Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - Medium

this message bag is so nice for my way to work i like it and i will buy customize bag next time!

I carry this to and from my office every day. Holds my SurfaceBook laptop comfortably, including the power cord, with room for my coffee cup/water bottle, phone charger, glasses case, snacks, some snail mail/paperwork, and a fair bit of other stuff. I carry this in the Pacific Northwest rain and don't worry about it getting wet. I've carried a taller book in it, and the longer strap to close the bag allows me to still close the lid securely. The bag feels super durable but not stiff. Having had a bigger messenger bag for a long time, I find this shoulder strap a bit thin by comparison, which is the only reason I take away 1 star. At the same time, the relatively smaller overall bag size is a welcome change - much less bulk to manage but still sufficient room for everything I need to commute. Big fan overall.

It's great that messenger bags are re-designed for greater efficiency and for me to carry it with personal skill.

As an upgrade from the 2013 Classic Messenger, it has a few shortcomings while providing some much-needed features. I love the new design and look, as well as the more supple strap, new handle as standard, and integrated compression straps on the bottom. However, there are also a good number of additions I don't love about this "new" version (new to me, as I've been using a 2013 model since, well, 2013, and am a bit late to the party as a result). The inexplicable removal of the three front pockets and their replacement with a single narrow pocket really cut down on the amount of things you can keep organized in this bag - previously, I would use those pockets for things like phone chargers, packs of gum for the airplane, keys, and chapstick. Now that it's just one pocket, it has become difficult to fit all of these items in the same location, especially without them clashing into each other and making noise. The interior zipper pocket (not the hidden "napoleon" pocket, but the horizontal pocket) has also had a bit of a facelift done to its organizer pockets - that is, they've removed the pockets entirely, also for reasons I can't understand. I've now resorted to keeping only medium-sized loose objects in there that won't be damaged by moving around, whereas before, that was my go-to location for fragile items like sunglasses. The pockets on the main compartment have also been cut down, and I'm especially bummed to see the removal of the lightly padded velcro flap pockets, which were awesome for storing earbuds. The larger pen pockets are also a letdown, and they cause the pens to slide around. Other nitpicks I have with this bag are that the hidden buckles will rotate upward when the bag is laying flat, such that, when I close the velcro, they are facing away from the male end of the buckle and I have to dig around in there to orient them correctly. The velcro also seems quite a bit louder than previous versions - something to consider if you'll be using this in an office environment. Overall, though, if you can live with fewer pockets, this is still a great bag. It has the typical Timbuk2 feel to it - ruggedly stylish, while providing great function. If you're still holding onto a 2013 or earlier Classic Messenger, though, I would hold off a bit longer before upgrading. I wish I had, and I will likely buy a newer version of this bag if and when the pocket situation is remedied,

I haven't used this one yet. But i have owned a bag for more than a decade. Only one inside zipper is broken. I wanted a smaller size. So if the quality hasn't changed then i expect to have this bag along time as well.

I use this when I travel light. There's 2 slots built in the bag, with a compartment that fits in my iPad with a case on nicely. The 2 slots run a little small for me to fit my umbrella and bottle in; but I'm actually using a fairly large thermos bottle (roughly 17oz), and a foldable umbrella. No biggie though, as it can be easily settled by placing the 2 items that I carry in the main compartment, which fits in nicely, with a plenty of spare space for a power bank. The thing which can be improved is the cushioning of the strap, which I found that my shoulder was aching from carrying just the above mentioned items in my bag for a commute. That can be solved using the super strap, but then the strap runs a little big for the XS, so take note if you're thinking of using a super strap for it.

Love all of it except I wish the strap was longer for cross body usage

Great Buy!!!

I love this bag, with the exception of the following: I expected the coated nylon to be kind of silky and shiny. It is not, and it is rather stiff fabric. The squeeze type buckles are difficult to squeeze to open.

On-line store should have recommended purchase of bag silencer strips. Or the bag should be built with them. Purchasing the strips separately incurred high shipping cost, which was a kill dealer. Without the silencer, opening the bag is extremely loud in a classroom environment.

