs of wear after only 2 weeks of use. So I will try my best to explain objectively as possible It should be noted that the bags are constructed with a remarkable degree of craftsmanship given the nearly limitless custom combinations that you can choose. My experience has been that most failures seem to be associated with the specialty fabrics vs. the old Ballistic Nylon or the current Cordura fabrics. This is likely out of Timbuk2's hands as they do not manufacture the material, however any buyer should be aware that the specialty fabrics likely should be taken for vanity purposes only and not count on them to be 100% dependable or durable. My previous bag was a Medium Sized Custom Laptop Messenger with grey wool side panels and a green middle ballistic nylon center panel. I loved the bag, but was very disappointed when I noticed after about a year of use that the wool on the back side began to wear holes and separate at the seams. This was at a crucial point where the fabric comes in contact with my back. Given that I walk many miles in a day for work, the wool just could not hold out to the constant motion and friction. However I saw that the Ballistic Nylon did not wear in anyway so there was hope. It took me another 6 months to finally separate with the bag and file a warranty claim. The warranty claim was AMAZING! I live internationally so I sent the bag via certified air mail and with in 3 days I received a notice from Timbuk2 that they had reviewed my claim and promptly credited me the cost of the bag and shipping (though I had to ask later for shipping reimbursement). I couldn't ask for more on this process. I then promptly ordered my replacement bag, this time going with a Medium Classic Messenger with a padded separator, Dark Brown Cordura side panels and a Summer Stripe Grey Center panel. I loved the look of both of my bags, however I noticed after 2 weeks of use on my new bag, I began to see the wear signs on the specialty fabric center panel that I saw with the wool panel. Fortunately no holes but the little balls of fabric lint that are unique to friction wear. Now having had the 2012 model and the latest model there are some differences that I like and others that seem a little disappointing. First, the napoleon pocked on the outside has been significantly reduced inside and instead of three horizontal pockets there is only one. Also the internal organizer is smaller and lacks the number of pockets it had compared to before. As for the color issue - I did find that the cordura fabric colors are not accurately depicted on the customizer feature as they seem to have a bit more shine when seen in real life. the Brown fabric doesn't fully match the brown binding I selected. But for me this wasn't an issue as I felt the color was far better in reality then it is on the computer screen. But you should be aware of this if you are keen on color matching. The strap and the cross body strap are clearly made with thinner material which has a tendency to bunch and twist easily, especially when the bag is mostly empty. However, this is not that big of a concern as I have found the new material to be exceptionally comfortable even when I am not using my shoulder pad. It remains to be seen if this is as durable as the original straps, but I imagine it will last just fine. The new quick release is also very convenient and simple and the under flap connections offer a better look and added feeling of security. Also the Cordura fabric feels much better than the old ballistic nylon. Summary - You must understand there is a risk in adding the specialty design fabric to the custom messanger bags as they do appear to be too thin to handle regular daily use, however if you are aiming for good looks then it's worth the risk as Timbuk2 has your back on the warranty and they have proven to be very honest, quick to handle warranty claim. If you are ok with the Cordura fabric, by all means go for it! The Cordura feels great and has not shown any problems handling daily abuse. I flat out love my bag and so long as Timbuk2 continues to honor warranty's like they do I am willing to keep buying new bags from them in the future.

I bought this bag for a trip to Thailand. It worked wonderfully as my carry-on as well as my day bag while out in the city and on hikes. I have a few comments that can not really be called "cons" but may help with design improvements or choosing a fabric. I chose the Waterproof Tarpaulin fabric because I was going to be using it for travel to a place that rains. This fabric was VERY sweaty against my skin while walking in the humid climate and I realized it was probably unnecessary because the interior liner is already TPU waterproof. Something that I found a little disappointing was the size of the water bottle holders. I realize this is a bit of a personal issue but I had figured they would be large or stretchy enough to accommodate my (albeit a rather large, 40oz) Kleen Kanteen, but there was really no way this was possible. Perhaps the biggest complaint I have was that the Internal Slash Pocket didn't have some sort of latching mechanism, the pocket would sag open and I would unintentionally place other object in, defeating the purpose of the pocket and wrinkling my travel papers. Overall I find it QUITE FABULOUS and it (of course) works great for when I go out around town on my bike. Thank You!

