Customer Reviews Timbuk2 ACE

I bought it as a gift to my husband and he's in love with it! He's always carrying a lot of stuff and this bag has space for it all. It's also super sturdy and the possibility of using as a messenger bag or backpack is really convenient.

They say this bag fits laptops up to 15" but I took a chance buying this with my Lenovo that is slightly larger at 15.6" and it still makes it. I searched reviews for a while and didn't see anyone trying this before, so I thought it would be helpful to make that known. As I use it more, the bag is slowly starting to stretch or relax and the laptop fits even better after 2 weeks of use. Also, the bag is phenomenal.

First thing I want to say is the picture is a bit misleading. This bag is not a big cube looking thing. It is a reasonably slim rectangular bag. I use this case mostly as a briefcase/messenger for work which it excels at. Very professional looking and the padded laptop section fits a 15 inch Inspiron perfectly. Honestly I could probably fit another small laptop or tablet in there too with the secondary tablet pocket in there. I often have to carry up to 3 laptops with chargers at a time due to work which is possible due to a fairly spacious unpadded pocket. Even after all that I still have room for a 16oz can and workout clothes in the remaining external pockets. You cant get your Climbing shoes in it but you could easily clip them to the webbing outside. Theres a few nice little features like a divider if you need keep some pens or keys or what have you. Helpful when you forget a pen but keep a few backups in your bag. I find this to be a pretty optimally sized bag. When I'm fully loaded I find it almost too heavy to carry withe the shoulder strap. Haven't tried the backpack function yet so can't comment on that. All in all, excellent bag.

I use the backpack/messenger combo for work everyday. Great access to the to all bag compartment is awesome.

I travel once a month for work and am a walking commuter when I get there. I really wanted a laptop bag that had a messenger or tote option, back pack straps that tuck in, and a pass through for my rolling luggage. I also wanted something that could stand up to a little rain. This bag was just what I needed! I do wish there were a more feminine color option, but I wouldn't change anything else.

Exactly what I was looking for. Wanted a spacious but not oversized messenger bag for a larger laptop that would still have room for other textbooks. Wanted conversion to a backpack for cycling/travelling or if carrying anything else. This is sturdy but not heavy, and I like the lighter interior not getting lost all in black.

My only suggestion would be to add a water bottle sleeve on one end of the bag. Looping one on with a caribiner just doesn't make for a quiet and tight ship. Plus, I don't want to put a water bottle in a pocket with valuables and other electronics. A 5-Star Rating, nonetheless. Great Bag!

I'm a walking commuter. In the past I've had two of the more deluxe laptop messenger bags, which have been great. However, the Ace has zippers on every compartment, so there are no worries about stuff spilling out at the ends. It's better organized, and the contents are better protected. AND it cost less than my messenger bags had, so that's a bonus.

It's been difficult finding a backpack that is roomy, sturdy, and looks professional. After wasting lots of money on various other purchases, I was skeptical and somewhat worried when I ordered this backpack on a final sale. I am MORE than pleased with this backpack/messenger bag. It's roomy enough for laptop, lunch, notebooks and sometimes shoes, while also maintaining sleek, streamlined, and professional look. High quality materials all around...nicely done, Timbuk2.

Bought this laptop backpack for my husband because he seems to carry several bags full of electronics. This bag will fit everything.

ACE LAPTOP BACKPACK MESSENGER BAG is an all-round ergonomic utility. Its best feature is the hybrid backpack and satchel. ***THE BAG DOES NOT COME WITH A BOTTLE HOLDER/PLACEMENT***

My initial impressions after using it for just a week. Well made, good quality. The bag switches between a messenger bag and backpack; that is quite convenient. It also has a slot on the back to attach it to the handle of a roller suitcase. Helps with carrying it around.

Bought this bag as an upgrade to my medium Classic Messenger, very happy! The outer pockets makes putting things like keys and name badge a breeze. The laptop pocket keeps my MBP secure and protected. The biggest draw for me is the ability to convert the bag from hand carry to shoulder to backpack. This might be the last bag I buy(for awhile at least).

This was purchased for my husband. He loves it and is looking forward to using on our next trip. It's a great size for a carryon and looks great. Very versatile and easy to switch between the messenger bag and backpack.

Nice bag. Very good quality. Nice pockets. Just wish it wasn't a little bit bigger.

