Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack

Am happy with this backpack. I commute on a subway that can be crowded so having a backpack that stands up is a big plus. The side entry sleeve for laptop and iPad is super convenient. The fit and finish are excellent. Several easy access pockets throughout. Water bottle pocket was tight but is ok now. Handle on top and side is convenient.

The backpack is great, sturdy with lots of room, very practical for those who travel a lot for short stays. For me, it was too big and boxy and didn't seat well on my back so it wasn't comfortable.

After several years of use, this is my favorite travel sidekick bag, but there are a couple simple adjustments that would make it better. First, and most importantly, the Napoleon outside pocket is too small to fit a wallet, keys and a cell phone. There's plenty of room in the bag to have to pocket extend above and/or below the zipper, or a little longer zipper/pocket would do the trick. Going through security at the airport this pocket is my go to stash, but it's a challenge to fit everything quickly and easily. Water bottle holder- Many of us run around with our Yeti or Hydro Flask water bottles. I use a smaller 18 oz screw top rambler bottle for air travel use, and a 32 oz hydro for my daily use. The pocket is semi-useless running through the airport. I have to tuck the bottle inside the bag. Luggage strap- Not critical, but a solid connection between carry-on and this bag would be nice. If the water bottle holder is not in the works, this could be a horizontal zipper sleeve. Main compartment- This area has a two tablet pockets, one on each side of the pocket. Overkill and I can't think of when you'd need or use two? What could be useful? A second zippered stash pocket below the smaller top one. Why? For international travel, this would be a nice space to stash cash, or other valuables you want access to, but would like a second level of security. It's simple, too. Just add a zipper to the top of this sleeve and you'd be done. Outer compartment- Because it's a half zip with a full pocket, it becomes easy for this to become a black hole. The space is really hard to organize. I use if for glasses, and pens, and store my rechargeable battery here. Because of the nice buckles, this could be a nice space for storing passports, wallet, during travel, but there's nothing in here that helps keep those things securely stored. Security Zippers- I have figured out a hack for this but this would be nice for at least the main compartment.

I use this bag pretty much everyday for work. I carry my lunch, t-shirts for work (where are laptop would normally go), usually a book, and some other accessories. Okay, so after buying and returning about five backpacks, I settled on this one. It does the best job, but could use a bit of improvement. First, what I like more than anything is the bag will stand up on its own almost all the time. At lunch, it's nice to have the bag next to me, standing, so I take stuff out and put stuff in without a hassle. Here's what I would change. 1) Make the bottom front to back depth (now 6.3") about 6.8 or 7 inches. That little extra space will allow for a sandwich sized bento type box to fit flat on the bottom of the bag without have to truly stuff it down there. It drives me nuts that the couple of lunch containers I have are just about a " too big. They fit, but not without an effort. 2) The zippered pocket on the front. Can we add just a little more room to this? A thin glasses case and keys just barely fit..they too need to be stuffed in. 3) The front organization portion should have a zipper that lets the front swing completely open, not just half way. Getting into the zippered mesh pocket in there is not easy. 4) If possible, move the water bottle holder just a bit further back. Putting a 20oz HydroFlask in there is the one thing that can make the bag fall over. I think moving it back a bit would give the bag better balance. Overall, a great bag, but like pretty much everything out there, just a bit away from being the perfect backpack. (PS- I miss your stores in NYC!)

I've been using this bag for a little over two years and and it's been wonderful. Initially, I wasn't sure about this bag since I'm only 5' 2" but it's been fine. The plethora of pockets inside the main compartment and the smaller compartment are a dream for organization! I can keep my laptop chargers and electronic cords organized in the compartments. Pens, parking cards, medicine, snacks, feminine products, and what have you! The outer pocket is great for when I'm flying and need to store tickets, passports, or easy to access items. I also use this for weekend trips, as it has ample room and expandable future. I can fit sneakers and 2-3 days worth of clothes in here along with my laptop, toiletries, and make-up. The only thing I wish it had is a dedicated luggage pass-through.

