Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - Medium

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.

I don't know what I was thinking when I bought this bag. I saw a woman who had one she had custom designed and it was really cute. I tried to design one for myself online and nothing sang for me. Hers was cute for her. So there was a maroon bag and I liked the color so I got it, and the color remains the best feature of the bag and why I haven't tossed it. The bag has all these bells and whistles but none that are useful to me. I cut off the extra straps on the front because the velcro was enough to close it securely. I am not transporting top secret files. Speaking of the velcro. If I put anything of any bulk in the bag, I'm showing off the velcro, which, of course, has lint in it, as velcro usually does. Not an attractive look. The shoulder strap is adjustable with a padded moveable section (which my last bag didn't have and I managed fine without it). o.k. so that's nice, but if I tighten the strap and across my chest over my right shoulder, the adjusting clip cuts into my shoulder. Then there are lots of pockets and clips that I have no idea what they are for. I just learned reading the description here that one is supposed to be for a water bottle but it's tight. So let's go now to what the bag doesn't have that I would like and somehow didn't think about when I mistakenly purchased it. I am petrified of getting my computer wet so I would like a water bottle holder on the outside of the bag. Also, I would like a pocket on the side to easily slip my cell phone, which is what my previous simple bag had. And an easier more secure place to get at my wallet would also be nice. So no, I would not recommend this bag to a friend. In fact, I have done demonstrations to my friends about why I dislike this bag so much and they see my points.

Left shoulder only. Not good for left-handed people, or those who wear bag on the right shoulder. I returned mine almost immediately upon receiving it and realizing I can't use it because it was designed specifically for right handers. It should really be more clear on the website that the strap is not reversible. Thanks or making us left-handed people feel like we don't matter.

I loved this bag when I first purchased it. But this past year, 30% of the waterproof inner lining flaked off over everything. And I mean flaked, it looked like tiny fluorescent green glitter all over everything. I had to finally throw it away when they bits started accumulating in the vents of my computer. As soon as it starts disintegrating, get rid of it; it's more trouble than it's worth.

The bag looks great and seems very well made, but the strap is way too short for me. I purchased this bag on clearance, so I'll be giving it to my daughter.

I have used this model in a medium for years. It has accompanied me to Paris many times The latest model in the large had way to small of a shoulder strap. The bag road way to high on my side. Unfortunately I had to return , forfeiting the shipping costs .

I have one of your medium classic messenger bags and have owned it for a littleover a year. I have never really been happy with it, mostly because of the design. I have tried to like it. 1) It tends to pivot and spill its continentsfrom timeto time when picking up, and we joke about it being the self emptying bag. 2) The velcrothat attaches to every polyester fleece jacket that I own and to anything it comes in contact with. Well this morning it managedto empty it's contents getting out of the car into the water filled gutter, laptop, iPad and all papers. As you can assume I am beyond upset. I should have written this up and gotten rid of this bag a long long timeago

I loved the color and the great timbuck2 quality - strength and lightness. I can't find that parallel anywhere. But this bag did not work. The laptop sleeve was too small even for my airbook, but somehow took up a disproportionate amount of space in the bag, so I also could not put my airbook outside the sleeve. I have an old small messenger pocketbook with an outside zipper in the back that is SUPER functional and I use all the time. But it is kind of hideous. I had hoped to replace that one, but I will go back to it now. sigh.

I fell in love with timbuk2 with my first messenger bag back in 2010. I recently bought a new one and the new system they have for their messengers aren't as sturdy.. not sure how a "new" updated bag can be worse... but anyways. I wanted to try their other products but any time I have gotten in touch they basically can't do anything to help (I've also tried asking if they would be able to repair my old bag), but they seemed kinda rude. Patagonia has great customer service and great warranty on their bags. It's worth the investment.

I own 4 (well now 5 with this recent purchase) Timbuk2 bags. All of them except one are the messenger type (s,m and l). I've always liked these bags because of the sturdiness and truly good quality. It felt like they could take everything. Having my bags for 25+ years it was expected that at one point I probably needed to replace some of them. However that point never seemed to come. They are all good still. Nevertheless, I decided to add one to the collection mostly to check out some new features such as bottle compartment and different strap regulator. I bought a classic black messenger M. Oh man what a disappointment! Is this a bag from the same company? It's nothing like the previous models. Quality is so much worse. It feels cheap out of cheap materials. I can't even mention the strap. The thing that, in my opinion, was one of the best quality signs on the previous models. The new strap is flappy, thin and twists all the time. I can go on but everything with this bag is bad. Don't buy it. I need to realize the sad truth that my favorite bag is dead. RIP!

My bag's waterproofing lining has been breaking after barely 1 month of use. I have gotten customer service to acknowledge that this is a warranty issue however they won't pay for shipping to send it back for repair, or tell me how long it will take them. As this is my every-day bag, I am basically left needing to buy another bag to use while I pay to ship this one to get repaired. Nonsense. This is my second terrible Timbuk2 customer service experience - last time they wanted me to ship a whole suitcase back to them to repair the handle. Luckily I happened to suggest that they send me a replacement part and I fix it. It had not crossed their mind to go about it that way...

TPU liner cracks way too easily. Started cracking within a week of use. If you live or store your bags in a place with high humidity, this bag is not for you, as the TPU liner WILL separate from the bag, which nulls the waterproofing qualities of it. Until the issue's solved or addressed, I don't see a reason why you should be buying this. Pretty disappointing.

The strap lock ALWAYS comes undone. This leads to tge bag slipping off, dragging. No handle to loop over lyggage pull either.

I believed this bag would be a good option for my husband to carry his laptop. Unfortunately there is not a padded compartment for a laptop. Contacted the company to select a more appropriate bag and was told I'd have to pay for shipping. Company does not offer free returns, not even for exchanges. Most reputable online companies offer this service, I assumed Timbuk2 would do the same. Requested to have a manager contact me to resolve the issue and I haven't heard from anyone. Don't waste your money, especially if you're buying a gift which may need to be returned.