Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack

Bought this to start a new sales job. With only 1 good hand, I struggle with a briefcase style, so this was excellent. Love the size, fits great under an airplane seat and comfortable to wear when having to run through an airport! All black detailing looks professional and many sensible pockets for organizing all those little travel necessities. Docked 1 star because the external water bottle pocket is too tight to fit anything larger than a 20oz soda bottle, and even that is a tight fit! It's ok for holding a cell phone, but having to go into the main compartment to grab your water when you just ran through an airport isn't the most convenient.

I love this backpack! It's just what I was looking for. Fits my 15" laptop nicely in its slot, good interior compartments, lots of small compartments that are easily accessible, and seems sturdy. The only quibble that cost it a star is that the water bottle pocket on the side is strangely small. It seems designed for a narrow coffee thermos, and so even a regular-sized water bottle requires a struggle to squeeze in. But after a backpack search odyssey, I like this one, so maybe I'll get a narrower water bottle :)

I work a hybrid work from home schedule with 2 days a week in the office. I needed a backpack that would protect my laptop and allow me to carry in everything else I need like lunch, water bottle and over the ear head phones and a jacket or sweatshirt. This backpack is close to perfect. It holds everything I need and is comfortable to wear. The 2 downfalls are the water bottle pocket and the laptop pocket. It barely fits my favorite bottle and the water bottle pocket is not deep enough as mine falls out on occasion. I have to fight with the laptop pocket every time I put the laptop in and take it out. It fits fine but the opening is like 1.5 inches too short so I have to turn it just perfect to get it in and out. I haven't had a chance to use it in the rain yet so I cannot speak for rain proof but overall I am pretty pleased with my purchase.

I bought this to replace my old laptop backpack. I use this for all of my travels with my laptop. Its very convenient to store most of my travel needs. It has plenty of storage and is well built.

VERY good, not great. Light, love it's ability to expand. I had a GoRuck and upgraded to this. Needs Velcro patching on the outside for us who've been down range. Main "cabin" needs to fully open.

Great backpack but a hook for the front pouch of mine was not smoothed out enough so it scrapped into the loop every time it was open or closed but was fixed with a little filing.

The size, color, design are perfect!! But , the fastener got stuck sometimes.

This is a good looking backpack with a simple, clean design. I have used it for commuting to work everyday since I purchased it and it works well. The only issue I have is the water bottle pocket. It might be ok for plastic water bottles, but mine do not fit properly.

I do like the bag very much for its organisation, but for a backpack that's meant for travel there are some strange design decisions. The most obvious one will be the lack of a hidden security pocket at the back and a luggage passthrough strap that immediately renders the bag less usable than it should be. Other cons that I can think of: - The two straps at the front of the bag are a nuisance when you want to access the front pocket quickly - why not remove the two straps and let people who want to secure the zips use their own padlock? - Lack of attachment points. I understand that Timbuk2 backpacks are meant to look sleek, but for a travel backpack, one or two attachment points where we can attach carabiners on will be nice. - Cannot hide shoulders straps when used as a briefcase - No removeble waist strap. This is a near-30L travel backpack so I think a waist strap is necessary. It will be great to have a new version with these issues fixed.

After my dog chewed my last travel backpack, I searched for a suitable replacement that would be roomy enough for a 2-3 day trip with my laptop, but stylish and understated enough to be at home in the city. Luckily, after a lot of research, I landed on the Never Check. First, I love the two organizer pockets on the front, a small zip pocket to hold my phone or sunglasses case, and a more roomy pocket under it with helpful organizational slots for passports, pens, portable chargers, notebooks or whatever. I also like that these pockets are in line with the laptop pocket so that if I turn the bag sidewise and hold it by the side carrying handle, I have access to important items in my bag without having to juggle the bag this way and that to access the items...a real help when negotiating a TSA checkpoint. However, the expandable feature of the main storage area really makes this bag shine for me. It easily fits two full size packing cubes plus my travel kit, making it a perfect companion for some of the overnight or multi-night trips I take for business. My only complaint with this bag is that the daisy-chain-like sternum strap adjustment points on the packstraps are not ideal for a guy of my size (6'3" 230 lbs). I had to put the sternum strap in the very last attachment point on the packstraps and the sternum-strap still rides a bit high for me. This is a small detail since most of the time I use this bag I am not using the sternum strap. However, I know there will be times when I am traveling that a sternum strap would be helpful to have, and you need to be a lot smaller than me to take advantage of the sternum strap adjustments. On future bags it might be helpful to have a strap option for folks with larger chests, shoulders and torsos with sternum strap adjustments that can meet the needs of larger people. That being said, the usefulness of this pack, its understated aesthetics and ability to expand, makes this a great bag for both travel and day to day carry.

