Timbuk2 Especial Stash Messenger Bag Review

Timbuk2 Especial Stash Messenger Bag Review
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[@christiankogler6547]

Thank you for your review, used it to gather information and narrow down the potential bags for me 😄 Final battle was between the Timbuk2 Stash and the Chrome Buran III. The Stash finally won due to its looks and the magnetic flaps. The Buran has the nice handle on the top and a separately accessable Laptop-compartment, but it's velcro everywhere and I dislike the noise it makes when I open it. Strap systems of both are nerly identical and easy to use if you like the bag high on your back. So, thanks again, your review helped me a big deal 👌

[@painlessreviews1777]

We’re glad this review helped you get a better look at the bag, so that you could make a more informed decision. Thanks for the comment, Christian Kogler!

[@jacquesmarsacq7840]

So far so good and Comfortable for Baby Diaper Changing kzbin.infoUgkxPJX6WCW1H8qoBMKuvAzjhRos9V53TrlR My friend picked this one out as he said it's the only one he would feel comfortable carrying around. We've used it for a month, and no problems yet. We like that there are many different pockets, diapers in one, wipes in another, and so forth. Lots of room, but still lightweight. It's great hanging from the stollers as well.

[@artemisarrow9545]

Really useful review, thanks! I only wish it came fully reflective.

[@귀여]

Thank you for the review, I decided to buy it, waiting for black friday deals :)

[@painlessreviews1777]

We're happy this review helped with your decision-making process. Thank you for the comment, 구구구!

[@crazySeafood]

I bought my first T2 especial messenger back in 2013. That was the OG version (the one even before the previous one), and it was MUCH MUCH more durable than the current version. It had padding along the back, and the strap was a lot more sturdy... I'm so sad that the current Especial messenger is like this.. even now I still prefer to use my old Especial messenger and refuse the buy a new one just because of how much more comfortable and sturdy my old one is. Really sad the especial messenger has taken a disappointing turn.

[@painlessreviews1777]

This makes me think of the refrigerator meme: "2020 appliances: *break within 2 years* 1970s refrigerator: i will outlive u and everyone u love. i am eternal. i am time itself" Thanks for the comment, joshpaos! :)

[@crazySeafood]

@@painlessreviews1777 Thank you. I should clarify this comment was in no way undermining the new especial messenger bag. Just like in your review, I am sure it is a great bag. I just never saw the need to "upgrade" from my old one because I do prefer the padding on the back and the simpler strap design on the OG one. I hope this doesn't make people NOT want to buy the bag, as it does offer some features that I think is an upgrade. There is no unnecessary velcro on the back (it was designed to give you freedom to switch the straps for different shoulders), which sometimes caught the fibres on your clothes, and there seems to be a lot more pockets if you like compartmentalization :) Thank you for your review.

[@yasiral-hilali7855]

Thanks for pointing this out I was going to purchase the original back in ~2014 but went for a more local option - now that I am back to looking it up I did notice right off the bat how different this version is! Hopefully there are some OG's out in the market.

[@thelluchs]

Agreed! I have the same old version and I still use it almost every day. It has more pockets/storage and it's waterproof, much more heavy duty. The only thing I never liked is the Velcro on both sides of the back, it rubs against your clothes and it has worn holes in lighter material jackets and pants biking back and forth to work. Can't seem to find a suitable replacement that also fits 16-17" laptops so I keep rocking the old bag!

[@hepolaroth]

Great review, thank you!

[@painlessreviews1777]

I'm glad we could help you get a better understanding of the bag. Thank you for the comment, Elizabeth Hepola Roth! :)

[@Coyote9Tnine]

Thanks for this review. Been thinking about picking this bag up but couldn't find any reviews or any decent still shots showing the internals of the bag.

[@painlessreviews1777]

Most definitely. We also found that there weren't reviews of the interior, which is why we decided to make the video. Thank you for your time and comment!

[@hsienfromspace]

Is this better than the normal classic messenger?

[@jessicalane6680]

Where is that water bottle from? Thanks!

[@justbrowsing81]

Hi Painless Reviews, many thanks for this review! I'm actually watching it after having already bought the bag :-) Do you own it too or have you only reviewed it? So, my question: I didn't like the strap with the bag hanging up so high on my bag at a strong angle. I decided to replace the strap with a regular one which is fine. However, the regular strap has this smallish clips to attach it to the strap holders. The weight is not divided well over the strap holders and with them being at an angle, I'm worried it might eventually (in a shorter space of time than I would like) tear. Do you think this will happen? I'm not much of a textile expert so I thought I'd check with you or somebody here that might know. Alternatively, do you know of a black strap that makes full use of the strap holders? Thanks much!

[@painlessreviews1777]

I own this bag and have been using it everyday since we made the video. The quality of the strap brackets seems pretty solid for me, but nothing is indestructible, so I'm sure that with enough abuse it would finally break, haha! As for the black strap you mentioned, I am not sure what it could be? Do you have a picture that I might recognize it better? Thank you for the comment, CD W!

[@Zz38546]

Great review! Been considering getting this bag. My only worry is the size. Do you think a 17 in. laptop would fit in the laptop compartment?

[@painlessreviews1777]

Unfortunately, the zippered waterproof compartment will not fit a 17" laptop. The 15" Macbook Pro we used only had a little wiggle room on either side, so anything wider would not make it. Hope that was helpful! Thank you for your comment, J B!

[@wixy369]

Does the strap get easily sprayed?

[@barriewylde5915]

WHAT SIZE IS YOUR BAG med or Large.

