Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - Durable, Water-Resistant, fits 13", 15", 17" Laptop

I purchased a small bag six years ago, but ultimately found it to be too small for everything I wanted to carry. Two months later I purchased a medium bag and used it daily while working, and have used it on many trips since retiring. Now I have more medical equipment and pills to lug around, and chargers for my laptop and oxygen concentrator, so I moved up to this large bag. It has lots of interior room, and the same compartments inside and outside the bag as my previous two bags had. I can't say enough good things about this bag. It goes with me everywhere!

I'm re-writing this review, because my first go-around sucked. ***After a week of using the bag - newly updated!***I got the Medium edition of this, the 2014 Classic Timbuk2 Messenger (Diablo). It is my 3rd in a series of Timbuk2 bags I purchased seeking the perfect messenger. Here is the whole list:1.  Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag 2013  (small, night blue/blue/night blue)- This was my first Timbuk2. I thought I wanted it to be small, but I found myself wishing it were bigger every day I carried it. Also, the colors (night blue/blue/night blue) were slightly brighter than I had expected, which was offputting. It was a pretty good fit for my fiance, however.2.  Timbuk2 Command Laptop TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag  (medium, Red/Gunmetal) - Using what I learned from the first bag, I got this one. It was bigger, which I liked. It was cooler looking, which was good. I would have kept and used it without any complaints; but 1 week after I bought it this new bag was released. So I decided to get the new one and send back whichever one I liked less.3. Medium 2014 Classic Messenger (Diablo) - the new digs. The rest of this review will be about this bag with comparisons to my two previous purchases.First off, if you haven't checked out the official Timbuk2 website for the features of this bag, you should. They are more in-depth there, and include a video which was fairly helpful.The 2014 Classic comes with a number of new features:- MATERIALS -> The new Cordura fabric - the new fabric is smoother to the touch and less stiff than the ballistic nylon used on their previous bag. While this is a matter personal taste, I like that this bag feels more like a bag and less like a floppy box (which the other ones felt like at times). The new material is LIGHT, though. The medium 2014 classic weighs less than the small 2013 classic. ***The lightness has been huge. I liked it at first, now I love it.***- FIT -> The new Double-Loop CAM Buckle - this is the feature I'm the least sold on right now. It's less intuitive than the CAM Buckle on the 2013 classic or the 2013 Command. Both the 2013 Classic CAM Buckle allowed the bag to be either short or long, but nothing in-between (without adjustment). The 2013 Command CAM system removes the dumb loop that hangs off the side of the Classic, but does so at a cost. When you unbuckle it, the bag will just fall off you if you aren't holding onto it. The 2014 Double-Loop CAM doesn't have a binary "Short" and "Long" mode. Instead you slide it every time. It is much less intuitive than the the 2013 editions, and I haven't figured out how to do it easily just yet. ***CORRECTION: I have figured out how to do it fairly easily. If you hold the strap to your chest and use your other hand to unbuckle/slide/rebuckle, it works really well. I'm making this review 5 STARS now that I've figured out how to properly utilize the updated CAM Buckle.***> The new strap pad is more comfortable than the 2013 Classic, basically on-par with the 2013 Command.> The removable cross-strap I haven't gotten to test yet, but I'm really glad the option is there. The strap is indeed very removable. It comes in a plastic sack inside your Timbuk2 bag.- ORGANIZATION -> They removed 2 of the 3 zippered pockets found under the flap. I could see why some people would dislike this change, but I'm all for it. The 3 zippered pockets under the flap on the 2013 editions shared the same physical space within the bag. Filling any of the 3 made it very difficult to use the other 2. I always left 2 of them empty.> Side Napoleon pocket - unchanged, and still awesome.> The internal organizer on the back side of the face of the bag has been simplified. They say it's about balancing the bag, but I'm guessing it was more of a cost-saving measure. The new organizer has fewer compartments (4 total) and no velcro pouch. I probably preferred the old organizer, but it's nothing I wouldn't get used to. ***While this is still a bit of a bummer, I've gotten used to the new organizer. It holds what I need it to.***- CLEVER EXTRAS -> Internal waterbottle pocket - This is an elastic pocket on the left side of the bag. It's too small for a Nalgene. You can't even force one in there, it won't go. A standard Camelbak will fit, but it's still a bit tight. I don't plan on switching back to Camelbaks just to use the waterbottle holder. I'll put snacks in there or something. ***I might use this to hold a personal thermos full of coffee, but it's too small for my water needs. It and the stash pocket are currently holding the two heavyish items I carry every day (a leatherman and a portable external battery).***> Internal stash pocket - unchanged from what I can tell. Fit's my 15.6" work laptop just fine.> Corner flaps - They that fold in to keep the rain out. When it rains, I'll be glad I have them. When it's not raining, they can be kind of a pain when taking wide things out of the bag. Overall, I'm glad they are there, though.> Low-profile grab handle - since it sits on the rear of the bag and not the top, it looks less gaudy. It also makes the bag lean forward a bit when you use it. Definitely meant for a "grab and go" situation and not for extended holds. This bag doesn't double as a briefcase quite like the Command Laptop bag does.> Partially concealed buckle flap closure - makes it slightly more difficult to close the bag all around. The velcro catches just a little less easily, and the buckles are just a little less easy to get to. I do think it improves the overall aesthetic of the bag, though. ***While this might still be true, it's less of a bother than I originally anticipated. The bag closes very easily.***> Compression straps - good feature. Two straps now dangle off the front of the bag at all times. They removed the loop from the main strap, but then added two more straps that dangle off the front of the bag all the time. Probably worth it.---- FINAL THOUGHTS ----> The new (2014) Classic Messenger is my favorite bag thus far, but it's going to take some getting used to. Is it $30 better than the 2013 Classic? Meh, close call. It's better for my needs than the 2013 Command Laptop bag, and for that reason, I'm glad I bought it. ***After getting used to the new strap and figuring out some of the quirks of this bag, I'm even more glad I bought it. I'm raising my original 4/5 review to a full 5/5. Would recommend.***

