Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - Extra Small

everyday use as my purse

I really tried hard to like this bag but I just don't. I've been using it for 2 months now and find it more frustrating than functional. I bought it to replacing my old Timbuk2 Freestyle XS, which had become extremely faded and not work appropriate. The Freestyle was just so much more versatile. The pockets on the classic messenger XS are small and not very functional. Most bags have an obvious pocket for a phone but not this one. The cluster of internal pockets are oriented in such a way that using some of them renders others not functional. The pocket for the water bottle is a nice feature, though. Unfortunately the top of the bag doesn't open very wide so it's easy to lose stuff in the bottom and the bag doesn't expand as much as the buckle straps imply. The strap itself is fine and the pad is nice, but the strap will not stay at the adjusted length. The buckle intended to hold the strap at the desired length is flimsy, catches on just about anything and opens easily. So, if you don't like the bag at the full strap length, plan to adjust your strap almost daily. On the plus side, the rest of the bag does seem quite durable and like it would hold up well over the years. I also had some customer service issues with my order. I've been a devoted Timbuk2 fan for years but unfortunately this purchase (both the purchase and the product received) did not meet my expectations. I won't write them off completely, but definitely try to check one out in a store to see if it will meet your needs if you can.

I purchased this online as a big fan of Timbuk2 and seeing such a bright and vibrant bag online I wanted to replace my old Timbuk2 messenger bag (which had given me 6 years of good use). The design changes from my old bag are great but the colors delivered are very dull compared to those depicted online. I saw the Cruz colors (Pink/Yellow/Teal) and I was very excited. Unfortunately what arrived was much more muted tones (Salmon/Mustard/Teal). Probably not be an issue for some but as a graphic designer the difference between a vibrant pink and a musty salmon can be enough to turn an exciting new everyday carry into a back up bag. Just be wary of the colors depicted on this color way.

Great product, but saw the exact same bag in a retail store with a huge discount (70%) and makes me feel I kinda 'lost value' on my purchase online. When it suppose to be the opposite. I bit disappointed on the experience, although love the bag

The bag needs an outside pocket to slide in papers (I.e. Boarding passes and hand sanitizer).

Riding the subways of NYC, a small bag is a necessity for extra glasses, keys, kindle, iPad, phone etc, It is also great as a carryon for flights. Just enough room and not too bulky.The inside design is perfect, with one zippered pocked and a couple of sleeves as well as a divider for kindle or iPad. Unfortunately, for me, the killer is the way too short shoulder pad which makes it uncomfortable while walking. if the shoulder strap were detachable I would have swapped it out for a longer one. Also the pad is huge (11-1/2 x 2-1/2) and padded making it more suitable for a larger and heavier bag.

I have been using a custom Timbuk2 bag I got in January 2008 every day since. After 8 years the inside was completely delaminated and the outside was looking a little rough. I do take it to meetings and such so I decided I could stand to freshen up a little. I should have known better! Admittedly, I hate change but the new bag just does not seem as good as the older design. The pockets are outside of the zippered compartment which seems like a major flaw to me. For a woman (5'6", 130 lbs, exactly average) the small is slightly too big to feel comfortable across my back and the x-tra small is too small to carry all the things needed in a day. Most importantly there's no way on the standard bag to accommodate carrying it on the right shoulder (left-handed). The way the adjustment clip works is super awkward and not at all easy to do once you have it on and want to tighten it down for cycling. Will be looking for a better bag for sure.

The new strap is flimsier and it twists up easily. The new strap adjuster is not as quick and easy as the older model one. And it doesn't look as nice. I go in and out of my bag often and adjust strap constantly to do so. The new pocket organizers have smaller pockets and also less user friendly for me. I like to keep my bag organized. I'm very particular about my bag, its not terrible but I dislike the changes. If I found a nicer looking messenger bag I would buy it despite using timbuk2 classic messenger for at least the last ten years. Also, i'm a lefty so I had to pay more to have the strap switched. The old bag could be used on either shoulder. The new strap pad makes that impossible.

Well made, super durable, nice looking bag! Bummed that shipping to Canada was and additional $50 on top of the $25 I paid upfront.

I have owned two classic messenger bags over the past 13 years and I loved them both! I ordered a third online just recently and noticed the sizing has changed a lot! I once used this messenger bag as a college student but liked the bag so much that it went from book bag to purse. The actual bag was more square-ish. This new bag is really really long and a little shorter in height. No way can this bag serve as a purse. I sent it back right away though I have yet to receive a refund. I did order another messenger, the Sunset messenger bag in camel and am pretty happy with it though it is smaller than my original two messenger bags. I am sad the Classic Messenger bag has changed sizing and is no longer available. It was the perfect bag...

