Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Command Messenger - Medium

We haven't yet used the messenger bag, but it looks like it will suit the purpose of getting my husband through airport security in a much speedier period than before. (I could just about read a book while I waited for him to get through behind me). However, there was one HUGE negative issue. I had to pay over FORTY ONE DOLLARS in shipping costs at the door! I was mightily annoyed at that surprise cost -well beyond what had been budgeted for the gift. Customers should be informed of such costs beforehand - always.

I bought this bag as a bag I can bring into the hospital and look professional. The bag itself looks nice and has many compartments. The problem is the back luggage strap digs into your back when you put it cross body and tighten the strap. I commute by bicycle. I cannot wear this bag comfortably on my back, the luggage strap digs right across the middle of my back. The bag is also quite heavy, just by itself. With a laptop and books and nick nacks it is really heavy for one shoulder. I am a 5' 3' small asian woman and this bag in medium looked huge on me. Keep that in mind. I returned it after I received it by mail from MEC store. Would not recommend for cyclist commuters.

I wasn't sure about which size of bag I wanted, but as they all seemed to fit my 15" notebook and I wasn't sure what dimensions were changed with the different sizes, I chose the smallest. I can see now that once I have my laptop inside* there's little room for anything else. Perhaps showing photographs of the available sizes next to each other for an easy comparison would have helped. * I keep my laptop inside a hardened protective sleeve which means it can't fit in the padded sleeve on the 'body side' of the bag. The outside pockets are all on the wrong side. I'm right-handed and carry the bag over my left shoulder which means that all of the pockets are behind me when the bag's on my shoulder so I can't easily retrieve my phone or my e-reader. And when I sit down on the train I have to use my left hand to pull things out of the pockets. Would it hurt to divide the pockets over both sides. Or even better, have one large pocket with an entrance from both sides. On crowded public transport the bag is really impractical to use. The buckles/fasteners are difficult to use. I have a minor struggle each time I open the bag, which I'm sure was the intention. Over the foreseeable lifetime of this bag I can see myself either becoming increasingly frustrated or simply deciding not to fasten the bag closed. They might not look as stylish but there are easier and more practical ways to fasten a messenger bag. One other minor complaint: the two zip-pulls for the padded laptop sleeve jingle/rattle around when I'm walking down the street. I think I need to wrap them in something rubbery so it doesn't sound like I'm rattling loose change in my pocket. I would have returned the bag by now but the postage is prohibitvely expensive from my country. I also had to pay a considerable amount in import tax when the bag arrived, which I don't get refunded if the article is returned. Any replacement bag would also incur a similar charge. Thus, I'm stuck with it. To be fair, there are a few points which I'm happy with: the number of pockets, the strap and adjusters, and the material.

Compared with classic messenger, has much improved laptop access and better pouch organization. But has one big design flaw: the flap closure clips (metal catches) are easy to slide ON and nearly IMPOSSIBLE to slide OFF --- takes two hands and lots of tugging, so awkward that I often leave them unclipped.

Have not used it since it is too big for my size. I'd like to know if I can return it at local store.

I was impressed as always with the construction and high-quality materials used in the bag. Unfortunately its design is such that the base of the bag isn't flat. When you set it down it flops over onto the side with the buckles. If you take a look at the photos you'll see it isn't even resting on the ground - I bet they had to prop it up to photograph it. I returned it.

I use the bag for a daily commute to and from work. I carry a good deal of stuff: laptop, journal, a pouch of connectors and chargers, eyeglasses, sunglasses, headphones, wallet, keys, phone, and typically a small lunch/breakfast. With all of the above in the bag, it is packed to capacity and difficult to use, as I have to pull out several items to get the one thing I want. The internal main compartment is almost comically small and impractical for anything beyond a slim book or a few files. I had to find creative ways to tuck things and arrange things just to get in what I consider daily basics. The outside water bottle pocket isn't very deep, and the side pocket for "chargers" is pretty much a joke. All I could fit in that was my keys. Whatever you put in the side pockets seriously infringes on the space in the already limited main compartment. In short, this is little more than a glorified laptop sleeve with room for MAYBE one or two other things. Probably my last bag from Timbuk2, as they can't seem to get all of the good features into one bag.

There are many features I like about this bag (laptop access, TSA friendly), but it has one MAJOR design flaw - the bottom is not flat so it topples over (forward) every time you put it down - not good when you've got an expensive DSLR in the main compartment or a laptop and/or iPad in the back. I love Timbuktu and their products, but I'm growing to hate the Command messenger bag. Wish had ordered the Commute (that I got for my husband for Christmas) - much roomier and doesn't flop over whenever he sets it down.

This bag does not have enough secure compartments like the messenger bags have. I don't need two places to to store an iPad but I do need secure places to keep my iPhone(s), wallet, earbuds, business cards, expensive commuter pass, etc. The command messenger is a great concept but lacks smaller zippered or velcro pockets. Messenger bags are great but without secure internal pockets, stuff can fall out too easily. I guess it's back to a traditional messenger bag until timbuk2 changes this design.

