Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - 2010 BCS

I wear this bag every day of the year: snow, sleet, rain, sunshine - you name it! I commute both to class and work with it, carrying anything from a wallet and glasses to a full day's worth of textbooks. Not as comfortable for heavy loads as a regular backpack, but I was looking for a bag small enough to make my carry less. Chock full of features, there are more pockets on this thing than I know what to do with.

The large pocket on the front (behind the three zip pockets...yeah, that's a pocket too) is perfect for my hipster-tastic U-Lock, the gray zipper pouch is where my phone lives, and my bike light lives in one of the internal pockets. Stabalizer strap on size SM keeps the bag on my back (I would have purchased the XS, but it has no strap) and from swinging around - the buckle on the shoulder strap is great for taking off the bag in a hurry when I have a helmet on.

All in all - great for a bag into which you can just stuff random crap that you'd like to stay dry. Perfect for bikers (the loop on the front under where the flap sits is great for a clip-on rear light) and commuters in general - no mega schoolbag tumors on crammed public transit. If mine weren't lasting so well, I'd have a couple, but I don't see myself having to replace it anytime soon!

Since I bought this bag. I have given it to my son and bought 3 more for me, the wife and daughter. These bags are incredible. I plan to have this for a long long time.

I've had my Timbuk2 messenger bag since 2000 and it's still being used every day. Back then I used it simply as a book bag, lugging textbooks and the occasional 24 returnables. The waterproof lining means even in a downpour your books and/or laptop stay dry--just don't toss it in a river. Since college I've started using it on my bike and the cross-strap helps hold it in place. Just make sure you cinch the main strap as much as possible. I also now use it everyday for work as I find standard corporate Dell laptop bags to be oh so very lame. I have what at the time was size "Deedog" which I think now would be between a medium and a Large. I am able to fit a weekend worth of stuff in this bag, or for an alleycat a 12 pack, U-lock, blinky lights, tools, shirt, snack foods, markers, etc etc, so on and so forth. If you're on the fence get the bigger of the two sizes you're looking at--you don't need a man purse you need a messbag.

These bags start out stiff with that waterproof lining, but with use and age they soften up and conform to your back. I have very few items in my house still around that existed in 2000, and even fewer that are used daily.

There are plenty of messbags out there with more bells and whistles, but you can't beat Timbuk2 for straight up quality vs affordability. I repeat MY BAG IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD AND STILL KICKIN IT.

If you ride around town a lot and need to cary your crap with you like most people, Timbuk2 makes some nice packs. I rock mine almost every day, its many pockets keep me organized, and keeps my gear safe. You gotta make sure you get the pack that has the cross chest strap so it stays secure in one place when you gotta dodge those cars that seem to eager to hit you.

This is the best messenger bag. Mine goes with me on my bike, traveling, school, you name it. The new organizational pockets are nice, the only problem is that I have been known to forget which pocket I put my keys in *note: there is a special red key clip that could solve all my problems if I paid attention. Pockets in the front make it easy to grab things without opening the whole bag up, and the material can handle anything you throw at it.

I bought mine in 2002 and have used it as a bookbag, for bike commuting, for business travel and about everything else. After 8 years of hard abuse it is still going strong - Timbuk2 bags might actually last for life!! The ballistic nylon and waterproof lining version here is the way to go - my sister had one of their bags in different fabric and it hasn't been quite as bombproof.