Whenever I travel or choose to work outside my home office, I typically carry a laptop, portable external monitor, tablet, and a bunch of other gear. For several years, I’ve often packed everything needed into a medium size, custom Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag ($154). This bag is extremely durable and comfortable to carry. It also has a large capacity with a padded laptop sleeve built in.
Timbuk2, a San Francisco-based company, was founded in 1989. Since I purchased the messenger bag, the company has introduced a line of customizable backpacks, including the Timbuk2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack. So, I recently reached out to Timbuk2, and the company provided me with a sample of this popular backpack to review.
Timbuk2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack
I then visited the company’s website, went to the page for ordering the Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack, and selected the color customizations I wanted. In under five minutes, I designed a backpack that would showcase my personality, while having the design and capacity to hold everything I typically travel with — including an Apple MacBook Pro or Dell XPS-13 AI PC laptop.
Almost two weeks later, the handcrafted, custom backpack arrived at my door. Keep reading to learn more about the backpack I received, and why I love the quality and craftsmanship Timbuk2’s products offer, all of which are guaranteed for life (and include free repairs, if needed).
Specifications
- Price: $154.
- Style Number: 489-3-555.
- Materials: Eco cordura canvas outside, with a hermoplastic polyurethane inside lining.
- Dimensions: 13 inches wide by 20.1 inches tall by 6 inches deep.
- Volume: 18 liters.
- Internal Padded Compartment: Holds up to a 17” laptop.
- Water Resistant Front Pocket: Yes.
- Outer Zippered Pockets: 2.
- Internal Zipped Pocket: 1.
- Inside Pouch: 1.
- Internal Organizer (for pens and other small stuff): 1.
- External Water Bottle Pocket: $5 extra.
- Weight: 2.2 pounds.
- Warranty: Lifetime.
Pros
- Choose from dozens of front body panel, boot panel, side panel, front pocket, and trim colors.
- Durable design with a lifetime warranty.
- Multiple internal compartments and external pockets.
- Padded straps for comfort.
- Convenient grab handle on top.
Cons
- Custom Timbuk2 bags take one to three weeks to handcraft and ship.
- Internal pen holders are shallow.
- Custom bags are not eligible for return.
What is a Timbuk2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack?
Out of the many backpack designs offered by Timbuk2, I chose the Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack because I loved the design. It’s large enough to carry the items I need, offers an integrated padded laptop sleeve, plus several useful pockets. The bag is not too large to be unwieldy, yet has plenty of internal capacity.
Like several of the Timbuk2 bags, this one can be customized from the company’s website. When placing an order, you can choose from dozens of colors for the backpack’s front body panel, boot panel, side panel, front pocket, and trim.
Whatsmore, the Timbuk2 backpacks are made to last for years. But, if something happens to the bag as a result of everyday wear and tear, the company will repair or replace it for free. What I like best about the Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack is that in addition to the padded laptop sleeve on the inside, it has a separate inside pouch that can easily hold a tablet, or other flat or thin gear. This pouch has a thin padding to protect items.
Also on the inside of the bag is a smaller zipped pocket, four pen holders, and a slightly larger pocket that could hold a few credit cards or business cards. Within this zipped pocket is a great place to hide an Apple AirTag (if you’re an Apple iPhone user), so you can keep tabs on the bag’s location.
This inner pocket has a sewn in lanyard strap with a buckle. It can hold a spare key or small pocket knife. I discovered that while the pen holders are a convenient addition to the bag, they’re not deep enough to securely hold larger pens.
The rest of the bag’s inside provides plenty of space to hold other items. Meanwhile on the outside of the bag are two, easy access zippered pockets, one of which has a water resistant inside lining. As you’d expect, the outside of the backpack has two padded and adjustable shoulder straps, plus a removable and adjustable chest strap. And on the top of the bag is a convenient grab handle. The entire back of the bag is slightly padded for extra comfort.
Sure, this description sounds like countless other backpacks, but what sets the Timbuk2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack apart are the color customization options that let you mix and match colors to make the bag unique.
