~~ Timbuk2 Medium Cargo Tote :: A Nice Alternative to the Messenger Bag ~~

I love Timbuk2 and am a walking advertisement for all things Timbuk2.

I use my large Timbuk2 Messenger Bag when traveling back and forth between Northern and Southern California. However, it's a bit too large for every day use. My husband has a medium sized Timbuk2 Messenger Bag but when it came time for me to purchase a work bag, I decided to give the Cargo Tote a try instead of a messenger bag.

The Timbuk2 Cargo Tote is available in three sizes: small, medium, and large and retails for $60, $70, and $80 respectively. There is also an extra-small version of the Cargo Tote called the Macy and that retails for $55. The Cargo Totes are only available in select colors; Timbuk2 changes the color schemes over some seasons.

The Timbuk2 Cargo Tote is similar to the messenger bags as it has a three panel design. Depending on the color combinations available, there may be one, two, or three different colors on a bag. I purchased the bag that has the following color combinations: dark brown/rose/dark brown, meaning the side panels are dark brown with the middle panel a nice rosy pink. The top of the tote bag, where the zipper is, also is rose in color. The cargo tote is made of an extremely durable material -- ballistic nylon. My experience with the ballistic nylon material is that it can endure a lot of abuse. When Timbuk2 speaks of legendary tough construction, they're not kidding. Of all the bags from Timbuk2 in my family (more than six bags), none of them have broken down even after years of use.

I like that the medium sized Cargo Tote because it's large enough to fit my stuff without being excessively large and bulky. The design of the tote is such that it has a top zip closure to keep the contents of the bag secure. Inside the bag are a few organizational helpers. One side has a panel similar to the one in the messenger bag as it has slots for pens, business cards, and a cell phone. There is also a small zippered compartment behind the business card slot. On the other side is a flap that has a velcro seal. Then on the inside of the bag is a mesh net to hold a water bottle. There is also an exterior pocket and an exterior zippered compartment on the middle panel. Caring for the Cargo Tote is easy; if it requires a wash, simply throw it in the washer on cold and then hang it up to dry.

The handles of the Cargo Tote have a good length for ease of fit over the shoulder. Carrying the Cargo Tote over the shoulder with the handles is convenient but takes a bit of getting used to since the top of the tote bag has a firm liner. The handles are not adjustable in length. There is also a detachable shoulder strap, which is adjustable in length and is attached to the exterior of the bag by the two D-rings on the side.  When I first started using the tote, I preferred using just the handles.  Now I find it easier to use the shoulder strap (crosswise) as it leaves my hands free.

The Cargo Tote is large enough to fit my small purse and my lunch bag. I often opt to leave my purse behind and just keep my wallet in the tote. I use the mesh net to hold snacks instead of a water bottle because I'm a snackaholic and because my Nalgene bottle does not fit in the mesh net. The net was designed to fit the smaller, disposable water bottles.

I like having the Cargo Tote as my work bag as it enables me to carry all my essentials easily and in an organized manner. I have also used the Cargo Tote for traveling if I choose to bring a roll-along instead of my large Timbuk2 messenger bag. I have found the Cargo Tote to work well as my "purse." It fits perfectly under the seat in front of me, making it easy for me to retrieve items during flights. I also find it easy to loop the handles of the tote through the pull handle, though sometimes the cargo tote will fall to one side, throwing the roll-along off balance.

One complaint about the bag is that it did not have the red key tether even though it was one of the stated features of the bag. The tether is included in all of the messenger bags and was supposed to have been included in the Cargo Tote as well. The red key tether is very convenient as it is easy to spot and attach keys to so that one is never left fumbling for keys in a large bag. When I contacted Customer Service regarding the missing tether, I was informed that Cargo Totes from 2007 were all missing tethers. That was a bit disappointing, but they said I could send the bag in to have it sewn in. However, the cost of shipping it would not be worth a simple key tether. They did offer to send me to to see if I could sew it in myself, which was nice on their part. Despite the missing key tether, I am pleased with Timbuk2's attentive customer service. The only other minor issue I have with the bag is that I find it difficult to zip the last inch of the zipper. For some reason, that bit always requires a little more effort.

Overall, I am pleased with another quality Timbuk2 product. The Cargo Tote fits my needs and is a durable and versatile bag for everyday use.

Overall Thoughts
The Timbuk2 Medium Cargo Tote is one of my favorite Timbuk2 products yet!

Thanks for reading.
Pooks
Copyright 2008