Customer Reviews Timbuk2 The Authority Pack

This is my second Timbuk2 bag (the first finally wore out after 6 years of aggressive use). It functions as a combo laptop/gym/lunch/do everything bag that I take to work every day. I like the professional lines, sturdiness, and lightweight. It's easy to bike with or throw in the car. I told the rep at Whole Earth Provision that I needed a backpack that my CFO wouldn't make fun of, and this fits the bill. Packing stuff in is a little tight due to smaller volume, but I prefer that over unnecessary space. Cons: the water bottle carrier on the side serves no purpose, given its thin dimensions. Also not a fan of the under straps--I guess I'm supposed to roll up a yoga mat or something in there, but that's not for me. Overall: great bag, looks good, seems sturdy, and I imagine I'll use it for a long time. Would buy again.

Accidentally ran over my old work backpack with our car (oops!) so needed a replacement. Was looking to switch from my hiking-esque pack to something more sophisticated/professional. After a lot of searching, this was the only pack that fit my criteria: 1. professional-looking 2. reasonable price 3. can fit enough for my day and when I have to work overnight also (i.e. clothing change, food, my laptop, routine daily items). I train commute usually (good thing given my above driving anecdote!) so I need a sturdy bag that holds up and feels comfortable walking couple miles each day. After trying this for 2 weeks, have to say I'm SO happy with my purchase. I really love this bag. My only (very minor) critique is that the cross-chest strap could have been placed slightly lower. As it is you can adjust it and on the lowest setting it's fine for me. Might have gone down smidge further if it were an option. Otherwise, absolutely no complaints. Bag is very roomy and I can fit all my needed stuff and it still keeps a low profile. That said, I'm 5'10", so if you are under 5'6" this might look a bit large on you. I purchased the oxide heather color, and I love it. Reminds me of some of the waxed canvas looks I've seen that go for around $300. Only thing I can't speak to is that I haven't used it in a good rain yet, so we'll see how it holds up diverting the rain from the laptop area.

This backpack is simply amazing. I love it so much. When I first got it in the mail, I was skeptical it would hold all of my stuff, but this thing can really hold a lot while still looking slim! the straps and back are very comfortable and seemingly magically distribute the weight across your back so that your shoulders don't hurt even with a heavy load! It also looks very stylist, and the pockets make for great organization without things getting too intricate on the inside. Just wish the water bottle compartment was stretchier or larger, because 32oz or larger bottles with wider diameters will not fit. Luckily, the backpack is so roomy, you can easily put large water bottles inside the pack without a problem!

Our company has gone to a completely open office without assigned desks. I needed to carry my laptop, cords, mouse, notepads, a few files plus pens, etc. This backpack has been perfect fort that and looks really good doing it. Multiple people has asked me about it. I have been using it now for about 6 weeks and it still looks and feels brand new

Great for daily use; bringing my laptop, lunch, and gym clothes to work everyday. I like that it's not flashy, but I feel like it's not as sharp as some of the other styles I've seen.

I was really excited to receive this bag - and then that's where the excitement ended. I have had other products from Timbuk2 that I felt were more accurately described, I even watched the video before purchasing. The part of the shoulder straps that you adjust to make tighter or looser do not stay put, and I am constantly every few days needing to readjust them back to the tightest they'll go, otherwise the bag hangs really low on my back (I am 5'4" tall). It isn't a very big bag - I can fit my 13" laptop (certainly a 17" would fit as well), some magazines, my power cord, my mouse, and a couple snacks and wallet in the bag. My full lunch I have to carry separately to and from work. If you have a thicker laptop (mine is very thin) you wouldn't be able to fit even as much as I am putting in the bag. I love that the outer pocket can be zipped almost all the way to the bottom of the bag. I just wish the big main pocket also had this feature to better access items that fall to the bottom of that compartment as I am pulling things out. The outer pocket also has some great organizational compartments for cell phone charging cables, pencils/pens, and other things to put in there. Next time there's a big sale, I may try to purchase a bigger bag. But I am worried about paying over $100 for something that I still don't like. The quality of the outside fabric is pretty good and the shoulder straps padding is also very nice.

I've had this computer pack for about 3 years now. It looks brand new, has protected my XPS 15 perfectly and fits all my cables and accessories. It is comfortable to wear and doesn't look too big on my small frame (I'm 5'5", 115lbs). It doesn't have a lot of room to expand so don't plan on putting gym clothes and a lot of papers in the thing but it also looks sleek and professional and not overly stuffed and sticking out so the trade-off is fine. I would love a bag that held everything but then I probably wouldn't be able to lift it. If you want an excellent quality, professional looking, highly functional computer commuter backpack, you can't go wrong with this one.

I purchased this backpack to use for work - transporting my 15" MBP, iPad Pro, accessories, and other various items. After doing a lot of research, I settled on the Authority pack and it has been exactly what I needed. Looks great, works great, packs everything I need, and is relatively compact. The only critique I have is that I wish the vertical zippered compartment that conceals a tether for keys was located for easy access when the pack is on my right shoulder, instead of my left. That's it. Otherwise, this is a great pack and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it again.

