Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - Small

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.

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.

This is a nice bag. But you’ll likely need hearing protection when you open it! The overly abundant & aggressive Velcro announces your presence like it or not. Way too loud!

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!)

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.