First of all, I want to say this is a pretty well designed and built backpack. I was fortunate enough to pick one up during their sale. I've used the backpack couple of times now and I have to say everytime I use it, I love the bag except when I have to get my laptop in and out. I do not know why the designers decided to have a compartment that clearly fits a 15-16inch laptop easily, but then decided to install a tab that limits the size of the laptop it can house. Imagine the horror when I received the bag only to find out it would just not let my 15inch laptop in. I think the forementioned tab was designed to protect the zips, but the zips themselves are already covered in some sort of protective material. All this did was limited the width of the laptop it could accomodate despite having the space to do so. I contemplated returning the bag but there wasn't any other Timbuk2 backpack that I liked, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and split the tab wide open with a scissor. Luckily, I was able to squeeze in my laptop, but it's still not a perfect solution as it's not a breeze getting the laptop in/out. I hope the designers in the next iteration can remove this tab or at least make it open up to allow a laptop the size of backpack in/out with ease. So Yes, I would recommend but only if they're willing to hack their backpack if things don't quite fit.

While this bag feels a bit large for someone small like me, it fits everything I need. I also have room to cram in things you accumulate along a trip and it still fits easily under the seat of a plane. My only complaint is the zippers are a little difficult to undo sometimes and I wish there were a few additional “secret” zippered pockets instead of mesh and maybe a padded pocket for sunglasses.

I love this backpack! There are so many pockets and it is surprisingly slim, but holds a ton. I'm a 5'0" petite woman and my biggest worry about backpacks is that they are going to make me look like a kindergartenerthis one looks great. My only complaint is the zippers. They pull well and seem like good quality, but why-oh-why did they not leave room for a lock to slip through? I'm going to be traveling to some areas where theft is an issue, and I feel more comfortable knowing my backpack is locked. I can't do that with this one, so I'm going to have to figure out a different way to feel secure carrying my things.

I love this backpack! There are so many pockets and it is surprisingly slim, but holds a ton. I'm a 5'0" petite woman and my biggest worry about backpacks is that they are going to make me look like a kindergartener-this one looks great. My only complaint is the zippers. They pull well and seem like good quality, but why-oh-why did they not leave room for a lock to slip through? I'm going to be traveling to some areas where theft is an issue, and I feel more comfortable knowing my backpack is locked. I can't do that with this one, so I'm going to have to figure out a different way to feel secure carrying my things.

Perfect size, great build quality, love the expandable convenience. The only two things I would change (and I did). First they should take out the gussets that prevent the pack from opening up fully so you can pack it almost like a suitcase. It is SO hard to find a backpack that allows you to open the main compartment all the way up and I'm not sure why. It's so convenient for packing. I cut them out day one and it's perfect - very hard to tell they were even there. Second thing is the two ice axe straps or whatever they are are also not very useful at all, so I cut those off. That one bothers me more because it's impossible to cut them down far enough that you don't see the leftover strap material. But it's still way more convenient without them so I'll deal with it looking like I chopped it up a bit. Otherwise great pack!

I use the backpack everyday. I use it when going to work or when traveling. I really like the backpack overall, but with one gripe. For, commuting to work or for short trips it's great. The handles on the side of the backpack are nice as well as all the compartments. I feel like there was a lot of thought put into this backpack. That said my biggest issue with the backpack is I wish it had one those passthrough areas in the back so it can easily stay on a luggage. It has been my biggest issue when I travel because it gets pretty annoying if my backpack is very packed and I want to keep it on my luggage without it falling off or swinging around.

I bought this bag for all of my work related items, and it does a great job of organizing and holding everything, but the shoulder straps chaff the tops of my shoulders. I would prefer if the material making contact with my skin was smoother or softer. My shoulders are red and sore from wearing the bag all day, even when it's only half full.

