Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Large

The description said the smaller ones wouldn't fit my laptop -- this bag is HUGE! I ended up having to buy another one that is 2 sizes smaller and I can't return this one since it's customized. Majorly bummed.

The bag is definitely attractive and I've received numerous compliments on it. My 13in MacBook Pro fits comfortably in the bag. However the bag was apparently meant to suit a smaller laptop, because of the way the handle was sewn. If i want to carry the bag by the handle, it is not on the top of the bag but slightly below the top, making it awkward to carry. In addition, there is no grip on the shoulder strap. So the bag will often slip right off of my shoulder when walking because of the lack of grip, making it very annoying when walking with the bag on my shoulder.

During configuration it showed the new internal organizer. What arrived was the old which I do not care for. Tried calling twice. No answer. Tried emailing. No response two days later. Decided I was probably going to have to live with it. Emailed to say disregard. No response to that email either. I'm ising it....but not really satisfied with it or the customer service honestly. Providing bad info on the website happens. I get that. Inadequate customer service when something goes wrong drives customers away. This is my third custom bag from you. It will be my last.

I designed my own bag and was excited at being able to do so. Although the bag is nice, when it arrived, the colours where a lot darker than the bag I had designed. I contacted customer service no less than 10 times, sent photos, they responded once and never again. I have now given my bag away, as it wasn't what I wanted and I couldn't be bothered to try and exchange it, having had so little response to my complaint. Such a shame as the product is a good one.

I am very disappointed in this product, especially since I custom ordered. I have another item from timbuk2 that I bought about 5 years ago. It was very well made with ballistic material inside and out. I am very disappointed that they are using plastic for the lining. I custom ordered because I thought I could depend on the Timbuk2 quality of the past.

I had been searching for a new all-purpose messenger bag (something casual enough for daily use but also stylish enough for professional use) to replace a dying one, and so I decided after much research to give Timbuk2 a try. I custom-ordered this bag and was excited to receive it in the mail, but when I opened the package, the fabric/material/color weren't quite what I expected. The more I used this bag, the more I realized how it was awkwardly just small enough to make taking the things I needed with me in and out of the bag a huge hassle. I've been really disappointed with this bag. The bag itself is really light and high quality, and I imagine that it would last me years if I used it. Unfortunately, I'm now trying to figure out how to get rid of it -- and I can't return it because it was a custom order.

Bought the same bag 2 years ago, a large messenger. Extremely good quality, materials used were thick, durable. The nylon was thicker, strap was thicker. Felt it would last forever. Decided to buy the same one just in a different color. The bag design changed for the worse. Felt cheaper, strap was not as thick, materials used seemed thinner. Bag was definitely smaller even when I bought the same size (large). Wished it would go back to the same quality as before.

I purchased a custom messenger bag years ago and loved the quality and workmanship. However, I recently made a size-up version (Large) and thought that the waxed canvas would better uphold to Pacific NW drizzles. Quite the contrary, the canvas material started to "pill" within 1 week of daily/light use. The compartments on the prior bag were larger, but the new bag seems to have a smaller compartment space for my cords, pens, etc. The contents do stay dry with the lining in place. Additionally, the shoulder strap is way more flimsy than the prior model. Overall, I am disappointed with this bag, and cannot return it since it was custom made. Unless, they return my messages soon, they will have lost a long time customer.

