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Timbuk2 El Ocho
By Jon Sharp
Do you have a bag you can count on through thick and thin? One you can use to bring
lunch to work, books to school, and yet is the perfect bag to sling over your back
when you need to carry things with you on your bike? What? A backpack, you say?
Nice try. I have a backpack, too. I used to use it for most everything (though it
failed miserably at most tasks). Now, it only receives sideways glances from me as
it sits, slumped over in the corner gathering dust.
Timbuk2 Designs knows bags. They specialize in making personalized, indestructible
bags to go with you everywhere you need to go. Why are they so good? They glean all
the information they can from San Francisco bicycle messengers. These people depend
on their bags for their livelihood. They need bags to be durable, convenient, versatile,
and comfortable. Timbuk2 bags fit the bill.
You can get a Timbuk2 bag in one of five sizes: Pork Chop (XS), Pee Wee (S), El Ocho
(M), Dee Dog (L), Bolo (So extremely large you can use it instead of a moving van when
you sell your house). As for options, there is almost no limit to what you can put into
your bag. To simplify the process, Tmbuk2 has supplied an online Build Your Own Bag
builder. This tool is incredible. First, pick your bag size. Second, choose a fabric
(waxed canvas or CorduraTM). Third, chose your colors. There are three panels to choose
colors for and many colors to choose from. Conceivably, your Messenger Bag could be unique
(although I highly doubt it). Fourth, pick the custom features you want. These include a
heavy duty liner, internal center divider, bottom boot, bottom straps, and you can even
customize the color of the Timbuk2 logo to match the rest of your bag. Fifth, accessories.
There's the cell-phone holster, strap pad, radio holster, strap pouch, and even a padded
laptop sleeve. Finally, if you are left handed, specify this and they'll sew the strap on
the other direction.
As you go through this process, the price is added up at the bottom so you know what
you are getting yourself into. When you complete your order, they'll whip your personalized
bag up and ship it to you. The bag I tested was a gold, orange, and red El Ocho with strap
pad, strap pouch, and cell phone holster. The price for my bag with it's accessories came
to $86. If that sounds expensive, just remember that the only reason you'd ever replace it
is because you feel like a new one. This bag will last forever.
Once secured on my back, I found that the El Ocho stayed put. Even fully loaded, bunny
hops and jumps on my bike didn't stir it from it's rest. Keeping in mind that there are two
bags larger than this one, I still was able to go grocery shopping on my bike and put a dozen
eggs, a loaf of bread, a box of cereal, three jars of baby food, four large apples, and a box
of dishwashing detergent tablets. Not only did all of these items fit in my bag, but the eggs
and bread made the journey unharmed. I found this bag to not only be more comfortable than a
backpack, but if I ever needed to get into the bag while riding, I didn't need to remove it
from my back. All it takes is unlatching one buckle and sliding the rest around to my front
for easy access to it's contents. I must mention, also, that even with all of it's carrying
capacity, it never felt too big on my back.
Summary: The Timbuk2 Messenger Bag is the perfect bag for ... whatever. If all you
need is a bag to carry things in to and from work, this is it. If you want a bag for school,
one with internal compartments to keep you organized (did I mention it has internal
compartments to keep you organized), this is it. If you commute to work, or to the store,
this is the bag for you. If you are a bicycle messenger and you need a bag to haul stuff, you
probably already own this one. If you don't go buy it.
Jon Sharp is a Contributing Editor to GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.
For more information contact:
www.timbuk2.com
Timbuk2 Designs
350 Treat Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
USA
Phone: 1-888-TIMBUK2
Fax: fax: 1-888-TIMBUKX
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