REVIEW: Timbuk2 Pro Series Messenger (w/photos)

Review: Timbuk2 Pro Series Messenger Bag

PHOTOS COMING


(The bag, waiting to be filled)

After using backpacks to haul my school gear for twelve years, I decided to switch over to a messenger bag as I began college. After wading through a number of messenger bags and backpacks, I settled on a messenger from Timbuk2's Pro Series line.

As I shopped for a bag, I developed a set of requirements that my eventual purchase had to meet. I needed a bag capable of carrying a laptop with a screen size of up to seventeen inches, my textbooks, a change of gym clothes, and all of my other personal gear. While other bags met these requirements, I chose the Timbuk2 for its design and price point. Other bags that I considered were Chrome’s Metropolis, Jandd Mountaineering’s Iniki, and Tom Bihn’s Super Ego.

Features, Specifications, and Design

Dimensions (from Timbuk2’s website):

External Dimensions: 22.5 inches wide, 12.5 inches in height, 8.5 inches deep
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Bottom-of-bag width: 16.5 inches
Capacity (my estimation): 2390 cu.in.

The bag is constructed from a material called “Dimension-Polyant x-Pac VX21.” Timbuk2’s FAQ section describes it as follows:

“x-Pac, like our Ballistic and Cordura is a durable nylon. However, due to a three part laminate process it is three times lighter than Ballistic and Cordura and it is waterproof up to 200 pounds per square inch.”

The outer panels are made from the x-Pac and the center panel is made from a strip of reflective vinyl which wraps around the entire bag. I especially appreciate this feature, as I will be easily visible to any driver who happens across me at night on campus.


(The reflective cabapility of the bag in action)

A minor issue with the bag arises with its pockets, in type and in distribution. Under the main flap is one small, unlined zipper pocket, which is large enough for an iPod, a slimline digital camera, or a cellular phone. This is the bag’s only external pocket; I would have liked to see a water bottle pouch as well. Internal storage, on the other hand, is abundant. In the copious main compartment, all pockets are located on a panel sewn to the front of the bag. There is a large zippered pocket, a small zippered pocket, an identification card slot, three pen/pencil slots, and a padded pouch for a cell phone. Additionally, there are two open pockets in the large zippered pocket that are slightly smaller than the external zippered pocket. Finally, a key lanyard is sewn into the large zippered pocket. All in all, there are plenty of organizational options for items that shouldn’t be floating around in the main compartment. The main compartment is lined with a thick, water-resistant vinyl.

(The various pockets, doing what they do best)

Timbuk2 has designed a stylish, durable, and well-featured bag. Let’s look now at how it stands up to regular use.

Usability and durability

When Timbuk2 calls this bag “large,” they’re not kidding-this bag can swallow copious amounts of stuff with room to spare. I am about 6 feet in height, and this bag feels just right on me. As I stated earlier, I needed a bag that can swallow a day’s worth of school and recreational items, and this bag passes with flying colors.

(What will go into the bag)

(The gaping maw)


(Stuffed into the gaping maw)

(A full load, on my back)

One drawback of having one huge, unstructured main compartment is that there is no way to secure or organize the bag’s contents, and while this can be overcome with a creative loading strategy, it is still a minor annoyance. The bag’s water-resistant vinyl liner is grippy enough to stop most items from sliding about, a nice feature.

Strap comfort is a disappointment. Out of the box, the strap is an unpadded (though wide) piece of woven nylon that causes shoulder pain within two or three minutes with a full load strapped on. At this price, other manufacturers such as Jandd offer a strap pad as standard. For the Timbuk2, it is a $10 accessory. I will definitely be ordering a strap pad for this bag; in its current state, the bag would be uncomfortable after long periods in normal use. Strap adjustment is achieved through a cam buckle, which makes finding a comfortable strap length a snap. Another useful aspect of the strap system is the cross-body strap, which keeps the bag resting snugly against the user’s back and helps to redistribute some of the weight to the waist from the shoulder. Unfortunately, Timbuk2 does not offer a briefcase-style carry handle on this bag.

(A front view, with the cross-body strap)

Accessibility is limited by the front flap-to get at any of the pockets while wearing the bag, the user must first unclip the cross strap, swing the bag around to the front of his body, and release the two front clips before opening the flap. While this sounds complex, it is an easy process in practice and is fairly convenient.

In the area of durability, the x-Pac, combined with high-quality stitching and plastics throughout, leaves me with little doubt that this bag will be with me for many years. Timbuk2 seems to place a high value on quality, and the bag reflects this.

Overall

This is a fine bag, and at $90, is a very fine value to boot. Factor in an extra $10 for a strap pad, and you have a versatile, durable, and comfortable stuff swallower. As stock, I would rate this bag a 7.5 out of 10. A strap pad would make this an 8 out of 10. Other improvements (in external storage and internal organization) would make this bag nearly perfect. I am very satisfied with the overall performance of the bag, and look forward to using it at school.

THE GOOD: Solid construction, copious interior volume, nice array of pockets, made in the USA.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD: Somewhat uncomfortable strap, no main compartment organization.
THE VERDICT: A solid, stylish contender in the messenger bag realm.