The Timbuk2 Command is a durable, waterproof, professional looking messenger bag with excellent storage options and a TSA-compliant studded laptop compartment. The bag competes with the Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 ($150) for the best messenger for walking and office use. They’re both made of great materials (more durable and more waterproof than the Patagonia Half Mass and Osprey Elroy) and have excellent storage for smaller items. The Command is better for storing larger items and its TSA-compliant design makes it better for frequent flyers. The Commuter 2.0, however, has a more protective laptop compartment, better storage for documents, two side pockets, and a removable shoulder strap. We recommend the Commute 2.0 to everyone except frequent flyers.
Those who bike to work, want the most comfortable bag, and demand the quick access that messenger bags provide will want the Mission Workshop Rummy ($175). The Rummy epitomizes a true messenger bag; it’s incredible for biking and gaining quick access to your belongings.
Get a backpack if you don’t need near instant access to the contents of your bag. Timbuk2 makes the Swig ($90), an excellent, comfortable, affordable, and versatile backpack that has great storage options and fits a variety of people. Those on the taller side or those who want more storage should opt for the Cilo Gear City Pack ($175), our favorite backpack for biking, grocery shopping, and everyday life on the go. Business types who want great laptop and document storage and the comfort of a backpack can’t go wrong with the Arcteryx Blade 24 ($175).
Hands-on Gear Review |
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Pros: Durable, waterproof, good storage for small and large items, TSA-compliant laptop compartment, looks good, modular storage options. Cons: Metal buckles are hard to use, shoulder strap could be more comfortable and easier to adjust, no cross strap, better for walking than biking. Best Uses: Frequent Flyers
Overview
OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review
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The Timbuk2 Command is a durable, waterproof, professional looking messenger bag with excellent storage options and a TSA-compliant studded laptop compartment. The Command is made with durable ballistic nylon with a waterproof PTU coating that makes the bag well suited to inopportune downpours. This material looks good and its more weatherproof than other all-purpose messengers such as the Patagonia Half Mass and Osprey Elroy. The main compartment holds 21 Liters (we tested the Medium but the bag is also available in Large), which is a great size for everyday use. Several features make this bag superior to Timbuk2’s Classic Messenger. 1) There’s more storage for small and medium sized items, 2) the strap is made of a finer weave that’s more comfortable and better looking, 3) the TSA-compliant laptop compartment lets you whip through airport security and separates your laptop from the main compartment, which could be good if you spill something, and 4) the Command looks more professional than the Classic Messenger. Another important difference is the strap design. The Command’s strap is oriented mostly vertical and is meant for walking. Conversely, the Classic Messenger’s strap has a more aggressive angle that makes it more comfortable for biking.  Reyna Yagi shows off the Timbuk2 Command. She said that "this bag stole my heart." Credit: Max Neale The only bad feature on the Command, agreed all eight of our testers, are the anodized metal buckles that secure and adjust the main flap. Although these look better than plastic buckles they’re much harder to use (you need two hands). Similarly, our testers found Timbuk 2’s “memory-adjust True-Fit cam buckle to be largely useless. While the company boasts that you can “unclick the cam, put the bag over your shoulder, and lock the cam back in for a perfect fit every time,” we disagree. The buckle is hard to use when the bag is heavy and not worth the effort. The Mission Workshop Rummy has a significantly better adjustment system and a more comfortable strap. Timbuk2 could learn from them. Further, the Command comes equipped with modular interior storage that allows you to clip and unclip various pockets, slots, and compartments to the interior compartment. None of our testers found this to be useful. The bag has enough storage as is. Fortunately, the interior loops don’t get in the way of everyday life, so this isn’t too annoying. These drawbacks aside, the Command is a great all-purpose messenger for walking, office use, and those who fly a lot. — Max Neale
OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews of Timbuk2 CommandMost recent review: October 9, 2011
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 Timbuk2 Command Credit: Timbuk2
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