Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Large

I should have read the reviews before order this messenger bag. I am not totally disappointed with this bag, cannot return due to return policy and cannot use this bag, just waste of money. And also the pictures didn't accurately depict location of the laptop sleeve: 1. I order larger bag for 17" laptop, way too big than expected, may be by two inches. I have requested to (paid) repair to change the size of my bag from 17" to 16", I got a response from customer service, they cannot do it. No use of this bag. 2. With this design, pretty much cannot use for work with laptop, why would you put a laptop folder in the middle of a bag and sew it on the sides? this makes not proper support to laptop. And also, inside bottle holder next to laptop sleeve? why cannot we have the bottle holder outside? Pictures did not accurately depict location of the laptop sleeve. 3. This design no rigidity to the bag and the large size, looks like big sack. 4. Top handle is tiny and not useful if compare the bag size 5. The colors shown in the pictures didn't match to actual product, colors in the picture brighter I thought the product was made in America. I thought I was buying from SF, California. It was made in Mexico. 6. Wider strap, not comfortable, requested for repair for this as well, they said cannot do it.

The bag is poorly designed. I use the small bag almost every day to carry a water bottle, a sweatshirt, and my glasses to work. Because the shoulder straps attach practically in the middle of the bag, it's a 50/50 proposition that the bag is going to flip upside down and dump out all of the contents on the ground every time I pick it up. It's well made, but I feel like the person who made this bag never tried using it day-to-day.

The product has no water holder when I already selected that option? One of the side is incorrectly as well

The fabric is good. The stitching is fine. The design makes this configuration pretty much unusable. The top handle is tiny and worthless for the size of the bag. The internal bottle holders are completely useless unless the bag is fully expanded. I felt a bit swindled by the whole thing.

I purchased a Timbuk2 bag many years ago and needed to replace it. This one is not even close to the quality of the original bag. Gone are the great pockets and zippers, the handle on the new one is at a weird spot making it awkward to use. Overall the new one just feels cheap.

Not at all like the prior versionof this bag which I've used daily for about 12 years. This version is cheaper and flimsier in every sense yet just as expensive. Thinner materials. Less pockets. Flimsier straps. Shortcuts made at every turn if we are on a travel motif here. I thought I was just getting a new version of the original-boy was I wrong.

Too large

Pictures did not accurately depict location of the laptop sleeve. It appears to be against the back side of the bag but it is not. It is suspended from the sides. So it separates the bag, making it harder to max usage of the space. Might not be so bad it it then actually divided the bag into two sections, but it does not. It is a sleeve only connected by two small sections of material at the top of the bag (top sides) by a small strip of a few inches. It is not attached at the bottom. So small objects easily can fall to the bottom of the bag and get hidden below the laptop sleeve. Making them hard to access. Also hard to see given the inside colors. Plus, the weight shown on the spes on the website do not seem to accurately depict the weight with the sleeve included. This is heavier with the sleeve. So if you want a lightweight bag, keep looking. For that matter, keep looking if you want a bag where things can't fall below and get hidden by the laptop sleeve.

Now made in Mexico. The strap was twisted then sewn. My last one was made in San Francisco and lasted me 18 years. This new one is junk.

My third messenger bag that I purchased from Timbuk2. This latest version is a shell of previous bags. I order the padded computer protector and it is not there. A real piece of junk compared to previous bags.

The online colors didn't match the IRL product. I've owned 3 Timbuk2 bags, this will be my last due to the no returns policy. I hope the homeless guy I gave it to gets good use out of it.

This is my second custom purchase, the first nearly 15 years, 7 countries, 38 states, countless motorcycle and bicycle rides and constant overloading. It's performed amazing and finally started falling apart. The replacement was another custom purchase and I couldn't be more disappointed. First, the lack of options compared to before. No back pad/pocket, not bottom protection, no color stitching on logo, etc. I made my order and what showed up was a bag with such head scratchingly bad design flaws and such a reduction in functionality compared to the first that I'm compelled to write this review. Design wise...why would you put a laptop folder in the middle of a bag and only sew it on the sides? If middle, sew the bottom too. What you've built is the equivalent of a construction pit with no support and all the items inside lose their lives as this bag caves in on them. Inside water bottle holder...I don't know what narrow cylinder you've partnered with to fit in here, but non of mine will and also...WATER BOTTLE NEXT TO LAPTOP HOLDER...who thought that was smart...my old bag had it on the outside. Speaking of outside...the lack of a bottom protector and a back side pad/pocket is really really unfortunate. My old one held it's shape and you reached in, grabbed things and you were functional. This one things are getting lost in this pit of despair just as easily as they go it. Usually under the middle mounted laptop folder. That really needed to be sewn on the bottom as well and moved to the back of the bag. The current design gives no rigidity to the bag and the large size just turns into a sack. Having the buckles on the inside of the flap vs the outside is another head scratcher...this adds nothing to function or esthetic, it takes everything away from quick entry. You have to lift a velcro'd flap to unclip the buckle. I wonder if the designer ever tried to open the bag while on a bike, motorcycle or even walking. It's not smooth, quick or easy. Fail. Unhappy.

