Timbuk2 Weartesters - Part Deux

I'm a paramedic. I carried my first (and still favorite) messenger bag to Texas for hurricane relief after Hurricane Rita, and it carried (in loving exchange) my change of uniforms, provisions for the weeks, and everything else I needed when spending a few weeks knee-deep in tragic-osity. Yes, I made up that word. My first e-mail to T2 actually thanked you guys for providing my pillow for the two weeks I was there. My bag goes to work with me every day, and carries everything I could possibly need for a 24-hour shift on the ambulance, covering 911 for metro Detroit. No, I can't extoll enough the value of having a water-proof bag when my truck de-con after a call might include cleaning bodily fluids off my bag. You can only protect it so much, you know? It does the rest itself.

Unfortunately, my partners have now figured out that my bag is where they might mooch money, food, Advil, and entertainment. Darnit. How about some super-secret bag compartments, T2?

So, I live in Michigan, my family lives in Portland, Oregon, so I spend a good amount of time traveling between the two. And when I'm not traveling, I'm all about the hiking and biking. . .a bike rider in Motown?!? So it's so! Up here, we deal with a bit more of Mother Nature than the lovely lady with whom SF-ers are familiar. . .in short, my 4 seasons, get a fifth (construction), and Michigan is determined to ruin me with weather!

T2 goes with me everywhere I go, whether hiking in one of my favorite locales or checking out the college towns where I'm applying to medical school. It stands up to being bleached, lysol'd, vomited upon (I wish it weren't true, but it, sadly, is. . . .and the vomit wasn't mine), thrown around, and to show how much it loves me, it even puts up with being by MY side, 24/7/365. For a lowly paramedic who works 84 hours/week, that means a lot.

So, anyhow, I'd love to test, but only choose me if you really don't mind everyone in Southeast Michigan (and beyooooooooooond!) hearing me talk even more about T2. . . I think they're sick of me.

Hey there. I work two brick and mortar jobs, and walk/ride/skip to both of them. In addition to that, I also work online, so my laptop has to go just about everywhere I do. I live in Massachusetts, and have family and a boyfriend in Rhode Island, so I cart my gear fairly frequently.

I've used Timbuk2 bags exclusively for years, all through college and grad school before coming into the 'real world'. I'm a huge fan of your messenger and laptop messenger style bags. I started using T2 products back in 2000 and haven't looked anywhere else for my bag (and urban fashion) needs since.

A typical day of shlucking my stuff into a bag includes: a laptop and chargers, a cell phone, a drink tumbler, snacks, a cd portfolio, an observation notebook, a ledger, a couple text books, an ipod, various entertainment goodies, a clie, and a diabetic testing kit. That's before anything else gets thrown in there during the day.

My weartesting would include bringing the bag to work, around children and co-workers (the horror!), to the gym, shopping, cafe-diving, on family trips and outings, and pretty much anywhere else the life of a 26 year old work-a-holic and geekly adventurer goes.

I'm a girl who refuses to wear a purse. Currently a sophomore at a college in Detroit (inner-city), I stopped carrying one around, due to women in my neighborhood who were robbed because they looked as if they had money.

The basic rule here is that if you must walk to and from somewhere, keep your hands free in case you have to defend yourself for whatever reason. This means I have to be wise about what I put in my backpack and why. I'm a pedestrian so there's no car for groceries. I take only the basic necessities in my jeans pocket--ID, a little money, bus pass and keys, and a folded knife--and in my backpack goes textbooks, groceries, folders, notebooks, snacks, bottles of water for iced coffee, my breakfast for morning classes that I eat while waiting at the bus stop.. everything, depending on what I'm doing for the day. Sometimes I paint, so I stick my brushes in the side area and keep my paints and paint thinner in their respective containers. For those days, especially if I want to paint something after morning classes, I utilize every pocket I can. Deception is key if you want someone to leave you alone. To everyone else in this neighborhood, I'm just a poor student going to and from the bus stop every day. In reality, I've stuck a lot of things in my backpack that that might have interested them, especially if I go on a shopping trip.

Currently I use a Timberland but I only bought it because it was the best backpack out of the small selection I could find. My loads are typically heavy, so I like a backpack that's padded for comfort. I usually examine what I'm about to buy to make sure it's sturdy. There isn't much to pick from where I am, but I would be interested in looking for a better line of backpacks.

I am a graduate student in mathematics in Dallas, TX. All of my riding is exclusively urban. I commute by fixed gear bike about 18 miles every day constantly carrying a 20 pound load or so of books, notebooks, and a laptop. I also have to carry papers to be graded from my students; I love the fact that I can carry a full load and not have to worry about their papers getting crumpled.

In addition, I always have extras: beer, groceries, or more beer. The bag goes everywhere with me. Right now I carry a custom classic messenger, which is nearly perfect. I love the fact that there are tons of pockets and that the bag comes on and off easily. It has just the right number of pockets to keep me organized. It goes from bike mode to bus mode to walk mode easily and quickly. It goes on and off and from desktop to tabletop to floor about fifty times a day. The bag is ridden in all sorts of weather from 110 degree heat, to snow, to rain - and ridden everyday.

