Video Review: Timbuk2 Uptown TSA-Friendly 30L ($119)

The Timbuk2 Uptown TSA-friendly backpack might not be the most fashionable-looking pack, but it certainly is a functional pack.  My wife likens it to an astronaut's jetpack.  Indeed, it is boxy and utilitarian, but I kind of appreciate its nod to the Bauhaus design ethos:

Do keep in mind that Timbuk2 does offer this pack in other color options, but they are muted and professional color choices; you won't find it in red or yellow!  I chose grey simply because it is easier to photograph than black or navy.

Before reading The Good, The Bad, and The Indifferent section, check out the video below for a thorough tour of the backpack:

Video



Annotated Images:

Review:

The Good

Organization options:  This pack has a lot of options for "stuff management."  As you will see in the video above, I mistakenly thought that the large organizer compartment was the MAIN compartment.

Glasses pocket:  For me, this is essential.  Even if you are not someone who wears glasses (perscription or sun), this is a fleece-lined pocket that can be used for your mobile phone.  Either way, few packs have this option.

TSA friendly: The laptop/iPad compartment can be fully unzipped and laid flat so that you can keep your devices in the bag when going through TSA (normally, you need to remove devices and place them in a plastic bin to run through separately from the rest of your pack.

Organizer panel on front:  I think it is essential to have an organizer panel that is NOT inside the main compartment.  It simplifies removal and insertion of pens, your wallet, a pack of gum, etc., when you don't have to go into the main compartment of the bag.

Front slash pocket: The easy access zippered pocket on the front of the bag is perfect for my cell phone and big enough for much more.

Comfortable to wear:  The suspension system allows for good circulation and the shoulder straps are cut in such a way that I don't feel hot-spots or pinches.  It is well-cushioned but not so cushioned that it feels loose and unstable.  The adjustable sternum strap allows for increased stability.

A lot of smart design details:  (Almost) no zipper covers to impede zipper function. Handle on top of pack for quick grab and go. Webbing on the shoulder straps to attach pouches or key clips.  Webbing at the top of the shoulder straps allow for good shoulder strap articulation. Side webbing handle if you need to carry the pack like a briefcase.  Fleece lining in the iPad and computer pockets.  Blinky light loop for cycling. Expansion room for the large organizer pocket (hard to explain - see photos).

The Bad

Zipper covers.  The one place where Timbuk2 included zipper covers is along the bottom corners of the laptop compartment.  I assume that this was done to protect the zipper from scraping against rough surfaces, leading to zipper damage.  Unfortunately, it seriously impedes unzipping the bag at these points - something that you won't do often (as you do not need to unzip the compartment completely to remove your iPad or laptop), but when you do, it is a real pain.

Sloped base.  Timbuk2 loves to cut their bags in such a way that the bottom of the front of the pack is higher than the rear.  This makes the bag unstable when it is sitting on its bottom.  I like my pack to be able to sit on its bottom when loading and unloading it.  While the Uptown does not always fall over (stays up when your laptop is stowed in its pocket), it does fall over on its face most of the time.

Missing a matching side water bottle pocket.  The Uptown has one mesh/fabric water bottle pocket on the side but has no matching pocket on the opposite side.  I find this to be a odd and even inconvenient omission.  Also, the existing pocket is on the wrong side.  By habit, I swing my bag around on my right shoulder to access my water bottle on the right side.  The Uptown places this pocket on the left side.  They could have simply had two pockets and eliminated this as an issue.  Ideally, they would put the water bottle pocket on right side and place a rear access zippered pocket on the opposite side.

Sternum strap.  While it is adjustable, there is not a lot of adjustment in term of width.  Also, the strap moves up and down the shoulder strap too easily.  I have to always adjust it up and down when I use it. Most packs have sternum straps that slide up and down the shoulder straps, but they typically lock into place so you don't have to make the adjustment every time you use the sternum straps.

The Indifferent

The bottle opener.  This is just silly.  I am sure that this guy appreciates it:

But it doesn't work for me.  It's not a deal breaker, but clearly Timbuk2 is pandering to the micro-brew drinking, fixie riding, hipster.  I am not a hipster by any stretch.  Also, this bag is marketed as a "work bag."  Other than a bartender, I can't think of a job where opening a beer makes you a more productive worker.

Conclusion:

The Uptown is a highly functional pack.  It does everything I need a pack to do and does it well.  There are a few issues that drive me crazy (sloped base) because they could so easily be fixed, but I can mostly overlook this negatives given the highly positive positives.  None of the negatives are deal-breakers.  Additionally, Timbuk2 makes bombproof packs.  It will last and they also have a lifetime warranty if it doesn't hold up.

I don't think that it will replace my ECBC Lance, but it does come closer than any pack I have tried so far (June of 2016).