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Originally built for hard-working bicycle messengers, the Timbuk2 Classic messenger bag has been in production for nearly two decades now. Known for its long-lasting, rugged durability and distinctive three-panel, multicolor design, the Classic has been adopted in cities around the world as an everyday, all-purpose carryall. The messenger bag is built for the long haul, with a ballistic nylon exterior and a waterproof liner that keeps the elements at bay. The bag also offers plenty of interior storage regardless of the size you choose, with a large main compartment, a front pocket with an extra zippered pocket, and multiple internal pockets, including pen slots and a business card slot. Finally, the Classic is a breeze to carry, with a quick-adjust, side-cam shoulder strap and a strap pad. Other features include a cross strap for stabilization (not available on the extra-small size), a Vista light attachment loop, and either tabs (XS) or tails (all other sizes). The Classic messenger bag remains the bag of choice for bicycle messengers, cycling enthusiasts, and urban dwellers everywhere. 
The Classic messenger bag stores a ton of gear in its multiple pockets. | Dimensions: - Extra-small (XS): 12.75 by 8.5 by 5.25 inches (W x H x D), 1 pound
- Small (S): 14.5 by 9.75 by 5.15 inches, 1.8 pounds
- Medium (M): 18.75 by 10.5 by 7.75 inches, 2.1 pounds
- Large (L): 22.5 by 12.5 by 8.5 inches, 2.3 pounds
- Extra-large (XL): 26.25 by 14 by 9 inches, 3.15 pounds
About Timbuk2
Born in a San Francisco garage and bred on the backs of messengers in the city streets, Timbuk2 still manufactures its custom bags in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District. For 20 years, the company has been building bags and accessories for urban adventurers with a simple philosophy: to create good-looking, tough-as-hell bags you can truly make your own. Timbuk2 celebrates your individuality, which is why the company invites its customers to design and create custom bags in its Bag Builder. By letting you hack its bags, the company believes it can make bags that work harder for you. Like rice and beans, Timbuk2 keeps it simple when it comes to being pro-planet. The company makes durable bags that are built to last, so while the competition is piling up in landfills, Timbuk2 bags stay on your back and hugs you for a lifetime. Tales of Timbuk2 bags outlasting jobs, lovers, pets, and train wrecks are not uncommon. In fact, the company is so confident in its bags that it guarantees that they'll last a lifetime. In those rare cases when something bad goes down, Timbuk2 will take your bag off your hands and find it a new (loving) home through its bag recycling program.
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 The last messenger bag you'll ever need |
| Review Date: April 18, 2008 |
| Reviewer: SH, NY |
I've been using my medium timbuk2 messenger bag for the past 2 years. Frankly, I think large is way too big. Even medium is a bit much for my 5'3" frame. Let me give you an idea of how much a medium bag can hold: 2 thick textbooks, a 15" laptop in casing, lunch, portable mug/water bottle, gym clothes + sneakers. So in short, it's perfect for those who leave early in the morning and don't get home until the evening. It has enough various-sized pockets on the inside and outside of the bag to feed all my compulsive needs. It works also exceptionally well as a carry-on and overnight or weekend trips. The bag is certainly durable and stylish with an added bonus of having the option to customize the color blocks. I liked that about timbuk2 bags -- crumpler bags seemed a little boring. And to clarify, timbuk2 bags are waterproof in a sense that the contents of your bag will not get wet; but the bag will, because it is the inner lining of the bag that is waterproof, not the outer material. Once the bag dries, it's as good as new, but I now spray my bag with a water-repellent from time to time.
If you decide to buy a medium or large, definitely shell out a few more bucks for a padded strap, because while the strap is nice and wide, it provides zero cushioning for your shoulders. |
Great Backpack Replacement
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| Review Date: January 31, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Laura Mae, Lansing, MI |
Sturdy. Extra-solid construction and stiching. Wide strap (but get a strap pad if you're going to carry very heavy things). Designed to be carried across the body, not just over one shoulder. Velcro and 2 big buckles for adjustable flap closure. The fabric has a slightly "tech" sheen to it. The colors are amazing, probably more vivid than you see here on the screen. The lining is heavy vinyl. A few well considered organization pockets for your phone/ipod/wallet/etc. And a GIANT center pocket to carry anything. I regularly carry everything I used to carry in my backpack: laptop (in my padded case), planner, jacket, umbrella, newspaper, water, cell, and there's still room left over for my lunch. And that's in the so-called "medium" size.
This makes an excellent carry-on bag for flights. Buy it for your college student. Or your spouse for commuting to work. Or for yourself to carry your gym clothes. Just consider what size you would need first.
