Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Large

The forest green on the website is quite a bit different than on the customizer website (on the website there's a bit more blue in it and appears deeper and more vibrant)

Bag was sturdy, light and well designed however stitching for one of the buckles was not done properly and it arrived undone.

The bag is solid, but I was unaware that it didn't come with any strap pad at all. When the bag is loaded the strap definitely digs into your shoulder. There is an option to purchase a "custom" strap pad for an extra $20, I assumed that at least a basic strap pad was included and that was an upgrade, but not so. Not including a strap pad feels akin to selling a backpack and charging extra for padding on the straps, I wish they just raised the price by $20 and included everything you need to actually carry a loaded bag.

The bag is great and well designed. The shoulder strap is tool narrow for the size of the bag.

Long time Timbuk2 owner/customer. Finally wanted to replace my large Classic Messenger Bag after about 8 years. In order to purchase a large Messenger you now need to build as a custom bag, which was an easy process. Everything about the bag was great once it arrived BUT the shoulder strap. The material that is now used to build the shoulder strap is much thinner, cheap...for me a definite downgrade in quality. The strap is so thin it has no body and I worry that within a year it will need to be replaced. Disappointing really.

Used daily for stuff and a laptop and or iPad. This is my fourth Timbuk 2 bag over the years. I miss the heavier strap that used to come on the bags and would have gladly chosen it if it were an option on the build. I have three older bags with the stiffer strap and they're much easier to live with every day. The newer bags are a minor annoyance every time you go to put one on because the softer strap always gets buried beneath the bag or gets tangled easily. The adjustment buckle is too easy to open as well. The waterproof inner liner shows wear very quickly where as my 20 year old bag looked awesome for years. Also, the attachment points for the main straps very quickly show stress with exposed threads between the strap mount and the bag, something that's never happened on my original bag. Going mainstream has cost these bags somewhat on longevity and usability but the colors are nice.

It had been over 10 years since my last Timbuk2 messenger bag purchase and let's just say it's not as user friendly as my old one. The "slide lock" comes loose when there's more weight and often when I'm tightening the side strap. I would rather have the belt buckle to adjust. I opted to add the water bottle holders but they're too small for my bottle so now that's just bunched up in the corner. Basically it's a lot to adjust to. If someone was getting this without ever trying other styles of Timbuk2 bags, they'll probably have fewer qualms.

wanted a large size messenger bag. have a medium one that has been used DAILY FOR YEARS and it shows minimal wear. new one is certainly nice in its own right, but not the quality of my old one. strap is thinner/easily twisted. i prefer how the old one's buckles were not hidden under the flap. This will do but hate that quality is lesser wish there was a size of medium+ (halfway between the medium and large) large is pretty big.

This is my third Timbuk2 in 15 years. The first lasted 8 years, the second 6, and this new one will, I hope last at least as long. It's really disappointing, though, how all the internal pockets and dividers are gone, as well as the two smaller front zip pockets. If the fabric on my old one weren't disintegrating, I'd just keep using it. I'm bummed that the organization and security I expect from a Timbuk2 isn't there anymore. I'm not sure I'd recommend it as highly anymore, you could probably find something more functional elsewhere, but it wouldn't look as good or let you choose the fabrics.

I use the product as my everyday purse. What I was very disappointed in was there was only one small pocket in front with a zipper which does not fit very much. It needs a larger zipped pocket inside for you to secure your wallet or your phone. It could also use a pocket in the back outside to put paper, pad, notes that do not have to be secured. I have always liked the the materials, the sturdiness of Timbuktu products, but i was pretty disappointed in the lack of the zipper pockets inside for security purposes.

the quality of this bag is disappointing - the fabric options/patterns are limited. the different fabric colors and patterns for customized bags used to be interesting and changed often. Since T2 has been purchased, those options are limited. I chose a reflective material for the center and it is shimmery, from the disco era. The bag arrived with spots on it that I am not able to remove - they are small so it is not worth my time and energy to deal with T2 customer service, which is pretty limited. In this version of the bag, the outside band or loop to be used for mounting the bag on a luggage handle is gone. It was one of the best features of the bag. The water bottle holder inside the bag are too small for most water bottles so it is pretty useless. Also, there used to be fabric options/patterns to customize the interior of the bag. I chose a light pattern fabric so I could easily find things. Now it is just black, making it harder to see/find what is inside the bag. Overall, pretty disappointed and likely my last T2 purchase ever.

I use this bag for my long commute, and overall find it very functional. The main issue I have is that the strap adjuster frequently comes loose and the strap will extend unexpectedly, requiring immediate readjustment. Otherwise the bag is sturdy and well constructed except for this one component.

Works as designed. Grab handle needs to be changed to a higher location to offset the weight when you pick it up.

It's my day to day work bag. It has the right pockets and configuration I need. Great colour options however the shoulder strap and the buckle/clips are not as robust as the older style. The buckle comes undone easily and way too often. (My old timbuk2 bag's buckle never came undone by itself in my 15 years of using it). The straps, much to my disappointment have been downgraded to a less firm material therefore it's twisting a lot and due to its softness, it has quite possibly caused the buckle to keep coming undone. Was very happy with my old version of the bag but my new one is a 6 out of 10 replacement, sadly.