I bought this as a daily carry to carry my work things (laptop, iPad, some papers) sand my gym clothes. For that purpose, it's more than enough. It has a dedicated laptop compartment in the back, and a bigger compartment for everything else in the middle. It also had a couple of smaller pockets for small items, the front being perfect for your phone, passport, cash or anything else you need quick access to. If you need more room, you can expand the backpack and it will add more volume. I like the fabric and the simplicity of the design. Quality materials and quality zippers. The only thing I don't like is that it has two metallic clasps for the front pocket that you have to undo before you can unzip and have access to the front pocket If I were more disciplined, send only had one type of clothes to worry worry about, I could see this as a 2-3 day travel pack.

When I received backpack I was a little worried about the size. I'm a flight attendant and wasn't sure I'd be able to get all my stuff in it. After packing, I was pleasantly surprised. Everything fit fine and the bag was much smaller than my previous one. The only negative was one of the reason I purchased the bag was the cool blue interior. It made the bag a little different than others I looked at. Unfortunately, the bag arrived grey inside. Timbuk2 said the change was due to lack of materials. They did remedy the problem though.

There are so many things to like about this bag if you travel and commute and prefer a backpack to a messenger. It's precisely the right size to always be small enough to count as your second carry on item. That's key. Read the reviews to hear all the praises, I just want to shout out a few slight adjustments I would make to take the bag over the top! 1. 1. 1. The Napoleon pocket could be sewn an inch or two larger in both directions inside of the same zipper. This would allow dropping plus sized phones and a wallet in the pocket going through security. Right now, you have to cram them in there to make that happen. 2. Back pack padding could have a zipper and a pass through for luggage handle. 3. water bottle holder needs to be about an inch longer. 4. A no scratch pocket for sunglasses would be the cherry on top (I scratched a good pair on a trip).

I travel quite a bit for work. I was in Mountain View, just north of San Jose, and the weather was less than ideal but I needed to test my gear. I went for a walk during the storm that week with my pack on for about a mile. When I returned to my room, I found my folder that I placed with some papers (for testing), in the laptop compartment. To my dismay the bottom had water damage. The main compartment where I keep extra clothing, (at the bottom) were not soaked but definitely were wet. Other than that, I love all the pockets and how well this pack helped in my daily work/lifestyle.

Four months ago, I wrote a review titled "Oh so close to perfect." This is a short follow-up after using the backpack extensively. 1. For a backpack, the straps need to be redesigned. They're too close together at the top and do not sit flat on my (average-sized) shoulders. The curve is not pronounced enough to sit comfortably on the chest. 2. The pockets inside the main compartment are superfluous and unusable when the interior is full. There's no extra room for them to expand. 3. The water holder stretches slightly but is small, tight, and shallow. A deeper, wider pocket would hold more types of bottles and hold them securely.

It looked kind of small for me at the beginning, but once I put all my stuff in it I have a lot of space left. I didn't have to use the expandable feature. I really like its versatility. The zippers are sometimes a little hidden for what I like. Overall a great backpack.

I have been eyeing the Never Check backpack for a while and decided to buy when it was on sale. It is the right size to replace a duffle that I've grown tired of carrying on one shoulder. The organization of the bag is great. The handles that let me carry it as a briefcase are good. I especially like the row of pockets inside the front of the bag. And for 24L, it is compact and stiff enough to be easy to carry. The cons I've listed apply to luggage: 1. Should have hideaway back straps so they don't get tangled. 2. Should have lockable zippers for the main compartment. 3. Would be nice if the front pocket were (even slightly) gusseted to allow for expansion. When the inside is stuffed full, it's hard to fit any more into the front. 4. Would be nice to have a pass-through to attach the bag to the rails of my roll-on.

