Well, this part I already knew. The Timbuk2 bags are built to last. I shop consignment and see older models, used and often a bit beat up, still apparently fetching some sweet prices. (The Honda of messenger bags?) So I was eager to have the opportunity to check out the DLux, in person it's lightweight, it's 100% synthetic (but no chemical plastic-y smell here), and it's certainly made to withstand the travails of a rainy/snowy/hot/humid commute by bike/car/subway/whatever.
What it's *not*, is particularly compact or elegant. Having had a go with this one, I can attest to its strength and capacity -and oh boy, it will hold the tablet, the kids' mini-computers (both of them) a pair of shoes, the water bottle, the purse, my knitting, a binder...get the idea? By the time you fill it up, you're going to want that nifty memory cam adjust buckle that lets you put the bag over you cross body, then easily cinch it up under your arm for a secure fit. Maybe just an ergonomic nicety for those of us who don't use a bike or have to run for the train, but if you're the type who is constantly struggling with a swinging bag or one that wants to fall off, it's worth the learning curve to have this feature. (Yes, I was stumped. But only for about 5 minutes.)
As a smaller woman, I'm going to suggest considering what your actual needs are and purchasing the smallest model of this bag that serves those needs. I'm actually considering the XS version of this bag now, which would also double handily as an "XL" handbag. (No, I'm not the fashion bug I'll take durability over cutting-edge styling any day of the week.) But even this medium size is admittedly *huge* on a small-framed woman. I mean, I was positive I'd been sent a LARGE in error, until I did a quick measure and found it closer to 19.3" in length than the 22" that is the large. So if it's just a little netbook/minicomputer or tablet that you have to tow, it's worth noting the range of sizes for this bag. (Then again, if you do have the larger laptop, you'll at least be looking at a lightweight solution for lugging it. Empty, the bag weighs in for me at a little over 3 pounds.)
The rear zipper access to the main compartment, residing at the top part of the back of the bag, is a curious modification. (Then again, when you only shop for messenger bags during "odd" decades, you miss a lot of updates.) I'm not sure that the buckled front flap will get a lot of use for many folks considering the convenience of the zipper, but I suppose the makers wouldn't want to remove front flap functionality. The zipper is kind of an engineering marvel unto itself, all but invisible from the outside -you see the pull but the "teeth" are securely concealed. From the inside, it's the same story, thanks to careful finishing details that are evident throughout the bag.
It's too new to speak to how my particular bag will wear, but look around various Timbuk2 models here on Amazon, or do an online search on "Timbuk2", and you'll quickly see that the longevity of these bags is pretty legendary no exaggeration. My Timbuk2 DLux will be an "occasional use" item, so I fully expect to pass it on in my will.
One quibble I can't find a care label in this bag. Sure, I already expected that I could take one through the car wash and it would be fine, but some cleaning guidance would still be nice to have, so I consulted the Timbuk2 website and they told me !!! NOT TO PUT IT IN THE DRYER!!! (Seriously, guys, don't) also, this:
· Fill a bath tub or sink with warm water.
· Get just a little bit of gentle soap on your hands, just enough to make the water a little cloudy.
· Dunk and squeeze the bag repeatedly.
· Drain the tub or sink, and refill with clean water, keep dunking and squeezing till the water stays clear...
· Hang in a warm airy place to dry.
Wish I could do that with my portable electronics.
I looked at all of the competition and this bag fit the bill the best, but there are a few details which could make this bag much better. I was looking for an all-around bag that would be a bombproof commuter, yet refined enough that it's not unwieldy on a crowded metro and I don't look like a bike messenger when I walk into a law firm. I'd guess you're already familiar with the pluses so here are my gripes (maybe I'm just a cup half-empty kind of guy).
1) It's not actually all that big. I like the width (strap to strap) but it would be much more functional if were just a couple of inches deeper (top to bottom) without sacrificing any convenience. 2) the front flap is too short to cover the pockets when it's stuffed. Again, another couple inches would've made a world of difference. 3) the plethora of pockets on the front are not very functional because they don't expand, yet share the same space, being stacked on top of eachother, meaning, if you fill the middle pocket, nothing will fit behind it or in front. I end up only using one of them. That goes for the napoleon pocket too. 4) the adjustable buckle digs into my ribs pretty bad when cinched up for riding. Wish it had some sort of soft backing. 5) NO EXTERNAL POCKETS!!!! the outer zipper lets you in kind of like an external pocket but kind of cumbersome and not very functional. Seriously, this is a no-brainer and most of the competition offers them. 6) no external bottle holder. Got a drink you want to bring along? Better toss it into your bag next to your iPad... again, Timbuk2, WHY YOU NO!? 7) no compression straps. I really wish I were able to reduce the volume when not full. 7) shoulder strap is not very plush and easily slides off. I get a decent ache when fully loaded (~20 Lbs) after about 10 minutes. Going to try out the Delux strap replacement soon.
All that said, I would definitely buy this bag again. The infrastructure is extremely solid, internal rubber lining is very thick & well fitted, laptop sleeve is great and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE having a sternum strap (an important feature that seems to get glossed-over in the description and reviews) for spirited city cycling.