Redesign is not clearly stated. Their is no padded handle, no velcro silencers, nor a third Napoleon Pocket, as in the earlier design. I'm not sure why one would regress a design. I put just my 15" Dell work laptop, and lifted the bag with the carry handle, to have it immediately dig into my finger joints. I wouldn't imagine how painful it would be to tout around all the airports I travel through it. Cannot return, so I'll try to sell a brand new bag, likely at a loss.

This bag is stiff and hard compared to the others I have had that were soft to the touch. I bought this for a Xmas gift and thought even though it was a final sale it didn't matter but when I got the bag the material was so hard and tough that I wouldn't use it never mind give it to anyone as a gift. After contacting customer service and telling them the other messenger bag I got was great but this one wasn't and I would like to exchange it they said no it is a final sale. Not what I would expect from a company like this. On their website it should list the material each bag is made out of...I ordered them based on the reputation not knowing how different the materials are.

This is a handsome-looking bag, but capacity-wise it was quite small. It was also strange in that the closures were hooks that were difficult to open/close. Also the laptop compartment opened from the bottom which I thought was strange and potentially dangerous if someone didn't zip to close it all the way or if the zipper gave out. I'm returning to see if I can get something a little more practical.

Disappointing to have both wasted my money and have a had such a bad first experience with Timbuk2. I really had high hopes after seeing the product and hearing good things. Product wasn't satisfactory and even when adjusting the straps it sits super awkwardly. Difficult when walking through crowded areas due to the size and how it sits. Tried to return straight it away but Timbuk2 customer service is very poor and very slow at responding. It took about two months to get a clear answer of no refund and no exchange.

If you use anything else then a, really thin laptop, the main compartment becomes useless.. the so called Charger pocket on the side, is kinda useless, would be surprised if it really can comfortable be able to hold a MacBook charger.. The front divider or, the pocket inside, i mean i thought it would be a little usefull but its kinda annoiying to use, would have prefered a much smaller one.. Napoleon Pockets are actually usefull, love Those... If you ride a bike, the back gets kinds uncormtable really quick, specially because of the luggage passthrough.. it can dig into your back.. All in All.. it sucks, would love to return it bur cant because i bought it overseas...

I like the look of the bag and was excited about using it for work and school. However, three months into use it started coming apart at the seams.

Website experience was very bad. Promised discounts on most bags did not appear in cart. Even without hitting submit had multiple credit card charges, Customer service reversed these. Size calculator on site did not work. I measured my laptop carefully per instructions and the site specifically said size small would fit my computer. Same result multiple times. Bag is 1 1/2 inches too small for my laptop. Spent hours dealing with the site to purchase the bag and was in no mood to return the bag and deal with frustration again. Have been inundated with promotional emails since purchase.Very very unacceptable experience.

I just feel this bag is not well designed and I'm disappointed with the quality. 1- TSA does not recognize that this bag is TSA friendly, so that feature is useless and leads to the fact that your electronics are not well protected when you're commuting. 2- The strap is a nightmare. -2a- It's way too long leading me to have a hard plastic part right on my shoulder. -2b- The part which latches to lock down the length keeps coming undone on its own which leads to an unpleasant jerk from time to time. 3- The dimensions are not good. -3a- Volumetrically speaking, the bag is way too small. I had one of the old 3 stripe messengers before and it was the best bag ever! It was stolen and this was supposed to be my replacement. It just cannot hold everything I need and there's no way I could use it for clothes, etc for a weekend trip. -3b- despite that the volume is small, the length is too long. I have to take it off when walking down airplane and metro aisles so I don't hit everyone I pass. This is super inconvenient. 4- comfort. This is the most uncomfortable bag I think I've ever had. I will certainly be replacing it. This is really frustrating considering the cost. 5- features -5a- where is the key holder? That was such a great feature!!! Long story short, it looks nice but is uncomfortable and not functional.

Two things: 1) The colour shown on the website is deceptive (camera lighting). The bag was a much darker shade of grey than depicted on the website. 2) The international shipping charges when ordering via the Timbuk2 website do not include import duty. I ended up paying the an additional extra $50 at the door to receive my package! (import is calculated for item value PLUS shipping costs) Buying via another (well known) online retailer is cheaper both in overall shipping costs and import duty which is calculated and paid for at time of ordering...no nasty surprises at the door!

I am very desapounted with the product. I don't use it. Hopefully I could change it!

I bought this to replace my Commute Laptop TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag 2014, which was a small size. So you would think getting the medium version of this bag, it would be a little bit bigger. It has 428 cu in of volume more than my old bag!! Everything is squished in to my new bag. My water bottle barely fits inside the main compartment. There is no key fob holder!! There seems to be less pockets!! No pen holders!! I thought the hooks would be "quick" but it is not, sometimes it takes two hands to open it!! Terrible!! Wish I would have gotten Commute Laptop TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag 2015 instead. :'(

On paper this was the perfect bag. Nice compartments, the TSA feature was compelling, it was the right size and the customer service was amazing. Unfortunately, you have to be extra careful because the slightest ding ruined the corners of my macbook air. If you are looking for something to protect your gear during an urban commute, this is not the bag you're looking for.

Too small. Hate the clips used for closing