Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - Extra Small

I like the size of the bag and the interior compartments..,. However the buckle that controls the length of the over the shoulder strap constantly comes undone causing the that strap to need frequent adjustments

The bag is well organized and roomy for its size. The reason why I returned it was the long and wide Velcro used to close the cover. I often carry a small knitting project with me and Velcro would destroy them.

I've had a Timbuk2 messenger bag for 10 or 12 years and absolutely love it. It's so well loved, it's time to replace. So I ordered a new one. The current version has a big problem - the laptop compartment has insufficient padding on the bottom and backside of the bag. Seriously? There is, however, one layer of padding for the laptop on the inside of the bag - but that is definitely not going to protect your computer from a hard set down, or if you're a frequent traveler. Also, the L does not fit my laptop with 17" screen - the laptop compartment is too narrow in the width. Note, it's a workstation class laptop, about 6 years old, so a bit larger than a typical 17" laptop. The positive: the bag is still a pretty nice bag. But I'm definitely returning it.

It is a very good quality (material, production), but not practical to use. The material of the bag is too thick/stiff. The bag tends to fall on or the other side all the time, regardless what is in the bag. I would preffer to have outside pocket for phone/work badge. Inside the bag, pockets on the front side are too small. The shoulder strap is too wide and stiff. Please contact me when you will be redesigning this bag!

Quality, design, etc, we're fine. But this size is smaller than I expected.

Sadly, my excitement was short lived. When I got my new custom bag the difference in construction and materials was night and day from my previous bag. Everything thinner and more fragile feeling. Less compartments. Even the shoulder strap is thinner and less sturdy than it used to be. I don't see this new bag lasting 10 years, not by a long shot. Based on the downgrade in materials and design, this will be my last Timbuk2 bag.

I had a messenger around 10 years ago that I loved. It was substantial and had quick access, and some other well thought out features. The Classic messenger I just received is a cheaper version of what these bags used to be. The material seems cheaper, and the handle is just a nylon strap, seems like there used to be an actual handle on the bag. It's also missing the quick access zipper on top that would let you gain access to the inside without having to open the bag up completely. That's a big bummer for me. Especially now that there's velcro on the main flap, has there always been velcro? I don't remember velcro on my last messenger. It sounds like you're opening a cheap wallet whenever you need to get inside and get something. This still seems like a decent bag, I guess. It's just not the quality it used to be. It feels like many quality corners were cut to bring costs down and pump these bags out.

My original Timbuk2 messenger lasted me 15 year and through twice as many countries. My newer Timbuk2 messenger is limping along after three years and zero international travel and it's already been back to Timbuk2 once to be repaired! These bags are not nearly as sturdy as they used to be. Thinner materials, thinner webbing, less solid structure. The pocket design has suffered, as has the overall integrity of the bag. The double-loop strap buckle releases itself constantly, so that the bag is suddenly hanging at butt-level, even though I'm just walking down the street. These bags used to be built to last... now they're built to replace, just like every other formerly-great product that suffers as the company "matures" into selling sub-par product at higher prices. As an SF native, losing Timbuk2 as a trusted brand really bums me out.

My original Timbuk2 messenger lasted me 15 year and through twice as many countries. My newer Timbuk2 messenger is limping along after three years and zero international travel -and it's already been back to Timbuk2 once to be repaired! These bags are not nearly as sturdy as they used to be. Thinner materials, thinner webbing, less solid structure. The pocket design has suffered, as has the overall integrity of the bag. The double-loop strap buckle releases itself constantly, so that the bag is suddenly hanging at butt-level, even though I'm just walking down the street. These bags used to be built to last... now they're built to replace, just like every other formerly-great product that suffers as the company "matures" into selling sub-par product at higher prices. As an SF native, losing Timbuk2 as a trusted brand really bums me out.

