Timbuk2 Shotwell Backpack

I am a fan of Timbuk2 bags and had high hopes for this backpack, but it did not work out. First disappointment was the color: I ordered the purple/barley/potrero color and thought I was getting a grey bag with purple and brown panels (that's how it looked to me in the website photo). But the color "potrero" is not described anywhere and Timbuk2 (much like Patagonia before them) likes to name colors with locations with no descriptions (the "alcatraz" color is apparently sky blue). Usually this is fine with an accompanying photo, but in this case "potrero" is an olive-green-brownish color which was not to my liking. My husband, originally from San Francisco, said, "Must be named after the Potrero Hill district." Not so helpful to me as an eastcoaster.

Secondly, the pocket location on this backpack did not distribute weight well for me. It's a tall backpack which I know will work well for others but was not what I was looking for with my 5'8" frame. If you put anything heavier than a smart pohone in the outside pockets (like keys and a pocket knife and other small, but heavy items) it makes the outside pocket bulge outwards over the power brick compartment. I also felt the shoulder straps were too close together and rubbed my neck wrong. I won't comment on the sewn-on bottle opener except to say: make it removable.

But the material was certainly rugged and the contruction/zippers, etc. were durable and excellent as always with Timbuk2. I would only recommend this pack for people who are comfotable with the narrow shoulder straps, who want a tall pack that carries very little (don't put weight in the outside pockets) and who are looking for a backpack in earthy & purple tones.

I loved the look and feel of this bag because its longer and can fit a lot as well as being very light. The thing is I felt my laptop was not safe in the compartment even with a case. It doesn't have a hammock to keep it away from the bottom of the bag and no protection on the bottom is available. If you have a really heavy duty case than maybe it would be ok, but my merely placing it on the ground I could see how you could dent up your laptop. It also doesn't have as many pockets as other bags offer, and my water bottle wouldn't fit in the side pocket. Some of the pockets don't open completely. I love Timbuk2 but this bag is lacking their normal attention to detail I would probably try another bag unless you have the correct protection.

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I've been commuting into NYC for many years, and have tried every style of bag available (including custom making my own market bag with a zillion pockets). I was on the hunt for a bag that was easy on my shoulders, had tons of orginization, was stylish, inexpensive (less than $100), and didn't leave me looking like a turtle (I'm a slender to average 5'4"). Sounds impossible, right?

Wrong! This backpack is IT. Its cute, lightweight, is evenly distributed on my shoulders, and is incredibly compact. To give you an idea of how ninja this bag is, here's what I carry around with me to and from the city every day:

Cell phone

Wallet

Caribeaner of keys

Camera

Ipod

Kindle with case

Travel mug of coffee

Liter of water

Sunglasses

Small pouch of essentials (tampons, chapstick, business cards, bobby pins, toothpicks, etc)

Notepad, dayplanner, pens

Breakfast and lunch (several tupperware containers)

Change of clothes and a yogitoes towel for after work yoga

And there is STILL room for a sweatshirt and whatever miscellaneous crap I aquire throughout the day. I can seriously stuff this thing until I can barely zip it... And it still looks very sleek and compact. I can go to a nice bar or restaurant after work and not feel like I walked in dressed for camping.

I can't comment on how this bag is as a laptop bag because I don't own a laptop. And if I had to complain about this bag, I would say that the exterior waterbottle pocket is a bit snug for a liter bottle.

Bonus pointsI got this bag as an open box warehouse deal... For only $30. But I would have paid a little more for itthis bag was exactly what I was looking for and I absolutely love it.

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I ride my bike or the train to work every day and was looking for a backpack to carry my gear for the commute. I'm really happy with this one and have used it for almost a year now. Timbuk2 is known for their quality and this backpack fits the bill. It's a little taller and more rectangular than square, which gives it a more stream-lined look. It fits everything I need for one day in it and even works well as an overnight bag. The laptop pocket is not well protected, but I keep my laptop in a protective pouch (purchased separately) and that does the trick. I don't carry my laptop every day, so I actually like not having the extra bulk in there. This thing is perfect if you need to carry around:

Lunch for the day

An extra jacket, sweater, shirt

Ipod and charger

Some other random stuff

On weekends I'm able to carry around:

2 changes of clothes

1 pair of shoes

Toiletry bag

Some other random stuff

Looks great and does the job. Based on the quality I expect this to last for years and will definitely consider Timbuk2 products in the future.

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I got my backpack back when Timbuk2 was having a sale on it, so I got it for $45. I think for this price, it was a great deal as this backpack has proven to be very versatile. I usually use it for school, and it is actually able to carry a great deal. I can fit my laptop, notebooks, books, 32 oz water bottle, food containers, and a sweater in the main large compartment without it looking bulky at all. It has a bottom compartment for the laptop charger, which I find to be a bit small if you just throw the wires in, but if you actually roll up the charger neatly enough, it is definitely enough space. The two zippers in front of the bag is also very useful and is deep enough for smaller things (such as pads, cell phone, ipod, or wallet). My only real complaint is the water bottle holder. It is impossible for me to squeeze my water bottle in (though it is a 32 oz bottle), and I feel that a simple water bottle will also be a bit too snugged. Thus, I use the pocket to carry my keys and phone instead. It is important to note that this backpack is a little bit longer than a typical backpack, though it is not very noticeable when when I wear it. I've read that other owners have complained about this, but it didn't seem to be a big deal when I bought it. What I really love about this backpack is the internal organizer for pens and pencils as it was very well thought out. I used to carry a pencil box to hold all my stuff, but I no longer need it because of this.

To sum it up,

PROS:

Great slim/sleek look

Lots of compartments

Internal organizer

Carabiner

Secret pocket =O

CONS:

Though the material is durable, it is not waterproof

Small water bottle holder

No cushion for the straps or back

Laptop compartment also lacks cushion

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