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Bags: Crumpler vs Timbuk2

T

Toeside

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 2, 2005
68
0
St. Louis, MO
I'm looking for a new laptop bag to replace my Targus backpack.

Which is a better quality bag manufacturer: Crumpler or Timbuk2?

I haven't narrowed down which bag I'd want from either manufacturer, but I'm leaning in two directions.

I want a messenger-style bag, but I'm leaning towards a standard messenger with a sleeve. That way, I can use the bag for something other than a laptop and not have wasted space due to the integrated sleeve and I can grab my laptop w/sleeve when I don't want/need to carry the entire bag.

Now the question is which manufacturer makes a better bag?

It'd be nice if someone has experience with both.

TIA.
 
Toeside said:
I'm looking for a new laptop bag to replace my Targus backpack.

Which is a better quality bag manufacturer: Crumpler or Timbuk2?

I haven't narrowed down which bag I'd want from either manufacturer, but I'm leaning in two directions.

I want a messenger-style bag, but I'm leaning towards a standard messenger with a sleeve. That way, I can use the bag for something other than a laptop and not have wasted space due to the integrated sleeve and I can grab my laptop w/sleeve when I don't want/need to carry the entire bag.

Now the question is which manufacturer makes a better bag?

It'd be nice if someone has experience with both.

TIA.
Click to expand...

If a manufacturer allows you to spray poop all over their website, I can only assume that they are better....





I'm interested in this response as well...hopefully someone has had both bags.
 
Toeside said:
Which is a better quality bag manufacturer: Crumpler or Timbuk2?
Click to expand...

Tough call, both manufacturers make very solid, water resistant messenger bags. Timbuk2 is generally the more popular for strictly messenger bags (where they got their start). I've tried out both brands at various stores, and personally decided on the Timbuk2 Commute (laptop bag, not the messenger bag). I also have a Timbuk2 messenger bag. I really think you couldn't go wrong with either.

As you mentioned there are several different kinds of messenger bags from each manufacturer, so you'd really have to decide what features are important to you. The T2 messenger bag I have is really just one big pocket. VERY sturdy, but only a few small pockets for pens, keys, etc. I'm sure other messenger bags come with much more in the way of extra pockets, which may or may not be important to you.

I can't recommended strongly enough going to the store and trying them out. Especially if you already have your laptop sleeve. What it feels like over your shoulder will matter a lot more than specs you read on a website or someone else's opinion. IMHO :)
 
Thanks for the replies so far.

I went to the Tumi website, and a quick look didn't reveal anything that would fit my style (or lack thereof ;) ).

I went to REI after work on Friday. They had the Timbuk2 Commute in stock, as well as the laptop messenger and several classic messenger bags.

I like the Commute, but as far as using it for other purposes--there's not much extra room (from what I remember). The "laptop messenger" was nice--less overall padding, but it had the integrated sleeve which was padded. Plenty of extra room. The classic messenger bags, as discoforce mentioned, are basically single compartment bags. I do wonder how well a sleeved MBP would live inside one.

I don't have any Crumpler resellers in the area, as far as I can tell. I wish I had paid more attention to their booth at MW:SF in January.
 
I have a Timbuk2 bag for my powerbook and all my school stuff, and it's great. Only a few problems though, didn't protect my PB, so I had to get a Booq Vyper Sleeve, and it has just started to squeak alot. So I think I should get that fixed. But, yeah, otherwise it has compartments for everything, looks great, and is very comfortable. So, yeah, I would recommend it.
 
I have a crumpler bag, well I have had two actually, I think they are great. I think they are very similar to the Timbuck2 bags Ive seen in shops. Either one would be good imo.
 
Kensington

Have you looked into the Kensington bags? I have the backpack, and I really like the way it coddles my PB. The Apple rep I spoke with said that Kensington folks came to Apple for a demonstration. The rep put a PB in the back and then threw it across the room against the wall. Took the computer out, opened it, and started typing. Pretty neat story at least.
 
I have a timbuk2 and numerous crumpler backs. I love both of them, and here is my thoughts:

Timbuk2: Very easy back to use, thin/flexible material that is comfortable to use and still water resistant. Has a handle so you don't have to always use the strap.

Crumber: Over built is the best way to describe them. The fabric is very thick and tough, sometimes hard to use. The zippers are like big chunks of metal that somehow zip :) And, every crumpler bag I have seems to hold less than the size would lead you to believe. (I think it has too do with the fabric toughness). Finally, all the bags I got, as well as the ones I have seen, don't have a handle, so you always have to use the strap, which can be a pain.

So, what does this mean? I LOVE CRUMPLER bags, but I haven't found one that meets my needs 100%. So I use my Timbuk2.

Kimo
 
Brenthaven is also decent i use their 12/15 pro. it is a very solid bag. But you cannot expand it much. It has an insane number of compartments/pockets! It is a little on the heavy side but the craftsmanship and quality are really up there.
 
I use the Timbuk2 laptop messenger bag, and I think its fantastic. The slot for the laptop still protects it but doesn't really take up that much space in the bag, so when I don't carry my laptop in it, I don't lose that much space. I have heard rumors (haven't checked them myself) that the MBP is a little wider than the PB, which could complicate fitting since the PB is already pretty snug in there.
 
I have the timbuk2 commute bag for my tibook and it works pretty well. Some of the edges are starting to frey a little, but nothing big. I just got a crumpler bag for my digital camera, and it seems very well constructed - but like people have mentioned, it depends on if you can find one that fits your needs. The one company that I'd take a look at if you're looking for good quality bags is sfbags.com (waterfield designs). They have laptop bags with built in compartments and everyone that has them loves them - every part of the bag seems to be top notch. Of course, there is a premium for these bags, so if price is an issue, be aware of that. I ordered a case for my parents' ipod nano and it's really nice - if I had more to spend when I bought my laptop bag, I would have probably considered them. Shipping is a flat $5 no matter how much or how little you order.

Edit - haha, sorry, just reread your post and notice you DID NOT want an integrated sleeve. sfbags don't have the integrated sleeve I think (at least the cargo bag doesn't), but you can order a combo (sleeve + bag) for a discounted price.

http://www.sfbags.com/products.htm
 
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