I am a bike commuter so I use this bag to put my stuff in on the way to work. This bag replaced an earlier model of the same bag. I wanted something that would carry my bulky 15 inch laptop as well as my lunch etc, and the medium size is perfect for this. For the price this is a great bag, which is why I bought a new one after my old one started to look dingy and waterproof lining cracked. I got many years of service from it. A few bones to pick with the latest design: 1. My old bag had 3 zipper pockets on the front of the bag. I used these for my phone and wallet, and like that they were easy to get to without digging in bag. New design has only one front pouch and it is smaller. 2. Old bag had a very robust strap and a bulky adjustment mechanism that would hurt you occasionally. The new strap is more comfortable and the adjustment mechanism is much more low profile and won't dig into your shoulder. But...the new mechanism I find harder to adjust while you are wearing the bag. Hard to cinch the bag to your body while you wear it. Also, when you adjust the cross-strap tight the main strap gets bunched up because it is now lighter weight. I am also finding the cross strap hard to adjust when wearing the bag. These are minor quibbles, but keep the bag from being a 5 star.

I think I did my "on line " research pretty well. Lives up to its reputation as a good general carry bag. A few compartment, a few pockets for smaller items and internal pockets for water bottles which I actually prefer to outside carry. My only complaint is the shoulder strap is short for my preference. I'd like to be able to sling it down to my hip or slightly below. The max adjustment puts the bottom of the bag at my hip and the top at lower ribs, which is about the highest I want to carry it, not the lowest. Isn't that the purpose of an adjustable strap?

I'm lovin this bag,Big time

you will need a laptop sleeve to use with this bag. it is lightweight, but very strong. but offers no padding. not a bad point, actually is great that the bag is so light and strong. the velcro on the bag isn't quite sufficient if you want to fasten the flap further up or down on the bag. the flap pretty much has a small variation of placement over the velcro. it could use more velcro to allow different flap placement. the bottom straps are a great idea. more useful than anticipated. I love the carry strap. easy to change length and lock in.

For the most part I really like this bag. The extra small size is just right for daily use. My one coming paint is the the strap is too short. Especially in the winter time when wearing bulky outerwear.

I use the Messenger bag for work and travel. I love it. I never run out of space and the strap is super comfy. The only snag: I can't reverse the strap to wear the bag on my rights shoulder since I am a leftie. The ideal bag would have reversible straps and a napoleon pocket on both sides to suit everyone, whether you're a leftie or a rightie.

It is very nice. I like that it has a warranty

I bought the bag with an initial intention to use it as a "pool" bag when I visit the public pool for a swim. The bag was big enough to contain several pieces of my clothing and toiletries. It's good for travelling use especially for weekend getaways. Eventually, it became my school bag as well as it was so comfortable and convenient to use. Love the design and glad to have got it at a good price.

I love it just wish I would've gotten a bigger size but other than that I love everything about it

I would love to see an updated version of this bag to include a backside pocket and an actual handle as opposed to a grab strap. Do away with the velcro.

This is my second bag, both Classics, because I love them. They are a good size to fit everything I need to get to and from the office as well as when I am attending conferences. It's a simple design with a good number of pockets and compartments. I just wish one of the two water bottle holders was big enough to hold a 1-Liter bottle.

I replaced my last bag after it was stolen. The styling of the old one was much better. The designers have added some new sides to the flap that makes the flap much more difficult to open. Also the strap is not a heavy duty as my last bag, and the shoulder pad is not as good. I feel like the quality is not what it once was. Overall not as impressed as I have been with my last 3 TIMBUK2 bags.

I needed a bag with room enough to hold my insulated water bottle and everyday accessories that fit snug next to my body for walking briskly about town.this bag suits the bill.

I love the bag and wish it was wider for my lunch containers . love the grab strap on rear of bag for ease of grasping it in my car. perhaps an outer pocket that is not covered by flap.

This is my second timbuk2 bag and I love it. My previous bag was a Command TSA messenger; worked well and still looks good after many years of use. The Classic Messenger is smaller, looks great, and fits my current need. Carries a 13in. laptop, power cord, notebook & other small stuff to / from work and travels well. Love the locking front clips.