Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Large

This is my third large customized laptop messenger bag, and while I appreciate certain changes to the design and construction (especially the new waxed canvas), I am quite disappointed by how much smaller (less storage volume) this is in comparison my previous two. I am not sure why the volume is smaller, but it definitely is. It might be that the straps now attach at the back, and limit how far the bag can stretch depthwise. I specifically buy the largest size because I need/want the space. But with this bag, I find that even without a laptop in the pocket I have a hard time putting even a small amount of things in the bag without having it spill over the top and have difficulty closing. I have a normal-sized lunch bag that had no problems fitting in my old bag that simply can't go between the laptop sleeve and the rest of the bag, so it sort of has to rest on top. I understand that changes to bags need to be made, but I was so surprised by how small the bag felt that I actually had to check and confirm that I got a large, including taking measurements.

Very good bag. I've had three or four different bags from Timbuk2, but this is the first in a few years and the strap has changed significantly. They used to be a little heavier duty and would fold on themselves. This strap is so light and small, when you go to sling it, it folds on itself and I have to keep adjusting it. Also, I'm tall (6'3" and change) and was surprised at how short the strap was. I have it extended all the way and its "ok", but my previous small bag and extra small bag both had longer straps that didn't fold. Oh well, it's a nice sized bag and works for hauling my stuff to and from the office and around town.

I use my bag kind of like a purse. It's got one spot great for cards on the inside and next to that is a great spot for cash that has a velcro flap. The XS is very spacious (at least for me) although the bag is TINY. I got the separator put in mine and I place my iPad Air in that spot which is the perfect size (it has a clam case on it). Pros: It's light weight and the strap system is pretty ingenious. Great design and aesthetic. Cons: The bag is light weight. Like REALLY light. It tends to look funny when I don't carry my iPad because the bag doesn't have enough weight to pull the strap down a bit. So when I walk around it almost looks like the bag is floating. Really kind of weird. There is a TON of velcro on this thing. Like way more then I expected. To open the flap you have a massive thing of velcro on the flap and two large pieces on the bag to keep the flap down. This can be an issue if there is little weight in the bag. This is one reason I always carry my iPad now. Finally, it offers the ability to use clips to keep it closed. however in combination with the velcro it's REALLY inconvenient to use the clips. Of course if you don't use them they dangle.....a lot. I ended up using a seam ripper and taking the clips off the bag (not the flap though) so that they are no longer dangling. Doing so left holes from the stitching in the canvas. Kind of sucks but I suppose it's the better of two evils. Conclusion: Great bag however, it's a bit too light. The clips are inconvenient and unsightly if you don't use them although this is probably made worse by the fact that I got the x-small instead of small or medium. Either way, I do recommend this bag regardless of price. The materials are fantastic and super durable.

The bag is nice and looks durable and roomy. The problem was that it was a custom bag and the wrong fabric was used for one panel. I could not get customer service on the phone (no one answers or you are instructed to leave a message for a call back and the message box is full). By the time they emailed me about the order it was 2 weeks later. I emailed pictures of the product as instructed and never heard back! This was a gift that I ended up giving since TIMBUK2 never responded to me. While the bag is nice, why should I pay custom prices for a bag that was not what I custom designed?

Panels were not placed as requested . Red panel not suppose to be placed in the middle . It's soups to be on the left

Strap way too short, asked customer support if I could order next bag with longer strap. promised response in 2 days, been 14 days and no response yet.

The bag was purchased to serve as a cross body bag while in travel. I can easily fit my Macbook Air with sleeve into the bag. The organization is good. The external wool cover is beautiful. What I truly hate is the cheap smelly vinyl lining - it will be the first thing to crack and wear out. I expected Timbuk2 to use a Ballistic Nylon lining like in the old days or at least 600D. The straps for the flap should be optional - they just get in the way. The velcro is more then sufficient to keep the flap closed. The shoulder strap could be a little thicker for longevity. Summary: The bag looks nice, but the plastic lining is a deal breaker.