Buy Timbuk2 D-Lux Laptop Messenger Bag Now
Being a student who bikes to school, lugging a laptop and books is normally an enormous pain. The Timbuk2 D-Lux Messenger bag has been a life changer. Wow. I should have invested in a bag like this long ago, but better late than never! Here are some of my highlights:
PROS:
* Endless compartments. When I first received the bag, I thought it was like a magician's trick bag, because pockets seemingly kept appearing out of nowhere. Great for storing ... well, everything you own!
* Ease of use. Load it up, snap it closed, hoist it around your torso, and off you go. Can't get much simpler than that!
* Adjustable shoulder strap. The strap is super unique in that it "remembers" the length setting through a clever clip device, which also allows for adjusting while wearing. Very intuitive and useful.
* Laptop access. This is one of my favorite features: when the bag is closed, the laptop is accessible through the top, via a well-placed zipper, so no need to un-clip the straps and Velcro, and dig around the bag just to get out the computer.
* Weather-proof. Laptops + water = my life is ruined. The bag repels water like a duck's feathers, which I've already tested after biking through a few rain showers.
* Separate compartment for iPad. Well, I don't own an iPad, but a great feature regardless!
* Rugged and sturdy. This bag is built to last, fo sho.
CONS:
* The bag is a bit bulky and can seem cumbersome when fully loaded, but if it wasn't this size, there wouldn't be as much storage space, so really it's a trade-off.
* Um ... can't think of another con. It's that good of a bag!
Overall, a great commuter bag for students or business folks -especially those who travel via two wheels. Timbuk2 is known for making top-of-the-line messenger bags, and the D-Lux Laptop is definitely one of their best.
Read Best Reviews of Timbuk2 D-Lux Laptop Messenger Bag Here
The build quality and usability met my expectations for a Timbuk2 product. The point of this review is to offer some guidance on two points.
SIZE: I suggest you take some steps to clearly visualize the size of the item. I used the laptop size configurator to determine if mine would fit, and that drove me to the Large. But the Large is...well, LARGE. So, I suggest that you get a tape measure and sort of map out the dimensions in space for yourself to make sure it's not too big for you. (Note that the somewhat stiffer quality of this bag makes the size matter less than it would with an ordinary messenger.)
QUICK RELEASE "CAM": I don't know why they refer to the "cam" when they talk about the quick-adjust feature. The "cam" is the part that does the non-quick-releasing part of the adjustment -it's just like the normal adjustment cam on a Timbuk2 messenger, and it works by drawing the excess strap down into a loop beside the bag. The quick-release part is actually a normal, large quick-release BUCKLE. I think a lot of the confusion and reluctance around this feature stems from this mis-description. It's really just a BUCKLE that makes all the slack available to you; when you need to take up the slack again, you clip the BUCKLE. You more or less only ever work the cam once (or at least work it very rarely).
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This is my first ever Timbuk2 bag and I luvvvv it!
I've been waiting for a messenger bag like this for a long time. I use it to commute to work, and I also use it as a camera bag. I just started getting into street photography and this bag IMO makes the perfect camera bag.
I slip in a Tenba photo insert to carry around my Nikon D3000 along with an extra lens and I'm off. The laptop entry zipper lets me access my camera and stash it back with the quickness. There's no need to take the bag off and fumble around to get the camera out. To tell you the truth I rarely unclip the flap and open it, I can access the interior organizer and the front pockets just as easily from the zipper. If you have more expensive gear than me you should consider this bag, because no one wants to haul a bag around screaming slr and expensive lenses inside-come mug me. Plus, this bag will do a better job at keeping the contents safer from the rain, although I haven't had chance to test this yet.
The napolean pocket is great for fast access to my work ID, a buss pass and any other slim/small items you need quick access to.
Some have complained about a lack of interior organization options I don't have a problem at all. The 3 front zippered pockets are great for change and business cards, the interior organizer fits my needs although I wish the pouch with the flap was longer to fit smartphone/ipod.. and the microfiber pocket was too little for my liking as well.
I was surprised to find out the bag doesn't have a problem standing up by itself, which was a welcome benefit but wasn't a concern when I bought the bag. I know others wish it could freestand better, but I haven't had an issue with that yet.
This is the bag I've been holding out for. I wanted a bag that had waterproof materials(not water resistant), zipper access to the main compartment, decent interior organization, and good laptop sleeve, and a grab handle. This met my criteria.
I've only had the bag for a month. I'll update this with anything of note as time passes.
I wish the pad strap was a little more comfortable, although it takes to my should better since it has kinda broken in due to the Trufit cam buckle. However the pad tends to slide up and down the strap too easily for my taste. I'm going to look into a better strap pad but this is a very minor issue.
I also would be nice if there was some sort of mesh pocket on the side for a water bottle-but again this doesn't take away from the bag at all.
I also wish the there was more variety to colors and appearance. I didn't want a straight up black bag, and wasn't thrilled with the options. I settled on the gunmetal with the red, and it's not too bad.
This bag was more than what I thought it would. Very comfortable to wear and you can pack a tone of stuff in this one. Would recommend for camp trips, hikes, and any day trips out.