First let me say this is my first Timbuk2 product so I won't be comparing against any previous bags. I will however be comparing some points against my previous tactical bags that this is currently replacing: a knock-off of the Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack, a Maxpedition Sitka, and a Condor Outdoor 3 day assault pack.Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag 2014 - Large - Carbon TwillAppearance:While I was hesitant about the look, this bag actually looks better in person than online. The Carbon is a couple shades darker in person. With the darker color and a visibly more textured look this bag looks like it would be at home traveling with a suit, crossing an ocean, or just about anywhere. Flip-flops, jeans and t-shirt, or suit and tie this bag should be fine. I'm also happy that I don't feel like I'm going to look back at this thing in 5 or 10 years and go "I love the bag but this thing is hideous". For the large size the color options were limited and while Diablo was a close second I was still worried about the bag attracting too much attention and looking out of style in a few years due to the bold colors. And while black generally does well over time, I have white cats so that was never considered as an option.Quality:The build quality on the bag seems to be top notch. Overall I would say it is comparable to my Maxpedition Sitka. Stitching is tight, no stray thread or fabric, panels are fit properly. I know these bags are generally considered to be pretty durable and that others have raised concerns that the change to CORDURA might make the bag less durable, I'll probably get tired of the bag before it gives out. Worst case I trade it in or never buy Timbuk2 again. While I know many people seem to dislike the new "wings" to help keep water out of the bag I barely notice them.Size & Functionality:For my purposes these are interrelated. The one ability I was looking for specifically that none of my current bags had: to be able to carry two judo gi (15 in. x 17 in. x 4 in. each) at the same time and still be small enough to use daily (while this is pretty unusual criteria I have been lugging these things around a couple times per week for years and the more obvious choice of a duffel bag was never wide enough without being too large to justify). The Maxpedition Sitka could carry one gi if tightly folded but it was literally as stuffed as it could get. The Condor 3 day pack was a great for carrying both uniforms but it was just a pain to lug around - it was actually much bigger overall than needed but could only hold 2 gi, had straps everywhere, and just generally no fun to travel with unless it was very full. I spent hours comparing dimensions between the medium and the large - the medium (14 in width at the bottom x 12 in height x 7 in deep) would probably hold one and be a bit stuffed and the large (15 in width at the bottom x 14 in height x 8 in deep) might not hold two. So I decided to cut my losses if something didn't fit and went with the large and I'm glad I did. The large easily accommodates what works out to a 15x17x8 in. bundle with room for a Nalgene 32oz waterbottle and a few other things. In terms of raw size the large is about 400 cu. in. or 7L larger than the medium. That said, tightened up properly it still isn't that much bigger than the Sitka when carried behind the back thanks to the external Nalgene holder. This thing also has more than adequate room for almost anything you will find yourself carrying without having to go to luggae and will still fold up nicely for a locker. The external and internal pockets are nice and will comfortably hold wallet, keys, cell phone, bluetooth accessories, mouse, or basically anything.Straps:Anytime I'm carrying something one of the most important things are how I am going to carry it. The shoulder pad is comfortable (an improvement over previous years or so I've read) and nicely padded. The strap is large and distributes weight well. I've probably had 10 lbs in it with no problem and will rarely or ever go over that. The strap adjustment thing works exactly as advertised on the website and is easy even when under load. I also found that if I try to carry this thing on one side or the other like a traditional laptop bag by my hip it is very uncomfortable but if I carry it like a messenger bag and angle it across my back it is far more comfortable. They also included an optional cross strap that goes from the bag to the main strap to prevent extra motion.Overall:So for I'm quite happy with the bag. Unless you have a specific reason you need a larger bag I'd go with a medium. But if you have a reason to justify the large I have found it is much more comfortable, even under load, than I expected and even a bit roomier inside than the dimensions listed on the manufacturer website would have indicated. This bag seems like it will last years or maybe even more than a decade, carry all your random junk, and look sharp doing it.