Who Should Consider Using the Timbuk 2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack?
The Timbuk2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack offers a traditional backpack design. Based on the color combination selected, you can give it a more formal appearance and use it in a work environment, or select different colors for each section or choose extra-bright colors to make it more suitable for use as a high school or college student’s primary backpack.
The Timbuk2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack can hold enough clothing for an overnight trip; workout clothing, a towel and sneakers for the gym; or a laptop and other gear you want to take with you when working remotely. This makes the backpack suitable for just about anyone.
How to Order a Timbuk2 Alcatraz Alcatraz Laptop Backpack
The Timbuk2 website walks you through the bag customization process. Start by choosing the backpack bag style you like, keeping in mind that not all of them are customizable. To start the customization process for the Alcatraz Laptop Backpack, visit its product page.
On the left side of the browser window is a mockup of the bag, and on the right is the color palette you can choose from for each section of the bag, starting with the front body panel.
Each time you select a color for a section of the bag, the mockup on the left side of the browser window updates, so you can see exactly how the bag will look with each modification. Much of the bag’s exterior is made using eco cordura canvas, which is very durable.
Next, select the desired boot panel (bottom) color. As you scroll down, the right side of the browser window allows you to choose the side panel colors next, followed by the color of the bag’s front pocket.
And finally, choose the desired trim color for the bag. For an additional $5, you can add a stretch water bottle pocket on the outer side of the bag. Keep in mind, the pocket can’t hold large bottles. It’s more suitable for standard 16.9 fluid ounce water bottles or soda cans, for example.
I found the customization process allows you to tap your creative side. I suggest experimenting with a handful of color combinations before finalizing your order. While you could create a solid black or gray bag, Timbuk2 gives you the chance to showcase your style and personality by selecting unique color combinations, like the 12 virtual mockups shown below.
Once the customization process is complete, click on the Add to Cart button. To finalize your order, click on the shopping cart icon (located in the top-right corner of the browser window). Since every customized bag is hand stitched based on your selections, the manufacturing process takes between one and three weeks.
As you’re viewing the shopping cart, make sure the selected customizations are exactly what you want because custom made bags are not returnable. During the checkout process, choose the desired shipping method. Basic UPS/USPS shipping (4 to 7 business days) is free, but you can choose UPS Ground, UPS 3-Day, UPS 2-Day, or UPS Next Day shipping for between $9.95 and $24.95 extra.
Using a Custom Timbuk2 Laptop Backpack
When I first received my new bag, I immediately spent a few minutes examining it and getting to know where the different pockets are located. I started thinking about what I’d be carrying in the backpack, and where I’d store various items. The padded laptop sleeve has a velcro strap to securely hold a laptop with up to a 17-inch display in place.
The smaller pouch attached to the laptop sleeve is also slightly padded. I found it’s perfect for holding an Apple iPad (with a smart cover) and a Nintendo Switch. Then, the main section of the bag can hold chargers, cables, and other gear.
Alternatively, I quickly discovered the backpack can hold gym clothing, sneakers, a towel, and a few toiletries, which makes it extremely versatile. Thanks to the adjustable straps, it’s easy to find the perfect and most comfortable fit for carrying the backpack.
Timbuk2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack
My Final Thoughts: Is the Custom Timbuk2 Alcatraz Laptop Backpack Worth It?
Thanks to its durability and design, the Timbuk2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack quickly became a go-to bag in my everyday life, helping me to carry around the items I need and keep them readily accessible. I am also a fan of the company and its commitment to its “repair, replace and renew” sustainability philosophy.
For carrying work or recreational gear, the Timbuk2 Custom Alcatraz Laptop Backpack offers excellent value. And it’s lots of fun to customize during the ordering process, too. And if you’d like to give a Timbuk2 customizable bag as a gift, but want the recipient to make their own customization choices, purchase a Timbuk2 gift card. To cover the entire price of a custom bag, plus shipping charges, a $175 gift card is perfect.