The pictures on the website were not that helpful in determining what size I should have ordered.

I have a custom classic messenger that must be 12 years old. The straps and fabric are like new. This has been my daily bag for all those years. I'ts been used well. I wanted to update the look so I ordered another custom. The new custom bag arrived and looks good but right away I noticed that the webbing on the straps is about half the thickness of the old bag. It feels flimsy and is oddly uncomfortable, I would return it if I could.

I got the bag today, a little farther north in Canada. The first thing I noticed right away was that the material did not quite match what I had chosed in the customizer. Yes they were the same colours but it almost seemed washed out. The next part was that the handle wasn't put centre so it feels a little awkward when you hold it. The strap is a little small, the computer sleeve a little baggy, and I found the water bottle holders really small. It just barely holds my thinner Nike water bottle. The biggest complaint I saw was the lack of pockets, but tgere are some on the outside and a ton inside just behind. My recomendation would to be cautious when choosing colour as the computer adds more contrast and add the shoulder strap that goes on because I know it is going to bug me.

I didn't think about how much I would miss an inside zipper. It's the only downside I have to say about this.

I've bought several Timbuk2 bags over the years. I love the color options and the durability. They're extremely versatile. This is the first bag I bought specifically with 'office' appropriateness in mind, and in terms of color, style, and durability, it's mainly what I expected. What I'm really unhappy about is that it didn't come with a shoulder strap pad. When I checked out, I did notice that there was an option of purchasing one, but I figured that such an expensive bag would come with at least a basic pad. This is a critical feature for me, not just for comfort, but because the shoulder pad weighs down the strap a little and indicates exactly where the shoulder area is. When you're picking up the bag in a hurry (I'm always in a hurry), that's actually very helpful. Now I keep picking it up in the wrong place and the bag is practically on it's side with contents spilling out. I'm not sure whether I've always bought them with the bag in the past or whether they used to come with the pad, but something about paying $120 something for a bag makes it seem ridiculous to have to spend anything extra for something I consider a necessity. For me, this is the factor that tips the scale toward poor value.

Love the looks of the bag I created. Has enough room and compartments everywhere. The only issue is the bag top is limp. Would have like it more sturdy to hold shape better.

Disappointing My Large is way bigger than the new Medium.... I load up fully my new Medium and then I put the whole bag in the old Large (4 year old Messenger) and there are still space to put in more things! The compartments are at least 35% smaller! The straps are so thin..... Will it last at least 5 years? Yes it's lighter but definately not as durable as the old Messengers.

I didn't realize how small the small is.

Have loved Timbuk2 for years, and am a daily cyclist. I ordered a new custom bag for the weekends, and while I love the look and newer design, I'm disappointed that the trim is already unraveling/coming off. I've only owned the bag for 1 month, so this is clearly not the result of wear and tear. I'm both surprised and disappointed. I've never had this issue before with one of these bags, and I've owned several. Not sure if quality has changed, or this is the result of custom ordering.

I love Timbuk2 bags and own several, but this last one I bought is really lacking the quality of my previous purchases. The materials used, especially for the strap, are thinner and way more flimsy than any other I've had. Somewhat disappointing. I do love the fact that I could design the bag myself and I love that I can clean the inside of the bag with an antimicrobial when I need to. (I'm a nurse and sometimes your work bag just needs a good disinfecting). Hoping the company goes back to its original sturdy, durable construction that has kept me coming back time and time again.

Needs thicker materials and more protection

I had very high hopes for this bag. I'd been toting around the same multipurpose bag (gym & work) for years and it was showing it's use. This seemed like the perfect bag--roomy, sporty, well built--all of which are true. In actual use, I've been a little disappointed. It has a strange center of gravity and I find that if it is really loaded up with paperwork it diggs into my shoulder in a way my old bag did not--which I find odd for a messenger bag. Also, I got the computer pocket to help give the bag some structure and compartmentalizations it a little. It is a helpful divider, gym stuff in the front, papers in the back, but the fact that the computer pocket is untethered at the bottom mostly means that the assembly gets beat up and doesn't add any structural divide. Learning to love it but unfortunately it's not an instant love affair.

