Crumpler or Timbuk 2

Cycled to work for years using a TimBuk2, carried loads, not a mark on it. Very good bag. Crumplers, only seen in shops, but better protection (padded), but don't see as well made or with as many options.

Timbuk2 do cool customs jobs also
 
i love my timbuk 2 , very tough & nice pockets on the inside


My Tumi "vesey messanger" is the BEST
 
I'd go with a Timbuk2 bag. I have two. One survived a motorcycle accident in better condition than me and my bike.
 
I was absolutely sold on the TimBuktu (messenger type) bags the first day I got one years ago, at a song ($4!!!) at a sidewalk sale. I now have 2 that I use on rotation. They are great for the cyclist. The smaller one is just perfect for an everyday shoulder bag. The diagonal chest harness stabilizes the bag while zooming at full speed! They are all comfy, duarble and highly weather resisitant. Last I remember, their website can offer custom options such as extra pockets, color schemes, etc. www.sierratradingpost had quite a few for sale.

N2
 
both of those options are great, but you should also consider Chrome bags and Pac Bags. The Pac bags are still made in Canada I believe, and are the Gold standard as far as I am concerned. Chrome bags have a nifty little seat belt buckle options which seemes like a gimmick at first, but you don't have to lift the bag all the way over your head everytime you put it on.

The quality on the timbuktu bags has gone down since they moved construction over seas. Seems to happen with a lot of great products, but they still make a bag you won't be dissapointed it.
 
What I like about Timbuk2:

1) They have the "lefty" option where you can have the strap keeping/adjusting buckle placed for left side wear.

2) You can customize the bag to your heart's content via their website.

I got a Crumpler Crisp Suit laptop bag, but found it overly padded to where I found myself bumping into people more often than usual in the subway. :(

Both Timbuk2 and Crumpler make their bags bombproof.
 
Walked into the Crumpler shop in SOHO, seemed as though all employees were sharing one brain cell. Plus, every customer was treated to a particularly noxious brand of attitude. :barf:
When a company hires this poorly at a flagship store, It makes me weary of their ability to hire people for other important jobs like quality control, customer service, etc. Needless to say, my Rolleiflex GX sits inside a vintage Domke bag I bought on eb@y instead.
 
I've had a Timbuk2 PeeWee (don't think they make it anymore) and loved it. It's done everything I need to do and very tough (I went with custom colors, waxed canvas). I've seen ancient Timbuk2's that are still giving really good service, so I doubt you can go wrong. The company's grown a lot in the last few years, and started offering a lot more diverse products, so I don't know if the quality is still there, although I don't have a reason to say it isn't.

If you want an absolutely bombproof messenger bag that will live longer than you do check out www.jandd.com. Small company, loyal following, not a real huge distribution. I own a dozen of their various bags and luggage and they just don't wear out, no matter what you do to them!
 
Timbuk2's messenger bags are still made stateside, but the rest are made in China IIRC. They no longer offer the hypalon lining and ballistic nylon boot as options on their bags. I'm glad I got my Timbuk2 a few years ago with these features, but if I were looking for a bag today I'd look into Pac Designs and Courierware, both of which exceed Timbuk2 in ruggedness and features.
 
SteelDriver said:
Timbuk2's messenger bags are still made stateside, but the rest are made in China IIRC. They no longer offer the hypalon lining and ballistic nylon boot as options on their bags. I'm glad I got my Timbuk2 a few years ago with these features, but if I were looking for a bag today I'd look into Pac Designs and Courierware, both of which exceed Timbuk2 in ruggedness and features.
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That's a shame. I have a big one with the Hypalon liner and the ballistic bottom. This is the one that survived the motorcycle accident. I didn't know they stopped offering those options. I did notice that they stopped offering cotton canvas as a bag material. Yeah Pac Designs( http://www.pacdesigns.com/shoulder.htm ) is really top of the line, and you're going to pay for it. :D
 
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