Background: i have owned Timbuk2 Messenger bags since the mid 1990s, starting with an El Ocho (which i still own), and the moving onto a Dee Dog (which i passed on to a friend and i still believe is in use without any problems), to a custom Large 2006 messenger which had manufacturing defect so Timbuktu replaced in 2009 (with another custom large messenger) in 2013, i noticed that the TPU liner on the latter bag was starting to show signs of peeling at the seams at the bottom of the bag where the seam tape was used, and by early 2014, i encountered some leaking while putting my bag down on a wet surface. i contacted Timbuk2 and realized that in order to get my bag fixed, i would without it for 4-6 weeks. i tried to provide my own quick fix of using Diving tape near the seams, but that never stuck very well and ultimately kept coming off. several times, i contemplated buying a new custom bag to replace it (and have the old one repaired and then used for secondary purposes), but then i started reading reviews and talking to friends who said that the 25th anniversary model was a dud. fast forward to today (Oct 2015), the bottom tears in the TPU near the bottom seam tape have grown to be large. with the rainy season (El Nino) approaching, i can wait no longer: i need to get this bag fixed. yet to be without it for 4-6 would be a challenge. my El Ocho isn't big enough to be a daily commuter bag nor are there enough pockets which i have grown accustomed to in my 2009 messenger. so, as crazy as it sounds, with the 30% off sale, i bought a standard (i.e. non custom) Large Classic Messenger to use during the 4-6 week period with the intent of having an extra bag for use at the farmer's market or other activities on the weekend. at the same time, i felt i could fairly evaluate whether the new bag was as deficient as others have noted in comparison to my previous bags. the verdict: in short: i have similar complaints to ones i've read here and with my friends and found even more shortcomings. i can only hope and pray that Timbuk2 will heed customer feedback and return to its quality and flexibility of the past. i understand that their non-custom bags may need some compromises, but there is a customer base out there who interested in a higher level of quality, features, and willing to pay more for them. here are my thoughts based on comparison with the 2009 bag and some knowledge of the 2012/2013 messenger (i wish there were a few lying around on clearance in the Large size...there seem to be a few mediums still on the TB2 website) Pros: - i like the Napoleon pocket. this was already in the 2013 messenger but a nice addition compared with my 2009 bag. this is probably the biggest improvement over my old bag. - the water bottle/small gear pockets...at least in principle this was a good idea (see Cons below) - the stiffer slash pocket divider (not sure it was like this in 2013) makes it a really nice place to put a tablet or laptop computer in a lightweight sleeve - it seems in principle that the built in compression straps will be very useful. only time will tell. Uncertainties: - its unclear how the grab handle will be of any use unless the bag is loaded in a certain way. - cordura nylon. i'll try to give Timbuk2 the benefit of a doubt. it's lighter, but from my own talking with people who abuse their bags, it's not as tough, in the long run, as the ballistic nylon. for my uses: commuting, taking it out on a boat with me on some occasions, traveling, it probably won't make a huge difference in the 10-15 year life span i would expect from a bag (more on that later) - ear flaps to keep water out: i never had a problem with that, but hey, if it helps someone, that's fine. - hidden buckles for cleaner look. the jury is out on this one. maybe it looks a little cleaner, but it certainly is a lot less functional and requires more fiddling to reach under the flap to attach the buckles (thankfully, i don't do that every day) Cons: - lack of compartments: this has been said many times in the reviews here, but i'll say it again, TB2 took a major step backwards here. the bag is SO less useful. in trying to transfer my contents from my old bag to the new one, i lost so much functionality and separation and still have some less often used items sitting at home without a place to put them. - the zippered pocket inside not only lost so many useful compartments, but it significantly smaller in width too! i used to easily put a file folder or laptop computer in thin sleeve and other things in there. now, it's really only useful for a medium sized notebook. this IMHO is probably as big a problem as the reduction of small compartments noted above. - the new strap is awful. truly awful. i know it's supposed to be lighter and more comfortable, but i don't think it accomplishes the latter and it actually easily twists around. the older, stiff shoulder strap always maintained its orientation and was quite comfortable with the custom strap pad i purchased. i had no problems with the stuff extra loop sitting there. it might not look cool, but it worked well. - the new cam buckle is also awful. i never got to experience quick release mechanism in the 2013 version, but this one is not easy to operate with one hand as suggested by the Timbuk2 video (i think the guys is cheating...he has a hand behind his back to keep the bag from shifting).) i have always been able to do one handed adjustments with my old bag, even if TB2 claims it requires a two handed operation. worse, the buckle is not very secure. in only a day of use, i have already twice accidentally bumped it unlocked. i think i can train myself to avoid scenarios like these, but that was rare occurrence with all of my old bags and i never had to think about how i grabbed the strap. - the water bottle holder is way too small in diameter. it would only be useful for a very narrow bottle. i know they probably didn't accommodate a nalgene 2 liter bottle, but c'mon, at least design it to work with most standard water bottles like a modest kleen canteen or camelbak, etc). i'll probably use it to stow tiny items like maybe an apple. but TB2 really missed the mark on what could have been a great addition. - while the stiff slash pocket is nice, along with beefing up the top edge, the got rid of yet another way to separate things in the main compartment. my softer slash pocket was effectively a second compartment which was velcro'd shut. effectively, it allowed the main compartment to be separated into 3 compartments. - the stitching quality and reinforcement of the strap gives me moment for concern. it looks like it's secured in about half the area of my other bag (i'm assuming that this would be the case whether it was sewed in SF or China) and i would worry about the long term durability if one carries heavy items every day (thankfully, i don't) - finally, a small beef: i thought i was imagining but this large bag seems smaller than my 2009 bag and Dee Dog, etc. i looked up the spec's just now and indeed, it is a few hundred cubic centimeters smaller in volume. not a deal breaker, but if they are going to do this, they should consider bringing back another size (XL). i remember there was a monstrous Bolo back in the day that a friend had. it could hold a mack truck...but it was would also destroy your shoulder :p i know this is long, but i wrote it because i'm passionate about Timbuk2 products (i have bought and owned others not mentioned here), and am so disappointed in the direction they took with what was a legendary bag that i've recommended to so many friends. there is no way i can recommend this bag to friends (although i now have one they can try out). perhaps, TB2 is going after a broader audience who is unaware of what a great messenger bag is, by selling them an affordable "good one." but if that is the case, in doing so, they have alienated the people who made them a successful company. i'm going to look forward (with some anxiousness that they won't screw up my old bag in the repair process) to getting back my old bag. it still looks fabulous, and a new TPU liner should give it a new lease in life. the only concern of course will be whether or not the new liner lasts more than 3-4 years before starting to fail again at the dreaded seam joints. TB2: if you are reading these reviews: please take into account some of my comments as well as the others whenever you release the next general classic messenger. there is still a market out there for a custom bag that is built to last 10-20 years, have tons of compartments and a beefy strap with the useful cam adjustment that you used to have. sometimes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" really is true. i hope Timbuk2 can return to their roots so i can order another custom bag. else, i may have to spend my future money elsewhere (and recommend elsewhere). for now, i hope to receive my beloved older bag, rejuvenated with its liner, and keeping its great functionality.

