Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - Extra Small

Actual bag is smaller than the image would suggest. A little larger than a women's purse. Strap is not long enough. Looks like the bag is riding high(rib cage height) because of this. Strap needs 5 inch more.

This bag is exactly what I wanted in so many ways EXCEPT the strap length is so short that it doesn't fit my body which, sadly, means the bag isn't used as often as I'd hoped. It fits shorter people just fine but at 5' 10" it rides too high and looks odd...

the blue and grey waxed canvas looks terrible. Choose other color. The waxed blue canvas part look very dirty and touch sticky. I then bought another one with "ironside" color. It looks much better. Timbuk2 should remove the waxed canvas from its product line, unless they could figure out a way to fix the dirty look.

The bag is great, no complaints. That said, terrible customer service. My bag didn't arrive by the last possible shipping date. Tried contacting the company via email--no response (still no response a month later). Tried calling--no one ever answers the phone apparently and you can't even leave a message. Finally contacted the shipper but they say they will only communicate with the company that shipped, not the receiver. They at least launched a missing package search and my bag finally showed up but if it hadn't guess I would still be waiting to hear from someone at TIMBUK2.

I bought my first Timbuk2 in 2008, was sold forever. So great for work, school, commuting, cycling, and short trips. I got a custom Classic Messenger bag in 2013 with a laptop sleeve and compression straps. It's been a great bag. So when I researched this year's model, I felt like it ticked all the boxes. A lot of the Classic Messenger Bag has changed since 2013, and it's about 50% Improvement and 50% regression. I'll start with the good, because I really, REALLY wanted to like this bag more than my 2013 model. Here's what's good: - Main strap and the adjustment buckle are much improved and are easy to use, very strong - Putting the flap clasps underneath the flap is great - Unifying the compression and closure straps is amazing - water bottle pockets were needed for a long time. But this bag has some major issues, most of which I only recognize because of using my 2013 every single day. The bad: - There used to be 3 zipper pockets on the front. Moving to just one is a real bummer. - All the pockets, front and inner, are about 90% of the width they used to be. This translates to a lot less carry capacity. The Napoleon pocket is a lot shallower, the inner pockets that used to have very defined uses have been converted to four ubiquitous pockets that aren't quite large enough. The inside-zip pocket is also smaller, and no longer contains the dividers that made it so useful. These pockets in my current bag are very specialized and help keep all my stuff from flopping around. Hard drives stay where they need to stay and so on - and when I am bopping all over town, that is very important. - The water bottle pocket is not nearly big enough. - The bag isn't as deep as it used to be, and - I'm pretty sure the flap is a little shorter as well. Overall, I love a lot of the design decisions that committed the bag to cleaner lines and waterproofing. The new outer fabric is great. What is not great is removing highly functional pockets and compartments and dividers in exchange for pieces that neither organize nor protect well.

The closure straps are too long, and there isn't a way to make them shorter so they don't dangle. They ended up hitting and rubbing against my legs (and scratching them) with each step. Not a good design for these new straps. Also, there is no padding for a lap top to speak of. One would have to buy their own lap top sleeve which defeats the purpose. I bought a size small. In addition, their online return feature does not work properly. I called customer service during business hours and no one answered and there was no voicemail option. I emailed. Waiting for an answer. Disappointed.

I'm a college student and I use this bag whenever I'm headed to class. I love evrything about his bag except for one thing the velcro is wearing out the part of the bag thta holds the bukles. I dont expect this bag to last long because of this. This is so obvious it's hard to believe its a "design flaw". The bukles should have been designed more far apart. I'll only had this bag for a year and it looks like I wont make it to next year.

Nice messenger, but not confortable as i thougt,, perhaps it's because I don't know how to put the strap. With a strap belt would be really better for cycling but not exist on the xs model even if you ask for!

