Timbuk2 Commute Laptop Messenger Bag

Originally submitted at Timbuk2

A Timbuk2 laptop classic. More pockets, waterproof flap and is TSA compliant.


Decent bag for the price

By Trey the Nerd from Smyrna, GA on 3/31/2014

 

4out of 5

Pros: High Quality, Comfortable , Attractive, Good Strap Length, Lightweight , Roomy , Durable 

Cons: Color Choice, Too big

Best Uses: School, Commuting, Extended trips , Day Trips, Airplane travel , Office, Computer

Describe Yourself: Comfort-Oriented, Modern, Practical, Classic, Career

Was this a gift?: No

The quality and workmanship of this bag are stellar, and I expect nothing less from Timbuk2. I will use this as my daily carry laptop bag for the foreseeable future. The TSA compliant features are a little weird, but I’m getting used to them. I honestly haven’t used the rest of the bag except for carrying pens, documents, and my checkbook. Same old Timbuk2 ballistic fabric, same high quality, and I expect the same durability as I got from my still-serviceable fifteen year old Timbuk2 bag. I was about to say something about having a nice extended warranty, but none of the Timbuk2 bags I’ve had (this is my third), have even come close to failing.

Now to the (relatively minor, but still worth -1 star) cons. This bag is TOO BIG. I call into question the idea that a bag designed for a 15″ laptop would fit a 13″ Retina MacBook Pro. I like my laptop to feel nice and snug in my bag, and this is IMPOSSIBLE. I swore I got the smallest they offered, and it’s still too big. I refuse to lug around a laptop larger than 13″ just so it will fit in my bag. My old 11″ ThinkPad fits just fine in my old custom Timbuk2 laptop messenger. If Timbuk2 offered a smaller size for the TSA-complient commute laptop messenger, I would have gladly got it instead. This is my main complaint with this bag, so negative 0.75 stars for it.

Also, the color choices leave me wanting. My last bag was Red Devil on the side panels, and Safety Cone center panels to match my school colors. I tried to do the same thing with with my professional team’s colors, black and gold. The black was easy, but the gold I couldn’t really find in the color/pattern swatch. Barley was the closest I could come, but I’m not entirely happy with it. I bet my brother will make fun of me for it. We’ll see. Also, the color pattern I chose does not go all the way around the bag like my other Timbuk2 bags. The main messenger flap has the color, but I don’t usually access the bag using that. The TSA compartment is completely black. These color issues only warrant a negative 0.25, for a total of -1 stars.

(legalese)

The above is the result of my review which I left on Timbuk2’s website (or the website of their review software provider). To be honest, the bag is great. But they only offer it in one size, and that’s what I complained about. Since it was custom, I had already agreed that I couldn’t return it under any circumstances. That’s a lame stipulation, but I digress.