I don't use this bag - I have kept my old one in use. This feels cheap and nasty compared with the previous one which is still sturdy. I spent a LOT of money getting something to replace it - very disappointed. Also, Timbuk2 have the most patronising Customer Service I have ever encountered. Please note repeatedly using the word 'bummer' doesn't make the bag any better. Expensive mistake.

I had a large courier bag from the 90s, replaced with a new one but was disappointed. Build quality is lower - strap is thin, buckle is worse, redesigned flap clips in worse position. Got stung by customs fee as well so this was expensive :/ Last time I buy this brand, don't think it will last as long as the first time round

I have used and loved Timbuk2 bags for 15 years, and this is my 4th bag. I'm extremely disappointed with the quality and "improvements" on the current version. Overall, the bag seems just a tiny bit smaller than my older bags of the same size. As others have mentioned, the new strap is much thinner than the previous version, and is easily twisted. The new cam is difficult to adjust and will pop open at random times, causing the strap to loosen. The new compression straps are thinner than before, and far too long. They just end up flapping around everywhere. The pockets on the outside of the bag have been "simplified" and made slightly smaller. Items that fit securely in the outside pocket of my old bag now regularly fall out of the new one when the bag tips forward. I can barely fit my hand into the new napoleon pocket. The inside pockets are far less useful, as the pen pockets and large pocket with velcro closure have been eliminated. The only "improvement" that I actually like is the addition of water bottle pockets inside. My bag was a custom order, since I needed a left-handed version. Otherwise I would have returned it -- it's simply not the quality that I expected from Timbuk2. I've forced myself to use it daily for the past 3 months, and I just can't get past its shortcomings. It now lives at the back of my closet, and I've gone back to my previous bag.

I use this on my daily bicycle commute. There are several places to attach lights, which is nice. The strap is comfortable but it doesn't swivel and so becomes easily twisted. The grab strap is poorly positioned to use as a grab strap, and is too narrow for use anchoring to a suitcase, making it almost useless. The web-based ordering did not state that a huge strip of velcro is used to close the bag. This is noisy and unnecessary, and I've had to use tape to disable it so I can open and close my bag quietly. I'm disappointed.

The new strap clips to set the length of the strap are terrible. Comes unhooked at the time, sometimes while i'm wearing it and the whole bag drops. My friend with the old strap clip doesn't have this problem.

I purchased this bag to replace my old (7 yr) commuter bag. The new bag just isn't the same quality as the old. Thinner straps, not as many inner pockets, thinner material overall. Love the look but am doubtful that this bag will remain in use for 7 years.

Looks cool Bag have potential Built by someone that dont care,water bottle holder poorly sew the handle crooked.will i buy another custom? No.

I bought an almost identical bag about 4 years ago from Timbuk2 -- this is a replacement. I'm shocked as to how much less good my new bag is. The pockets are way smaller (it's a LARGE size bag and they now use the same set of zippered pockets as on a SMALL bag) and as such it's massively inconvenient for my use. The new shoulder strap is much thinner and less substantial: and so it digs into your neck more. Overall material quality just FEELS less good. Honestly, it's time to move along from Timbuk2. They've gone like every other successful manufacturer: lower margins and lower quality. I won't be recommending them anymore.

- After I got my bag, I noticed that the logo on the front side of it already has threads sticking out it. That was disappointing. - There is no shoulder pad by default on the strap, so carrying it with a bunch of stuff inside the bag is REALLY uncomfortable - The bag is priced WAY to expensive. For this price I expected to see much more features and much better quality.