I really like this backpack. During distance learning I go to teach from my school site and easily carry everything there and back. I really like the laptop sleeve if it's my computer perfect.

A bit on the more expensive side and not very big but quality is too notch and very comfortable

So I've been shouting the praises of Timbuk2 for a long time - like, since the early 2000's when I got my first laptop bag custom built with their OG bag builder web interface. That bag was an absolute road warrior for many years, so when it came time for my youngest to head off to college I knew there was only one bag to trust with all his tech gear. It's sturdy, it's padded, it's expandable, it's weather resistant, and it's good looking too! Pleased beyond expectations with this bag, and know beyond a doubt that this bag is in it for the long haul. Thank you for doing what you do better than anyone else out there Timbuk2!!

I've owned a TB2 large messenger bag for almost 20 years now, and it's still in great condition. However, it could not hold my laptop securely/protectively when I ride my motorcycle to work (I have to schlep my work laptop back and forth from work to home now due to covid19). This laptop backpack is perfect and stays in place, and has the same quality, or maybe better than my old TB2 messenger bag.

Bought the Authority Deluxe recently and didn't really like the colorway, exchanged it for a Authority. Customer service was excellent and the backpack is great. Haven't gotten to really use to fully yet but it has everything I was looking for.

A month into using the Authority having (finally) switched from a Rickshaw laptop bag (Tumi consultant style) that I loved and was a faithful companion for 8 years of moderately heavy travel. Authority is well thought out with plenty of storage space but can be slimmed down to be more streamlined if you want.

For me, as a part time student with a job in an office, I love this bag. Also as someone who is around 6 foot tall and a bit overweight, the bag sits comfortably on my back and does not feel as heavy as a different bag with the same amount of gear in it. The reason I say I'd recommend it to almost anyone, is that it has an upper threshold of the amount of gear that fits comfortably inside. It is an overall thin profile bag so it can get overstuffed in a hurry.

This backpack is fabulous! The three compartments make carrying all my school and work books and electronics much easier. This backpack has more then enough space for everything and is not heavy on my back at all.

I just got this backpack, and so far it's been great. It's much more structured than my previous North Face backpack, with many more pockets. I especially love the laptop sleeve, which definitely big enough for my laptop (13") and tablet, could easily fit a larger laptop instead. The weight is distributed really nicely, so even though I have just as much weight on my back, it feels lighter. I thought that it didn't hold as much as my old backpack, but then I realized I could loosen the straps at the bottom to free up more space. Still possible it holds a little less, but it's definitely a better bag. I'm a grad student and have to carry my laptop, cords, notebook, and books everywhere, and it's been great for that. It also looks more "grown-up" than my old one, so I don't feel like a kid on campus or in the office!

Bought this backpavk for my son, he just start working in the city and he has to take the train every day, is perfect for him, he got rid of his old college backpack to use his new one, it looks perfect for a young adult who starts his new job. It looks more than just a backpack

It's a very well made bag. It's comfortable and the organizational pockets are well thought out. My work desk is now completely portable now. Completely loaded, I am carrying a significant amount of weight. The straps and back padding make it comfortable to carry. I haven't used the chest strap yet - field work is for warmer months and this is when this will come into play then. The only disappointment is the pocket for the water bottle, as it is a bit small. I carry a 40 oz water bottle and it doesn't fit into the pocket. That said, I can fit a 12 oz thermos in the sleeve quite snugly.

I work for several hospitals as a marketing manager so I'm always traveling from location to location. I need to spend long days living out of my backpack and need to have everything while also having room for my crisis communications stuff as well. My old work backpack just didn't have the space I needed. This backpack is nearly as big as my previous work backpack but has twice the space. The organization is great, the amount of stuff I can hold us crazy. It's like there's an endless supply of storage. I moved everything over from my old backpack plus more and there is still plenty of room. This was exactly what I needed whether I'm managing media or building a webpage on the go.

Couldn't be any happier with my purchase! I saw this brand recommended on several "best of" sites as I was searching for a new bag. Then when I was out shopping one day, I saw a man wearing a Timbuk2 bag and it looked even better in person. So far I've had the bag a week and I'm thoroughly impressed with its design, function, and quality. It feels tough but looks sleek. Great variety of pockets for all my work projects and odds and ends. Also, it's been performing really well in rainy weather. If you're still on the fence, make the jump.

Truly love my Authority back pack! Slim look and feel, but has great capacity! Highly recommend this bag!

I adore my new backpack. It's extremely pleasant to use and in terms of organizing, it's beyond anything I've ever tried. It's definitely high quality and knowing it's made in SF, it's a huge plus. I absolutely love it and everything about it. Buy local, buy national if not local, but above all, reward companies that value their customers and the planet.

Fits my stylish lifestyle, the quality, make and feel of the BP is awesome I will definitely buy more. I did take note the stylish bags for woman I have 3 girls at home who I bet would love to have one.

I love this backpack! I'm way more organized, my stuff is safer, and I get no back pain from this!