Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Especial Medio

I've only used the bag on a short cycling trip so far, and I love the way it fits with the waist belt. I'm not a tall guy, and despite the size of the bag, it fits close to the body and doesn't hang over my butt. It holds my ginormous 15" Lenovo laptop, and I like the way that the laptop pocket is suspended from the top. I've also used it as a carry on for an airplane, and that is where I found out how big this thing is. Just keeps going and going. No weather yet, but it looks capable of keeping out a big rain.

This backpack works great as carry-on luggage due to the low profile design. Also, the weather-sealed zippers provide assurance that your belongings will stay dry. The reflective materials built in to the back-pack fabric works well. So far, I have not found anything I do not like about this backpack.

The Especial Backpack is maybe my favourite backpack. The back padding makes it comfortable wearing it for most of the day biking between lectures, and the divided pouches for the laptop in the main pocket makes it easy to pack many books and supplies. I would also consider for hardcore traveling using this for biking and backpacking for urban exploring. Not necessarily for camping trips but it has everything you need if you plan on going with as little as possible. One thing that would make the Especial better is adjustable straps to bring the bag closer or farther away from the shoulders. Waist clips are handy but it needs some straps to adjust for different transportation. Otherwise an awesome product, easily can make this last me my life!

I haven't used it for a bike commute yet, but it has already exceeded my expectations as a day-to-day laptop/commuter bag. The size is perfect for a laptop and the pockets are bigger (and more configurable) than I expected. This is my third bag from T2 and I use them all regularly.

I use this bag as a commute bag for cycling to and from work. Great bag. Great space. Comfortable and keeps the back cool. A great purchase.

I purchased the Espcial Medio to replace another Timbuk2 backpack. The most important features I was focusing on was waterproof and padding on the back; two things my previous bag lacked. I commute to work about 3-4 days per week. I'll be honest and say, I didn't like the bag at first. I felt it was too big and bulky, but before returning it, I thought I should at least try it for a couple days. I think it took me all of one day to realize this was definitely a smart purchase. The main compartment has plenty of room and I love that it's a contrasting color, as it makes it easier to find things. I love the two side elastic pockets, which are accessible when you're on the bike. I love the hidden expandable pocket. That thing has come in super-handy, whether it's for a surprise grocery run my wife makes me do or putting in wet clothes. The best feature is that padded back. The bag is really comfortable when it's on and I can tell my back is getting a bit more ventilation. The side phone pocket was also well placed. All in all, the bag seems to be made of great materials. I haven't ridden in the wet with it yet, but I'm pretty confident my duds are going to stay dry. However, I cannot rave about everything on the bag. My one complaint is the front organizer pocket. You cannot expand it much at all if you wanted to peer in there. if you want to find something, you're pretty much limited to sticking your hand in there and feeling around to find whatever you're looking for. Regardless, I have a feeling this bag is going to take care of me for a long while.

Great, great bag, which is marketed for bike use; this however masks the other function for which it is best suited, traveling. I use it as my carry-on personal item. Whether I check-in a luggage with me in the cabin or not, airlines will always take a backpack. If you don't stuff this one to an inch of its life, it'll be fine. I put passport, notepad, pens, MP3 player, phone, keys in the organization compartment, toiletries (in the transparent bag) in the expandable front pocket, tickets + papers in the napoleon pocket. This leaves the large compartment which can easily take headphones, 3 days' worth of clothes, and a decent camera, or less clothes and an SLR (albeit without the dedicated protection a camera bag would offer). The top pocket is for sunglasses and potentially cables, and the secret stash pocket is where the phone goes. I've not worn it yet for extensive periods of time. It is not a backpacking bag, more of a commute/travel bag to me (outside of its primary goal as a weatherproof biking bag of course). Either way, this bag has made transcontinental airplane travel more pleasant. I'm trying hard to think of any 'wish it had' features, but can't. I feel that if the bag were bigger it'd be a tougher sell as a personal item on a plane. And due to the compression straps, it doesn't need to be made smaller; it won't take up more space than what you put in it. Overall a great bag which has single-handedly replaced all bags I'd taken on airplanes before.

This backpack is nearly perfect. It's my favorite ever. I love how the profile stays thin always, but you can still fit soooo much stuff.

I find all the pockets to be useful and well thought out to (a) keep the bag slim but large and (b) easily access while on a bike (at a stop of course). It's incredibly comfortable despite it's weight (which is expected of a bag this size).

