Timbuk2 Classic Messenger 2013

2013 Timbuk2 Classic Messenger - SMALL

My love affair with messenger bags started when I was a sophomore in high school.  It all started with the Manhattan Portage messenger bags.  A friend had bought an extra by mistake and gave one to me.  I left the world of Jansport and my eyes were open to the world of possibilities for the first time.

Timbuk2 is a company based in San Francisco and was established in 1989.  The company has been offering great bags for the bike messenger.  Hence, messenger bag IMHO.  I have bought many versions of the classic messenger and the one I fell in love with was the 2013 Classic Messenger bag.  During the time of the purchase, Timbuk2 was offering their bags in a ballistic nylon and the interior was line with a water resistant material.  With real world dimensions of 14.5 inches wide, 8 inches tall and an expandable depth of 8 inches, this bag offers a lot of carry options.  Along with the spacious accommodations, the bag offers a slew of organizational pockets, sleeves, Velcro pockets and stash pockets making you feel like you have a personal assistant that helps you with your gear as you move from one destination to another.

I love this cam-bubkle

Now for my experiences with the Timbuk2 Classic Messenger 2013.  Like I have stated before, I have had many experiences with the Timbuk2 line.  I even have a 2015 XS messenger that I am not quite thrilled with.  I feel the apex of their design was the 2013 design.  The 2013 really offered that fine line between functionally light without giving up structural durability for extended carry.  The buckle/cam system they had for the 2013 model was GENIUS.  I freaking love the buckle/cam.  It allowed for easy on/off and adjustments.  The later editions of the bag ditched the ballistic nylon and went after codura.  Which, in my mind wasn’t a bad move, but the codura they used was much lighter and thinner than the ballistic nylon.  But, that is ultimately down to preferences.

My load-out for the Timbuk2 2013 Classic Messenger was: Samsung 10.5 Tablet or a Surface RT, 6 inch Kindle, spare battery charger, small first-aid kit, Gerber multi-tool, light sticks, mints, assorted pens, pencils and markers, emergency blanket, flashlight, religious charms, passport, lighter, monkey-fist, maxpedition pouch filled with charging cords and ac adapters, Sol Republic Jax Bluetooth ear buds, police issued pepper spray and a carabiner with miscellaneous length of paracord.  All in all, my usual load-out when I am running a regular load.

FUNCTION 9.75/10 - Let's face it, it is a messenger bag with lots of options to how to store your items.  It can be worn in two different ways; high on your back or on the hip.  Both ways, the bag yields a level of usefulness that exceeds a standard backpack if you are inclined to carrying your load on one shoulder.  You can swing the bag around and access items quickly if you wear it high on your back.  Or, have easy access when you have it on your hip.  The hook and loop section of the bag keeps the flap securely closed.  Some may worry that having it on your back may allow access to your bag without you knowing.  Trust me, if someone is sneaking into your bag, you will feel them doing it.  I had a great time with this bag and fully exploiting the features that it comes standard with.  The only thing I changed was the stock shoulder pad.  I swapped it out for a Hazard 4 messenger pad and retention strap.

TACTICAL 2/10 - As a civilian oriented bag, it leaves little to none in the tactical imagination department.  There is a drag handle or grab handle on the side of the bag where I attached a molle pouch for my Gerber multi-tool and my self-defense EDC tool.  But, other than that, everything needed to be stowed within the bag.

BUILD AND FINISH 9/10 - I have had the bag for several years now and it has held up without problems.  There are some stress wears on the hook and loop.  Also, the stitching on the front facing admin pockets is starting to fray a little, but nothing to worry at all about.  The critical point of the bag, the strap, has good box stitching and has showed ZERO signs of wear. 

STYLE 10/10 - You have to love messenger bags as much as I do to give this bag a perfect score in the style department.  In NYC, Timbuk2 bags are everywhere.  They compete, in my opinion, directly with the Chrome Industries bags.  Seemingly to whoever can out-hipster the other.  The bag has tons and tons of usefulness and it remains in my starting line-up for bags I depends on.  Probably top 5.  It lends the ability to take a moderate load into the city for the day.  It can be a get home bag.  It has the versatility that some tactical bag companies can take lessons from. 

What can I say?  I just gave you guys a naughty glimpse of my love affair with this bag.  If I had to change a few things, it would the inclusion of some molle.  The ability attach additional pouches or elements can make this bag from amazing to amazingly perfect.  If you can snag a 2013 Timbuk2 Classic Messenger, I would advise you to.  It truly is an amazing bag.  Go to www.timbuk2.com and see their selections for the current models.

Pat - Shifter Life - Gear Reviewer