Love the colors and look but the shoulder strap should have the clip swivel instead of being sewn straight on so it lays better. It gets all bent up and twisted. I don't think it will wear welland I miss the older liner fabric. The bag is stiff. Please bring back the fun patterned fabrics :).

Having been a big timbuk2 fan since 95, the new inner pocket sizes are a step back and need sorting out. Too small 4 a wallet and the pencil sized holders are in the wrong place, they should be on the outer pocket where they were before.

This is a replacement bag for an earlier custom courier. This new bag matches same size but some materials appear different -nylon/plastic buckles on bottom of bag are smaller and the webbing straps smaller, lighter weight -shoulder strap webbing not as wide and lighter weight It all appears to be working, I'm just not yet use to the lite-duty feel. If I had a choice I'd pay for more heavy duty webbing I did add the handle, very helpful

I really like this bag and it's great to have a distinctive one, but I was pretty miffed to have to pay an extra 30 import duty charge when it arrived in the UK. If you're ordering internationally, bear that in mind.

A big part of the reason I bought a custom bag was to have two water bottle pockets in the interior. I got this bag to use for hiking around with my child this summer, so . For this reason I also splurged on the padded strap cushion. Before I go into why I regret my choices, here's what I do like: This bag fits a TON of stuff. I can fit three lightweight coats, my phone, water bottles, snacks, diabetic kit, and a small book without any problem. I wanted a bag that would let me be prepared for anything while out and about, and this bag fulfills that requirement. The padded strap cushion is really very nice. I went with a messenger bag for hiking because I wanted to be able to access things while I'm walking, and a lot of messenger bags cut into your shoulder once you load them up. The pad prevents this. I love how easy it is to adjust the strap length! Probably the bag's best, most thoughtful feature. But. I really regret going custom without checking out the pockets first. You don't actually get two water bottle pockets. Maybe I read the description wrong, but that's what it looked like I was getting. You get one wide mesh one for the bottle (presumably) and one fine mesh one for whatever else. The water bottle pocket is too small to use easily with our reusable water bottles. They fit if I manage to stretch the elastic just right and then slide in the bottle. So I basically have to stop everything so I can get them back in the bag. Because the fit is so tight, the pocket doesn't let the bottle rest on the bottom of the bag, so the bottle sticks out unless I position the flap just right. Also, major disappointment with the strap pad: it doesn't stay in place. I'm constantly adjusting to keep the bag in comfortable position. The strap just slides through. There should be some friction to prevent this. I thought I'd also use this for biking, but I don't want to worry constantly about the bag shifting. Really wanted to love this bag, but now I'm just making do

The bag is good quality, however it is too small. I bought it without any worries because the web site says free shipping and returns. When I tried to return it, I learned that because I chose the colors on the bag, I could not return it. Beware of this!

I bought my first messenger bag back in 2005 for college. It got me through engineering school and some. Then the inside liner started to break down so after 15 years I figured it was time to replace it. My new bag appears to be made of the same materials so I expect it to last as long. However, I miss the larger inner compartments of my old bag. It might seem petty but the large pocket in the newer bag is smaller. I also feel the other smaller pockets in the new bag are less practical. Plus there is no place to put your name card. I will say the internal cup holders will come in handy but I just wish they had not changed the inner pockets.

Love the bag, contemplating ordering another but maybe a different style? The medium is a little large for travel when all I am really carrying is an IPad and a Chromebook with the needed accessories. I was originally concerned the small would be too small after seeing in a local store how big the large bag was. More than a little disappointed with the flap not covering the opening. Being in Seattle and wanting to use the bag for travel/work related it will be filled with electronics, the puffy sides being open look like a rain catcher to me. Also thinking I will need to be careful that stuff is going to fall out of the top if I don't keep it upright. Maybe I can find a shop to add a zipper or something. That is the only design issue I see, everything else is really well done. Uploaded a picture to show the opening.

If you're looking for a daily driver, don't buy the large bag. This thing is absolutely enormous. I could pack for a three day weekend with this thing. I bought the large to accommodate my 16" MacBook Pro. It definitely fits. It and 6 or 7 of its friends. And their friends too. I'd be returning it if it weren't a custom bag. Other than the absurd size, the bag is well made and the materials are excellent. The handle on the bag is in a weird spot. Not quite along the top seam which makes it awkward to carry.

It looks like a nice bag - seems sturdy, pockets make sense, roomy, etc. I'm giving it to my husband for Xmas so not sure, but I think he'll like it. My complaint is the color - I bought 'gun metal' that I expected to be a dark gray, and looks like a dark gray on the website, but it's actually a dark brown, which I don't love and I don't think my husband will love.

Was looking for a small bag to hold 1-2 books, pens, glasses, etc. for school, and didn't want a full size messenger. Unfortunately, the XS wasn't it for me. It's wide enough to fit my binder, just not deep. It's shaped more like a lunch bag than a messenger (stout with a short flap). Anyway, it is very well made, and I'm sure I'll find some use for it. Still carrying my books as the quest continues :)