There are a few changes to this bag vs my old bag that in haven't gotten used to. I do not like the location of the strap adjusted, I preferred it more by he waste bc it now is able to dislodge more frequently. The inside small compartment is smaller than the old one which is another con for me. The "water bottle holders" are to small for my water bottle and coffee mug which are standard size. I can get my water bottle into one of them, but it's definitely a struggle. My old bag also he an exterior loop that I could clip my keys to which was super convenient-no such on this one and the size of the key compartment is laughable. I do like the new fold over to make the bag nor water proof. The separate laptop compartment is also nice. That's about the only change I can get behind. I must admit I'm still attached to my old bag of 6 years, but this one has not proved itself, yet.

I commute from my home downtown to classes on campus, then commute again from class to work on the other side of town. This bag is comfortable to wear while walking for an extended period of time, as well as spacious enough to fit a variety of items (the bag is my purse/school bag/work bag combo). I got a medium size, and at first I was wary that it would be too big and bulky, but I was surprised to find that it was the absolute perfect size for me as someone who likes to carry a LOT of things. The biggest problem with this bag (aside from the uselessly small water bottle holders) is the clip that holds the adjustable strap in place. I take my bag on and off again quite frequently, and the clip becomes loosened and drops down to the maximum length often. It slows me down to be wearing my bag while walking to class and having to pull over and adjust my strap because it came loose while I was walking. Great bag, but strap makes it a deal breaker, and I would not purchase this model ever again due to the annoyance.

Overall a good bag. My second by Timbuk2. I bought the extra small version as a mixed use shoulder bag. The strap is the problem. Too short for use as a shoulder bag. But the real problem is the backward setup. The adjusting clamp is on the wrong side if you wear the bag over the right shoulder. The pad ends up across your chest and the clamp on top off your shoulder. Uncomfortable. The setup needs to be switched so the clamp is on the other end of the bag. A glaring flaw. I will be attaching a new strap. And the bag is missing pen holder slots. Too many zippered pouches and no pen holder slots.

I thought this would be a great bag for biking to and from work. Unfortunately, it has started to hurt my shoulder and it a little awkward being a girl and having lady parts get in the way. Overall, I really like the bag, but it isn't designed optimally for women.

She's lighter, but this came at a price. They cut the amount of pockets for storage by -- best I can approximate -- 75%. Don't know why, because those of us who use these bags like a lot of pockets. Basically, this is a stripped down, zero drag version of the Classic Messenger from this company that we all used and loved. Missing: That vertical line of pockets on the outside, just under the flap. Now there's just one. Why?? Also, inside, where you would find pockets lining the forward section of the bag, now only features a few. Added: A better strap system. Overall: Feels lighter, but cheaper. Can't speak to the ruggedness of the new bags. Time will tell.

The TPU liner on the inside of the flap was bad.. after one use there was already "bruise" on it.. i think this will not last. I had a similar messenger bag 2 years ago, and tpu liner got teared.. tat the reason why i got another messenger bag. I prefer the bigger buckle for adjusting the shoulder strap..

Very nice bag but they skimped on strap. Strap length is not good.

I would like it to have more internal body structure so it can stand up on its own and not collapse. Some sort of frame built into the ends, so it doesn't lay like a lump on the floor. That being said it is great quality and very good looking.

The bag is amazing...it's just the strap that's disappointing. The bag sits above my waste and I'm 5' - 6" tall.

Nice bag, but looks are deceiving.Pictures made the bag look bigger than it was. I would recommend it to anyone if they did they needed a small bag.

I will be using this book for school and holding my macbook air. It is a spacious bag with so many awesome compartments, but the color in lights looks green. Not a fan.

Is there any way to increase the length of the strap?

I use the messenger bag to take my personal stuff from home to work. While I like the construction and style, this bag is clearly too "basic" and really not thought out well. Too few compartments, not enough storage for things like a phone, checkbook, address book, etc. And the worst thing is that the strap is simply too short! I'm 5'9" and the bag sits at/above the belt line. Come on...spend a little more and make it truly adjustable! It's basic. I like supporting local products and bought this after admiring the style of several I've seen, but I am disappointed in how basic this bag is (for the price).

Material of bag seems lighter and more plasticky than bags purchased in '03. Ergonormics are not good - things seem heavier when carried in the bag. Overall a disappointment.

I use this product at work as my mobile office. It has a good amount of space for what I need and lots of compartments. The main compartment is a good size and my computer fits comfortably in a separate space, but the rest of the compartments are a little small and not so accessible. I'd like at least one of the nets on the inside to be big enough to fit a Nalgene water bottle and neither of them are.