Big plus for Timbuk2 is veeeeeeeeery usefull grab handle.God i miss that on my current
bag,now.

great site,i visited it few days ago for the first time.I am so out of date,omg:))

Wandering which bag to buy: chrome or timb2 ? I am all day wanderer through
downtown,so i need relativly big and strong bag for all stuff that i need to carry
(laptop,books,phone/pda,mp3,glucose meter,lancets,1 or 2 meals,some chlothes,
etc etc).Being a type 1 diabetic,i must bring whole miny lab with me,including lunch
and tons of other stuff.
I am closer to Chrome,but it cant be worn as shoulder bag (which is sometimes
very comfy).Timbuk2 has this option,but Chrome seems more durable to me.
Help me on decision,i dont have 200+ $ to bye both bags )

Greetings from Serbia,Europe
S.

(It makes a huge difference)

And also, you’ve got to love that seat belt buckle. :unsure:

Thanks a lot for your help Julie! Keep at it!

After the review I gave the bag away because I prefer more of a throw-on-your-shoulder style messenger instead of a wear-it-bandolier messenger (bike messenger) style bag.

Second, Julie, you are AWESOME. Your reviews have saved me hours of research.

Third, I have a question: Since you’ve owned it now for longer than in the review, how’s the wear and tear? I’ve heard the D-ring can come completely undone/wear the handle a lot. How’s that doing? Any problems?

~Kristy

It depends on the size of your laptop The Citizen is pretty roomy though, I don’t think you’ll have a problem. One thing though, you also have to remember that this bag is not padded. I would suggest buying a padded sleeve of some type to protect it.

~Kristy

Fabric: The bag is a heavy cordura type nylon – 1000D nylon w/ an inner lining of 420D. It seems waterproof but without the laminated, stiffness of the Timbuk2. It still has structure, and will stand up on it’s own when you set it down without tipping over – but it’s just less stiff.

Strap: The strap on the Crumpler is about 3″ longer than on the T2. It has the same type of plastic cam adjustment buckle – but the strap is just longer. At 6’3″, I still have some slack in the strap even if I’m wearing it across my chest. Not so w/ the T2.

Also – the pad on the strap is just a little nicer. It is not as thick – but still padded enough to do it’s job.

Finally – the strap on the Crumpler is not nearly as stiff as the T2. It’s as wide, and looks to be about the same material, but it’s as relaxed as a seatbelt belt. The T2′s strap feels very stiff – and even has almost a sharp edge to it which I really don’t like. If I’m grabbing the strap in my hand, and grip it tight, the Crumpler strap flexes nicely while the T2 really doesn’t.

Accessories: The Crumpler has a couple of extra straps sewn in the side so I can add some of the add-on pouches etc. that Crumpler sells. This is kind of like the higher end backpacks – that have straps sewn in for add-ons.

What I don’t like as much:

Crumpler’s website is the worst! It cute, it is amusing, etc but try to figure out what you are buying, how many pockets there are, what the colors really look like, what the bag looks like on the inside, etc. It is impossible. I spend way too much time figuring out that the Complete Seed had the most pockets inside and out – and was the one I probably wanted. I still wasn’t sure what I was getting until the package arrived.

Pockets: Other than the main storage area, there are 6 pockets on the Complete Seed. As I said, this is the model with the most pockets (as far as I can tell anyway) There are 3 pockets on the inside of the bag – essentially created by sewing another flap (like a divider) in the bag of the 420D ripstop – and then running a seam up the flap – to make 3 pockets. They are very deep (as deep as the bag – so 12in) The center pocket is secured by velcro.
On the front of the bag, they did the same kind of arrangement – sewed an extra flap on it (of the 1000D this time) and ran 2 seams up it – again, the center pocket is velcro closed.

This is where the T2 beats the Crump. I’d love to have a pocket or two that had a zipper. A pen slot would be nice, and I like the tether in the T2 to clip my keys to. I will say the pockets are plenty deep – and I don’t feel like my iPod, keys or wallet is in any danger of falling out. I’d just feel better if I could zip that closed. I will say that the pockets that are there feel more padded than on the T2 – so I feel my Ipod is safer in the Crumpler.

Hope that helps

I’m still looking for a small bag… I guess you could call it a purse… but I won’t Just something to throw over my shoulder to hold my cellphone, sun clips, wallet, PDA, carmex lip balm, some chewing gum, etc. I think I’m going to just make one of my own. Seriously… Gadget Craft 101

I would also suggest a review of Crumpler messenger bags – especially if you haven’t found the “perfect” one for you. I just bought a Complete Seed bag off eBay. There are several vendors selling new bags via eBay – I saved about $30. It’s a great bag – I like it much better than the Timbuk2 I had been using. No grab strap (but “real” messenger bags apparently don’t have those:) )

Would be happy to work up a review of the bag w/ pics if it would be helpful.

Be sure to update your gear list – when you finally choose between the 2 bags as your daily “driver”

Thanks for your comments. I’ll check out Ortlieb for sure. As for Crumpler, I’m already familiar with them We have a review coming up soon for one of their photography focused backpacks.