Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - Medium

The space afforded is amazing adaptable to the contents intended for. Expandable and collaspable in either direction. Though I would have wanted pockets/slots on the outside panel by the hip and even additional internally. But otherwise, over all a value buy. Maybe the next iteration it could be the next one.

I use this bag for work computer and school books so it had to be big enough for all of my stuff. While it is definintely big enough it's quite bulky for my size (I'm a fairly small person). I've finally gotten used to slipping it over my head and not having it cut into my neck, but that took a little playing around. I will be using this while I travel too and I expect that the big portion of my bag will work great for the extra travel things I'll be carrying too. I'm also interested to see how it works when I bike to work. It may be just a bit too heavy to use for my ride as any extra weight going up the "big hill" is too much weight. All in all, I'm happy with this bag and I know I'll be using this for years.

The cross strap execution could be easier to use.

This is my first "classical messenger" bag and so far, I really like it. I use it primarily for shopping and trips to the library. It will also be very good for day trips and casual travel needs. I love how much easier it is to manage a messenger bag on a bus, rather than wrestling a backpack around to move down the aisle or squeeze into a seat.

This was to replace a previous TimBuk2 bag I've had for at least 5 years. This one is very nice. Got it on sale and love the style. Main difference I notice is the divider for the computer makes bag very stiff and less easy to move around my back/side/abdomen. I would have really liked to special order one that had internal pockets like I need. I find the pockets on this one a little small (last bag had a much larger main pocket). Also the strap for keys comes out of the very small, very thin front pocket where I would store a phone. That strap should be in the main pocket, no? TimBuk2 should charge a premium to allow customers to choose pocket sizes and how many smaller pockets we'd like. Overall very happy. I'm sure I'll adjust to these small pockets (and odd strap for keys) quickly.

I have been using an older style of the Classic Messenger until family members took pity and got me a gift certificate for an upgrade. My old bag has been through a rough 8 years of school, work and travel, and the lining is showing its age even if the exterior still looks great! I like many features of the new style, but am disappointed that I am required to make a custom bag in order to have a RIGHT shoulder strap. I'm right handed but carry like a lefty and am perturbed that this requires a higher cost bag. Also, that slash pocket that you can reach without opening the main flap? Would also be super handy in a left version! I'm concerned about how much the new CAM moves around but will see how it goes... on a quick trip with the bag cinched up for when I ride, and as a ...well-endowed lady, the CAM hits me weirdly in the chest. It's super slick to use, but I'm undecided on the comfort level of it still. Overall, a great everyday/cycling/traveling bag, but could still use a few mods.

One thing; this is the perfect size messenger bag in my opinion, although if the computer compartment was 1/2" wider or was able to stretch a bit i think any 15" laptop would easily fit in this bag. I knew my 15" laptop wouldn't fit from the info on the website yet i still bought this size because it still fits in the bag itself and the medium size i think is a bit big.

I use this bag for everyday carry to and from work and some light, overnight travel. I own several Timbuk2 messenger bags and like the lighter weight materials of this years model (2014) but prefer the additional storage and longer shoulder strap of the previous years.

Perfect solution for student walking to school in frequent downpours. Truly waterproof. Medium size has room enough for padded 3" binder with files and large lunch box. I struggle with fine motor tasks such as getting things in and out of backpacks, doing up zippers, finding stuff. This bag makes it easy to manage my stuff: nice wide opening, easy buckle closures, just the right number of compartments (2). Smaller zip pocket perfect: has key fob with long enough ribbon that I don't have to remove key to use it, so my parents are happy I still have my key. I tend to be rough on stuff, and this bag is very durable so far. One thing this bag really needs is reflective surfaces for safety and improved visibility. Customer shouldn't have to pay custom prices to get this feature. I'd like to have reflective material on flap and sides of bag, as well as on strap. Overall a really good choice for rainy weather.

First of all, I was debating over the Medium and the Large. I am so glad I got the Large. I am a college student, but more importantly i am a commuter. This means that besides my books, I am carrying a sweater, snacks, water bottle, thermos, lint roller (weird i know), and other small hygiene products. With the large, I am able to organize all of my things and thanks to the compression straps I am able to make the bag fit to how I want it. I read people complain about the pockets and organizers, but they work just fine. Unless you need more than 5 pens or pencils you should be fine. I also carry my calculator and earphones in the internal organizer with no problem. In the napoleon pocket I keep my sunglass case. The only problem I have with this pocket is that on large load days it can be difficult to reach the contents of this pocket. The only REAL problem i have with the bag is the strap. I have no problem with the length of the strap or the CAM buckle, but rather with the thickness of the strap. Sometimes it twists on itself and you need to spend a minute or so straightening the strap out so that the CAM can do its job. The CAM design is really nice, and does its job flawlessly. I am 6 feet tall and putting the bag on and off is easy, except for having to fix your shirt/jacket after adjusting the CAM. All in all, this is the best messenger bag I've owned and I am hoping it will last as long as other people's Timbuk2's have.

I have been working in Uganda for the past 6 months and this bag has been amazing! It is perfect for carrying everyday things like my laptop, a book, a water bottle, and some papers to the office (as long as I don't over pack it- it is super comfy). I love that on boda (motorcycle taxi) I can easily swing it around so it safely sits on my lap and that the multiple internal pockets keep my phone and other valuables safe while walking through crowded parts of the city. I had an older version and the shoulder strap was bulky. The new-ish shoulder strap design is wonderful and super easy to adjust on the go! I'm excited to continue using this bag once I'm back in the US, especially for winter commuting on my bike.

I would prefer the water bottle pouches to be on the outside.

Have only had it 4 weeks but so far I'm impressed. Fits comfortably. Carry X-E1 camera/lens, my journal, 10" notebook, kindle, rain jacket, with room for more.

