Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - Medium

I bought this product for commuting to work, to carry my lunch, laptop and book I am studying for a cert. I like the look of it and that it did not have a lot of smaller pockets taking away form the one large pocket. While it does carry the items well and feels good when I wear it, there are some issues with it. The cover is not long enough. what I mean is for my everyday I keep the buckle straps pretty tight to narrow the depth of the bag, due to this I can not buckle the cover down very well. I would have to loosen them which would mean the item in the bag would move around a lot more. I recently used it for a weekend trip and had it pretty full and the straps fully extended, when closed the pocket in the front of the bag where completely exposed and the Velcro was useless. second the small pockets inside the bag just don't work for me. I keep a pen and some deodorant in them since I can sweat quite often. when I lay the back down to pull my items out those items just fall out. I have stopped using those pockets. While the bag is nice and seems to be built well( I have had it for two week now) these issue bug me enough that I would return the item if I was able to, but due to the return policy and that I have used the bag I am unable to return it. For now I will have to deal with those issue until I can replace this bag.

Bought this bag for travel and I love it. It fits all my needs and the pockets let me have everything organized. It only NEEDS to have a longer shoulder strap. Is that doable? And I am not the longest person on earth! ;)

I ordered a (presumably) discontinued color of a large Classic Messenger bag. I really enjoy the look of the product and, in general, and pleased with its functionality, though some of the compartments seem a little small, and the padded laptop sleeve, a nice feature, just kind of buckles and flops around when there's no laptop inside. It would be great if that were detachable and set aside until needed (though I recognize most who carry laptops carry them every day). The item, marked as a "final sale," did not come with the padded strap handle it allegedly includes. That's on me because I failed to notice that my bag's color (Black Forest) doesn't include it. It's not a deal breaker, as I received the bag at the heavily discounted price of just under $60, as it replaces a 30-year-old messenger bag from a competitor, a bag that, similarly lacked a strap pad..Still, I can't help but feel a little ripped off. I don't know why they skimped on it, and this might make me wary of purchasing future products from Timbuk2. I enjoy the zip pocket accessible when the bag is closed, the double-looped CAM buckle for easier strap adjustment, and so far the clasps seem durable.

I've been a devoted lover of the Classic Messenger Bag for three decades. Once upon a time I was even a bicycle messenger in San Francisco, and I've continued to use Timuktus in my various non-biking jobs ever since. Having just bought my sixth or seventh bag I have some gripes. The materials are, year by year, becoming thinner and less rugged. This disappoints me, and the strap is the worst in this regard. It is flimsy and cheap. Every time I take the bag off the strap spirals around on itself. Awkward and uncool! I have to untwirl it every time I put it back on. Please beef the strap back up to its use-to-be, Timbuk2!

I'm surprised to see the continued use of the Velcro as a quick closure mechanism. I've had mine for a few years now and the Velcro has pretty much failed - as all Velcro eventually does. The loop material (soft material) integrity that is required for it to function fails and turns into frayed material. This same material eventually begins to rip out of the stitching that fixes it to the flap closure. Also, the hook material "hooks" onto the strap (that holds the buckle) and that material also gets frayed. Not sure why they don't use sewn in magnets as quick closure, more expensive but they wouldn't fail over time like Velcro is known to do. I would recommend their products, but I wouldn't recommend any of their bags that have this Velcro mechanism.

My messenger bag did not have the cross strap clip to allow me to secure it while riding. In addition, the seamwork along the front and was of poor quality. There is also no place to tuck up the straps when the bag is compressed. This creates a messy, shoddy appearance.

I got my first TB2 messenger 18 years ago from a cycling shop in Los Angeles. At the time I felt that it was really expensive, but was super well made and purposed for bike messengers. Over time the bag proved to be bulletproof and endured very heavy use. It was finally starting to look really ratty about 6 months ago, so I decided it was time to replace it. I had heard that TB2 had moved production abroad and was a little concerned about how the build quality would be. I am older and more settled in life now, so I don't expect to abuse the bag the way I had the first one. So I gave it a shot. The new bag arrived and my first thought was that it felt a little light weight and flimsy by comparison to my original bag. The interior waterproof lining felt thinner and the strap felt like very thin seat belt material as opposed to the thick ballistic nylon feel of my first bag. The construction seems ok, though there are a few stray threads after the first week that I did not see on my old bag until a year or so. I can clip these off with scissors and finish them with a match flame. Time will tell how the construction holds up. The new organization pockets, the bucket divider, and compression straps on the bottom are a big improvement over my original bag. There are other little touches I appreciate too even if I don't use them. One thing that kind of rub me the wrong way was that the logo on the bag's flap has been replaced by a tag that says "Timbuk2 San Francisco", but the tag inside says "Made in Vietnam". I feel like the outer flap is trying to suggest it's a USA bag still. Feels a little insincere to me. I would not recommend this bag to a friend. I looked around when I decided to replace my old bag. There are many options on the web, but some of the small companies who make their bags in the US were either out of business, had long wait times, or were more than I was willing to pay. The TB2 bag was quick and easy to buy, but doesn't feel special.

