Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Rookie Pack

I've owned a lot of Timbuk2 bags and at least 3 of their backpacks for travel and work. I got the Rookie because I didn't need all the pockets and separate sections for my everyday work and commute. I love slipping my laptop and a few essentials into the Rookie and not having to worry how it's all organized. For me, two things would make this completely perfect. 1) a better outside pocket. Currently, it's just a bulge like a certain classic schoolyard backpack. I appreciate the lack of separators in this bag but here is one spot where a smaller, smarter pocket just for pens, cell phone, A6-size notebook would be really great. Or just remove it entirely and leave the top slip pocket and the secret pocket. 2) The zippers are a little sticky. Oh, and it would be great if the water bottle pockets were flexible. But this is all nitpicking on a great, minimal backpack.

After years of relying on large purses on my commute, I decided to switch to a backpack and chose the Rookie Pack. I'm really happy with the purchase. It's big enough to carry all my things to and from work and keeps all my things organized. But it's not so big as to feel bottomless (part of why I switched from large unwieldy purses was to discourage clutter). This is also perfect for a 2-3-day weekend trip, and remains comfortable when I have to walk longer distances. The materials feel strong and durable, and the pink zipper accent is stylish and subtle (I bought in Rebel). Two minor drawbacks: it could use more pockets and the straps could be more heavily padded. Still, I highly recommend the product. Great for the average commuter or college student.

I love the Timbuk 2 Rookie Pack backpack! I have used it for my daily commute to work and also as my carry-on bag on several recent flights. It's small enough to carry onboard, but large enough to fit what you need. Compared to other backpacks I have owned, it is way more lightweight and vastly more comfortable, I have not experienced any back pain or strain from using it. The straps are also padded and very ergonomical. There is a variety of different pockets to fit all kinds of things and a lot more storage space then expected initially. Another attribute I noticed is that is seems to be relatively water and stain resistant. I spilled water as well as have gotten cracker dust on the exterior, and each time it easily wiped away clean. The Timbuk 2 Rookie Pack is definitely a backpack I would purchase, and I'm interested in the other products the company has available. I would recommend this product to work commuters, travelers, students, as well as anyone else that needs a high-quality, light-weight backpack!

This backpack was amazing. We took it camping and hiking. And boy was I lucky because it rained the whole time. But we still hiked. My items stayed dry the whole time. Walking through trees and snagging on branches there are no rips or snags. Well worth a backpack. My daughter is going to use it for school because of how well made it is. She goes through backpacks like pencils.

When I received the TimBuk2 Rookie bag to review, I felt it would be another backpack like I've used in the past. This pack is unique and way better. Great craftmanship, made with heavy duty wear materials. We were really impressed with all of pockets and the comfortable strap. It held just the right amount of heavy tools and equipment needed to take from job site to the shop. Really nice bag, has a great look and very versatile for work, sports and for outdoor adventures - highly recommend!

I'm a physical therapy graduate student that is constantly on the go. Between class, the clinic, my research lab, and home, I need a wide variety of things to be on my person at any given time. Before the Rookie Pack, I was using a huge bulky backpack that made travel on city busses and trains difficult. The Rookie pack, however, holds everything I need and is stylish and compact. Currently, the bag has a textbook (900 pages), my laptop, my iPad, my Kindle, 2 full sized wire notebooks, 2 journal sized notebooks, and various PT tools (gait belt, goniometer, etc). This is all held comfortably in the main pocket, staying organized but not overstretching the pack. In addition, the large front pocket holds all my chargers comfortably. There are two pockets on the sides for my water bottle and coffee mug, and a single central pocket for pencils and pens. I would have liked a few more pockets in the main bag area to organize a few more things, but that is a small gripe that shouldn't overshadow the overall utility and style of the backpack.

Suits my needs, well made.

It's a great daily use bag. I can fit two hammocks, a portable speaker, water bottles, and a beach towel. I like that it doesn't get floppy and lose it's shape. I wish it was a bit more padded in the laptop pocket, but I do appreciate all the different size pockets for various things.

I have been wanting to switch to a backpack from a shoulder bag for quite some time now, and I am very pleased with my Timbuk2 Rookie Pack! I live in Chicago and normally pack my bag full of everything i need for the whole day: Laptop, workout clothes, lunch and wallet, with the weight causing too much stress on my shoulders. The Rookie Pack has been great because it feels like the weight of a feather on my back and I have not had problems compared to shoulder bags. This weekend it poured rain, and the material of the bag kept all of my items dry. I would definitely recommend this product and would have purchased this myself. My only con (not sure this is even is a con. or just my personal taste) is that I wish it were a bit more sleek and stylish. It looks like a pretty standard backpack, and a sleeker model would have been ideal for a city commuter; however, I am already using it for more than just my commuting (sports, gym, travel), so it is proving to be very useful regardless. Great quality product!

I think of myself as a style girl and usually don't wear backpacks, but during the summers I bike to work and this backpack is perfect. Tons of pockets and a space for my laptop. I even had room for some groceries. My only complaint was the straps could be more comfortable.

Stylish bag that is durable for daily use and for work, great storage space and easy to carry

Use it everyday for work and recently got traveling. Works great for both

I am tough on bags and have been through more than my fair share. I have been looking for a bag that is not to big, but strong and will last. This one totally makes the cut. It is the perfect size for a 2 or 3 day trip and has lots of different compartments to keep everything organized. Most importantly, it hands down is the strongest bags it's size I have seen on the market.

This backpack is great. I ride my bike everyday and it holds everything I need while being lightweight and very sleek. Love love love

Needed to switch from a over the shoulder bag to a backpack. This is lightweight, isn't too overkill for a small frame. It's comfortable to carry and to walk with. The pockets on the inside are adequate for me but would definitely suggest a pencil pouch or similar for small goods. Waterproof!

I'm a mass transit commuter in a major city and needed a backpack large enough to hold my daily necessities that's also comfortable to carry and suitable for travel on airplanes and trains. I was surprised at how comfortable this backpack was, although (because I'm pretty short) it took a lot of strap adjustment to get it to sit comfortably above my hips. I took this on the NJ transit to New York, and it was also pretty comfortable to carry on the NY subway, although I'm not sure if other subway passengers appreciated its bulkiness. But it held everything I needed for an overnight trip, and it's got a really nice pocket inside that keeps my laptop upright and tight against my back while I'm in transit. I'd recommend this super lightweight backpack to urban commuters, especially freelancers/coworking people who lug around a laptop.

This is a very nice little compact backpack. I really like the simple and sleek design. I used it mainly for carrying stuff to and from work. For me it has plenty of room and pockets. However, it may be too small for students with lots of books to carry around. The bag seems very well built with quality material except for the main zipper and shoulder straps.