Born and bred on the backs of San Francisco bike messengers, Timbuk2 builds tough-as-Hell backpacks, messengers, travel bags, and accessories designed to outlast you. Free Shipping and Lifetime Warranty.
Timbuk2 (timbuk2.com) has 419 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5.
Also known as
timbuk2.com
Website
timbuk2.com
Category
Accessories
Location
San Francisco
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
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The company replied to 100% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: October 2026.
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Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear you found the product nice and fairly priced. We appreciate your support and hope you continue to enjoy it!
BH
Brian H.
Overall
Overall, the experience was good. My only concern is that I had to reach out to get tracking information as it was never sent to me.
Response from Timbuk2May 12, 2026
Thank you for your feedback—we’re glad to hear your overall experience was positive. We apologize for the inconvenience with the missing tracking information; that’s not the experience we aim to provide. Your comment is helpful, and we’ll use it to improve our communication moving forward.
TJ
Theresa J J.
Good Quality, Still Awkward
This is a dual perspective review! This is my second custom Timbuk2 messenger bag, the first having lasted through 15 years of daily use before the liner disintegrated. Even today, the canvas and hardware were still in good shape, such that husband harvested the straps and hardware to repair one of his bags. On to its next life! Having loved my previous bag, I purchased another one, obviously ;) After 15 years, the company has made a few changes, some great, others questionable. The ordering process is still excellent- color selection is fantastic and authentic to what is seen on screen, website is easy to navigate and understand, 360 photos great. I ordered a medium, which either by accident or design is bigger than my old bag. I like the “bucket” design - it is more than spacious for my laptop, various folders and notebooks, large headphones, hardback book, drink vessel, laptop cable, and a spare jacket. The drink pocket add-ons were a great idea-they work great as cable caddies. The double sided security pocket is an improvement over the previous single sided pocket. So why did I give this a 4, you ask? I’ve been using this bag daily for a month, as well as taken it on one flight already, and I still can’t quite get used to the oddities. I’m a short torso’d person (14 inch spine) and even though I’ve shortened the strap, the strap length to bag size feels disproportionate. Doesn’t carry well; feels big for me. The quick adjust buckle loosens if it touches anything at all and I don’t like having to tighten/loosen the strap EVERY time I put the bag on. The closure buckles are hidden under the lid of the bag (maybe for better security?) which makes them difficult to use. The lid itself seems a little too short, such that it doesn’t want to cover the bag when just folded over; the buckles have to be engaged to keep the lid from flapping open. And why, WHY is Velcro still standard on these bags?? For the most annoying feature, it’s great that Velcro silencers are now sold separately, but it’s a custom bag already- why not make Velcro an optional feature? I bought the recommended size of silencers and they’re still about 2 inches too short to cover the whole strip. I feel like after a whole month, the bag and I should have bonded by now. And finally, no longer “handmade in San Francisco.” So, all that being said, I’ll see you in another 15 years. Probably.
Response from Timbuk2Apr 20, 2026
Wow—thank you for such a thoughtful (and long-term!) review. 15 years of daily use is exactly the kind of story we love to hear, and we’re honored you came back for a second custom bag—and even gave the first one a second life.
We’re really glad to hear the build quality, customization options, and new features like the bucket design and added pockets are working well for you. That said, we appreciate you calling out the fit and usability details—especially around strap proportion, buckle access, and the Velcro. That kind of real-world feedback is incredibly helpful and something we share directly with our product team.
Fit and carry—especially for different body types—can make or break the experience, and it’s clear we didn’t quite nail that for you here. The note about the strap adjuster and lid coverage is also super valuable, and we hear you on wanting more customization options (like Velcro-free builds).
Thanks again for sticking with us after all these years and for taking the time to lay this all out so clearly. We’ll be here when you’re ready for round three—and hopefully we’ll have earned that 5th star by then.
DA
David
I love these bags
Everything was great except that there always a little problem with package tracking.
Another small thing: I thought it came with a "standard" shoulder pad, and that ordering a color-matched one was just for extra style.
...But actually it didn't include a shoulder pad.
This is my second Timbuk2 bag.
The first one was from the original line, so I had it for over 20 years. These are indestructible, The only reason I got a new one was because my friends kept complaining about how old my bag looked.
Response from Timbuk2Apr 2, 2026
Thank you so much for your continued support—we love hearing from longtime customers like you!
It’s amazing to know your original bag lasted over 20 years—that’s exactly the kind of durability we aim for. And we’re glad you’re enjoying your new one overall.
We really appreciate your feedback on the tracking experience and the shoulder pad. We understand how both could be frustrating, and we’ll make sure to pass this along to our team so we can improve clarity and reliability moving forward.
Thanks again for choosing Timbuk2 (twice!)—and hopefully this one earns another couple of decades with you, even if your friends have opinions about it
SV
Sylver V.
I ordered a custom bag
I ordered a custom bag. The creation process was easy and fun. Shipping was on time. The materials and construction are sturdy and well crafted. The bag was slightly larger than I had anticipated so I recommend double checking the measurements. otherwise everything was fantastic!
Response from Timbuk2Apr 1, 2026
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the custom bag creation process and that everything arrived on time. It’s great to know the materials and craftsmanship met your expectations.
We also appreciate your helpful note about sizing—double-checking measurements is definitely a great tip for future customers. Thanks again for your support, and we’re so glad you’re enjoying your bag!
ST
Stephen T.
High quality product and great service
Service was strong, although it took longer than I expected. Everything about the experience was positive and I love my bags.
Response from Timbuk2Mar 26, 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you love your bags and had a positive overall experience. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding regarding the timing, and we’re always working to improve our turnaround. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we’re grateful for your support!
SC
Scott
This is a very nice bag
This is a very nice bag. I expect many years of service. The ability to customize what especially fun.
Response from Timbuk2Mar 25, 2026
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear you’re enjoying the bag and that the customization options added to the experience. It’s great to know you expect many years of use from it—that’s exactly what we aim for. We truly appreciate your support!
PB
Paul B.
Great quality, but expensive
I am very impressed with the quality of my bag, and it had fit my needs very well. My only frustration is that about a week after it was delivered, the Black Friday 30% off sale hit. I had paid full price, so every time I pick up my bag, I feel a tinge of regret for having paid more than I needed to. Because it is so expensive, 30% is a substantial discount.
Response from Timbuk2Mar 25, 2026
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback—we’re really glad to hear the bag is meeting your needs and that the quality has made a strong impression.
We completely understand how frustrating it can feel to see a significant promotion shortly after making a full-price purchase, especially with an investment piece like this. While our promotions are scheduled in advance and limited in duration, we know that timing can sometimes be disappointing.
Your support means a lot to us, and we truly appreciate you choosing our product. We hope the bag continues to serve you well for a long time and proves its value with everyday use.