I love this bag, especially how great each of the multiple uses function. I ride my bike to work daily (weather permitting), and it sits snugly against my body with minimal movement, but it doesn't cause me to sweat more than without a bag. As a structural engineer, I often find myself up a ladder and needing to reach for something from the bag; the shoulder strap is incredibly comfortable, the bag is accessible, and the storage pocket being at a 45* angle to the bag is actually very helpful. I bought a couple carabiners and use the webbing on the outside the hook my helmet and nalgene bottle, and the stitching has shown no sign of wearing. I use the handles when unloading from my car or going through airport security, and they are very comfortable as well. It can easily fit enough clothes to function as a weekend getaway bag as well.

Professional enough for a lawyer using shoulder strap, but convertable to 2-strap back-pack for comfort.

The Ace is just about perfect. Great pockets, useful, versatile design. Very practical size for work or carry-on. Improvements would be an internal key ring clip and better wearing vinyl portions. Candidly wonder why Timbuk2 doesn't promote it more, as it really is a great design.

I'm not prone to reviewing items (and wasn't asked to do this one), but this bag is so awesome I felt it deserved the shoutout. As a weekly inter-island commuter in Hawaii I need something that can serve a lot of functions but with style. Practically, I need something that can accommodate all of my work and personal essentials for a few days, but still maintain a slim profile to move through life easily (no wheelies or multiple bags for me). I also need something that has enough compartmentalization for clothes, work machines, paperwork, gadgets and chargers, and small loose stuff like keys, but no so much to seem overly tactical or bulky. This bag meets all of these needs in a single package perfectly. It's also really well made--after 6 months of having it with minimal wear, I know it can stand up to constant travel and use. And the best thing for me is its versatility--need to sprint through the airport or bike to work? No worries, its a backpack. Need to slip it on and off through security or look professional enough for meetings with any clients or bosses the day offers? Easy, it's a messenger. And when you do need to tack on extras there are plenty of loops for a helmet, sneakers, etc. I'm no international man of mystery, but I almost feel like one with this bag! To the wonderful designers at Timbuk2, some ideas for future versions: modify the handle strap so the velcro doesn't chafe bare arms when putting on or taking off. Maybe consider a different way to stow the messenger strap when in backpack mode for quicker, easier transitions. And loop straps on 'bottom' (in backpack mode) of bag would be great to hold a bulky or wet jacket.

so I use this bag on an everyday basis and I mean an everyday basis. I travel at least once a month for a week or two depending on if work calls for it. I use this bag for traveling, when I get to my location I commute with it, bring it everywhere I go as I constantly need to take my laptop out for anything work related (or gaming hehe) and finally use it as my office bag. I use both the messenger strap for meetings, conferences and backpack straps for commuting. Btw I don't carry a MacBook which is what timbuk2 recommends. Instead I carry an Alienware laptop a computer that can work fast, email, video edit and since I have a great deal of free time during my trips gaming. The Alienware is thicker, heavier than the MacBook and this timbuk2 handles it with ease. Can't ask for anything more, in my opinion the perfect bag that can adapt to any situation. Highly recommended!

Great computer bag all around.On my second one finally after 2 years of abuse and travel. Slim even holding my 15" MacBook Pro, an iPad, and a few other gadgets. The hidden backpack feature is awesome to have when I need to even things out on my shoulders. Literally the only small thing that bothers me about this bag, is the front D ring that the shoulder strap hooks to. It has enough play that it keeps spinning around causing the round part to go upside down. Wears the fabric a bit faster that way it seems. Other than that, looking forward to buying another one of these when this thing finally wears out!

all i can said is that is bag is awesome

This is a great bag. I searched for a messenger bag that could be converted to a backpack and was surprised and delighted to have come across this bag. It is a lbs or two heavier than expected but its versatility is well worth the trade off.

I am an airline pilot who travels internationally for work 4-5 times a month. I was looking for the perfect bag to carry my company iPad, along with my laptop on occasion, and water bottles, headsets, sunglasses.....etc, in the cockpit and look professional, but which would do double-duty as a daypack for my layovers to carry a jacket, guidebook, umbrella, etc. I bought this bag over 1.5 years ago and it has stood up to constant travel, being shlepped around through airports, in airplanes, handled by van drivers, and used as both a daypack for city layovers as well as hiking excursions in the mountains on some of my layovers. It has stood up to all the abuse I have thrown at it and it still looks good and has held together well. I am very happy with it. The only thing it does not have that I would want is an exterior pocket to hold a thermos/water bottle.

I wanted a mid sized brief case that offered convinent storage pockets and flexibility to use traditionally or as a back pack. This "Aces" that job. Only trade-off for that flexibility is no bottle sleeve (Timbuk2 consider one for the use in back pack orientation). I would be happy to see more colour options, but regardless, the bag really is very practical and I highly recommend it.