This is my 4th Timbuk2 messenger bag, and I must admit that this new updated classic messenger left me very disappointed. The bag seems much smaller than my other 3 medium messenger bags. The strap is very soft, and less rigid, and about 3inches shorter, which makes a huge difference. The redesigned compression straps on the bottom of the bag hang way to low when not buckled, which is a problem for those of us who mainly use the hook & loop closure. I regret going with the custom design, cause now I cannot return it.

I have been buying Timbuk2 for well over 10 years and I love the brand, but I felt compelled to write because I am shocked at the decline in the material quality in my new bag! I have a number of messenger bags that I have purchased over the years, including my oldest one, which was when the bags were still being produced in the US. The last one I purchased a few years ago, was produced in China, which was disapointing at the time, because I noticed the quality wasn't as as good as my older bags. But this new one is even worse. This is what I found: 1. The main strap is considerably thinner, flimsier and shorter than my previous bags. 2.The buckles and strap release are much smaller and flimsier. 3.The strap release is poorly designed and harder to use. I prefer the original. 4.The fabric for the inner pockets has thinned out consderably (from already being thinned out in my previous bag!). The fabric is like paper thin. 5.The bottle holders were a new feature I was excited about, but I found them to be quite small. I use Kleen Kateen, which has a pretty standard width for a water bottle and I find them to be a bit snug to get the bottle in and out. 6. They removed all the inner pockets inside the main organizer pocket and simplifed the others, which they refer to as streamlining in the video. I think it's just to cut corners. -I have included some closeup images for reference. On the left hand side of all the images is one of my older bags. On the right hand side is the new bag. And keep in mind the older bag is a size XS and the new is a S and even then, the buckles, straps and strap realease of the new larger sized bag are smaller, thinner and flimsier! I love the overall retro design of the bag, which is one of the reasons I purchased the bag. But, aesthetics don't cut it without the solid durability that Timbuk2 is known for. I hope this review is taken as constructive critcism (and posted), because I have always loved Timbuk2 as a brand. But after this dissappointing purchase I don't know if I will be purchasing again! I am glad I have held onto my older bags becuase even though they have all been used heavily they are all in great condition. Why? GREAT MATERIALS and CONSTRUCTION!

I owned a messenger bag for several years; my only complaint was that the plastic buckles broke from normal use. I decided to get a new one, hoping they would have addressed the problem. They did not - the new buckles are even worse than before and snapped the very first time I used the bag. To make matters worse, Timbuk2 expects me to pay for shipping to send back the defective bag, and they won't even decide whether or not to honor the warranty until after they receive it. For a company that claims to produce quality bags with a lifetime warranty, it is not acceptable to use such cheap parts that break immediately or to expect customers to pay to return defective items.

Super bombed this redesign. The handle digs into your back. It was so bad that I had to cut it Off to make the Messenger bag functional. The drink holders inside the compartment would be cool if I were drinking 6 ounces at most in any given time because any larger vessel than that will not fit at all. Ruined a great design, moved back to my old backpack.

This was my first time buying this brand and it was such a disappointment. This bag came in with the threads on the strap and front already fraying. It looks like poor quality that won't last long. Unfortunately, I am past my return date.

I am a very light user. I simply use it to carry a lunch, some notepads, basic necessities. I walk to work, so it's not even by bike. I have had this bag for 6 years now (it was an expensive purchase at the time) and the number of things that have broken on is insane. The buckles broke within two years of every day use. Yes, both of them. I had a hard time purchasing new ones from Timbuk2 (they sent the wrong ones too) and eventually just sourced some locally, as those broke as well within a few months. The aftermarket ones are good after three years. The vinyl under the flap is completely shredded, so the waterproof factor has gone down dramatically. The key lanyard has caught in the velcro so often that it is now a fuzzy mess. There was a loose strap included in the bag and no one at the store could tell me what it was for, and I have not found the info on this website or in online reviews. I guess I didn't drink the koolaid with this one. The adjustment buckle for the main cross-body strap is so loose that I have had to sew it at the desired length, otherwise the bag would *constantly* fall down to my knees. It is so soft and shapeless that it is almost impossible to find anything in the bag while wearing it. The flap that is supposed to keep your laptop in? It is constantly drooping over the main compartment, so you need to fish into the bag with both hands all the time. The small pockets on the inside of the main compartment? Too high over all the other stuff you put in the zippered compartments, so it gets pushed out and pools in the bottom of the main compartment. Pen pockets? Laughably too short, they eject pens as soon as you bring something out because the bag is always, always collapsing on itself.

