Timbuk2 Classic Review

Performance Comparison

The Classic messenger bag

Comfort

The Timbuk2 Classic performs well above average when it comes to comfort. It has nice padding on the shoulder strap, a simple and straightforward design, and is lightweight for its size. The fabric is relatively supple, which helps the bag sit flush on your back when cycling. The clever shoulder strap adjustment system involves a camming buckle and double-backed straps — a design element that helps eliminate the excess strap material that would otherwise dangle in your lap when riding.

The Classic messenger bag is comfortable and stable for bike rides.

The cross strap on the Classic is much easier to adjust than on a Chrome bag, and it allows it to be carried over either the left or right shoulder — though it doesn't easily slide out of the way. If you use it, expect it to get in the way when you throw the bag over one shoulder for a quick jaunt down the hall or across the street to the coffee shop. The reflective tabs hanging off the bag improved comfort in another way: they helped us feel safer cycling on busy roads. Additionally, there is a piece of webbing sewn to the outside of the bag that is intended for a bike light.

The Classic messenger bag has effective and stylish reflective tabs for visibility at night.

Packing/Organization

The Classic has a simple and effective pocket and organization scheme, complete with a pleasing sneak-access side zipper just under the flap that is great for a wallet. The internal side pockets are intended for water bottles, but they're too tight for a liter Nalgene. They are more suited for things like cables or snacks, keeping them tidy and out of the way in the corners of the bag. While there is a sleeve for a laptop, there's not much padding.

The Classic has fun pockets, especially the vertical Napoleon pocket that is accessible (if you know where it is) without unbuckling the main flap.

Electronics

The Classic has effective yet minimal electronics-friendly features. There is an internal divider with light padding for a laptop, and several zippered pockets which help organize cords and smaller items like a phone.

The Classic messenger bag has great pockets, but they're not optimized for electronics.

Ease of Use

The double-loop cam buckle system on this bag is designed to allow quick and easy shoulder strap adjustments while eliminating any excess webbing. It's a nice concept, but it proved to be relatively unwieldy and ironically slow to adjust. Some of our users got used to it, but others found it cumbersome and irritating. Additionally, this design made the cross strap a bit harder to attach and adjust for comfort when carrying the bag on the left shoulder.

The camming buckle and adjustable strap design is a little complicated and cumbersome, and not optimized for both shoulders.

The Classic has a low-profile grab handle which is set slightly toward the back of the bag. If you grab the bag without the front flap firmly closed, it will tilt forward, and the inner compartment will open, so make sure you pay attention when in a hurry. There are also compression straps which cinch from the bottom to help keep everything compact and secure when not loaded to max capacity.

The grab handle has a low profile.

Wear and Tear

This bag performs very well in the rain. The fabric wets out a bit, but the bag has a robust liner and great side folding flaps that seal the contents from the rain. The simplicity of the Classic makes it exceptionally durable, though the lighter colors do get dirty relatively quickly. Even though the fabric shows signs of wear in a relatively short amount of time, this does not compromise the weatherproofing or performance; it's strictly aesthetic.

The Classic messenger bag is durable and waterproof, and kept our gear inside dry through the rain.

Volume to Weight Ratio

The Timbuk2 Classic weighs in at a relatively light 2.19 pounds, and with 16 liters of volume, it's a pretty great bag with regards to volume-to-weight ratio.

The Classic messenger bag boasts a decent volume to weight ratio.

Value

The Classic provides great value for the price point. If you choose to customize it rather than go for the ready-made unicolor version, you'll quickly find yourself adding fun features and kicking up that price, so keep that in mind when considering what you want.

The Classic messenger bag packs a lot for its smal size!

Conclusion

Timbuk2 was born and bred in San Francisco, and they still make their bags in the Mission District. They created the iconic messenger bag look back in 1989 and design their products to last a lifetime. Nostalgia aside, many of our testers now say they prefer to commute on their bikes with a backpack instead of the classic messenger bag, so Timbuk2 offers those too. Increasingly, we see the messenger bag as filling the role of the casual briefcase, the purse (or "man-purse"), or a gym bag. As such, this Classic bag didn't win any awards, though we still really like the design and high-quality manufacturing.

The Classic works equally well for biking or walking. The shoulder strap is super adjustable and comfortable.