Awesome backpack I use for my on the go lifestyle, self employed in event marketing, real estate and this is my new favorite backpack for travel too. Compact shape with the room for more. Only down fall the water bottle holder is so small and sewn at the bottom that it doesn't fit my 32 ounce hydro flask. My gf's smaller slimmer 16 Oz water bottle fits but it's a snug and not quite simple fit. Takes a bit of working.

Very nice.. well made. My only complaint is that the organizer pockets in the front compartment are 5.5 to 6" deep so small items slide to the bottom and you need to go fishing for them.

I like a lot of things about this pack, the expansion zipper is really nice. I would have given it a 5 BUT the sternum strap does not go low enough on the shoulder straps and it rides up near my throat. I am not a big guy, where a larger shirt.

Overall, this bag is great. But there are a few things that hold it back from being my go-to. It's the perfect size and expandable zipper means you can get a ton in it. It's comfortable to wear and has a lot of extra storage outside of the main zipper. That being said, the front zipper pouch is extremely limited due to the clasps, they're not the easiest to unhook when moving quickly through and airport. Having only side-access as well presents a challenge when you store it under the seat in front of you. When you expand the main pouch, your tablet/notebook in that pouch will snag on the zipper on the way out. But my biggest issue is that there is no way to secure it to your luggage so you end up having to wear it when you have a hard-shell carry-on too.

I use it well for school . Small travels etc

I've been using this backpack for the last 2 years. Really satisfied so far, good quality, still clean and in good condition. My only complaint is the two "hooks" come loose easily and unhook be themselves

Storage capacity is good. Back pocket only opens on one side, does not open entirely, which makes it more difficult to fit laptop case in there. Laptop on its own fits fine, but I like putting a laptop with its case in the back, so this issue is one just personal to me. Overall, it's serving me well as a bag that I take to work and I think many people will be satisfied with this product.

I purchased the Never Check Expandable Backpack as a travel hand carry. It's stylish and perfectly sized to hold the right amount of necessary items; change of clothing, toiletries, laptop, chargers, books, etc,. I find it great for air and train travel, especially so with the recent weather related flight chaos and subsequent lost luggage issues.

Christmas gift for daughter who travels and works virtually, she needs room for her computer and a couple days of clothes.

I use this backpack for traveling because it has a good amount of space and lots of pockets. I love the pockets for all my small things, sunglasses, reading glasses, snacks, hand sanitizer. The zippers tend to stick in places, but hopefully that will get better with time. I'm only 5' 2", but the backpack still fits me well and doesn't feel too big.

Awesome bag all-around, aside from the side water bottle "pocket". It is extremely narrow and the bottom is cone shaped, so diameter of or pocket shrinks deeper in the pocket

I love this bag - ALMOST completely. Super comfy. Floating laptop compartment regardless of how you're holding it- killer. The pockets and organization are perfect for my needs - not too cavernous and the compartments are just enough without having dozens in obscure places like others. It's just the right size for work, but still deciding about travel. Why? Two reasons: 1) for a travel-aimed bag, why not include a pass-through under the back pads? Seems like an obvious miss (or v2.0 feature!) that could easily be done without adding weight 2) while I love the collapsable water pocket, it's just too small; I feel like my water bottle is always going to slip out - and it could use a loop to clip (or secure) in place - something other travel bags do really well, so your water bottle doesn't end up at the rear of the plane on takeoff.

Outstanding piece of equipment, I'm using it as a EDC backpack at the moment. Will try as overseas soon EDC is my game.

I absolutely love this backpack as my go-to air travel bag. It's small enough to fit under the seat and big enough to fit all of my essentials for a 4-day trip. I love the sleek black look and comfort of the bag's straps. Throw a few packing cubes in it and you're all set. My only complaint is there is a little fraying where the hooks secure to the front pocket after a few uses. I would recommend this product.

Bought it just before a recent trip. The last backpack I got from them was also the first, I used it every day for 10 years and it was perfect. New one is so sleek and well made but the back zipper pocket doesn't quite fit my laptop as easily as the last one. Otherwise it's great. Love all the small pockets