I wish there were more interior pockets like in the smaller version.

I love Timbuk2 bags and I have been a customer since 2004. So I was so excited to get to design my own custom bag. I have waited to review the bag until I used it for awhile. So I received the bag in late February and it is now late June. My custom classic small black messenger bag is made with 3 panels of woven reflective black flaps. These are very durable and show no signs of wear yet knock on wood and I use this bag daily as my briefcase to and from work. I love the top briefcase handle. It has some padding so it is comfortable. You just have to be sure your bag is secure before grabbing the handle or your bag will become unstable and some contents may fall out if you only grab the handle quickly. It is like the bag t-bones if you grab it only by the briefcase handle without having the front securely velcroed of snapped in place. I love the look of the reflective black panels. They look great during the day and during the night. No complaints with those choices. The other thing I LOVE about this bag is the amount of pockets outside and inside. There is just amazing design and thoughtfulness about how you would use your bag to store your phone or wallet for quick access. So kudos Timbuk2 for those great designs features. If I had to do it all over again would I recommend this bag? I would reluctantly say yes, but two things I absolutely cannot stand are: 1) The premium silver reflective binding made from glass beads is NOT DURABLE. I even called and inquired about the durability of this binder several times This may be considered a premium binding, BUT it is NOT a good binder if you want your bag to look good for a couple years. It shows signs of wear easy where you fold the bag over and it shows immediate signs of wear from the first week of use if it brushes up against you or any surface. The binder is just getting progressively worse with the silver wearing off. It is really beginning to look awful and only after 6 months. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MAKING THIS DECISION. Note that I even called in several times to Timbuk2 to inquire about this binding's durability and was assured that it was meant to last long term and be reflective. No one mentioned that it would rub off so easily. I am attaching pics of how much has rubbed off. Note that I wear a suit to and from work and I am not a biker. So my bag gets very gently used. 2) The lock on the strap to keep its length secure does not work 100% of the time. Sometimes the strap lock will come undone for no reason. Then I have to adjust the strap and lock it back into place. I have never experienced this issue with my previous Timbuk2 bags so I find this very frustrating. Again, this seems to be getting progressively worse the longer I have the bag. I wear my bag over my left shoulder across my body because I am right handed. Often when I take off my bag when I get to my car the buckle will be undone and the strap will be unsecure. So again, do I love Timbuk2...YES. Do I love everything about this bag...NO. I do recommend this bag just as long as you DO NOT ORDER THE PREMIUM REFLECTIVE SILVER BINDING and you do not get a bag that has a strap lock that has a mind of its own and stays locked at times and other times not so much.

So far i own four classic messenger bags--two of which are custom--a Q backpack and a now discontinued Patrol backpack. I did have another classic custom messenger, however i sent it back to be recycled. I now regret sending in my old custom messenger (small) that i purchased about five or six years ago for recycling. With the exception of my old Patrol which i use for travel, i use all of my bags either to carry my books, music, computer, journals, sketchbooks and stuff for work or for just hanging out at a coffee house. People say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." This is the first time i've been slightly disappointed in a Timbuk2 bag i bought. At least that's how i felt When i received my latest custom messenger bag (also a small). Somehow, the entire bag just feels a bit flimsy and slightly smaller. While i appreciate that the new adjustable "cam buckle" isn't so gigantic and the big loop no longer exists, I'm not crazy about the thinner, more flexible strap either. It tends to twist more and in spite of having a strap pad, it a little more uncomfortable to carry my bag around for longer periods. Also, the new strap buckle keeps popping open. My biggest disappointment is in the interior pocket. Not only is the interior pocket missing multiple compartments, the design seems a bit smaller and not as deep. i really was looking forward to those pockets, especially the one with the velcro flap. The bag feels incomplete without those extra pockets. While i see the intent in keeping the bag flap clips somewhat hidden, it's not practical. i often find myself fumbling around to get the flap closed. Then, when i want to open my bag, i forget that the flap is still clasped. One of these days the female clips will rip off the flap because i keep forgetting that it's still attached to the male clip. The grab handle feels as if it is in the wrong place. What i do appreciate are the compression straps at the bottom of the bag. i can shove my jacket under my bag and leave a little more room inside. The water bottle holder is a great addition, but it takes a little coaxing to get my 3-inch diameter water bottle into the pocket. The "raised" sides of the bag is also a nice addition, i think. Dear Timbuk2, i hope that you bring back the old design of the classic messenger. Pockets! pockets! pockets! thicker strap! pockets! If it's a classic, don't mess with it. So for now, i'd still recommend this product to my friends, but with reservation.

