Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Large

This is my daily briefcase. It's my third Timbuk2 product, and the first one that disappointed me. What I carry fits in it, but just barely. Laptop fit is tight, and if I have a heavier than usual load of paperwork, it's bulging. More disappointing, however, is the quality of it. It's only two years old, yet several straps and some binding are fraying. I've sent it back to see if it will be repaired under the lifetime warranty, but I'm surprised that's even been necessary. My previous Timbuk2 bags were indestructible.

The bag is awesome. This was a replacement for my same eight year old Timbuk2 bag. I loved most of the updates, the lesser pockets is okay. But my one big issue is the grab handle. They moved in too far down and now it digs into my back. This is so crazy. I'm not sure if I got a lemon and someone made it too far down, but I'm not really thrilled

Colors are not as I expected. I didn't expect them to match the website exactly, but they weren't even close. Specifically, the "Carbon Gray" cordura is much darker and greener than it appears on the website. It's like a very dark army green. Also, the "army" colored binding is a much brighter green, not the dull olive that appears on the website. Fortunately the color combo I received still works OK and the bag looks nice, but it's not really what I ordered. There's also a serious design issue in that the velcro strap for securing the laptop sleeve is way too long, about 3" too long to be able to secure a 13" MacBook Pro, and I would expect too long for any 13" or smaller laptop. With the outer flap closed it's secure enough, but when you open the bag, the laptop sleeve opening sags forward obstructing access to the main compartment. I can fix this easily by sewing in some more velcro, but should I really have to be doing that? Otherwise, the quality is excellent, and functionally it's exactly what I need, so overall I'm happy with it.

I wonder about reviews sometimes if the proprietor will actually read them and take what the reviewer says under consideration. I don't write many reviews because I honestly don't have the time, but felt compelled to because I think the one flaw I've been dealing with needs to be pointed out. This is my second Custom Classic Messenger Bag, I still have my first and it served me incredibly well. I can't sing the first one's praises enough. The second bag is again well made and has held up well now for over a year, with one exception. The design change for the strap, in my opinion and from practical use, was very poorly executed. The material is not the robust thick material that was on my first bag, and the 'updated' clasp does not work well at all. It is constantly coming undone and invariably the bag will drop down past my waist. I am constantly having to readjust the strap and reset the clasp to get it to close, if you can really call it closed. It happened just shortly before I started writing this review, and once again I got so frustrated. I wonder why this got past QA/QC, because from an engineering standpoint it is a very poor design. There should have been some incorporation of plastic teeth on the underside of the clasp to hold onto the flat surface on the strap, instead the underside of the clasp is flat, and fails miserably in its function. When I ordered my first bag it took a while for me to get it, but when I did and used it for a good 11 years, I got more than my money's worth from it. I often wonder when a company grows, why some things get missed. Maybe they forget why they started the business in the first place, and corners start getting cut, both the customer and business suffer as a result. Forever the optimist, I hope that someone will read this and take this aspect of the bags construction into mind, and make the necessary changes. For now I am relegated to DIY'ing a solution to this problem.

This is my third classic messenger bag and to be honest, it's not as good as it once was. Overall build quality has dropped, the number of useful pockets has dropped, and the available colors are limited. Still a good bag, but not appreciably better than competitors. It used to be the best by a wide margin.

The material of the strap is thinner than in my older bags and the reason for twisting a lot. Annoying!

This is my third Timbuk2 Messenger bag, they have all changed slightly. This time was the first time I felt like it did not change for the better. The materials feel cheaper, the strap is thinner, the outer fabric is also thinner, the inner pockets also thinner and no soft padding.

I bought a small custom messenger bag in 2013 which I used everyday for work for 3 years. I got this bag(medium) just to change things up. Pros: Cool design/color/material Light weight Clean buckle set up Cons (compared to 2013 version): Less interior pockets Pockets are smaller despite a bigger bag Soft strap (I personally prefer the stiffer strap) Strap adjustment lock doesn't feel like it definitively locks Zippers feel cheaper - not as smooth as before Cheap handle feels flimsy Timbuk2 is still a great bag overall.