I have to say I'm impressed. Especial Medio is a proof that you don't have to sacrifice aesthetics for functionality. It has the best features and thought-out layout of pockets while it keeps the best looking design to my eyes. What I like the most is that there are more pockets at the top, inside and outside, that are accessible when it's put on the ground. Things can be messy at the bottom of the bag, but I use a bag-in-bag anyway (a felt organizer from invite.L) so it's not a problem for me. I take it with me all the time whenever I go out, but it shines best when used for subway commute in Manhattan. I don't feel the weight of 15" MacBookPro like other messenger bags / backpacks do! Highly recommended or... should I keep it to myself because I can't brag about it if everyone has the same product? ;)

I have never loved a bag more. I know, it's stupid to have material attachments, but this is bag is a beauty. It's super comfortable (she literally hugs your back), durable (has a wet weather proof outer) and versatile (comes with adjustable straps and an expandable section), the Especial Medio is a fly bag for just about any occasion - work, gym, biking, picnic, day trips. For your daily commute or a weekend away, this is the bag for you. And it now comes in navy, which is dope.

I am using my backpack every day to go to work. It's amazing and you can fit loads of things in it, like sports gear together with your laptop and towels. I will definitely recommend Timbuk2. Their products are great.

Built like a tank, yet lightweight!

Having 2 computers in the everyday life together with accessories, the backpack is large and also comfortable enough to go to work with.

I use this bad to commute on my bike in the daily Portland rain. It doesn't look it but the bag is surprisingly quite waterproof! My contents always arrive dry! It's also more spacious than it looks online. The ulock pouch is a savior and the bottle holders on the other side keeps bottles in even when going off curbs! The biggest complaint I have about the bag is how the bottom is felt and not the waterproof material. It has gotten so dirty from spray from the bottom of my bike and nothing I do can properly clean it. Also, if you use the bag a lot, the bottom of the back padding gets a lot of wear. But that's probably expected for what I put it through. That will probably be the first area of the backpack to go.

Was great all around, I bike to work with my laptop and lunch in it and use it to carry anything and everything! Super waterproof.

this is my first backpack and I'm really like this bag,

This bag is beautiful. Super functional. I use it for travel and also for work. I highly recommend it.

Normally, my back is totally sweaty when wearing a backpack but with this one, it feels just great. Cool beans!

Our son lives in Portland. He rides his bike back and forth to school and needed a backpack big enough for his laptop, extra clothing (if he needed it), lunch/snacks AND it had to be waterproof (it's Portland, you know). He loves it!! Says it's the best, works perfectly, is big enough for all he needs. Excellent product.

I wanted a waterproof backpack for when I travel. I had been searching for one that was waterproof with more than 1 pocket and was also good quality. While this was the most expensive backpack I had ever purchased, there is no question it is completely worth it. If fully lives up to my needs.

I double commute to work every day. 2km ride from home to the train station, then another 2km commute from downtown station to work. I don't have showers at work so need to bring my ironed workshirts and pants to work each day. I was looking for a compact, structured, weatherproof bag that had enough pockets for my keys, phone, wallet and other accessories, and big enough to carry my work clothes and lunch. I tend to over research things when I buy them, and I'm glad I did with this purchase. I was first thinking about the Vuelo, but after trying it out at a local store here in Toronto I realized it just didn't have enough pockets and then tried this bag. So glad. One tip, if you can try it on first do it! Bags often are hard to tell the size online and pics on people. Some people mentioned the straps were uncomfortable. I'm 6'1 and fairly broad in the shoulder / neck and I don't find this bag uncomfortable at all. Mind you I've only used it for a week! Best bag I've owned!!!! Hands down!

I use this great bag every day to commute in the Pacific Northwest. I searched a long time to find the perfect bag for me and this was it. Waterproof and not too big, but still large enough to be useful to commute. I also used the bag as my only luggage when I travelled to Denmark for two weeks this summer.

I bought this bag primarily to carry my laptop, and since I commute on a bicycle often, this bag would be a good choice for a do-everything pack. I wasn't disappointed. The fit is excellent, even while hunched over on the bike. The straps are snug and well-placed too; I can hit bumps and get minor air-time with the bike and the bag stays put on my back. This design contributes to it's load bearing ability too, and heavy loads are well distributed. I can toss pretty much everything I need for the entire day into the cavernous main compartment, and the front has a compartment can be expanded to carry my helmet as well. Numerous smaller compartments, organizers and nets help sort my loot. The ability to clip a rear light on the bottom of the bag is a bonus, without cluttering up the overall look. If there's a gripe I have about this bag, it's that once the main compartment is full, the front pockets (even with the expansion zips open and the compression straps unclipped) become extremely tight and nearly useless. That's not a deal-breaker for me though. On the whole a very stylish and well-designed bag with a sleek frame and great build quality.

I needed a replacement for my classic messenger bag, which I have to say stood by me trough a lot.I commute on my bike everyday and I needed something I could depend on to carry everything I need and be Strong enough to hold up. This backpack is the perfect mix of strenght and wearability! Truly Especial.