I have had to return 3 bags do to last of pockets. Why do the messenger bags only have 2 in the front and no others? I have a lot of small gadgets I commute with. Phone, battery charger, cords, IPAD, pens name badge, wallet, passport and airline tickets and paperwork. See where I'm going with this. The especial bag was getting there. I'll say the front pocket unzipping to the side is a bit dangerous. Things can fall out if you forget to zip it. Hope this helps?

The materials are of good quality and will no doubt last. A few points that I noticed right away however is the top handle that would be used to carry the bag like a briefcase is positioned more to the back of the bag and not centered on the top when the flap is closed. When you use it, it feels awkward and it puts stress on the material unnecessarily. If the product fails, I would expect it to fail at this point first. The second item that I find annoying is the redundancy of using Velcro AND clasps for closure. When I want to open the bag, it is annoying that I have to pull it so hard to loosen the Velcro. I will most likely put some Velcro receivers on those areas so the velcro won't activate when I close it, which is not what I would desire but in order to make it work, I will need to do that. Thirdly, the bag has an enormous amount of space that it can expand to, which is overkill for a computer bag. The space is so ample that if it was full, it would seem bulky and cumbersome at that point. If I had that much to carry, I would choose a different method, like a backpack type of unit which could be managed better on the body. The straps that close down the expandable area are also extremely long and just hang ridiculously low with no way to really manage them. It does hold my 17" laptop which is difficult to find in a messenger type bag. I was going to choose the shorter unit from them but the website dimensions were not clear as to what it would hold. It said the width was smaller than the 17" laptop it claimed to hold. I couldn't trust the information. Bottom line: I am making due with this bag for my purposes, but am extremely disappointed in it's engineering. I would have thought that some of these items (like handle placement) would have been extremely obvious issues if the bag had been tested in the field with a variety of users.

I have bought this bag to replace my 10 years old (!!) Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag. I am shocked to see the difference between them both and, to my disappointment, how "soft" Timbuk2 have become. What was suppose to be a practical, sturdy, reliable bag is now a comfortable, full of fancy stupid features. Here go my comments: You rarely find a large version available in Europe (and only full black). It feels smaller than before. Laptop compartment is too big, sloppy and does not close. Shoulder strap is much thinner than before, the strap tightening system does not work with a heavy or too full bag (it is so thin that it gets all folded and squashed when using the cross strap!). The top flap is smaller (leaving the bag open or barely if it is too full), the side pocked on the outside has difficult access when the flap is closed by the buckles (and the danger of everything falling off if you forget to zip close the pocket before putting your bag on your back). The water protection ears on the side makes the top flap sewing so thick that it is uncomfortable against the side of your ribs (the large version bag "wraps" around your whole back). The buckles are now hidden for aesthetics not practicality, terrible to access them. My old Timbuk2 bag had nothing of that. It was just plain simple, though motherf...er that have endured amazingly 10 years of daily abuse. Good features. Waterproof material have improved, grab handle is pretty good. Even though I hate the main strap, it is now more clean and does not leave a big loop of strap on the side of the bag (potential dangerous for hooking on car mirrors) Timbuk2 please, don't go soft. Leave the hipsters aside and make a decent working bag again.

There is no outside pocket for my phone. The small zipper compartment under the flap, with the keychain holder, is much too small. Inside, I can keep it in the large zippered area with stuff that will scratch it, or in a too shallow slot. I wish Timbuk2 had an easily accessible customer service phone number so I can find out how other people use this bag.

I have 3 other original messengers in 3 different sizes that I love. I bought this one because I have a Snoop xs insert that I have been using in a small messenger And wanted a snugger fit for my camera. I was really excited to finally get this, but the big issue is that the strap is waaaay shorter than my other bags. It totally looks like a purse not even hanging to my waistline. The new adjuster is cool, but unneeded since the longest setting puts it not far under my arm pit. I'm going to have to return or maybe give it to my wife for a messenger purse. I'll stick with my older messengers that look a bit more manly. This is the only Timbuk2 purchase I did not absolutely love

Removed the under arm meaning the bag slides all over the place when you ride. Ridiculous.