For full disclosure, here's the problems I see with this bag. They don't bother me, but maybe they'll bother you. It can be ungainly when not full because the items in the main pocket will shift around. There isn't any padding between the contents and your back. The strap would be more easily adjustable with a set of D-rings instead of the plastic buckle they've used. Velcro is loud and will wear out eventually. The strap might have been a bit more ergonomic if it had been angled a bit. If you are an organization junkie, you may be overwhelmed with the amount of empty space in the main pocket. It could use a little handle, so you could carry it like a brief case when needed. And finally, I'm 5'6". When full of very heavy things (more than, say, 40 pounds) I have problems balancing the bag if I don't shorten the strap so the bag sits more in the middle of my back, and also making sure I use the second stabilizer strap.
Buy this bag. It will last forever. Mine still looks brand new after more than a year. No seams are coming out, no wear on the fabric, no tears in the vinyl lining. I love it. |
Good, Durable Bag
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| Review Date: April 11, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Pete, California |
I got the small one.
Pros
1) Heavy-Duty Construction
2) Lots of pockets inside
3) Detachable Reflectors
4) Detachable Cross Strap
Cons
1) The velcro can be disruptive in quiet situations
2) It might not be good for protecting things that get creased easily (e.g. loose sheets paper), esp. when it's relatively empty (as it has no structure)
I use it every day. Looks like a good investment. |
The best money can buy
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| Review Date: September 1, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Julia T, |
I got my first Timbuk2 (large classic messenger) back in college, and it's about 3 years old now. Still going strong and getting better with age i.e less stiff, more seasoned look and feel. Timbuk2 makes amazing bags in a wide range of designs, and the classic messenger is, in my opinion, the best of the lot.
I own a large sized classic messenger, and it carries everything I need to bring around (lots of junk) and more. The only thing that you have to be careful is not to be too happy tossing stuff in, only to realise that the bag is just wayyyy to heavy to lug around without causing sore shoulders/back. A strap pad is essential if you're carrying anything larger than a medium-sized classic messenger.
These bags are sturdy, practical (very well-designed pockets, slots, keyrings etc) and look good to boot. I've also got a small classic messenger and a large cargo tote that I bought for my mom who complained about her other bags not having enough compartments (typical women's purses) or being too small to hold all her stuff in an organized way.
While Crumpler bags are also an alternative in a similar price range, Timbuk2 bags seem more suited for serious messenger bag users, while Crumpler bags are more like casual, fashion accessories.
All in all, I seriously recommend Timbuk2 bags for their design and durability. Go Timbuk2!
---> Updated to add that I've added a limited edition purple retro messenger to the Timbuk2 family here :) |
Discreet Camera Bag!
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| Review Date: January 19, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Todd Wagner, Walla Walla, WA |
I was tired of carrying a camera bag that screams out "expensive equipment inside!" After seeing a link on the Internet of another photographer that took a Tenba messenger bag insert, and placed it inside of a Medium Timbuk2 Messenger Bag, I imitated his idea. I've now been carrying my Timbuk2 for the past month, and am amazed by the amount of equipment I can comfortable carry inside of it. It has been through both a snowstorm and a rainstorm, and my equipment stayed dry.
The quality craftsmanship of the Timbuk2 is one of the first things I noted upon receiving this bag, making it obvious why this cost a bit more than the run of the mill big box store messenger bag.
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Timbuk2 Messenger Bags are Awesome
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| Review Date: July 18, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Anon, Madison, WI |
| Yeah, so I've had my bag for almost 2 years, and its still rockin'. I have the Large size, and I use it to commute to work every morning carrying my work materials, clothes, shoes, coffee, and food. I regularly use it to get groceries as well. It could hold a small army if necessary, I think. The only reason you can tell its well-used is because its got some road grime on it from the daily bike rides. I can't get this road grime off of the bag by regular laundry, and no local cleaners will clean it, so if you're getting a bag, keep it clean (put Scotchguard on it regularly) so that you don't have a dirty bag, too. Or get colors that don't show dirt. Otherwise, the workmanship has definitely held up to a lot of wear and tear and it has been a worthy investment. |
Great for grad student
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| Review Date: January 6, 2010 |
| Reviewer: CS Grad Student, IN United States |
As a grad student in computer science, I take my computer with me *everywhere*. I need bags that can take a light beating every day for a long time. When my old computer bag developed a large tear at the computer pocket, I wanted something that would be large enough for me to carry my computer, its accessories, a textbook, a notebook, and my digital camera, which is an oversized point-and-shoot that's just a little too large to fit comfortably into any bag. Needless to say I also wanted something that wouldn't rip open or have the clip for the shoulder strap snap and drop my computer onto the sidewalk, both unpleasant experiences I've had with other bags.
