Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - Extra Small

I bought the bag for my daughter to use on the back of her wheelchair. The configuration of the push handles on her chair do not lend themselves to using regular back packs so we use messenger or lap top bags, but most of them are not that big. This bag is the largest we have tried, which is good, but the lack of easily accessible smaller compartments is a bit of a pain. The quality seems good, but we haven't had it long enough to judge the durability. An outside water bottle pocket would be very handy as well.

Things I really like: the size and organization of the pockets and divisions; the (seeming...haven't had too long) durability and quality of the materials; AMAZING customer service Things I don't like so much: the quick release strap adjuster - it's hard to put back into place when it's on me, which seems like it sort of defeats the purpose. If I release/extend the strap to put over a helmet then have to shorten it once I am wearing the bag, I have to hold the bag or rest it on something in a way that takes all the weight off the strap and then have to use two hands to make it lock back in place firmly. If I don't use two hands to push the locking mechanism together, it invariably and rapidly starts to slide apart. Easier just to use it like any other bag and not adjust the strap...Plus, anyone else sort of confused by how to take the "comes with it" strap pad off without cutting it off? I bought the extra thick pad w reflection and it fits really poorly over top the existing pad, but the existing pad doesn't look like you can take it off w/o cutting the pad off.

I love Timbuk2 commuter bags, I had to retire my first one after 10 years of use and bought this to replace it. Generally a good improvement over the original. The ability to adjust strap length is much improved which is key when adjusting heavy vs. light loads. However, go back to original design (see photo using my old bag) with security strap; this new one attaching to the main strap is awkward to use has no place to tuck away when not in use; also could make the inside zipper pocket a bit bigger like before.

Overall, well done and well made. Has enough pockets to keep items separate. Only suggestion would be to make the fasteners for the strap pivot to help prevent the strap from getting twisted.

I use the messenger bag to carry all of my stuff to and from school. The only real issues I have come across are that it is difficult to get the bag off sometimes (especially when there is a lot of stuff in it). I would like to see a buckle on the strap to make taking the bag off easy. Also, the water bottle pockets could be a little bigger, and it would be nice if the bag had a little more form (so it would stand up on it's own). Other than those minor issues, I am amazed by the durability and roominess of my bag. It has served me very well and is very comfortable.

I really like the compression straps. It keeps the entire bag compact and doesn't allow it to flop around. I wish there was a better way to hide away the compressions straps once their pulled tight. Other than that the bag is perfect.

If you are like me and you always carry something to read in your purse, this bag is perfect. Big enough to hold an IPad or hardback book, a small makeup bag, a large wallet and any other miscellaneous items.

I use my Classic for commuting and its perfect for the job. Only issue is cost. Need to ship from Canada to avoid high duties.

This bag reminds me of my messenger days even as I slog from meeting to meeting. When I sling it over my shoulder after a long, tedious, butt numbing convening, I can momentarily reminisce of the freedom of my youth when I used to ride through the city streets with an open channel radio holstered to my strap and a bag full of packages on my back. This bag reminds me of when I knew rain, snow, wind and frost as coworkers, and the bustle of downtown traffic was my office. While it is the perfect size for my Macbook Air, a notebook and a few pens, and the pocket sizes are just right, the time travel feature of my small Timbuk2 messenger bag does it for me.

Overall I really like this bag. I got the tan one with blue lining because I thought it was something that looked professional but casual. While riding my bike it's comfortable unless it's heavy then I find it rubs on my spine but I just adjust it to a little more on my side and it's good. Doesn't make my back Or shoulder too sweaty on hot days either. I find that walking with it is more uncomfortable than riding, probably because of my positioning on my bike. I like all the great compartments and adjustable straps for when I fill in up. I also got the timbuk2 accessory case To put on the strap and I find that convenient since there are no other outside compartments. Good to hold your phone or small last minute things. Anyway, good quality bag for bike riding!!

Love this bag. I bought them for my kids when they were in college,but didn't consider buying one for myself until recently. Why did I wait so long? Only comment is I wish the shoulder strap was attached so that it rotated to the correct position whenever I picked it up (my last briefcase did this). Because it is in a fixed position, I have to mess with the strap every time I pick it up. Could also use a small pen slot.