The design suits my needs almost perfectly. The handle could be a bit more comfortable, but other than that it's just what I needed.

I like the slide in pocket in front for my cell phone. Easy to get to, sure beats having to open whole bag to dig it out. My old classic mess bag was easier to use though. It had permanently attached cross strap and attachment clip on strap and the cross strap was wider! I commute by bicycle and don`t care to ever remove this strap. I`m worried the velcro attachment on the new bag will fatigue and wear out. Also, getting into and closing the old model was easier because the clips were on the outside of the flap and you could quickly grab the strap and open/close. The new model does look nicer with the clips underneath the flap, but harder to use. Material used is still 1st class and it looks great!!

Of my 4 TB2 bags, this one is best looking fabric (carbon full-cycle twill) and most thoughtful design. I miss some of the earlier organizer slots but this is really an excellent everyday carry what you need bag.

I use this for my books everyday for school. My laptop fits comfortably and securely in the laptop slot. I like how organized the inside of the bag is, and how well it fits my stuff. I have two concerns. It is hard to get the bag over my head sometimes - maybe it's because I have a long torso and ride crowded buses. My other concern is that the back of the bag wears very quickly - this fabric pills much like a sweater. I like how the front looks so I'm gonna keep it, but this is a concern in terms of how attractive the bag is.

The bag is short from being amazing. It does the job with great ease, and don't get me wrong, this bag is great. Great durability, looks, etc. Though I wish the strap were a bit more comfortable, as the bag is only slung across your left shoulder (Right for those lefties out there), making it really uncomfortable after prolonged usage when carrying a lot of supplies. All in all, it is a great bag with just a minor flaw.

The only problem I have with this bag is that my water bottle will not go into the internal water bottle holders. The water bottle holders are large enough, but I have a glass bottle with a silicone coating and the silicone sticks to the material used for the water bottle holder. It is so difficult to get in and out I usually just put the water bottle in the large compartment instead. This is a slight inconvenience, but overall I love the bag. I use it to carry my computer to work and school.

Love the bag. Only wish that the strap pad had more cushion.

25 years is a long time to be making a sack with a flap & strap on it. To their credit, its still timeless, but they have tweaked it over the years from user comments and most likely because designers can't help it. I will admit to returning to Timbuk2 from many years as a daily wearer of another un-named messenger bag maker known for their buckles. And as much as I love that bag (and still prefer it for riding with weight for any length of time), these guys eventually won back my loyalty. Primarily came back for the more streamlined look & the ability to wear it over either shoulder (the buckle does make it less than ideal, but not a big issue). The boxy interior volume is more useful and the many years of teensy changes have really done a lot for the comfort and usability of these bags. Thinner, less stiff strap, the napoleon pocket, fantastic outer fabrics and changes to the pattern are small but noticeable. The Small size bag is perfect for a EDC sort of bag-not too big, not too small, not too much like a "murse" or whatever you would call it. Fits plenty of stuff, but not so much that it overloads the strap. Looking forward to many, many years with this one.

I use this bag to go to work and around town. The bag is great in many aspect, but if I had a choice to be picky, here is what I would change: - longer strap, I'm tall and the back falls on my low back rather than my hip - great straps under the bag to compress it if needed. Unfortunately the extra strap gangles and hits the bag making repetitive noise as you walk. Can this be velcro somehow? - the shoulder pad is very comfy but often a pain to adjust when putting it on the shoulder. Once it's there it stays though. - the feature on the shoulder stap to quickly adjust the length and quickly releasing to remove the bag often doesn't stay engaged and pops up. Otherwise, great bag with great, practical features

i'm digging the bag. timbuk2 stuff is always sturdy. who could ask for more

Picked-up the small in black/brown canvas, my first Timbuk2 bag and there's lots to like about it. Thought I'd address some of the points other reviewers have made. 1) Strap At 5'8", the length of the strap is A-OK for me, neither too long nor short to wear the bag at or above waist level. The pad on the strap is slightly curved to contour the left shoulder and stays in-place nicely. That the pad is not removable is a plus to me, although some folks seem to dislike that in other reviews. The buckle is neat, leaving no hanging loops as on some other bags. While it has held fast without slipping in my experience, I can understand the concerns of those who fear it might not be strong enough to prevent slipping. I'm not in the habit of loading the bag to the hilt, so that day may be the true test. 2) Interior Organisation There have been comments that the previous-gen messenger had more internal organisers. The 2014 edition has plenty of interior pockets for my liking, I'm not sure what these people are trying to carry with them. 3) Compression Straps These are pretty long & dangle constantly, which detracts from the overall clean look (given the concealed fasteners). I'm not sure how this would be solved through design, but if it were possible to somehow rope them in that would be an improvement. 4) Exterior Pockets It's true that while there are two zippered & one "slash" pocket on the outside of the bag, they are all effectively on top of each other. So putting anything larger than a stack of business cards into one of them pretty much prevents the use of the other two pockets for anything but spare change. I'll note that this has not been an issue for me as yet, but those who intend to carry their house on their back might have some difficulty here. One thing I'm still missing a bit from my previous bag is a small/thin pocket that can be accessed from the outside of the bag without opening. I presume this is the intended use of the Napoleon pocket, but that's just a bit small for my liking (to hold travel documents, for example). But in general, these are minor details and there's much that I like including the strong velcro (I never bother with the fasteners), comfort of the strap, colour selection, and what at this point seems to be a solid build quality

The cross strap that keeps the main strap in place is velcro'd to the bag as the base. This makes it impractical to remove it on days when you're not riding your bike. It just hangs there and gets caught on stuff. The top handle is essentially useless because the bag does not have a stiffening system to keep it from drooping down on either side of the handle.