The quality, materials and details have diminished so much from when I bought 5 or so years ago, huge disappointment

I fell in love with the custom colors and custom interior options. Beware with custom comes you cannot return! I just got my bag and sized Medium according to the recommendations for my 15" mac laptop. Way too big!!!! By two inches! I'm totally disappointed. I wanted a functional messenger bag that was custom without being huge. If I had gotten a small I am sure I would love it. One star because of one mistake may seem harsh but who wants to carry more bag than they need. Now if you want a day bag that holds your laptop go for a medium otherwise go for a small. I thinkI wish I had.

I thought the product was made in America. I thought I was buying from SF california. It was made in Zmexico. Threw the bag away

I've purchased several custom messenger bags over the years. After traveling several times in the last couple of months, the inside waterproof material has started breaking apart in chunks getting in my laptop, books, and everything else being carried in my bag. So I jumped online and order a new med. custom messenger bag. I am so utterly disappointed with my new bag. Timbuk2 has removed all kinds of stuff: - three zippered pockets on the front of the bag down to just a single huge zippered pocket - inside zippered pocket went from two pockets and some micro credit-card pockets to a single flap pocket - the outside of the zippered pocket had a velcro-flap pocket, 3 pen holders in front of an open pocket, and two pockets that are soft-lined to hold earbuds or something breakable; now it's just a giant zippered pouch with 4 open pockets - 2 med sized and 2 highlighter sized pockets - the shoulder strap went from a really solid ballistic nylon burly strap, to a really thin flimsy shoulder strap - the shoulder-strap tightening mechanism has been replaced, and its also inferior quality and smaller than the one on my old bag. - the bottom tightening system has been completely dumbed down as well and isn't any where near as adjustable as my old bag - the medium bag got scaled down too - not the same size/dimensions as my old medium bag What a waste of $155+ dollars. I should have looked into getting my old bag repaired, which would have been a much better use of my money. I feel like I got a mass produced overseas knock off bag, instead of a real Timbuk2 bag.

I have had timbuk2 messenger bags since 2012. I've bought them retail and custom ordered them. The clasp on the new bag that decides shoulder bag length is terrible and makes it unusable. Furthermore, because I had this one custom made it was unreturnable. Don't get me wrong, I still love timbuk2 and even bought the especial bag even after I found out I couldn't return this bag. Just really frustrated with the new clasp for shoulder bag length.

I bought a new large classic messenger bag to replace one I had bought almost 10 years ago and this bag is no longer the legit messenger bag that it once was. A first time buyer might find it satisfactory but if you owned an old one with the stiff hardy strap, thoughtful compartmentation, beefy hardware that was 20 to 30% larger then heed the one star reviews you see here from old customers. I remember fitting two full paper grocery bags in my old bag side by side no problem, this would fit maybe one and a quarter. This may qualify as a messenger bag but there's nothing classic about it. If I hadn't bought it custom I'd be returning it.

Clasp is not secure and comes loose very easily. It's very dangerous as it's come loose when riding my bike. Strap for laptop is also too long and doesn't match up with velcro.

It hold a lot but has no structure. It's, in fact, too big, causing papers and files to get wrinkled. Do not use as a work bag.

This bag Is for work. There's no handle on the outside to carry it by. Which is a bummer there's no outside pocket to store things in for easy access which is also a bummer there's no place for your water bottle, and it's also a wicked bummer. I wouldn't buy this again it was expensive and not worth it.

I have purchased a number of Timbuk2 bags over the years, always been pleased with the bag(s). Bought the messenger bag online and was disappointed to see one of the pockets pull apart a few days after arriving. Ugh. I contacted customer service and was told that my only option was to return which is inconvenient and time-consuming. I would have been more than happy to cut the bag in half or do whatever needed to prove I was no longer using. Outcome: duct tape to fix the problem, bad review and a lost once loyal customer.

Returned the bag due to poor workmanship. Refund was promptly made. I've ordered custom bags in the past and was disappointed in customizations. Unable to specify color of bag lining, length of strap was at least a foot shorter than in the past, strap itself was skinnier.

I purchased the custom Timbuk2 Large Messenger bag. After it arrived, immediately when I tried to close the lid, I noticed the Velcro on one side was not adhering. After trying to figure out what was going on, it appears that the front panel of pockets is stitched off center, which causes the buckle to get in the way of the Velcro on one side. See the actual pictures. This does not match the photo from the website which shows even the front pocket panel stitched in the center so the seams align. While it is possible to get the Velcro to adhere if I close the lid at an angle, this is not something I expect on a quality product. I shouldn't have to force the lid at an angle to get the Velcro to adhere. I contacted timbuk2 immediately, have sent 3 emails and left a voice message and I have received zero response. I realize it is probably a busy season, but I would expect some response in a weeks time. Very disappointed in this bag and I'm reconsidering any further timbuk2 purchases.

Well, after having bought something like five of these bags in the past, I ordered a custom bag directly from Timbuk2 in San Francisco. This bag was a gift. It came without a strap pad, nor did it have a grab handle, and there were no pockets inside the bag for a water bottle like all the past bags that I've ordered had. I have really been happy in the past with all the messenger bags that I've purchased, but must say this one was a big disappointment.