I ordered this bag on sale because I liked everything but the pink piping, but turns out it's a lovely mauve color so I really like it! I have already gotten many compliments on the way it looks! I got this bag to be used for grad school and for a clinical internship at a health facility, so it was important to me to have something practical and professional that could hold enough stuff for my 13-hour days. All good there. The reason why 4 instead of 5 stars: my biggest complaint is that the strap fabric is very malleable, not stiff. This means that when wearing the bag across my back, the strap bunches up where it is supposed to move through for adjustment. This also means one-handed adjustment is not possible as I need to smooth the strap out so it can pass through. It's hard, then, to get it to sit comfortably on my shoulder, and the cross body anchor strap also bunches up the main strap fabric. My second, more minor con is that the water bottle holders inside the bag are quite small. It is very hard to get my standard sized life factory water bottle into one of the pockets. I'm hoping they may stretch with time.

I'm glad I went ahead and got this bag. Durability and size were its biggest advantages.

Now I have two, one small and one medium. They are perfect for cycling and when I am going out, photographing the whole Day.

I use the bag whilst cycling to carry my daily gear including a 17" laptop which fits. I like the bag so far however I wish that the small pockets inside the bag had some type of seal ie zip, velcro. The reason for this is because you can wear the bag in two configurations items do not stay secure in the unsealed pockets. The external pockets are good. The bag is very water resistant. I have found it to be comfortable to use whilst cycling when using the chest strap to secure it to my back. It easily drops to a shoulder bag once off the bike.

Great bag, I love the colours (canyon and leather) and the entire feel. Out lives up to the impeccable style and quality I've come to expect from Timbuk2.

Item is great and was a recommendation by a californian

I love my bag. The only thing is that the strap adjuster was not the one that was advertised and it feels cheap. It's fine for me since I keep it on my hip but for anyone constantly needing to adjust the strap, I would get something else.

It's a great bag, although I actually wish I had purchased the small, rather than the medium. I didn't need a bag as big as the medium but I still love it.

The strap could be a fraction longer - I'm quite short and have the strap at its longest. I also would really like an exterior pocket (for phone/ bus pass etc) so you don't have to open the whole bag to get to your high frequency item

I use it to bring food and other items to and from work. Also as a carry on for traveling and to use durring outings while on trips. I keep a ton of things in it. Alieve, tums, alkaseltzer, can opener, extra flashlight batteries, multipurpose tool, etc... It's well made, comfortable (I like the new shoulder pad), and styling. This is my third Timbuk2 bag and although the compartments have improved over the years, they could still use some work in my opinion. I understand that a large messenger bag for messengers needs a big compartment, but for a medium sized bag mostly used by commuters and students, more and bigger compartments would be nice. If you could incorporate something more like what Courier Ware bags have in the way of pockets (but with zippered interion pockets), that would be great. That and maybe make the straps more like Seagull bags or Chrome bags.

I used the bag on a 3 week trip to tokyo, japan. It was spacious enough to carry around all day, it carried my nikon camera d3300 and 2 lenses. It also had plenty of space to carry around medium size purchases with no problem. If the weight became a little heavy for the shoulder the additional stabilizing chest strap helped a lot to alleviate the weight. I also took the bag on a trek up Mt. Fuji, it carried water bottles, snacks and clothe/gear. It rained the whole way up and the contents stayed nice and dry thanks to the liner. The only con i have is that after the trip the bag is pretty dirty and it's difficult to get clean. I wish they made it machine wash proof but it's spot cleaning which isn't bad if the whole bag weren't dirty.

I sized this to fit my commute. I like the minimal size and weight. I typically carry and apple air, a few papers and an umbrella. It works well, but two small changes would make it excellent. a more robust carry handle would feel better in the hand, and removable bottom straps would be appreciated. To top if off, I wish there was an external zipper pocket at the bottom so that the umbrella could be placed outside of the main compartment at the base of the bag.

You need to provide a method to prevent the pens / pencils / and other items from falling out of the pockets when the bag is on it's side or accidentally turns over.

I love all the pockets. I especially like the new side interior pockets. I usually put items in them I want to get to in a hurry like my inhaler, snacks, or travel silverware. I like this small size because it is comfortable and not too heavy on my shoulder even when full (this includes my galaxy tablet, planner, books, pens and assorted bag flotsam). I carry this daily to work and on trips in the car. I plan to fly with it in the future. The new pad on the strap is absolutely fantastic!!! It is super soft and cushion-ey, I would guess it is memory foam because with use it has a nice curve to it. It also moves easily up and down the larger cross body strap. The quick move strap and buckle is something that I am getting used to on this bag. I do like it, though. When overfilled, the inner pocket tips inward and obscures bottom of the bag this is my biggest complaint (though this may by due to the bags small size?). There is NO NAPOLEON Pocket, why??? I miss this, not sure why there is not more uniformity throughout all the classic messenger bags??? This is unfortunate.