Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Command Messenger Bag - Large

Love it

My first Timbukt2 bag (Commute Laptop TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag) was starting to feel old to me even though *nothing* was wrong with it. It was my first messenger bag and after using it for 2 years I started to get to know what I wanted in my next bag. To my surprise, the new Command TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag came out which had a lot of what I wanted "different" than my Commute Laptop TSA Bag. First, the velcro was never my favorite though it works great in a pinch but for maximum secureness you needed to use the two plastic clips that held the flap down. The new Command TSA bag had velcro covers to block velcro use (make things quieter) and these new metal hooks that go into sewn in loop positions. At first using the metal hooks was a little hard until I figured out that all you need to do is apply pressure to the hook on the side which was open. This makes the hook "unlock" from the sewn loops and it comes right out. Now it's SUPER easy to take the hooks out and open the flap. I think Timbuk2 would be well served to make a video on this. Next, the design of the bag is much more rigid, which for me is a huge plus in looks and usability though at the cost of a little comfort. The bag will not conform to your back when you wear it like the Commute Bag, but with a 15" MacBook in the laptop area NO bag will ever conform to your back. The back laptop area is only designed to hold one tablet this time which is no biggie. I love the napoleon pocket in the flap as I use it for my security badge. While this bag doesn't have the same volume as the Commute, the Command has plenty for most users that are looking to travel light. A couple more zippered or velcro'd inside pockets would have been nice, but I'm ok with it. Again, love love love this bag and specially in the Carbon Full Twill (yes, it's slightly green color tinged but looks great) which is classy.

Great bag, huge step up for me. My only complaints are the smaller number of organizational compartments than I'm used to - however, I'm learning to make do. I'll also say that I got the smallest bag, and it's as big as I'd ever want... Just consider that when ordering. Wish the water bottle holder was a bit roomier and the power brick pocket as well, but those are nit-picky. That said - if that's all I can come up with its highly recommended.

I was a little bit afraid of the size at first (for an old 15" Lenovo) but it's perfect ! Lots of room for all my gears. Already made 2 trips by plane and the TSA friendly organisation of the bag is really efficient

I really like this bag. I fly a lot and this bag has pockets on the outside to store my pasport, tablet and wallet. So I don't have to open the whole bag to find this stuff. The bag contains a strap to fit it easily on a trolley. This works well. I have the medium size bag which fits my Macbook Pro 13", tablet, adapter, cables and accessoires easily. The tablet sits in a separate compartment located on the inside. When the bag is fully stuffed it becomes a bit uncomfortable to wear because there is not too much padding on the inside. Not all airports in Europe accept the bag with the laptop inside. Some do and some don't. It seems to depend on the knowlegde of the security officer. I like the looks of the bag and it seems to be of good quality.

I purchased this bag for the TSA checkpoint convenience, and I have yet to try that out. I use this as my daily work bag, and carry a 15" Retina Macbook Pro. Its a sturdy case that hold the laptop and a few extras comfortably. I upgraded to it from an Acme Made Union Brief. Unfortunately, it falls over. All the time. I can't stress how annoying this is, but its a near constant frustration.

I have previously owned the Proof Messenger Bag, which had a great look and feel but no handle. This bag does have a handle and a few improvements over my former bag. It is lighter and retains a sleek look even with all the same stuff (laptop, iPad, cords, wallet, sunglasses etc) put into it. I think it's because it has a better interior design. LOVE the outer compartment for the laptop and iPad, so that I don't have to open the main bag to access those electronics. Also has useful side pockets with zippers to store key or phone or sunglasses without adding bulk. When opened, the front pouch holds sundry and then the main compartment has a lot of room, especially because I'm not storing the electronics there! Also love not having to take my laptop out at airports; I just unzip it and the laptop compartment hinges out flat on the belt (I made sure to take the iPad out of that side, though). Minor drawbacks are the clasps closing the main compartment, which are perhaps stylish but a little tricky to get open and shut quickly. There is also velcro to help close it but I've opted to close those strips up. The clasps do keep things closed, versus the snaps on the Proof bag. I'm sure I'll get used to that. I also liked the canvas material better on the Proof Messenger; this is nylon and may not look "professional" enough for some. These are minor quibbles. All in all, I really love this bag.

I had the previous gen of this bag for several years and loved it. This new version is an improvement in several ways - the material is much more stylish, the buckling system is 100% better, and the pocket on the outside flap is a huge plus. I miss the old power supply pocket on the bottom (the new side version works as long as you have a small power supply. The previous version also had more internal pockets that I miss as well. And hopefully a future version will add larger end pockets on the outside (on both ends!). But, overall this is by far the best travel bag on the market and it is now better than ever. I have multiple friends that has purchased this bag after seeing mine. Huge Timbuk2 fan.

