Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Especial Stash Messenger Medium

This is my third bag. I love Timbuk2. I hate the bag because the strap will not sit on my shoulder comfortably. I absolutely hate it. The bag is beautiful. I love everything about it except the strap. I've tried to get used to it. Since the strap pad won't sit on my shoulder correctly, I end up just putting it on my shoulder off the pad but it just annoys me how bad the design is. I'll probably go back to my last messenger bag and toss it.

Like a number of other reviewers, I'm really impressed with the design of this bag. It offers so many pockets in so many configurations that it was easy to adapt them to my needs: for items that I need to grab quickly and easily, for others that I want to be more secure and less obvious. The exterior is waterproof which is great but so are areas inside. And that keeps my sweaty gym clothes away from my laptop and paper notebooks. Very, very nice. The exterior flap secures with two discreet magnetic clasps, a delicate solution that I didn't expect to work well. But, to my surprise and delight, it makes closing the bag so quick and effortless that I don't even have to look at what I'm doing. I just listen for the click to know that the flap is secured. That kind of genius feature only comes from lots of testing with customers and many rounds of iteration. So I'm really surprised that none of the same attitude and work seems to have gone into the design of the strap. And on a messenger bag, a bad strap can kill the whole deal. Adjusting the strap's length is awkward. Once I get it to a comfortable length for my body, I can't figure out how to secure it, so it slides back to the original position shortly after I get on my bike. There's a shoulder pad that someone decided should be in one position for every user, no matter their size, shape or preferred strap length. I'd like to rip it off, but I'm not sure how to do that without compromising the strap. Its placement gives me a constant and uncomfortable reminder of how much this bag isn't mine. And given how much time we spend together, that makes for an awful relationship. I've tried to get used to it over several months of use, but it's just not happening. If anyone has some suggestions for a good messenger bag, I'd be grateful.

I have had two Timbuk2 bags before this one. Overall I have been very happy, but this bag doesn't hit the mark. I have tried to adjust to it for the past couple of months, but I am left with the following criticism. The shoulder strap is difficult to use. I ended up using the one from one of my older bags. The magnetic attachment to close the bag is weird and hard to get used to. I have had my 13 inch Mac book come out twice and drop in the parking lot. The bag is just weird and not practical.

Over engineered and lacks the flexibility to be adjusted to the way you want to wear it. I like the bag hanging of my shoulder but the fact you can not adjust the pad on the strap means you are locked in. Why you cannot adjust the pad is idiotic., Clearly no one wears a suit anymore in the eyes of this company (yeah they do). Prefer my existing one, will just keep using this and give this one away to someone who might enjoy it. Keep it simple stupid.

The product looks fine. But if you are broad shouldered, the straps are too short to wear comfortably. Not only is it too short but then adding isn't adjustable so if you do extend it out; the should pad lays across your stomach. I don't understand why they changed the strap so the padding isn't adjustable. Either way, their customer service sucks and after not providing dimensions of the strap they refuse to accept a return.

Believe the reviews that talk about the strap, it's a dreadful design and makes the bag unusable unless you wear it exactly in the manner for which it is "designed". I bought one to replace another Timbuk 2 bag that I loved but had gotten old. Trying to wear it on your shoulder isn't possible, worse than that the velcro that attaches the strap to the bag leaves scratches my arm when I reach across it. I contacted customer service over two weeks ago to enquire about returning it and aside from an autoreply I've heard nothing. Full disclosure I am a little late in returning due to the store I bought it from closing. I'm sure there'll be a post from customer service beneath this, but I'm done, I'll mail it back at my own expense and take my business elsewhere.

Did not like this bag at all. Pad on strap fixed in place so you can only use this one way. Disappointed and returned

I was super excited about this messenger bag. It does fit my 15inch Mac laptop well, and has a few zipped pockets that are useful. I've not yet tested the waterproof claim. However, the padded portion of the strap is stitched and fixed to its one end such that it is not moveable, which makes the bag very uncomfortable to use. I didn't realize this until after several attempts at fixing it, and too late to return. I am debating using a seam ripper to un-attach the portion of the strap, but am afraid it won't go well. Way too expensive of a bag for it to be as nonfunctional as it is.

The strap on this bag is very unwieldy. When I tried to return it the website would not recognize my purchase number or zip code or email address. I called customer service and got a recording that they were unavailable.

Frankly it's great bag but, the strap stinks and, at the end of the day, that tanks the bag. -to be clear - it bunches and, jams. the quick adjust just plain sucks.

I really like timbuk2 bags and I've owned multiple messengers from multiple companies. This is an improvement but there are too many problems for me to recommend it. The good: finally a zip pocket on the outside where you don't have to go fishing to get inside. The water-resistance is great. The reinforced strap is much better, the flimsy strap on my timbuk2 just doesn't provide support. The bad: the strap is terrible, it leaves a lot excess slack unless you pull it through their new strap setup, this leaves you with a big awkward look at the end, the strap doesn't pull smoothly through. The magnetic disk on an attachment with the strap to help open is awkward and unbalanced. One thing I like about timubk2 is the webbing usually used for lights that I use to put the plastic clips when I just want to use velcro. The new design loses the velcro and has magnetic latches, I personally liked the velcro for when I wasn't carrying a lot. The magnetic clips have a very short length so you can't really pack this bag to the brim. The two pockets directly under the first flap are just wide open large pockets, good place for ex-gf pictures as anything will fall out. In short, some needed improvements but some messing up of the good stuff, I'd wait for the next version

I'm a Timbuk2 devotee; I purchased a custom Messenger Bag shortly before my first year of law school, and never looked back. *Nineteen* years of use later, I decided to splurge on a new bag, and went for the Essential Stash. Great bag, with everything in the right places...and one, massive fail. The shoulder strap seemingly (I've written to the Powers That Be at Timbuk2 for answers) doesn't allow you to easily move the padded shoulder piece or make anything more than the most basic of adjustments. Listen up, Timbuk2 folks: This. Cannot. Stand. I cannot recommend the bag like this, and am one week's use away from demanding a refund.

Good: waterproof, outside pocket!(finally), magnetic clips (but needs work) Bad: poor craftsmanship, crossbody strap didn't fit -Crossbody strap: The attachment didn't even fit (see photo) -Sizing: I love the mag buckle holders, they need a second set above the pockets to make the bag expandable. As is you can't pack the bag. The old timbuk2 can expand the bag but youre left with long expandandle straps -Water bottle pocket: useless like on many bags, it's by the main attachment. Please just put a strap inside to keep itupright Overall: wait until the next version

Returned. Trying to replace Especial 2014 M/L. Current M messenger too small for commuter needs with too few secured zipper pockets. Please reissue original Especial.