When I am not in the library or on the way to and from the library, I spend a lot of time with dogs. My wife and I are expecting our first child [a boy] any day now, so whatever bag I carry gets double duty holding bottles, dog treats, snacks, and diapers as well.

I carry my life in my bag. The most important things in a bag for me are comfort and stability - I cannot have the bag shifting on me while on my back. I have tried other bags, and I always return to the Timbuk2. Some bags ride better for sure, but for an urban ninja like me the Timbuk2 has the features I need that I can't ride away from.

I am the urban ninja because I am an elementary school teacher by day, so I am grading papers, using clipboards, bringing teacher editions and textbooks home, and moving my coffee mug, lunch, and most importantly, my computer and ipod with me.

In addition to this, I am an avid cyclist, hiker, and a grad school student. I use my packs to travel by foot, bike, car and everywhere in between. I have been known to cycle to work, and I am always looking for a better pack for this - something stable and yet able to hold my gear.

My current bag is a Timbuk2 commuter, but I have been through north face, REI, kelty, mountainsmith, and more.

In addition to this, I work part time as a video game reviewer, so I am used to noticing large and small details and writing them up for my boss.

I think I'm an urban ninja because I live out of my Timbuk2. I'm one of those girls who can't imagine having a purse thats just for show, and needs her bag to be incredibly flexible. By day, I am a sales manager/marketing guru for a small company. At night I attend classes full time at the local college where I am pursuing my Nursing degree. On the weekends, I am an EMT. I currently have 3 Timbuk2 bags, which I customize myself via painting or embroidery to give them that lil extra bit of personality :)

During the week, I have to rely on a bag that can hold everything I need for work, school, and my commute. My standard gear includes swiss army knife, makeup bag, ipod touch, blackberry curve, umbrella, cliff bar (you never know when you're running late and need to eat), toiletries, 2 notebooks, archos media player, laptop, flip flops/heels, enough pens and pencils to fight off a 5th grade class, my laptop, moleskine, paperback book, and whatever else I need.

My small Timbuk2 bag is filled with my EMT trauma gear and stays either in my car, or comes with me in the ambulance when I'm working. Since I live in South Florida, I need to be able to live out of my car in case of a hurricane, and in my trunk have a classic messenger back with enough supplies to live for 3 days. (I know it sounds harsh, but 2 years ago, I had to stay at work for 2 weeks with no power).

Add all of the above to the fact that I have to be able to travel to and from New England when I visit friends and family and you can see that I need a bag that can keep up with me. I've gone through so many different back packs and messenger bags that I have an entire closet shelf filled with them. Being a 32 year old woman who is working 2 jobs, and going to school full time, I need a lot out of them and I cannot feel like I am lugging around a boulder. I required something that was functional, comfortable, flexible and would last more than 3 months. That's when I got my first Timbuk2 and have never looked back.

The Only Urban Ninjas good enough to test a Timbuk is a bike messenger
All others are wanna be bag users. Like Soccer Moms because they look cool. AAAARRRRGGGG

I'm a junior at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, and I've been a Timbuk2 girl for years. I'm on my second Timbuk2 messenger, and sadly replaced mine last year after I wore it out. My current bag is a camera bag when I'm on photography jobs, a dance bag when I have rehearsals, a bookbag when I'm at school, and since i'm studying abroad right now, it's a travel bag that i somehow fit my life into almost every weekend (i might need a bigger bag!). During the summer, I bike to work and to school, sometimes during the school year too - depending on how much snow we get. Here, I take my bag from my job (teaching English) onto the metro, to the train station and next month, back across the Atlantic. Living in Prague (for the second time since converting to Timbuk2), you always have to be able to access your bag for books to study on the metro, or to switch the songs on my Zune, or to show my bus pass to the annoying security guy, but since the city is crawling with pickpockets, I know several girls who've had stuff stolen. Since getting my Timbuk2 bag, I've stopped carrying a purse, and I've never had anything stolen. I can fit 2 good sized textbooks, my Canon DSL camera, a water bottle, all my necessities (Zune, wallet, snacks, scarf, dictionary, etc) in the bag on an average day, and still have space to fit that perfect souvenir or groceries when I hit the store on the way home from classes.

I switched to a messenger bag because I couldn't find a good backpack, and until recently, I haven't regretted it. But lately, the bag is getting too small, and I need something to carry my clothes, books, food, (for those days where I'm on campus all day) and that fits my small frame. Some of my friends joke that they've never seen me without my Timbuk2, and it's true. The only reason I haven't bought a second one for my camera gear is that you keep coming out with so many new bags that I can't decide which one to buy.

I need a bag that can take me to and from every aspect of my life - student, barista, photographer, dancer, travel, and on my bike, to name a few. While most of my year is spent as a city girl, my family is from the country, and I've even been known to take my T2 out for a ride on the ATV when I'm home. I'd love to test out a backpack by you guys, especially if it lives up to the standards of your messenger bags.

