Timbuk2 Command Laptop Travel-Friendly Messenger Bag

So I had been using a slingpack that I got on clearance from the Gap back in college for well over a decade. As a person that brings a bag with him just about everywhere I demand a lot out of my "manpurse". Well the lining in my Gap bag went out so I went searching on Amazon to find a replacement, which was another slingpack and a reproduction Isreali Commando Bag which the latter I was using most of the time. Now I wasn't very happy with the Commando Bag for a variety of reasons not least being it is not water proof and as someone who started to fly quite a bit I don't want to have more of a hassle in the airport than I had too. I had also recently gotten a new laptop so I decided to take a plunge into a more adult bag that would hold all my devices. A little bit of research brought me to Timbuk2 and the Command bag. I will start off saying this is by far the best bag I have ever owned. So much thought has gone into the design of the bag and what people who need something like this require. The bag outer material is nice and thick so you aren't going to worry about it falling apart any time soon. The slot for your laptop has a nice foam/rubber padding around it and a felt covered pouch to hold a tablet and as a added bonus helps keep the top of your laptop scratch free. I personally have a medium bag which can hold either a large Dell XPS 17 inch laptop or a Apple Macbook Air with no issue. Inside the flap you find a nice divided pocket the has plenty of room to carry whatever you need from books to a hoodie. There is a nice mouse pocket that has a velcro cover to keep it in place along with a couple of slender pockets on either side that can hold USB drives or in my case a Mini Displayport to HDMI and USB to ethernet adaptors. On the outside pockets you start off with a Napoleon zipper pocket that opens up on the side which is very nice to hold things you need ready access to without having to open your bag (keys, wallet, etc.), on top of that are a couple traditional zipper pockets that are good for holding USB cables, backup batteries and headphones. There are two velcro sliencers installed onto this pocket in case you don't want to use the added velcro locking system for the flap. I do not and I have never had a issue. On the bottom is a large pocket designed to hold your laptop's power supply which is a fantastic feature. I have been using this bag for about a year now in which I have used it nearly every day and lugged it around many airports and hotels and it still looks brand new. The only issue at all that I have had is that one of the zipper pull tabs was misinstalled which a quick email to Timbuk2 fixed that issue in a jiffy. I have only had one TSA agent give me any grief about the TSA compliance as well which is a major plus. I can not recommend this bag any more than I already have. You will not find anything better. I have a feeling this will likely be the last bag I will ever own.

Was looking for something that had plenty of space but was easy to carry around. A coworker has a Timbuk2 so I decided to give it a try. Obviously Timbuk2's are a big improvement over old school messenger bags. Traveling 2 weeks out of the month so this bag is getting some miles. The buckles on the face of the bag are a JOKE. They come unhooked constantly, they come loose when you pick the bag up by the carry handle, and they will not stay snug when you pull out the slack. Picture messenger bag guy getting on the plane with unclipped swinging metal buckles hitting each person as he walks by - thats me and every other Command Laptop bag owner - sorry about that. If you don't use the velcro closure the flap of your bag will be coming open all the time. Have no idea why they would use these rather than the clips that are on their other bags. Bag is a little flimsy when you don't have it full. Some basic structure support might make it a little better particularly for the main compartment. Suggestion - There should be a pocket on the opposite side of the water bottle holder. As experienced with other bags you need somewhere to put reading glasses or sunglasses that won't get crushed in the main compartment. *The good - lots of pockets. The Napoleon pocket is cool, but you won't use it as much as you think. *Lots of space! I carry papers, noise canceling headphones and other junk when traveling. The large bag swallows up everything I throw at it. *Really comfortable if you are walking any distance - highly suggest the upgraded shoulder pad. *The buckle on the strap is GREAT - sit down in a cab with a heavy computer and papers - just unclip it and slip the strap over your head. *TSA approved computer pocket has worked flawlessly coast to coast - remember you can't leave the iPad in the same compartment as the laptop when going through security. *Luggage handle sleeve is nice when you want to attach it to your roll along bag. Great spot for your newspaper at other times. *Seems very rugged and durable. *The bottom pocket for power cords is awesome. I stuff a mifi, laptop cord, cell phone chargers and any other small items i can think of. All neatly contained in one spot. The buckles are the major flaw with this bag. Going to try to switch them out to locking clips. Overall great bag