I had been using the same briefcase for many years, but it finally bit the dust. Settled on this bag after looking way too long. For me it's the perfect size. My 13" Macbook Pro fits perfectly, there's plenty of storage space, but it's still pretty small and lightweight. Best of all there are several pockets that are accessible without opening the main compartment, some of which were not even mentioned in the description online. I like it a lot, and hope it holds up for many years.

Love this bag. Very stylish and also holds so much stuff. I like how the computer (I have 15.5 in. screen) feels so safe. Great for airport travel. I bought the large -- it does not bulk out yet holds a lot. It is pretty wide as far as proportions (instead of puffed out), but not in a problematic way. The diablo red is fabulous!

I bought this for plane travel, but Logan, Charles de Gaulle, and Schiphol all make you take the computer out of the bag, no matter what, so the "flay it open" solution just doesn't work in reality. At least for international travel. That said, this bag is still pretty nice. I have been using a Mission Workshop bag for the past year or so, so I am spoiled by their easily adjustable shoulder strap. The one on this Timbuk2 bag is somewhat difficult to cinch up for a ride, especially if the bag is loaded down, which mine usually is. The front closures are a bit unusual, too, but I thought that at first about the MW Arkiv system, and that became very easy very quickly, so we'll see about these hooks. The bag looks great, and I like all the pencil/pen spots, and other little pockets and divided areas. I took to calling the MW a "potato sack," so this is a nice change. Much better for bringing and using at work. It's comfortable, looks good, and I like the computer and tablet pockets. I still haven't found that one, perfect bag, but this will certainly do for a while.

I had an older COMMAND bag and can't help making comparisons. I really like the new bag's combined laptop and tablet space. Also, the new clasps on the flap are a great improvement - on the older bag, the straps hung loose from the bag and often got snagged on stuff, so the new design is much better. On the downside, I grew very attached to three zippered pockets right under the lap that are gone on the new bag. Also, the old bag had a key 'leash' and I miss that very much on the new edition. Finally, the old design had a pocket on the bottom for power bricks and such that is missed on the new model. All-in-all, a good bag but I wish you hadn't ditched key features that I found very useful on my older COMMAND.

I recycled my old command bag and take advantage of the discount. The new version is even more organized. I love the side pocket for carrying the charger. The colors options are even better. I am carrying 2 Mac Book Pro 15's, an iPad all my other stuff. Love it!

I like this bag but there are some minor flaws that keep me from really liking it. First off, the "power-brick pocket". I put that in quotes because it doesn't deserve that name. That pocket is tiny, I cannot fit a power brick in there without taking the power brick apart from its cord. Terrible. And you all know how annoying a powerbrick is taking up space inside your main compartments. Second, i don't know if I love the hooks. It works but cant say its my favorite way of closing a bag. Other than that, it has a lot of pockets, it fits everything I need it to fit, and it's a good companion for my air travel.

This is the best bag I have bought. I really like the look of the bag and all of the different zipper pockets, helps keep me organized because there's enough pockets for everything to have a place. I looked for quite a while before I picked this one and I am very happy with my buy. I use it for my day to day work/laptop bag for back and forth to the office. I haven't taken it on a business trip yet, but it seems like I can carry everything I would need.

As this is a Travel Bag, I would assume you would try and tailor some color options, and material options, for the business traveler. These options are not clean enough for business...good for a college kid, but not us career people. Like the Distilled and Agent Collections. These options seem real cookie cutter/not unique. Also, please do not limit the options in the "L" size.

Don't plan on sneaking up on anyone with this bag slung around your shoulder! The zippers on the bag are atrociously loud and jingle-jangle against themselves and against each other non-stop. There are 5 zippers on the exterior of the bag, but the main offenders are the two zippers that attach and detach the TSA-friendly "lay-flat" flap. If zipped completely closed, the two zippers will sit right next to each other and will incessantly collide with one another. Since the zipper pulls are made of metal, they produce a distinct and annoying sound, not unlike that of a set of dog tags on a dog's collar as they walk along. Timbuk2 really should have considered this when designing the bag and elected to use zipper pulls made out of rubber or silicon. I've already ordered a set of black rubber replacement zipper pulls, but at this point, I may just send the bag back. I'd also like to note that the bag is fairly uncomfortable to wear, since the laptop is stored along the very back of the bag (the side that rests on your body). There is very little between you and the laptop in terms of material, so don't expect it to rest comfortably as you walk. My last criticism is that the "Carbon full-cycle twill" version of the bag appears close to a gray color in the images, but in most lights it has much more of a green tint, which threw me off. The overall construction of the bag is solid and I like the easily accessible "Napolean" pocket and small zipper compartment built into the flap. The red interior is a nice, distinctive touch and there is plenty of internal storage.