[@philiphalpern3246]

Does it have a second strap that prevents it from rotating around your body while riding? Also what’s the small strap attached to the main strap that has a magnet in it for?

[@painlessreviews1777]

It did come with a second smaller strap that I thoughtlessly discarded, due to the assumption that I would not need it. Turns out that this bag sits higher on my back compared to previous bags I used, and only in retrospect do I realize the hastiness of that decision, haha! Please enjoy this supplementary short video for more of a closer look at the Strap System. Thank you for the comment, Philip Halpern! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHuxlKiJfbh0gsk

[@sherryYYC]

Hey! Great review, I am trying to decide between a medium Especial Stash and a large.. I assume this was the medium that you reviewed?

[@painlessreviews1777]

This Timbuk2 Especial Stash Messenger Bag is a Large. I am a little under 6’ (183cm) tall, so it may look a little smaller by proportions, haha! Thank you for the comment, Sherry Muckleston!

[@justbrowsing81]

@@painlessreviews1777 Hahaha, I'm 2 inches shorter than you but it looked big :D Think the M will do it for me

[@benpatching8729]

I cannot find this colour anywhere! Any idea where to buy this? Link?

[@painlessreviews1777]

Sorry for the late response! Quite frankly, I didn't know Timbuk2 offered this model in any other colour, haha! I will do some research and share a link if I find anything, Ben Patching.

[@carpick]

hi, cool review, is that the M or L version?? hows the padding at the back?'cheers

[@painlessreviews1777]

This is the large version, there is no padding on the back but is still comfortable. It would have been nice to have bump-out molds on the back to allow for more air-circulation, but the water-resistant material keeps my back-sweat from being absorbed in any way. Hope that answers your question, and thanks for the comment, carpick! :)

[@matiasguerrero9]

@@painlessreviews1777 ​ hi! excellent review! just one question, the size you mentioned in the timbuk2 website is for the M size, the model of the video is Large version? www.timbuk2.com/products/4620-especial-stash-messenger-bag?variant=31257361809450 many thanks!

[@painlessreviews1777]

@@matiasguerrero9 The Timbuk2 messenger bag in our video is the Large version (45cm x 34cm x 14cm), the Medium version on the website is 39.5cm x 31cm x 11cm. Me personally, I would have liked if Timbuk2 had an Extra Large version of this model, because I do enjoy being able to carry more "survival gear" (compact poncho, water filtration gadget, manual hand crank radio, etc.) accessories without the bag looking too over-stuffed. I hope that answered your question? Thanks for the comment, Matias Guerrero!

[@stevenhaas9622]

Is that the medium or the large?

[@painlessreviews1777]

This is the Large version. Thanks for the comment, herrdoktorprofessor! :)

[@2mesquivel]

debating on getting this bag, how's the strap system? on the timbuk2 website they have a bunch of 2 star reviews because of the strap system. I'm not sure if it's because people wanted a traditional lower messenger bag and not a commuter. I have a chrome mini metro, so I'm used to the bag being diagonal on my back.

[@painlessreviews1777]

The Chrome Mini Metro bag is very similar to this one, and the strap system is almost identical (just ignore the little magnet/bracket clasp). I love that this cross-body messenger bag sits in the middle of my back, as it allows me to jog or bike, and not ever feel like it's sitting too low over my rear end. So, I just lift the angled buckle and it slips to my preferred length; and to tighten, I grab the shoulder pad, pull it outward and then pull the loose strap downward until desired amount. I know that sounds confusing, so if you want a short video demonstrating this, let us know. Thanks for your interest and question, 2mesquivel!

[@2mesquivel]

@@painlessreviews1777 yes I would love to see it on action.

[@painlessreviews1777]

@@2mesquivel I hope this answers your question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHuxlKiJfbh0gsk

[@KT88very88]

It seem the water bottle mesh will break

[@painlessreviews1777]

I have no doubt that over time, the elastic for the water bottle pouch will degrade, but my initial impression is that it is well reinforced. I can keep this detail in mind as I use it, and keep you guys updated for sure. Thank you for the comment, Koting Lee! :)

[@imanshah328]

What size is this L or M?

[@painlessreviews1777]

This is the Large version. Thanks for the comment, Iman Shah! :)

[@avici0182]

Is the laptop compartment padded?

[@painlessreviews1777]

Unfortunately, there is no padding in the laptop compartment, AVICI01.

[@avici0182]

@Painless Reviews cheers mate. Thank you for the review

[@painlessreviews1777]

We’re glad you found this review helpful. Thank you for the comment, AVICI01!

[@avici0182]

@@painlessreviews1777 9 months later and I finally bought one. I made the mistake of buying the MEDIUM 15" when my laptop is 17" 😂

[@drazenbabich]

Went to Timbuk2 shop to check this bag, same issue as with pretty much all T2 bags of late, flimsy and thin with no structure whatsoever, feels like a jute potato bag. Thanked them and left.

[@painlessreviews1777]

When manufacturers evolve a product, most of the changes are usually linked to consumer feedback. I can only assume that over time, enough reviews must have pushed the design to lean towards a lighter, more flexible structure? But if we think about the question of preference, this could actually be a new untapped market for optional customization add-ons! Wouldn't that be unique if there were sold-separately alternate-styled shoulder-pads, foam inserts varying in thickness/rigidity, or removeable pockets/pouches? But that's just me thinking out loud, haha! Thanks for your comment, Drazen Babich!

[@James-bi8dg]

Save your money and buy a chrome bag