Very Nice bag, well built but way too expensive

Each and EVERY Timbuk2 Messenger Bag would be vastly improved if one simple step were taken. These bags should all be adorned with ZIPPERED openings at the top and the buckle system COMPLETELY ABANDONED. These bags as constructed are cumbersome to open with the awful buckle system. PLEASE RECONSTRUCT THESE BAGS! They are very well constructed but the buckles are deal killers for me. I purchased the Classic as well as the Commute Series simultaneously. I won't purchase another until improvements are made.

The bag is beautiful, and at first seemed well constructed. However, the stitching had already come apart on one of the pouches and considering that I had just received it proves a disappointment in the process of claiming the warranty. Was there no quality check before the bag was sent out? Very inconvenient. Secondly, I couldn't say that I'd recommend the bag as an everyday carry. If it had a zipper on the flap to gain quick access to the compartments, it would help. It's pretty inconvenient having to unbuckle every time.

I got my first large messenger about 12 years ago, and it was great wore like iron, great for train & bus commutes. Strap large & comfy. After 12 years of faithful service (funny how people describe their bags as if they're service animals), I decided to replace the bag with a new model of the same size. I have to say I'm disappointed. 1. The laptop / tablet pouch assembly is arrached to the sides but not the top. This leaves a gap between the bag and the pouch. When the bag flexes, a surprising number of items get stuck back there. I have to dig around the back of the bag. I would have preferred stitching across the top and sides. 2. A month in, the velcro close just wore out. 3. The strap is awful. Its the single worst thing. The material is thin and cheap. The strap edges are rough and I've gotten scratches on my neck. The material twists and folds, the strap twirls up on itself. I have to unwind it before it goes on my shoulder, and heaven help me if the edge catches on my shoulder or coat it just rolls up again. I never had this problem with my old bag. 4. I contacted Timbuk2 via support asking if the strap could be replaced with a thicker material. Nothing. Crickets.

I got my first large messenger about 12 years ago, and it was great- wore like iron, great for train & bus commutes. Strap large & comfy. After 12 years of faithful service (funny how people describe their bags as if they're service animals), I decided to replace the bag with a new model of the same size. I have to say I'm disappointed. 1. The laptop / tablet pouch assembly is arrached to the sides but not the top. This leaves a gap between the bag and the pouch. When the bag flexes, a surprising number of items get stuck back there. I have to dig around the back of the bag. I would have preferred stitching across the top and sides. 2. A month in, the velcro close just wore out. 3. The strap is awful. Its the single worst thing. The material is thin and cheap. The strap edges are rough and I've gotten scratches on my neck. The material twists and folds, the strap twirls up on itself. I have to unwind it before it goes on my shoulder, and heaven help me if the edge catches on my shoulder or coat- it just rolls up again. I never had this problem with my old bag. 4. I contacted Timbuk2 via support asking if the strap could be replaced with a thicker material. Nothing. Crickets.

Product has numerous pockets (though I do wish it included an external water bottle pocket). Feels very secure, and doesn't let anyone rain/wetness in, even in the heaviest of conditions. My one complaint is that this bag seems to be made for right-handed people. I wear my bag on my right shoulder, and when I go to tighten the strap, the mechanism that keeps the strap locked in place at a certain length digs right into my shoulder. I'm trying to adjust to wearing my bag on my left shoulder now, but it would be great if one could detach the straps and switch them depending on how one wears the bad.

I purchased the XS to be an everyday bag. I had talked to a customer service rep about finding a bag most similar to the one I purchased a few years ago and they suggested this one. Sadly, this bag didn't quite deliver. The strap is MUCH too short. I'm only 5'2" size M/L and at full extension the strap is difficult to get on and off. In addition to that, I had asked if the color flame was a true red or an orange/red. They reassured me that it was true red, but upon arrival it's definitely an orange/red. I'm bummed that my experience with this purchase was disappointing.

everyday use as my purse

I really tried hard to like this bag but I just don't. I've been using it for 2 months now and find it more frustrating than functional. I bought it to replacing my old Timbuk2 Freestyle XS, which had become extremely faded and not work appropriate. The Freestyle was just so much more versatile. The pockets on the classic messenger XS are small and not very functional. Most bags have an obvious pocket for a phone but not this one. The cluster of internal pockets are oriented in such a way that using some of them renders others not functional. The pocket for the water bottle is a nice feature, though. Unfortunately the top of the bag doesn't open very wide so it's easy to lose stuff in the bottom and the bag doesn't expand as much as the buckle straps imply. The strap itself is fine and the pad is nice, but the strap will not stay at the adjusted length. The buckle intended to hold the strap at the desired length is flimsy, catches on just about anything and opens easily. So, if you don't like the bag at the full strap length, plan to adjust your strap almost daily. On the plus side, the rest of the bag does seem quite durable and like it would hold up well over the years. I also had some customer service issues with my order. I've been a devoted Timbuk2 fan for years but unfortunately this purchase (both the purchase and the product received) did not meet my expectations. I won't write them off completely, but definitely try to check one out in a store to see if it will meet your needs if you can.