I really love this bag BUT when I ordered the additional "grab handle" on the top of the bag, I thought it would be on the top of the bag. Unfortunately it is more in the middle on the back of the bag so that makes it impossible to quickly grab it because it is not in a convenient spot. Other than that it's great!

My last custom messenger of this size was in 2009 or 2010 and I was used to the wider shoulder strap and larger strap closures. This new bag has a stream lined look and it looks a little less clunky but I'm a bit worried that the thinner shoulder strap won't be as strong. (Also, my old bag's strap pad doesn't fit this one, so I need to order a padded strap for the new bag) I LOVE my 3 custom Timbuk2 bags but do wish that they'd kept the more classic styling from a few years back. Absolutely LOVE the custom fabrics and they've spoiled me from just buying a ready made bag. :)

I use this as my everyday work bag and I love it. I realize I should have gone one size up. I thought it was going to be big enough, but didn't realize how much stuff I carry on a daily basis and could use the next size. But other than my misjudgement of sizing, I really like the bag and love that I designed it.

Good quality bag. Spacious for a M size bag but the strap was abit too flimsy (would like thicker and harder strap quality). would like the strap pad to have more cushion. Else, it is a perfect bag. =)

This is my first ever Timbuk2 bag. I ordered the Large Classic Messenger bag to use as a diaper bag because most "higher-end" diaper bags are cheaply made, overpriced, small but bulky, and frankly, just not my style. Unfortunately the Timbuk2 Diaper Bags are not customizable, and I definitely wanted the custom fabric, so I chose the messenger bag instead. The custom fabric is absolutely beautiful! I get MANY compliments on it. People say they've never seen such a bag. The bag is well made and I can tell it will hold up for some years to come. However, the custom fabric I chose seems a bit thin, so I cannot yet attest to how it will hold up. The inside is roomy and the laptop pocket is awesome. The Large size is a bit big for everyday diaper bag use, so I often end up throwing my entire purse in there as well! But I like having the extra space because we take a lot of weekend trips and I definitely need that extra space when we travel. It hangs nicely on the handle of our jogging stroller. All that great stuff being said, I am sorely disappointed at the size of the inside bottle holders. The elastic at the top of the holder is so tight that it takes quite some effort to get even a narrow bottle in there, and forget about a wider bottle, like a bottle of soda, because the overall size is just way too narrow. At the size they are, honestly, they're kind of useless. I even tried a metal water bottle like the one in the picture....it will NOT fit. I would rather have a larger, looser holder that can be cinched w/ a toggle clip to fit the size of the bottle. Considering the price of this bag, and that I had to pay extra for the bottle holders, this is a pretty big disappointment. The only other thing that is a negative for me is that the outside Grab Strap seems much too small for such a large bag. It's probably a great fit for the Small or Medium bags, but should be made larger for the Large bag.

Great bag as usual, but the more sturdy shoulder strap should be an option.

I recently added a review for the custom large messenger I purchased and this is for a custom medium messenger and while I do love this brand, the recent changes are a little disappointing. As I mentioned in the previous review, the strap has changed. I prefer the heavier strap and cam on the older bags I have and still carry. After receiving this bag I also noticed that the stitching is only single where on my older bags they are all double stitched. Seems now they are less about bike messengers and mostly for the masses. Hopefully these changes have been well tested and these bags will last as well as my originals.

perfect size for commuting on bart,can throw my chromebook, a sweatshirt and apron for work and i am ready to go. Took a while to figure out the cam buckle but got it down now. Added the h20 bottle holder is it was a total waste of money.Besides that I love the bag cant wait for my next one

1st custom order and I love my new bag. I started carrying Timbuk2 bags almost 15 years when I lived in NYC and DC. The only thing immediately noticeable is that the strap and cam has changed. I'm sure it has been well tested, and I do hope it lasts as well as my original that I still carry and continues to look great!! I am sure I will add another to my growing collection!!!