Ordered with the black canvas, on two of the panels. When it arrived, it had none of the texture "wrinkles" as exhibited in the photos for the canvas. When I called to see if wrong fabric had been used, they told me. "The correct fabric was used and this is what your bag will look like in five years" Say what????? So essentially you take pictures of used bags and put on your website to pass off as new bags. No disclaimers or anything about the fabric looking different.

Actually, I'm very disappointed with this purchase. The last custom Messenger Bag I purchased on Timbuk2 was much better. On this bag, the strap is probably 30~40% narrower and uncomfortable (cuts into my shoulder). The strap 'clamping' device is a fraction of the size, and does not work well; pops open. And finally, the flap clips are also smaller and difficult to work because of their placement (female clip) behind the flap. Oh, and the pocket behind the front compartment is gone, the one you could access from the side without opening the flap. The three (3) zipper pockets that used to be outside under the flap are also a thing of the past. Timbuk2 obviously went about a cost saving redesign and it shows in the end product. The messenger I customized a few years ago is much better. I have three bags from Timbuk2 now, and am sorry to say I probably won't be ordering again as quality and attention to detail seems to have taken a backseat to profit...and that's shame.

I share other reviewers' disappointment in the decreased quality of the latest classic messenger bag. I have had several TimBuk2 bags over the years and have loved the messenger bag that I have been using for 7+ years. I came back for another (just ready for a change), and it arrived yesterday. The quality is several notches down from what is was before-- the inner lining feels flimsy compared to my older bag, the shoulder strap is thinner and shorter, the strap adjusting clasp is much less sturdy and the zippers stick. The quality that I had grown loyal to is gone. TimBuk2 has lost a loyal customer.

I've used and loved Timbuk2 bags for 15 years. This is my 5th bag, and I'm disappointed in the latest round of changes. The strap, which used to be stiff and sturdy has been replaced with one that is more narrow and much softer, which means it frequently must be untwisted before it can be worn comfortably. I'm sure this was done to accommodate the new cam mechanism, and while I do like not having an extra loop of strap hanging off the end of the bag, I've found the new cam to be difficult to adjust quickly and that it is easily disengaged by accident. The strap is also a bit shorter than on the older bags. Nothing I can't live with, but a few more inches of length would be appreciated. The new bags also have fewer, and smaller pockets than on previous versions. I don't really mind that there aren't as many pockets, but the reduced size is not good. I've always kept a few notebooks in the outside center pocket, and never had to worry about them, but now the pockets are much more shallow, and the material is thinner and more flexible, so every time the bag tips forward, I need to be careful that the contents of the pocket don't slide out. Since the size of the outer pocket has been reduced, the napoleon pocket is now so small that it's difficult to get my hand inside. It would also be nice if the napoleon pocket on left handed bags would have the opening on the right side for easier access. Overall, the straps and hardware seem lighter and cheaper than on previous versions of the bag.

I've had three custom Timbuk2 bags in my life. Each lasted well beyond the 10 year mark. This bag however left me yearning for yesterday's quality. The bag was nicely sewn together, the fabrics were attractive, but the all the other details lacked. The biggest culprit was the flimsy strap. My old bags had sturdy and stiff straps that made it easy to grab, throw over your shoulder and go. These new 1-inch strap must be untangled, straightened, and unfortunately digs into your skin. The inside components also used to be stiffer and allowed for easy insertion of accessories. Now flimsy is the new black. The bags also used to stand up on their own fairly well allowing you to stuff them with ease. The new flimsy bag is almost like handling a pillowcase. Ugh. Never again. What made these bags so useful have clearly been focus grouped to death for the SF hipsters. Practical people might have to look elsewhere.

The custom made messenger bage was grab handle was placed poorly. I called to explained the position of the handle was placed to far back. They said they changed it on purpose. They would gladly change it for a fee. No happy with the results. Will not buy timbuk2 bags in the future.

I have been losing confidence Timbuk2 slowly over the past couple months. I used to sing their praises to everyone I know, but now that I have experienced the lifetime-warranty, I am now reluctant. I have been without my bag for 2 months now and there is still no end in sight. At first I was told 2-4 weeks. After 4 weeks I checked in and was told 4-6 weeks. This was pretty much a form-answer because it was already 4 weeks so there was no chance of it coming in 4 weeks. Now it is going past 6 weeks and there is still no word. All in all, the bag was a great product and I have bought at least 4 bags in the past year for family and members in our company (we recently picked it as a company bag and would buy everyone in the company one). Now I have become disappointed in the lifetime warranty and would rule it worthless if you need to wait months for a repair. Yet every week or two I continue to get emails about "turn in your old bag for a discount on a new one".