I was a little wary of carrying the laptop in a sleeve that could rattle around inside a larger bag, but many of my friends do it that way and seem to have no problems. One of them introduced me to Timbuk2's products, and after a lot of research and agonizing I ordered the Classic Messenger Bag and Timbuk2's Timbuk2 Wiki Laptop Sleeve.
The CMB is great, though it is basically "just a bag" with a few auxiliary pockets. The medium size -- which looks big and is actually a little bigger -- holds everything I need, with just a little room to spare, and if I ever want to carry other stuff (groceries, camping supplies) I can just take the computer out and have a pretty humongous bag. It's comfortable, the lining is waterproof, the strap has a nifty quick-release length adjustment, and it feels very, very secure. My girlfriend admired mine so much that she asked her family for one, and I got my brother one as a Christmas gift, as he frequently bikes to work.
Some caveats, all of which I consider minor points a buyer might want to be aware of, rather than real issues I have with the product:
- It took me a couple days of fiddling with the length of the main strap and how the bag sat on my back before it was really comfortable. I could tell when I first put it on that it was well-built and would be comfortable; I just had to spend some time and find the sweet spot.
- The top doesn't really close; it's just the main flap of the bag flipped across the opening. Things seem to sit so that the bag pinches shut at the top naturally, and there's a safe margin of overhang, but I've noticed that the main strap can pull the overhanging edge of the flap up, rather than down over the side of the bag. I've never had an actual problem with this, and neither has the friend who showed me the bags in the first place, but it seems worth mentioning.
- The cross strap -- yes, it can be a little confusing at first. However, it's not outrageously difficult either. I got it backwards the first time I tried it, reversed it, and had no further issues. Once you've got it it's pretty obvious, and you don't really need it unless you're riding a bike or something similarly athletic.
- The quick-release on the main strap seems prone to a little slippage unless you really clamp it down. I assume that's why it has a kind of double-loop system that allows you to adjust the amount of slack strap available for extending at any given time but that's a little tedious to work with.
- There are a lot of auxiliary pockets inside and a couple outside. They're all useful sizes and pretty much perfectly hold all my stuff, but the interior pockets are built of some much lighter material than the rest of the bag, and it seems to stretch and sag with use. I'd had a lot of pens in the pen pockets for a couple weeks until I noticed they were getting loose and slightly misshapen. I wouldn't rely on them to hold a lot of stuff, despite the apparent size.
- You can't really carry anything on the outside of this bag without buying some accessories from Timbuk2. This doesn't bother me, as I keep phones in holsters and keys in my pocket, but if you put everything in your bag it might be a hindrance.
- Word of caution: Despite being a righty, I wear my bag "left-handed," i.e. over my right shoulder. This puts the strap adjustment behind me, so I have to take the bag off to adjust it. However, if there's any weight in it, it seems that the bag might be difficult to adjust while wearing, regardless of which way you wear it. Timbuk2 offers an option on this if you custom order a bag.
Apart from these points, which are very minor, I really do love this bag. It's simple, it does exactly what I need (viz., carry stuff), everything seems very well-made (with the possible exception of those interior pockets), it's attractive, the size and shape are useful, it's comfortable to carry and wear. I look forward to long use from this bag.
Oh, and Timbuk2's Twitter feed gave me the answer to the issue of velcro noise: just take the velcro out of commission. Buy some matching velcro strips at a fabrics store, cut to fit, cover the bag's velcro with the loose velcro, and use the clips to secure the bag. This hasn't been a problem for me as I don't attend a lot of meetings and open my bag before classes start, but if it ever comes up, at least there's an easy way around it. |
Bag Review
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| Review Date: January 9, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Suzanne M. Maruschak, San Francisco, CA United States |
| The Timbuk2 class messenger bag is great. Holds quite a bit for it's size. Very useful and good quality. |
Great little bag
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| Review Date: February 20, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Mike G, CA |
| awesome bag. I love Timbuk2. This is my 2nd bag, and I basically bought this one to have a smaller bag to use at different times when I don't want to lug my laptop around. It's made well and looks cool...what more could you want. |
11 years and counting
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| Review Date: December 7, 2007 |
| Reviewer: J. E. King, Bronx, NY USA |
| I bought this bag 11 years ago when I was in college. It has more than withstood the test of time - I still use this bag on a daily basis with only some mild wear on the inside vinyl waterproof lining that has affected its waterproof-ness (though based on what I read on the company website, this is covered as part of their lifetime warranty!). Pick your colors carefully because you'll never need to buy a new bag. |
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