Well, I a full-time gradate student, wife, and mommy. I am currently in my 2nd year for my PHD in Biology at Tennessee State University. I carry my laptop, personal items and supplies for my two children (bottles, clothes, wipes, etc). I work in a research lab and I need a durable bag so that is why I purchased a bag from timbuk2 4 months ago. I have an outgoing family that is always on the go. So it would be nice to test some of your gear

Timbuk2 bags have proven one can fill to the max and then some.
Now as far as testing for durability. its easy to say a bike messenger would be far more suited for testing. these products. We ride in the rain, snow,
and heat. Opening and closing our bags a uncounted number of times a day.
Even on occasions drop kicked or run over. So with that said that is why I feel
a wife, mom, student, etc.... Really dont have to were with all to really put this product to the test on a daily basis like a messenger.
Thomas

Back in high school I was made fun of for having a backpack with a cooler compartment at the bottom. As you can see, I've always had in mind utility. :-) Since then I have evolved and discovered Timbuk2. I currently own a solid black Timbuk2 Commute Laptop bag. I've had it for over a year now. I decided it would be a great "transition into the working world" bag. In it's first year, I carried this bag all around Madrid working as an English teacher in a neighboring city. It has held up very well on the Metro de Madrid and after all the day trips I've taken it on.

Nowadays I work at an online media company managing online advertising campaigns for large technology companies. I am also a volunteer Spanish<=>English Interpreter for the SFUSD. I commute daily from the East Bay on BART and must fight morning and night for a seat (but trust me, if you're pregnant or elderly, you'll have my seat in no time!). You will catch me dodging other passengers while scrambling down the stairs or escalators. Boy would it be great to have a bag solid enough to box out the line cutters! I am also studying for the o-so-fun GMAT so I often tote a large problem set book.

Two to three times a week you'll find me taking Muni to the local rock climbing gym. I have to cram everything I need for the day into my bag-- lunch, water, climbing gear and sometimes my interpreter notepad. I usually use a carabiner to clip my climbing shoes on the outside of my bag so they can constantly air out. Who knows what stench they would have if I didn't? :P

I'm anxiously awaiting the debut of the Arnold gym bag. My current generic bag just doesn't have the same Timbuk2 standard of quality and durability. A response to an earlier post (I made on this forum) says it will be for sale shortly. Regardless, I am game to test out some new backpacks! :-) I have a discerning eye for detail and love useful features! I oogle over backpacks and messenger bags like many women do over purses.

I like the big fancy purses as much as the next girl, but honestly they usually just aren't practical enough for me. I'm one of those people who always carry their life around in their bag...breakfast, lunch, gym clothes, water bottle, books, iPod, makeup bag, brush, you name it. About a year and a half ago I received the small Timbuk2 messenger bag as a gift and since it has become a staple of my wardrobe. I love the durability of the bag, especially the fact that it’s waterproof unlike most other backpacks I’ve used in the past. My only gripe about my particular bag is that I often find it’s not quite big enough for all my goods...

Currently I work at an online media company in San Francisco coordinating advertising campaigns with Tech clients. I’m also an avid runner, gym goer, and member of a recreational kickball team so you’ll often find me with my running shoes in tow. Living in the city, I don’t normally drive and if I’m not taking the bus I’m walking. My Timbuk2 has been great for running errands, heading to they gym, hiking, shopping and even accompanying me on long trips.

I love my messenger bag but I would definitely be interested in trying out something that has a little more room for all my belongings that I carry to work daily. Those bottle openers would definitely be helpful at the kickball games. Thanks!

Thank you all for your interest in the Weartester program. We have a great testing team up and running and we've decided to (temporarily) stop adding any more Weartesters.

To those of you who responded, you have first dibs in case something opens up. Look out for any changes or updates in this discussion.

Thank you!

Hi

Would you consider Asian testers !! :) I know that you have already closed applications to be wear testers and I know most of your testers are based in the States, but I'm pretty sure if it can withstand the tropics and travelling (I'm a laptop-toting web worker)!

I live in Asia and do a lot of air travel and I bring my trusty Macbook along with multiple files and power adapters. Furthermore I commute by public transport (subway, skytrain, buses and even motorcycles!). I use my Hacker in both its messenger (to look more professional when attending meetings) and the backpack forms (all other times)!

Every few months I do a little non-work travelling in Thailand and lug my laptop all day!!! I need access to the flaps for passports, my camera, Nintendo etc and the water bottle at the side.

I also work out at the gym so I use my bag for carrying my workout kit.

I also have the messenger bag but found that the one-sided weight was too uncomfortable for all day travelling. I love the Hacker's versatility, but of course there are little things that can be improved!

Please please please choose me as your guinea pig!! I am fighting the good fight in promoting Timbuk2 bags (against the more popular Crumpler ones that they sell in this region)!!!

THanks! :)

I am a journalist, and citizen journalist advocate. So, my gear is in my bag, and my bag is my life. I also am a advocate for a non profit policy group, so the aspect of travel and needing all the media in the world at any given time is part of my life.

I sort of think of my work as an embed journalist right here in America. With it all right there, I can do my work, and submit my work, all without moving home.