I purchased this online as a big fan of Timbuk2 and seeing such a bright and vibrant bag online I wanted to replace my old Timbuk2 messenger bag (which had given me 6 years of good use). The design changes from my old bag are great but the colors delivered are very dull compared to those depicted online. I saw the Cruz colors (Pink/Yellow/Teal) and I was very excited. Unfortunately what arrived was much more muted tones (Salmon/Mustard/Teal). Probably not be an issue for some but as a graphic designer the difference between a vibrant pink and a musty salmon can be enough to turn an exciting new everyday carry into a back up bag. Just be wary of the colors depicted on this color way.

Great product, but saw the exact same bag in a retail store with a huge discount (70%) and makes me feel I kinda 'lost value' on my purchase online. When it suppose to be the opposite. I bit disappointed on the experience, although love the bag

The bag needs an outside pocket to slide in papers (I.e. Boarding passes and hand sanitizer).

Riding the subways of NYC, a small bag is a necessity for extra glasses, keys, kindle, iPad, phone etc, It is also great as a carryon for flights. Just enough room and not too bulky.The inside design is perfect, with one zippered pocked and a couple of sleeves as well as a divider for kindle or iPad. Unfortunately, for me, the killer is the way too short shoulder pad which makes it uncomfortable while walking. if the shoulder strap were detachable I would have swapped it out for a longer one. Also the pad is huge (11-1/2 x 2-1/2) and padded making it more suitable for a larger and heavier bag.

I have been using a custom Timbuk2 bag I got in January 2008 every day since. After 8 years the inside was completely delaminated and the outside was looking a little rough. I do take it to meetings and such so I decided I could stand to freshen up a little. I should have known better! Admittedly, I hate change but the new bag just does not seem as good as the older design. The pockets are outside of the zippered compartment which seems like a major flaw to me. For a woman (5'6", 130 lbs, exactly average) the small is slightly too big to feel comfortable across my back and the x-tra small is too small to carry all the things needed in a day. Most importantly there's no way on the standard bag to accommodate carrying it on the right shoulder (left-handed). The way the adjustment clip works is super awkward and not at all easy to do once you have it on and want to tighten it down for cycling. Will be looking for a better bag for sure.

The new strap is flimsier and it twists up easily. The new strap adjuster is not as quick and easy as the older model one. And it doesn't look as nice. I go in and out of my bag often and adjust strap constantly to do so. The new pocket organizers have smaller pockets and also less user friendly for me. I like to keep my bag organized. I'm very particular about my bag, its not terrible but I dislike the changes. If I found a nicer looking messenger bag I would buy it despite using timbuk2 classic messenger for at least the last ten years. Also, i'm a lefty so I had to pay more to have the strap switched. The old bag could be used on either shoulder. The new strap pad makes that impossible.

Well made, super durable, nice looking bag! Bummed that shipping to Canada was and additional $50 on top of the $25 I paid upfront.

I have owned two classic messenger bags over the past 13 years and I loved them both! I ordered a third online just recently and noticed the sizing has changed a lot! I once used this messenger bag as a college student but liked the bag so much that it went from book bag to purse. The actual bag was more square-ish. This new bag is really really long and a little shorter in height. No way can this bag serve as a purse. I sent it back right away though I have yet to receive a refund. I did order another messenger, the Sunset messenger bag in camel and am pretty happy with it though it is smaller than my original two messenger bags. I am sad the Classic Messenger bag has changed sizing and is no longer available. It was the perfect bag...

There are a few changes to this bag vs my old bag that in haven't gotten used to. I do not like the location of the strap adjusted, I preferred it more by he waste bc it now is able to dislodge more frequently. The inside small compartment is smaller than the old one which is another con for me. The "water bottle holders" are to small for my water bottle and coffee mug which are standard size. I can get my water bottle into one of them, but it's definitely a struggle. My old bag also he an exterior loop that I could clip my keys to which was super convenient-no such on this one and the size of the key compartment is laughable. I do like the new fold over to make the bag nor water proof. The separate laptop compartment is also nice. That's about the only change I can get behind. I must admit I'm still attached to my old bag of 6 years, but this one has not proved itself, yet.