Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe Review

This 20-liter pack comes with a durable and water-resistant 100% recycled nylon body. Its three main storage compartments can fit multiple laptops up to 17 inches, and its auxiliary pockets are great for small items like pens, keys, and tissues.

Performance Comparison

Laptop Protection

The dedicated laptop pocket is everything we need. It has padding on its front and back and is extra well-protected by the thick cushion of the air mesh back. It fits larger, 17-inch computers, so it is nice and deep, but the bottom of the pocket still “floats” above the actual bottom of the pack, keeping electronics protected from drops. If you keep your laptop in a case, it will fit snugly in the laptop pocket. Without a case, smaller devices will sink to the bottom of the pocket, but the aforementioned float space still keeps them safe.

There is also another padded electronics sleeve in the second main compartment. It easily fits a tablet or 13-inch laptop. Though there is no securing mechanism like velcro to seal off the top, the sleeve is tight enough that devices don't really jostle around.

Comfort and Fit

This pack is one of the more comfortable that we have tested. It has thick squares of padding on the back and shoulders. They provide cushioning well enough but we think their real value is that they keep the pack raised slightly off of your back and extend the amount of time you have before you start sweating. This was especially helpful in work settings where we obviously didn't want to show up drenched.

The pack also fits smaller people well. The main body of the pack is compact in all dimensions. Its 5.3-inch depth and 11.4-inch width are some of the narrowest in this category, meaning that the weight in the pack stays close to your body. The straps are fully adjustable with an ergonomic shape that curves around your shoulders, and a sternum strap (with three different height options) also keeps the pack in place.

Storage

Though the Authority Deluxe has a smaller capacity than most other models in our lineup, it was only the rare occasion when we actually needed more space. In addition to the laptop pocket at the back of the pack, the main compartment has enough space for multiple folders, notebooks, and books. The third large pocket has additional space for smaller supplies like pens and pencils, chargers, gum, and snacks. We especially like the mesh pocket embedded at the top of this compartment. It has its own zipper and is great for items that you want to keep accessible.

Two smaller front pockets round out this pack. The larger vertical-zippered pocket has an attached key hook, which is practical and easy to use. The horizontal zippered pocket at the front is not quite large enough for a pair of sunglasses, and it's tricky to unzip and stick your hand into, so we didn't ultimately use it that much day-to-day.

The most difficult feature to navigate is the Authority Deluxe's very narrow depth. This came into play most often when we were trying to stuff a layer like a sweater or fleece into the bag along with notebooks and folders. To avoid bending the paper goods, we pretty much always had to take them out, stuff the clothing in the bottom, and then slide them back in. It's definitely not a dealbreaker, but it's hard to stuff and go with this pack. Also, oddly, there are two pen/pencil sleeves that are basically too tight to actually use. However, there are plenty of other places to put writing implements, so it's a functionally minor inconvenience.

Ease of Use

This pack has some nice features that make it easy to use. Each of the three main compartments has dual zippers that glide easily and don't get caught on surrounding materials. We also like the zipper depth of each pocket - two of them open about halfway around the pack and the third frontmost pocket unzips all the way around with elastic expanders sewn in, preventing you from inadvertently dumping all your contents onto the ground.

The water bottle pocket is stretchy but extremely small. It does not fit a standard 1-liter Nalgene or anything larger. However, it does accommodate skinny bottles and many travel coffee mugs.

Versatility

This bag has a distinctive office-ready style, but it could also be used as a school bag. It comes in four pretty dark, neutral colors and doesn't stand out visually. With its laptop pocket and secondary sleeve, it is designed for carrying electronics, so it's not especially well-suited for outdoor activities or a day out with the family.

The luggage loop at the back allows this pack to sit neatly over the handle of a roller bag, and its small dimensions are useful for navigating an airport. You'll want a carry on bag for your clothing, but the Authority Deluxe is great as a personal item for airline travel.

Should You Buy the Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe?

The Timbuk2 Authority Deluxe is an exceptional laptop backpack and is one of our favorites that we've ever tested. It offers a solid balance of organizational features and open pockets that will meet the needs of most people. Its office-ready aesthetic lets it blend into many workplaces. Though there are a couple of minor head-scratching features like the unusable pen/pencil sleeves and very skinny water bottle holder, the overall protection and practicality of this backpack are hard to match.

What Other Laptop Backpacks Should You Consider?

If you like this pack but need even more organization for a lot of tech, the Incase Icon is the way to go. On the other side, if you need something highly functional but just can't stomach this price tag, the still impressively comfortable, durable, and full of useful compartments and pockets — but a bit more affordable — The North Face Recon is one of our favorites.