Customer Reviews Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack

I use this back pack as daily for work. However, I do travel frequently and this is where this bag really shines. It is large enough to carry my computer and work accessories, along with enough room for some clothes. This combined with a small rolling carryon is enough to last me 3-4 days on the road.

This pack has the best pockets and organization, they thought of everything! I've been using this when I travel and need to bring clothes for an overnight trip. Super easy access to all of the pockets, there is a place for everything. It's comfortable and compact enough so I don't overpack and I don't have to bring a small roller. Loving it! The color is cool, navy and black combo, it's dressy enough to carry to the office or on customer appointments.

This product is very easy to use and I love it. I used the Parker Commuter Backpack every day for a long time. In comparison, it seems so much lighter and easier to handle. The surface texture is different, so I'd like to use it a little more and use it as a reference for my next purchase.

I ordered the backpack and discovered that my 15.6" laptop does not fit in the pocket. Had to return the bag even though it looked and felt nice.

The backpack is very good. Love the size, the quality and comfort. I take the subway a lot and it is nice to switch from backpack to brief case handle. I wish there were more pockets. It would be good to separate cords, etc.

For a person who starts the day with coffee and ends with water, I need two outside drink pockets

I ordered this for a long work trip for which I had a weight limit (for the plane and for my back). The bag is very thick but not heavy on its own. It's also very deep so I was able to fit my laptop, paperwork, toiletries, a sweater, extra t-shirt, socks, a vest. In the outer pockets, I could fit my passport, wallet, snacks, and electronic cords. Essentially, everything I would need if my luggage got lost for a few days and yet not too heavy. Having pockets/nets on both sides of the bag was super helpful to carry water on one side and whatever else on the other. Choosing the colors was a bonus too! The bag would get 5 stars if it had an upper outer pocket (@ the top of the bag) to easily reach things when traveling with the bag at one's side.

I got this for use as a daily work bag to transport my laptop and other items. I liked the side opening laptop slot in concept but in practice it's a little difficult to smoothly remove a laptop of appropriate size at times. That said I really like everything else about the product and its quality seems to be very good!

The bag has been a great find for me as a digital nomad, 2nd one I bought from Timbuk2. The material is durable and water-resistant, allowing me to carry a lot of essentials like clothes, cables, and other items. It's been perfect for my needs. However, I did encounter an issue with one of the features. The net pocket on the front of the bag tore fairly easily. This was a bit disappointing, as that pocket was convenient for storing smaller items I needed quick access to. Overall, the bag has been fantastic, but the durability of that front pocket could use some improvement. I'd recommend the manufacturer look into reinforcing the material or design of that particular feature to make it more robust. With that enhancement, this bag would be near-perfect for the digital nomad lifestyle.

Replaced an old bag Timbuk2 bag that I handed down to one of the kids with this one. Quality is awesome! Love all the storage and easy access to travel documents, and tablet. The expanding zipper makes it very easy to do a short trip out of just this bag! Only thing I don't love is the water bottle pouch. I carry a 24oz hydra flask and it will fit but doesn't feel secure and isn't easy to put into pouch.

Laptop fits my items well. I think I should have gotten a laptop bag rather than a travel/laptop. I had a different laptop but it's company branded but that one had all kinds of cool pockets that were made for electronics. This one had a few good ones but most outer pockets make the whole thing feel bulky when you have an adapter printing on the front. Bottle holder is a bit of a pain. And missing a luggage handle slot. You coil use the side carry handle but it's doesn't work when going down the aisle.

Daily use bag. Great organization with fair amount of pockets. Love the side grab handle. Feels really solid and durable.

Great bag! The materials are high quality. Totally worth the price. The only issue I have with it is that the main compartment does not open all the way because of the fabric they have connected to it. It is meant to be this way, but I would prefer if it opened fully. It does stretch enough that it is not a problem. Great looking bag, high quality materials, and a happy camper. Would recommend to anyone

Two of my favourite bags (honestly, two of my favourite objects) are my Vapor convertible tote and Vapor cross-body bag, so I had high hopes for the the Never Check Expandable Backpack. Pros: Capacity, expandable feature, laptop sleeve (fits my Dell XPS 15) and internal unpadded tablet sleeve, doesn't tip over even when fully loaded, lots of useful grab handles, light green interior colour is attractive and makes it easier to see items, good padding on the back and straps. Also, if I want to put my camera gear (Fuji XT-5 and small lenses) inside my camera shoulder bag and then put the shoulder bag in the Never Check, the Never Check is wide enough to accommodate that. The bag squishes down (if not fully packed) to serve as a personal item on some airlines, and fit under an airplane seat. Cons: I realize that the fabric is intended to be durable, but I dislike it. It's a pet hair magnet, looks dirty quickly and it makes the bag heavier. (I much prefer the texture, appearance and weight of the Vapor bags' fabric. No lanyard key keepers. The mesh interior pocket in the main compartment seems fragile. Most of the organizational pockets on the front of the bag are fairly tight (so they'll hold flat items like passports) but are less well-suited to the typical bits and bobs one throws in a travel carry-on bag. The securing straps for the main organizational front pocket make it a bit trickier for thieves to access this section, but the bag still presents some security risks. I would have preferred it to have a more secure set-up for a passport and wallet. Given the bag's size and weight, it would have been good to have a removable or tuckable waist belt. Fully loaded, the bag is uncomfortable on my 5'7" (female) frame. Pro/con: The covered zippers make it cumbersome to open the bag, but that should also make the bag more secure.