Un-ble to use due to short strap

My fourth bag - not because they wear out - but because I get to where I want new colors. And I always turn to Timbuk 2. But this bag - this generation of bag - has a flimsy shoulder strap that twists much more easily than previous straps. I find myself regularly working to untwist the strap.

commuting

A bit too large for me. Misjudged sizing.

Needs greater customizable interior flexibility. Needs interior large flapped or zippered pocket. Needs top flap grab handle or loop as it is difficult to lift while on car seat or office floor while closed.

I've had Timbuk2 bags for the last 17 years and have been blown away by the quality and durability of the product. My previous bags have been functional and BUILT TO LAST. My last bag went 10+ years of hard daily use (biking, traveling, commuting). Having just purchased a new bag, I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed by some of the changes and what seems to be a relaxing of the previous incredibly high quality standards. My concerns are around the strap (previously thick, tensile and wicked durable--now thin and flimsy with a cinch that doesn't stay cinched) and the fabric of the bag (previously thick and with incredible wear--now thin, getting caught in my velcro and already looking worn and tatty after just a month!). I love these bags, but am disappointed about some of the changes that I see with my newest bag.

i'm in search of the perfect bag and as a result have a closet full of them. This one is close, but not perfect. I think the reason is the inside laptop pocket is only attached on the ends and not attached to the bag body. The result is that it then falls or sags into the middle of the bag and gets in the way. (so close). I may try some velcro or something

In many ways this is a great bag. I had a custom classic messenger that I've used for years (I actually still use it as a showering bag at work.) I needed a bigger bag to use while bicycle commuting to work. It has to hold a work outfit, lunch, my laptop, tablet and assorted tech support stuff. Cords, chargers and such. The medium messenger was too small so I got this bag. I was glad to see a bottle holder inside, great for my Klean Kanteen when I get to work or where ever and pull it out of the bike rack. The one problem it has is that the webbing that holds the two bucks is unraveling. I've never seen such a thing on a Timbuk2 product. I'm living with it for now to see how bad it gets. This is the first non-five star rating I've ever given a Timbuk2 bag, and I've had at least a half a dozen different styles. You can't see the straps because the buckles are under the flap. The other straps don't seem to have this problem. IT's just shoddy materials and I'm surprised.

I love this bag and am happy with my design choices but I have two big issues. I paid extra to have water bottle pockets put in and they are so small that they will barely fit an opened, plastic bottle of water. I am also disappointed with the piece on the side that locks the strap length into place. It does not hold. It just pops out of the locked position as soon as you move. I feel like I splurged on this bag and because of these two issues, would not again.

Strap thickness was reduced from older versions. Likes to get twisted up. Have to fix once a day.

I bought a messenger bag many years ago online from Timbuck2 and it last through some rough use and heavy wear. When it finally started to show its age (almost 10 years later) I did not hesitate to return for a new one. The price is high and when you factor in shipping and duties when getting it to Canada it is stupid high. When it arrived I was disappoint dot see many small things that had changed and not for the better. The construction was less durable, the materials were flimsier and the size ( I bought the largest offered) was smaller than the original. Don't get me wrong, it is still a good bag, just not what they use to be. Given the very high cost, I won't be getting another one unless there is a .ca site created where duties are eliminated and shipping is much cheaper or free. It is just not worth it.

I had a medium for ten years...these bags last forever! Decided to get a new one and went large, but it's way, way too big. The online on-model examples need to be done from more angles. Now I'm stuck with an unusably large bag for my simple commute. Visit a retail store first if you can to examine the sizes in person.

My only complaint is that the shoulder strap (1 1/2" wide) seems disproportionate to the bag. A 2" width would be better. If I could replace it without ruining the bag, I would do so. Otherwise a great bag.

Guys, the old clamp and strap were much better. It could be used one handed and couldn't get creased or tangled. Don't call it the classic bag. Everything else is an improvement.

I'm a Para educator and need all my gear all the time. My schedule keeps me moving every 30 minutes or so. In class out to recess and back again for 6.5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Seattle weather changes on a dime.

The bag itself is roomy but heavy, add all your own items and it is very heavy. Too little bang for the price.

I selected the custom bag option and i do love the design and functionality of the bag, but it loses major points for shoddy construction. The bag's threading is already unraveling where the strap meets the bag.