TIMBUK2 Ace Laptop Backpack Messenger Bag, Black, Medium

Wow! I love this bag! Here's 3 quick reasons why:1) The style is versatile enough to allow me to confidently walk into a formal work meeting and afterward throw it on my back for an evening bike ride.2) I've traveled to Europe twice already and its thoughtful and well-built features make for easy travel (velcro luggage pass, appropriately placed pockets for quick access to passports and boarding passes, sufficient number of loops to hold additional bags, and an appropriate size to fit all the odds and ends that traveling requires without becoming too big to fit under the plane's seat.3) The backpack feature is super convenient and comfortable. I've taken it on many bike rides and I've found that it sits securely on my back and the padding keeps it very comfortable.

Like this bag a lot. I bought for overnight business trips that require limited clothes, a laptop, pair of shoes and misc gadgets. Prior to buying I toiled with whether or not it would be big enough and when it arrived I was sure it wasn't. However, when packing for my first overnighter I was pleasantly surprised how well everything fit without sacrificing what I wanted to bring.Pleanty of space on the outer pockets for misc documents, wallet, phones, chargers, etc. quality is solid. Ability to use as a backpack and shoulder bag really adds to its versatility. It's a sharp bag and work well all around. So much so that I can use it when I ride my motorcycle to work and can fit a six pack of beer in it on my way home from work.

For the past 10-15 years I’ve used a couple of leather Tumi briefcases which are awesome for my use. However, I wanted a replacement for the Tumi’s that 1) had backpack straps for when I need them BUT stowed away when not in use giving it a more conventional briefcase look, 2) was of a Cardura type material that was still professional looking but a more understated look (than leather) since I’m now spending more of my time on university campuses teaching, and 3) had a water bottle holder (second priority).I use the bag for day use in business environments and teaching, and for when I travel. I do not try to use this kind of bag alone for overnight or weekend trips. When traveling I always have a roller bag (containing chargers, toilet kit, maybe a change of clothes for shorter trips, etc.) and a briefcase like this one with the stuff I’ll use during the flight (laptop, Kindle, notebook, papers, earphones, etc.). The roller bag goes in the overhead and the briefcase goes under the seat in front of me.II did a lot of research and narrowed it down to the eBags TLS Professional Slim and this Timbuktu bag. After spending a few weeks with the TLS, I concluded that although it was really good looking and very well made, it was too big – it’s a few inches higher/longer and thicker than the Timbuktu or my leathr briefcases meaning that when you put it under an airplane seat it takes up more room and sticks out further making it uncomfortable for a 3 to 7-hour trip. And when carrying it into a meeting, it’s, well, BIG.Okay, on to comments on this bag:PROS:Good looking and nicely designed; more professional looking than your standard backpackEasily converts to backpack and this feature is nicely done and very comfortableShoulder strapThree outside pockets - one which will hold letter size items located behind the two smaller pockets on the front; the smaller pocket of these two will hold a 500 ml water bottle and zip closed (if the bag is not packed too tightly)Organizer pockets on the inside for pens, business cards, etc.Two larger organizer pockets on the insideNicely padded laptop section fits my 13” Sony Ultrabook AND my Kindle FireTwo dedicated slide-through straps on the back that fit over my roller bag handleSmall enough to comfortably fit under airplane seats, but not too small to be non-functionalCONS:No gusseting! All internal organizer pockets are simply two pieces of material stitched together such that when anything is put in the pockets they try to stretch the material from its edges thereby squashing whatever is put in the pockets. This isn't too bad when the bag is empty, but when packed somewhat full, the pockets become virtually useless.Outside letter size pocket zipper is located in a “valley” between the outside material and the top material thereby forming a trench to catch water when held in the “briefcase mode” – don’t use this in the rain!No specific area for holding cables, cords, chargers, batteries, etc. – don’t even try to put these in the organizer pockets! However, I got around this by putting them in a long thin bag that fits in one end of the main compartment.NO key fob; I may settle for throwing my keys in one of the outside pockets and letting them rattle around thereGENERAL COMMENTS:Because of the relatively small size, one must be careful to pack accordingly, but for me the smaller size is a plus since it fits more comfortably under an airline seat but still holds everything I needSUMMARY: Before trying the eBags bag and this bag, I tried a number of cheaper bags with the two pockets stitched to the outside that looked hokey but were arguably more functional, but they did look, well, cheap. My first impression of this bag was “Wow, great good looking bag”. Then I thought “what a bunch of wasted and unusable pockets inside (due to lack of gussets); I’ll never be able to use this”. But after looking at the eBags (my initial first choice) again, I decided it really was too big so I sent it back and went back to see if I could make this bag work, which I have so far. The more I use this bag the more I like it.UPDATE MAY 2016: My review was based on the price i paid, around $82. I don't think this bag is worth the current price of $119 and probably wouldn't have bought it at that price.

This is an excellent versatile messenger and backpack in one. Very durable. Timbuk2 makes high quality products. There are many pockets for all your stuff. I travel extensively and really like that I can convert it to a comfortable backpack to run through airports. Great size and fits under airplane seats.

This bag has a lot of space. I’ve bought and loved a few Timbuk2 bags over the past ten years. I like this one but don’t love it. The interior pockets are just big and don’t let you organize things like you come to expect with the messenger series. I used it on a trip and carried two laptops, three tablets, noise cancelling headphones and lots of extras. This won’t be my day to day bag but it will come in handy when you can’t carry or pack light.

I've been using it for a few days and I love the look and how it performs to carry my daily stuffs. It doesn't look bulky even with few stuffs inside. I carry a 15.6 Lenovo laptop that perfectly fit in the laptop compartment. I feel lighter with this than my previous Jansport backpack with the same loads inside.The (-) thing is there is no water bottle pocket that I already anticipated before the purchase. Otherwise, it is a great convertible bag.One thing that I should see is the durability of the bag especially the vinyl-like material on the side and the padding material on the back. Hopefully they'll work well.

Exactly what i was looking for to use in my new office. Can go from formal/business laptop case to comfortable easy to carry backpack -- and looks great in either mode.

Algo cara en comparación con otras, pero la atención a los detalles, las costuras, los sierres, todo de muy buena calidad y valió mucho la pena haberla adquirido. Simplemente, funcional y estética.

Great messenger bag... I can have my 15.6 inch laptop and my 13 inch....

Works well enough, but very expensive for what it is.

Timbuk2のバッグはいくつか使用してきています。メッセンジャーバッグは左右バランスが崩れるせいか腰痛も引き起こしたため，ここ数年はバックパック形状のものを使っています。一つ前はcommand backpackを使用していましたが，これより容量は少ないので★-1比較して収納コンパートメントの数が多いのは良いですが，ボトルポケットはありません。私はここに鍵を取り付けていたので不便になりました。縦横両方のスタイルで使うことに配慮しているのでしょう。内部のファスナーが無いペンや小物入れ部分も対角線方向に取り付けられています。背面に，ピギーバッグのハンドルに通すベルクロ付きのストラップが付いているのは◎。上の一本通すだけでも安定します。command backpackにはついていなかったので，手を離すと落ちてしまうこともありました。もう少し容量が大きく，開口部が広く開くと良いなと思いますが，入れば入るだけ荷物を入れてしまうことにもなるので持ち歩くものを減らします。