Huge upgrade over my previous 'professional' backpack. Backpack is the most ergonomic and practical pack option, so not switching to a saddle bag or briefcase in this lifetime, and this offers a nice combination of a sleek look, organization, and features that make it good for traveling. Really only issue I've had with it thus far are the buckles on the side. They prevent the pocket from zipping open, and don't seem to add any functionality that you'd reasonably expect to use (although they look cool). They're easy enough to undo, but I kind of wish I could easily remove them entirely. If I figure out something I'm missing here w/r/t removing them this would be a 5 star bag

Firstly, this is not worth $240 (w tax) -- Second, the water bottle side pocket is poorly designed. It's the shape of a funnel, not a cylinder like literally every bottle since water was invented. It's also an ugly pocket; a crumpled bunch of fabric clenched by an exterior strip of elastic. It looks and feels so tacked on- it works for maybe a pair of sunglasses but that's about all I'd trust it to hold on to. And lastly, its far too busy- too many clasps and straps and zippers and tiny little interior pockets that you will never put anything in. But... it is a quality bag. It feels sturdy and like it is made from quality materials. I trust my laptop in the laptop sleeve. It's comfortable to wear. The expandable space is at times helpful. I think most people would be perfectly happy with this bag. But if you're anal or particular, or looking for less money, or the same amount of money- to go further. There are some better options. 3/5 stars.

This Timbuk2 backpack is a design I want to love, but I just received it and immediately spotted one massive eyesore of a flaw. It's an incredibly ugly, crumpled, upside-down triangle-shaped drink bottle pocket. You know, so you can carry an ice cream cone- or a funnel? It looks like a last-minute addition by someone still learning how to sew. On the outside of the lip of the pocket, you find a worn-out strip of bungee elastic- that would have worked and looked so much better sandwiched between the fabric or sewn into the fabric. But no, it's literally just sewn on either end and left to dangle, looking sad and warped. It's so ugly and cheap-looking that I thought Timbuk2 might have sent me a factory second. But no, going back to the website and looking at the photos, I see it featured. At the bottom of the pocket, you will find a wicked pleat that pinches the fabric to a fine point, preventing a cylindrical-shaped object from reaching more than 30% down the length of the pocket. It's a poorly thought-out detail that could've been handled better, maybe by enclosing the elastic or omitting it entirely and, I don't know, making the water bottle pocket the actual shape of a water bottle. I'm cautiously optimistic about the rest of the bag. I ride a bike and want a 3035L bag for grocery shopping. Customer service recommended this one as the largest without PVC coating (the PVC coating on their larger bags is a cracking and peeling nightmare). I was surprised by its capacity. While it's not big enough for a weekly grocery run, it can hold one large grocery bag. So that's a plus. I hope it matches Timbuk2's claim, "We build products to last a lifetime. Prepare your bag for decades of adventure." I still grin when reading that tagline. What do they mean by "prepare your bag?" I think they mean- be prepared to have your bag last you for decades of adventures, but that's not how it reads. It sounds like something additional must be done for this bag to last you decades.

I love this backpack although there are a couple of quirks. Not vary easy seeing what's in the zippered pocket on the front as well as the side zippered pocket. Also, I've had this for almost a month. I went to use the "clip" that goes across my chest for the first time and the strap broke. I spent a lot of money and thought the quality was a bit better than that.

Nice travel backpack, sturdy material still very light. Separate access to the laptop section is handy. However, the external bottle pouch is super cumbersome to deal with and there was no way to place my water bottle without taking off the entire backpack. Even then it is somewhat of a struggle for its weird design. Returned the backpack for that reason.

Have had this bag for a month and have used it on 3, 2-3 business trips. The construction is excellent. Very sturdy. It adjusts well when fully packed. The expansion works well, compresses nicely, and easily allows a solid extra day of clothes. The handles are great for quick grabbing from overhead or exiting Uber. There are downsides. The inside pockets in front are deep. Passport and other travel docs sink and hide which leaves you fishing for stuff. The bottle carrier is small and does not hold typical SS bottles well. It really needs a second bottle holder for something like an umbrella. The latch hooks on front pockets are cumbersome, get snagged easily, and don't serve much of a purpose. I would like to see some type of mesh pocket on front of bag for easy access in security lines. Overall happy with purchase. Yet there could be some upgrades.