Ive been using this backpack as my personal item on a trip around the globe for the past month and I've been really impressed so far. The material of the backpack is a really high quality and is really durable. The backpack material can attract dust, hair and other things found out in the world but cleaning it is fairly easy with a damp rag. The design is super sleek and a part of the reason i like the bag, it just looks super cool. The expansion capability of the backpack is unique. I've found myself keeping it mostly unzipped and when boarding an international airline, I'll use the zippers to actually compress the bag to make it smaller and ensure that the stricter international airlines still allow me to use it as a personal item. This has worked flwalessly so far! The organization of the pockets on the interior of the bag is great. The middle pocket has several organizational pouches which I've been using for power banks, and other smaller items. The inner pocket of the bag, when expanded is quite large. Unlike other backpacks I've tried, the weight distribution of this backpack is great. Even when the top internal pocket filled with smaller items, the bag will not completely collapse. The gusseted side pockets also aid in that support. Overall the backpack is awesome, but does have some drawbacks. The main issue I have with this backpack are the zippers; they are constantly getting stuck. Especially when the bag is filled with stuff, the zippers can get caught on the weather proof coating surrounding the zipper. I am finding myself always having to ensure that I have the zipper lined up perfectly so that the zipper doesn't get stuck. I also don't like the zippers themselves, the plastic coating that was added to the end of the zipper prevents you from using a lock on them - which is a major drawback if you plan to use this bag for travel like me. Also, the addition of a luggage strap on the back would improve its use for travel.

Great product Not fan of the side opening due to security but needs to get used to it.

Excellent product. Well thought out design and solid craftsmanship. I'd say my only critique would be that the zippers are almost too well integrated so it always takes a moment to find them.

This backpack is really sweet! It has so many pockets and a whole lot of room! I especially love the computer pocket! I would really love if the backpack was a different material, because I'm a little worried about it piling. I also think it would be awesome if the water bottle pocket could be a little bit bigger. Otherwise, it's a great backpack!

Hello all! My Never Check backpack by Timbuk2 is the exact size for transporting my tablet, laptop (side pocket), Moleskines, chargers, rolled-up rain jacket, glasses case, skinny coffee thermos (side pocket), portable USB battery, and all the myriad bits like thumb drives and earpods. And my camera. And phone and wallet. All the while my Never Check remains trim, organized, and easy to port. I'm getting used to the zippers: sometimes they're hard to find, but only because the stitchwork is top quality, so the zipper seams are flush. I've not yet flown with this pack, but I'm certain it'll live up to its name.

This bag is mostly perfect, I use as my EDC work bag, but also as my 3 day work trip bag. It easily fits three days worth of work clothes, toiletry kit and a jacket. its not to big, looks nice and is comfortable, while also having enough useful storage to keep the bag organized. There is almost nothing I would change except... The water bottle pocket is so embarrassingly bad I can't believe it actually made it onto the bag. In its empty state, the pocket folds into itself, preventing any usage without sliding the bag off one shoulder. Then due to the way it was sown, the bottom is not flat, so its constantly pushing the water bottle up out of the pocket. Honestly this is like my 5th Timbuk2 product (co-pilots, messenger bags, my old backpack, and I bought my wife and sister their purses), all of those have been fantastic. I honestly don't know what the bag designers were thinking when they put this water bottle pocket on a bag and called it done.

I bought this backpack before a 2-week personal trip to Japan. The backpack I use for work is larger that what I wanted to carry and the backpack from my go to convertible carry-on luggage (the only other piece of luggage I carry) had zipper problems. It's definitely a nice backpack, with a padded laptop compartment and good internal space. I used it in a Southwest flight, in an American Airlines 787 and in a Japan Airlines Embraer commuter plane. The backpack fits okay under the seat of all those airplanes, although I feel a couple of inches shorter would be better. Since that would mean compromising internal space, I can certainly live with the Never Check Expandable Backpack height. I could use it as a day pack if it was a business trip. But for a mostly urban, personal trip, I felt it was too big and I brought a smaller packable backpack with me. I didn't need to use the expandable feature so far.

I love everything about this backpack except for the bottle holder on the side. It's very difficult to use and doesn't have a flat bottom so it doesn't feel very secure. The rest is pretty much perfect though. The front admin pouch is clever and really easy to use. I'd like a less slippery material for it but it's not a big deal. The side access for the laptop compartment and all the handles on every side of the bag are excellent. It would be an easy 5 stars if the bottle holder was just a different design.

The side pocket water bottle sleeve is nonfunctional. Don't expect it hold any bottle of water of any size.

I know the bottle holder is just one feature but it's an important one for me and I had to return it just because of that. It was a struggle to just get a normal sized 20ish oz bottle in there and when it did finally squeeze in it didn't go in very deep so it felt top heavy and not too secure. I was really torn because the rest of the bag is great but I didn't want to fight with that thing every day. If it just had a different design for the bottle holder this bag would be perfect.

As the name says... never check in bag. Recently went on 3 day journey and got everything I needed into my new purchase, great design with not too many compartments, and the expandable section is great.