Color is way diffirent than what it looked like online. Thinking of returning it and possibly reordering a different color.

This is an okay bag, but overall I am disappointed in the inaccurate colors in the photos on the website. Also, not happy with customer service as they have not gotten back to me. Also, no convenient and easy way to access cell phone.

I've wanted a Timbuk2 bag for years. Now that I am in the market for a messenger bag that I can take to France on vacation as well as to work. I ordered 2 Timbuk2 bags to try- a classic messenger and a command travel friendly. The Command I rejected as soon as I opened it. There is so much padding due to the double laptop spaces (a fold open TSA one and interior slot) that you are left with no interior room. I'm a little confused as to why you need 2 15" laptop spaces... I thought the classic was going to be the thing, but while it will fit a laptop, there is absolutely no padding and almost no interior organization pockets. Also, interior water bottle pockets seem like a bad idea, I'd rather keep my leaky stuff outside my bag. I wish there was a combo between these two bags- a lightly padded laptop sleeve along one side, exterior water bottle pocket, interior full depth pockets along the front of the bag, and luggage pass through on the back. The quality seemed great on both, but as I sent them back I will not know!

I cycle, and I cycle hard in day, night, rain, summer, winter. I ordered a custom bag as high visibility, durability, being waterproof were my top of my list. The High Vis material is PERFECT! The other materials, were great in the beginning, but after months, all of the reflective paint on the high vis binding disappeared (Timbuk2 no longer uses this). Along with that, the waterproof panels just started to disintegrate (my bag purchased in 2013) I purchased this believing that Timbuk2 believed in high quality products, but if something was wrong, that they would help me with their great customer service. But, now that I need help, I see their warranty, and it doesn't cover corner and spots on the bag that get a lot of action. If Timbuk2 knows that these are problem areas, they need to address these issues by placing tougher materials in these spots. The only reason I am giving 1 star, is due to the high quality of stitching as well as the design of the bag. But, if a company uses poor materials, nothing else really matters.

the color showing looks brown and black. but the actual item is olive or what they call army and black. I was want the brown and black. maybe the photo just made it look brown and not the olive green. and that is why I'm returning this item. look timbuk2 still. lol

Cute bag but as a messenger bag to cross the body, the strap is too short even after fully adjusted to its longest length. It has to go back.

I use this partly as a camera bag, so I like the size of the actual bag itself. I use it with the strap extended all the way, and I wish I had a couple more inches. Unfortunately, its sewn to the side of the bag, so I don't have any options regarding replacing it.

I'm a foot courier and use this bag for work. Bag lasted 4 months before it developed a hole in the bottom where the seams meet at a corner. The "cordura-like" material appears to be very thin and susceptible to wear. I can no longer use the man compartment during rainy weather as water pools in the very bottom of the pouch, ruining my deliveries. Sorry, not good enough. Avoid if you're a bike or foot courier.

I've used a Timbuk2 messenger bag daily since 2007 and decided it was time to get a new one. I should not have spent the money this time around. the biggest disappointment is the bag's lack of rigidity compared with the older model. The older model has a robust laptop area -- it's actually padded. The current (2018) model's "padding" is wildly thin -- so much so as to be non-existent. The result is not only less protection for a laptop but also a sloppy, floppy feel to the bag overall. Whereas the older model would carry comfortably in one spot, the current model slides all over depending on what I've got it in. Bottom line is that I'll take the current model to Goodwill and go back to my old, battered bag until I find a suitable replacement. And I'll try out the bag in person first as well. This new model Messenger is a serious disappointment given how much I've loved my old one.

The strap on this thing is too short for tall people. Unfortunately one end of the strap is seen onto the bag so it cannot be replaced. Big design misses make this bag look like a slightly more modern fanny pack (ewe!)