Holy crap have these bags gone down hill sense I bought my last bag some ten years ago. Size for size they're smaller, the material is cheaper/thinner, the internal pockets and dividers are worse, the strap is crap, no more pass through for roller luggage... Last Timbuk2 bag I purchased.

I have an older Classic Messenger bag in size medium that has been phenomenal, but is starting to show its age. I put a size large on my Christmas list thinking the extra space would be nice. This bag has no internal zipper pocket or divider, and the laptop compartment has virtually no padding. There is some minimal padding between the laptop compartment and the inner bag, and none at all on the bottom or outside of the bag. I wouldn't trust my laptop in this ever. Inside the new bag has lost the interior zipper pocket, and has a couple of smaller odd shaped pouches that I think should be for a water bottle maybe, but only if it was child sized. The new shoulder pad is somehow larger yet less comfortable than the old style and is positioned in such a way that it places the adjustable metal buckle right in your face where it hits you in the chin when you walk. This bag is not good. I was hoping for something just like my old worn bag, and instead received something I would expect a grocery store to sell me for a couple bucks to take my groceries home in. I know there is a warranty/repair program for the old bag, but I'm afraid to use that option if it means I end up like something like this piece of junk. I would rather have my old ripped bag than this new inferior product. Complete waste of time and money, I will be sending this back immediately and buying something from another brand. It's amazing that one product could change me from a fan to never wanting to see this brand again.

Super upset that the pics don't adequately show the SIZE of the bag It's way too big, not the same size I had and I will never use it ! And since you don't take returns I am out all of that money What a waste of time and money

This bag is disappointing. I had the Command Messenger Bag for years and loved it and finally needed a new one. This bag is super unbalanced, the material isn't nearly as strong and there are less than half the pockets that the command had. Bring back the command please!

I wanted to like this bag but don't. Strap might breathe well, but it won't stay on my shoulder, no matter what I do, unless I strap the bag across my body, which is uncomfortable. Strap handles are positioned so low on the bag that in picking it up, the contents almost always spill out. I've lost things and had things damaged as a result. Overall, the cheap souvenir bag I used to use that this bag was to replace was better. Would not purchase again.

The product itself is fine I have several other Timbuk2 bags. The small size ended up being a little too small for my purposes. Unfortunately, I had surgery during the 30 day return, And really didn't get to try it out. I tried to do an exchange once I was back on my feet from surgery, and the customer service would not work with me and allow that exchange. I basically have a completely unused small messenger bag that I don't really know what to do with. I really like the products, but I don't think I can justify purchasing from a company that's so heartless and can't make an exception for a repeat customer who was ill.

The XS Classic Bag's strap is much too short. The bag cannot be warn across the body. The whole point of a messenger bag is to be able to ware it across the body. I don't know about the other sizes but only a very small man would be able to the XS Classic across the body. I like the bag size, but the strap length seems child sized. I have an older XS Custom Classic bag and it's strap is great.

Very cheaply made, materials are poor quality! Absolutely no protection for the laptop. Very disappointed in this product save money get something else

Using for work - the pockets and options to store power brick, cables, adapters, etc. compared to older versions are totally inadequate. In addition, the main compartment is too large, and when constraining it using the buckle straps, the folded bottom takes up space. In short - no usability considerations or testing were made when modifying the original design - very disappointing - Timbukt2 used be a leader in usability and now is trailing behind the pack IMO

Nothing good about this bad if you travel through an airport with carry on luggage and try to manage this bag...poor companion design

The laptop sleeve section of the bag has NO PADDING on the side facing out. Laptop screen is now broken. DOES NOT STORE a laptop safely.