In one look
Expert rating
Benefits
- Superb design and style
- Top quality
- Quick and easy access to what’s inside
- Customizable
The inconvenients
- Carrying by a single strap may not be comfortable
- Large size does not fit a 16 inch laptop perfectly
Our verdict
The Classic Messenger Bag is a stylish, premium quality bag designed with numerous pockets and compartments for different types of items. While the bag is a great general tote, it’s ideal for someone who needs quick access to what’s inside.
Best prices today: classic messenger bag
$99
There was a time when a trip downtown was filled with hustle and bustle and people. And many of those people carried the classic Timbuk2 messenger bag – not just bike couriers, but also commuters heading to work, tourists on sightseeing tours, and anyone else trying to get where they need to go. The Classic Messenger Bag has become more than just a bag. It has become an urban icon.
But times are changing. Downtown isn’t what it used to be: fewer people are commuting to offices, Uber and DoorDash deliveries have replaced bike couriers, and tourists don’t fill the streets like they used to. The classic Timbuktu messenger bag has also changed, and while it has always been a great bag, it has become even more versatile for going out: downtown, in the suburbs, at the park, at the beach, on campus , anywhere.
Classic messenger bag design
What makes the classic Messenger bag so attractive is that it is designed for quick and easy access. Simply open the front flap and your belongings are within reach. Close the front flap and it’s secured with Velcro and a few adjustable latches.
I tested the large Classic Messenger Bag, which has enough space inside for a 16-inch MacBook Pro and other gear—so much space that it can slide back and forth in the bag. However, you might find this unsettling, so for a well-fitting laptop, consider medium or small sizes.
The Classic Messenger Bag’s large size does not comfortably hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or a 16-inch laptop. If you prefer a slim fit, look at sizes small or medium.
The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag does not comfortably hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (pictured) or a 16-inch laptop. If you prefer a slim fit, look at sizes small or medium.
Foundry
The large size of the Classic Messenger Bag does not comfortably hold a 14-inch MacBook Pro (photo) or a 16-inch laptop. If you prefer a slim fit, look at sizes small or medium.
Foundry
Foundry
The interior features three large compartments, with the middle section ideal for a laptop, tablet or documentation. The front compartment is best suited for bulky items, like shoes, a water bottle, or boxes. The rear compartment is where everything in between can go. There is also a four-pocket section for items like pens, USB drives, etc. and a zipped pocket. It’s not filled with carriers like some backpacks or other bags, which you may or may not like.
Under the front flap is what Timbuk2 calls a Napoleon pocket. On large and medium bags it has zippers on each side and you can access this pocket through the side openings when the front flap is locked. It’s a great place to put keys, a phone, or a headphone charging case, anything you need close at hand but don’t want to have to fit into the main part of the bag. Again, it’s all about quick access.
The Napoleon pocket is accessible when the front flap is closed.
The Napoleon pocket is accessible when the front flap is closed.
Foundry
The Napoleon pocket is accessible when the front flap is closed.
Foundry
Foundry
The Classic Messenger Bag is made from Eco Cordura, a synthetic material made from recycled materials. It’s durable and weather-resistant, and the interior has been upgraded with a waterproof thermoplastic polyurethane liner. The bag is available in a wide variety of colors and customers can personalize their bag by choosing different color panels.
Wear the classic messenger bag
The classic Messenger bag has always had a single strap, but Tikbuk2 has redesigned it with a soft and durable satin strap, and it can be removed and changed to be carried by either a left or right hand. The adjustment loop has also been redesigned; in the previous version it was plastic, but now it is aluminum, which makes it more sturdy when you adjust it.
The adjustment buckle works effortlessly to tighten or loosen the carry strap.
The adjustment buckle works effortlessly to tighten or loosen the carry strap.
Foundry
The adjustment buckle works effortlessly to tighten or loosen the carry strap.
Foundry
Foundry
The main problem some people have with messenger bags in general is that a single strap means there is only one pressure point on one shoulder. Timbuk2 includes an Ortholite shoulder strap to take some pressure off, but there’s no way around the fact that it fits differently than a backpack. Depending on what you’re carrying, it may not be comfortable, so if you’ve never used a messenger bag before, it’s a good idea to see how it fits before purchasing.
The flap latch straps have reflective tabs to make you more visible in the dark. When customizing a bag, Timbuk2 offers three reflective fabrics for the body panels of the bag to make you even more visible if you wish.
Should you buy the classic messenger bag?
Even though the urban landscape has changed, the Classic Messenger Bag endures. It is a stylish and premium quality bag designed with numerous pockets and compartments for different types of items. While the bag is a great general tote, it’s ideal for someone who needs quick access to what’s inside. But if your main item is a laptop, look at medium or small sizes.
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