So far i own four classic messenger bags--two of which are custom--a Q backpack and a now discontinued Patrol backpack. I did have another classic custom messenger, however i sent it back to be recycled. I now regret sending in my old custom messenger (small) that i purchased about five or six years ago for recycling. With the exception of my old Patrol which i use for travel, i use all of my bags either to carry my books, music, computer, journals, sketchbooks and stuff for work or for just hanging out at a coffee house. People say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." This is the first time i've been slightly disappointed in a Timbuk2 bag i bought. At least that's how i felt When i received my latest custom messenger bag (also a small). Somehow, the entire bag just feels a bit flimsy and slightly smaller. While i appreciate that the new adjustable "cam buckle" isn't so gigantic and the big loop no longer exists, I'm not crazy about the thinner, more flexible strap either. Also, the new strap buckle keeps popping open. My biggest disappointment is the reduction of pockets in the interior. I was looking forward to those pockets, especially the one with the velcro flap. The bag feels incomplete without those extra pockets. Also, the interior pocket is not as deep as it was. While i see the intent in keeping the bag flap clips hidden, it's not practical. i often find myself fumbling around to get the flap closed. Then, when i want to open my bag, i forget that the flap is still clasped. One of these days the female clips will rip off the flap because i keep forgetting that it's still attached to the male clip. What i do appreciate are the cincher straps at the bottom of the bag. i can shove my jacket under my bag and leave a little more room inside. The water bottle holder is a great addition, but it takes a little coaxing to get my 3-inch diameter water bottle into the pocket. The "raised" sides of the bag is also a nice addition, i think. Dear Timbuk2, i hope that you bring back the old design of the classic messenger. Pockets! pockets! pockets! thicker strap! pockets! If it's a classic, don't mess with it. So for now, i'd still recommend this product, but with reservation.

I made a custom bag to use on my honeymoon trip. Beware of the Cordura Jewel color - in reality it is between a forest and an emerald green. Online it appears to be more of a blue/green color. The Cordura Tusk Gray is also a much darker color than it looks like online - a deeper cream color. If you want velcro silencers, get the size medium for the size small bag, they fit perfectly. If you want a camera bag to fit inside a size small bag while still giving you room for other things in the bag, buy the size x-small camera bag. Overall, I think it will be a very functional bag, I'm just disappointed in the way that the colors are not true to the way they look online.

I'm comparing this new bag to every bag i have purchased previously for personal use or as gifts especially my current one which after 9 years of daily use commuting as well as travel looks great. This new one, looks good but after i got it home i sadly discovered the material quality is not what it had been. First off, my old one proudly wears it's, "Made in San Francisco" badge, this one does not. The shoulder straps are so much thinner than my old bag and crush down when I tighten my cross strap. The shoulder strap clasp is some little weak thing that does not seem to buckle down tight rather than the thick buckle i have on my old bag that clamped down on the strap The cross strap attaches with Velcro vs. my old bag which has a clip hook. The loops that the cross strap hook to are plastic instead of steel like my old one The flap buckles are tucked away under the flap vs. on top like on my old one. This may be more aesthetically pleasing but if makes it much harder to unbuckle and buckle on the fly. I think it's a good bag but I'm disappointed that the material choices and ergonomics seem to be of lesser quality and thought than the old ones. Im going to check off would recommend to a friend cause what other choice is there?