Timbuk2 messenger bag

[fidjit]

So my SBAD (Saddle Back Acquisition Disorder ) has subsided and just gone (back ) to general MBAD ( Man Bag Acquistion Disorder ).

For those of you who "stalk" me you'll know I've got a trip to San Francisco coming up.

I love my Saddleback Med Briefcase but to me it's just too heavy as a travel bag.

I've got an old Australian made messenger that's lasting me well and travelled all around SE Asia with me over the last 10 or so years but after researching a little bit on San Francisco, I came across Timbuk 2 bags , based in SF !!!!

Been checking them out as a replacment for my old bag.

I'm probably looking at the D-Lux Messenger because of the compressions straps.

Anybody got one ???

I'm tossing up between the small and the medium , though there's a bit of a Goldilocks dilemma, the small a bit too small, the medium a bit to big.

Anyone able to give me a comparison against the SB medium classic brief ?

I should really wait till I get to SF and go to the shop but you know how ADs are !?!?!

p.s. it's so serious I've even emailed them. Anyone need a 20% off promo code both online and in store ???

 

[koso]

I use a Command model which I love. It's waterproof and rugged. Fits my big laptop.

I work in IT in a very casual environment so the look isn't an issue there.

I have the 'sand' or 'desert' color, whatever they call it with the green accent.

Oh yeah. The zip-out feature for flying with the laptop is very handy.

Thumbs up for Tumbuk2.

Actually one thing that's a bit of a pain is the quick-buckle feature. Having it cinched up causes a loop that catches on things sometimes. No big deal to me, I'm tall so the loop isn't that big but I've read that others have to come up with strategies for dealing the the loop.

 

[GarageBoy]

Timbuk2, like manhattan portage has now sadly moved to overseas production. I think you can get USA made ones still (promodel)
I prefer reload, baileyworks, seagull, though

 

[proxymoron]

Go Freitag. Their moment of cool might be over but they still make a cool bag. Timbuk2's nice but it ain't in the MoMA.

 

[vicali]

For my camera gear nothing beats a Crumpler;
http://www.crumpler.com/us/
I've been tempted many times by their messenger bags as well..

 

[cardstock]

If you are going to SF and want something from there, from people who live there and make the bag, I'd recommed Mission Workshop bags. They are guys who (don't take my word on it, but I am pretty sure it is correct) started Chrome bags (who now also have their stuff made elseware). They left Chrome and now have this place. I haven't ridden with one, but have heard good things about them. Plus they have a SF location in the Mission, grab a burrito while you are at it.

 

[jpmac55]

I'd probably wait until I got to SF, too. Probably lots to see in person.

Will you be using the messenger bag on a bike or as a briefcase? I ask because unless you make bike deliveries, I've found many of the bags are almost overkill in design and function. I consider some Timbuk2 models more of a hybrid. I've used one the last few years with good results.

 

[cardstock]

I'd probably use it on the bike, I have found that i do not like messenger bags for general carrying, not enough pockets to separate things

 

[fidjit]

Quick update on this....

I arrived in San Francisco, my room wasn't ready so I took the 1/2 hour walk to the Timbuk2 retail store.

Just a week before they'd released the limited edition canvas messenger

Perfect "old style" material, perfect size, perfect price ( especially with the 20% off discount code I'd got off the guys before I arrived ).

Cost me $80US ( plus tax ).

If I'd configured one up on their "build a bag " in the same materials but added the grab handle and the compressions straps ( two features I would have liked to have ) it would have been $185US so for the price difference figured I could go without

The two nicest features for me is the napoleon pocket so you can keep thing things handy and not have to open the flap to get to them , and the trufit clip. Means you can easily take off or "lower" the bag to get things out.

Handled the 8 days of walking, busing, cycling really well including the thunderstorm they had there on Monday ( 22nd )

Being a limited it's still made in SF as well.

Hopefully I see 15+ years out of this one

 

[Walker]

Very nice looking bag. The strap looks comfortable also. My Saddleback should be here monday

 

[fidjit]

My Saddleback's me work briefcase, my Timbuk2 is my travel bag .

Best of both worlds ( though the SB did feel heavy this morning when I picked it up again after almost two weeks with the TB2 )

 

[Walker]

My Saddleback's me work briefcase, my Timbuk2 is my travel bag .

Best of both worlds ( though the SB did feel heavy this morning when I picked it up again after almost two weeks with the TB2 )

That's what i keep hearing, the saddleback is big and heavy. I went with the large instead of the extra large so maybe it won't be too heavy for me.

 

[fidjit]

That's what i keep hearing, the saddleback is big and heavy. I went with the large instead of the extra large so maybe it won't be too heavy for me.

I've got the medium classic.... it's around 3.5kg unloaded, so once you add a lunchbox, notebook, power cables, diary .......... In comparison the TB2 is 1.17kg add a Kindle, DSLR, waterbottle, Goretex jacket......

During work I probably walk about 5kms a day. I know the SB's there but it's worth it for such a lovely piece of leather kit.

When I travel ( holiday ) however I tend to walk 5-10 times more ( e.g. Sunday - Walk from Geary Street to Market St, F-Line from City to start of Lombard/Market, Walk up Greenwich Steps to Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, walk down to Lombard Street then down to the twisty bit, walk to Fishermans Wharf, Hyde St to rent bike, Ride across Golden Gate to Saulsalito...... ) so the SB is hereby "relegated" to work duty only as I can't imagine "dragging" the SB that far.

 

[Walker]

Ok, thanks for info, yea that sounds like a lot of walking for a heavy bag.

 

[Againsttheflow]

I love my Saddleback Med Briefcase but to me it's just too heavy as a travel bag.

Sorry Saddleback didn't work out for you, but we sure hope you find the bag that's right for you! Best of luck!

 

[Drybonz]

I looked at the Timbuk2 bags the last time I was in DC, and I thought they were nice, but I didn't really like the all nylon look, but I really like the look of the canvas one you got. I may have to check these out.

 

[fidjit]

Sorry Saddleback didn't work out for you, but we sure hope you find the bag that's right for you! Best of luck!

Mate

I love me Saddleback, just fills a different function to the Timbuk2.

Saddleback = work bag
Timbuk2 = travel bag.

I've also just experience Timbuk2's exception service. I found a small hole in my bag where there's some stitching. It's no biggie and doesn't effect the bag at all. I queried what the best way to stabilise it was and they're going to send me another new bag 12000+ kms without even asking for the old bag back !!!!

Now I'm gonna end up with 2 of them.

Note too that I've also had exception service from Saddleback as well .

It's refreshing to come across companies that still take pride in both their workmanship and their customer service. Something very rare in these days of mass production !!!

I looked at the Timbuk2 bags the last time I was in DC, and I thought they were nice, but I didn't really like the all nylon look, but I really like the look of the canvas one you got. I may have to check these out.

Drybonz, yep same here. My bag's are now canvas and leather You'd get onto it quick. Being a limited edition , the brown canvas is now out of stock only the olive left.

 

[johnmrson]

For my camera gear nothing beats a Crumpler;
http://www.crumpler.com/us/
I've been tempted many times by their messenger bags as well..

Another vote for Crumpler.


Nothing to do with the fact I go 4wding with Stuart Crumpler