My second Timbuk2, the first is a Classic large. I wanted something smaller for everyday carry while traveling abroad, so I got the small Classic. Everything is like my old one but looks like the quality control is lacking. The Timbuk2 label on the front flap is crooked, not a lot, but enough to make you close the flap again to make it's closed straight. Things like this drive me nuts..sorry, I'm just that type of person.Not worth spending the time to send it back, I'll just put a iron on patch over it.Couldn't attach a photo of it for some reason.Overall a nice bag, like the green color too.

The bag is great, it has lots of different sized pockets which I love, makes it easy to keep things organised. It's comfortable and bigger than it looks.The key cord is really useful for finding a big bunch of keys, and it's long enough to use the keys in a door without detacthing them.It's water proof, I know this because my lunch leaked _inside_ the bag and the outside stayed dry... but it was also very easy to wipe clean.The buckles and velcro are secure and the strap is comfy.The only flaw with it is the adjustment system to the main strap is easy to knock, then the bag drops as the strap goes to it's longest length, but some tape or something should stop that happening, and even with that I'm not marking the bag down.

Feed up with the usual black leather briefcase whenever I needed a new bag for work and thought I’d try something different. A messenger bag looked the best option as they are made to be worn over your shoulder as opposed to being carried. I selected a few that were the right size for me and the Timkuk2 bag had the best combination of style and function.It looks extremely well made and is very comfortable to carry over a shoulder. A number of good design touches include lots of pockets, adjustable width and a couple of grab handles. The colour scheme is also well judged; distinctive but not too over the top.First time I’ve been complemented on my choice of bag by total strangers!

This is my third Timbuk2 bag and although it's fairly robust it's a far lesser quality bag than my other bags including this particular model. There are fewer inside pockets which previously have kept my cards, adaptors, 7" tablet etc separate and secure. The outside pockets are a welcome addition but overall this is not the Timbuk2 bag I expected. I'll keep it as it's the size I need but I'll be looking for alternatives in future. It's a shame as Timbuk2 have had a great design and recipe for success and rather than improve on what they've done, have chosen instead to cut corners and cost.

This would be my third Timbuk2 bag and sadly I cant say they're improving.Previously they were great with lots of little pockets, so you could easily organise the paraphenalia that goes with modern life (cables, adapters, business cards, more adapters, USB docs, more cables, chargers, passport, tickets, receipts, pens etc etc). Now they've cut them down by what seems like 60%.I doubt I'll purchase Timbuk2 again.

Bought this as a day bag to hold my laptop, note books, my packed lunch and a change of clothes.It would barely fit a notebook and a small container for lunch.Looks great, and very good quality, but too small for anyone who likes to carry their home in their bag...I returned using the label the seller sent, but had to pay for this, which I wasn't expecting.Great if you don't need to carry much.