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- Verified Buyer
For the asking price, this has to be a major contender if not THE contender, as far as roll-top backpacks in this price range with weatherproofing.As others have mentioned, the actual main compartment is tall, not so much "wide".Great if you want to stuff something like a pile of clothes into this thing, not so much if books are what you mainly carry. I think for a student, there are definitely better options. Anyone else who needs flexibility though? This is great. I really thought having to cinch and un-cinch a rolltop constantly would bother me, but it's not bad at all. I'm curious to see how the hook + the loops hold up over time, but as of 4 months of ownership, I see no noticeable wear.Needless to say, the flexibility is amazing. You can cinch this thing all the way down into a backpack that is still certainly big, but not gigantic...or you can stuff it to the point where you can barely get your hook around the last loop. I frequently take off and put on layers going to/from work, so the extra space for clothing I suddenly don't want to wear is a godsend. No more sloppily tying jackets around my waist like a tourist!Another thing I'm fond of: The back panel is solid and not very flexible. I travel on packed buses every day for work, and this frequently means my backpack is in my lap because there is literally nowhere else for it to go. Because of this solid back, I can lay the backpack in my lap and have a sort of table to work on. On a bumpy bus, this isn't good for much, but it's good enough to carefully prop my laptop on top of, letting me (awkwardly) surf the web and do some light work.A weird benefit, perhaps, but appreciated all the same.What don't I like? A couple of things, although none of these are really dealbreakers to me at this price point, hence the 5-star rating. - The styling is a little too "future military bro" for me, you'd definitely look like a goof with this slung over your shoulder in anything resembling a dressy outfit. I think the all-black bag is definitely the way to go if this might bother you, and that's what I went with. - I wish the water bottle holder on the side had a little more depth to it, some taller bottles do not feel secure. - The "laptop sleeve" doesn't seem very padded, and the pocket to slide it in is only secured by a velcro strap, which means small, scratch-inducing things can theoretically jostle themselves into the sleeve. I think the sleeve is perfectly fine for a beater laptop you don't care about babying, but if you have something nicer like an aluminum ultrabook or Macbook, you'll likely feel better protection-wise if you get an actual sleeve and just keep it in the main compartment. I am very paranoid about my laptops though, so YMMV. I think most people won't care.All in all, if you need a roll-top backpack like this and your budget is limited, I would strongly recommend this one.So I needed an upgrade from my Maxpedition Typhoon bag which I've had for 8 years. Timbuk2 Spire seemed nice and roomy to me, I needed that for my daily commutes and errands. I'm a backpack guy, goes with me everywhere...I use it as an EDC (everydaycarry) bag with essentials, first aid, and techno geek stuff I carry like a laptop, phone and stuff. So this bag fits all my needs. I've had it for 1 week so can't speak on the durability long term, but I do think it's a well made bag. At first when I got it I was a little skeptical about the look. I had my skeptical face going for a while :/ becuase in some photos online (google images Timbuk2 Spire) it shows the black bag as a glossy finish, but in reality it's got this dark grey flat or matte finish to it. I was hoping it was glossy like leather. Another thing that was throwing me off was the shape of it. My Maxpedition Typhoon is a very compact bag, and the Spire has this long narrow look to it, and about 5 inches longer then my other bag...so it was a big change for me. But, after a day or so, my eyes adjusted to it and it's actually a bad a** bag to be honest. The top flap I sort of roll up like one of those roll top bags, then i hook the buckle. It looks even cooler that way. The pictures you see where taken on day 1 so the bag looks pretty plain...and about a week in I started playing with the style a bit. I added a black KINGSO water bottle to the side pocket...I also attached a small EDC bag on the opposite side. So my edc bag has things like a small flash light, a multi tool, bic lighter, a knife, knife sharpener, a note pad, pen, things like that. In the Spire bag itself I carry the following...the front zip pocket has protein bars, mint, a bandana, some cash and quarters, and an Anker phone charger. In the napoleon pocket i put my wallet. The inside of the bag i got my ibm thinkpad laptop/tablet (in the laptop holder of course). The main chamber of the bag has a small organizer which is where i keep my first aid/boo boo kit, kleenex, and some sex protection ;). The main chamber itself is pretty deep let me tell you. In there I throw in my HD vid camera, i also have some paracord, my laptop charger brick thing, and the rest i leave empty so that i have room to add. Like if it's a rainy day a small umbrella fits, if i go to the grocery store i can fit groceries, or if i need extra clothes. I keep it open basically for what the day may have in store. So that's about it. Thanks for reading my rambles, I hope you enjoy my review.Completely happy with this backpack.Easily holds a 15” notebook and iPad Pro.Carrying on my back it’s comfortable with a good, even spread of weight.I can fit a reasonable size lunchbox and large drink bottle, in the bag alongside the electronics.Plenty of pockets. Zip-ends tuck away, when closed into little pockets.The single buckle secures/releases without hassle.Dual access into the main compartment, via the zip behind carrying straps or fully open using the clasp/Velcro opening.The top chest strap adds extra stability when walking fast. Water bottle pouch easily secures a 500ml bottle. Might even hold a litre bottle at a push.Had a 15min walk in reasonably heavy rain. Shrugged it off - internally completely dry.I can’t honestly fault this bag.Some said too small. Some said too big.You may struggle for a weekend away to fit everything in, but for a working day in an office, it’s the best but I could have possibly made.Also great to lean against my back, whilst sat on the train!High quality materials, zips, great design.Buy one!Perfect bag for my 16 year old, big enough for all his books and a laptop.for meIch habe mir diesen Rucksack zugelegt weil er in vielen Reviews sehr positiv bewertet wurde. Mein Anliegen war ein praktisches Daypack um meinen Alltag mit dem Rad bestreiten zu können. Folgende Dinge sollte es erfüllen.1. Genug Platz für Notebook, Tablet und co. + etwas Platz für Einkäufe oder anderen Kram.2. Auslegung fürs Fahrrad, also belüfteter Rücken, Brustgurt, vielleicht Möglichkeiten einen Helm oder ein Fahrradschloss zu verstauen.3. Schutz vor Regen und Nässe4. Die Verarbeitung sollte dem Preis entsprechenIn der Realität:1. Platz ist genug aber die Tasche ist riesig. Ok, die Maße hätte ich mir vorher im Netz anschauen können aber damit habe ich einfach nicht gerechnet. Ein Daypack ist es nicht mehr.2. Timbuk2 ist eine Firma die Fahrradtaschen baut, auch im Internet wird diese Tasche als Tasche fürs Rad angepriesen doch ist die Eignung für Fahrrad eher beschränkt. Die Rückenbelüftung ist ein Witz. Es wurde zwar Mesh Material verbaut doch es wurde so flach an den Pappdeckel, der den Rücken bildet genäht das dass ganze eher als Placebo zu sehen ist. Die Belüftung hat keine Funktion und bei der große des Rucksacks wird es schnell recht warm auf dem Rad. Unterbringungsmöglichkeiten für ein Schloss oder einen Helm sind allerdings durch die praktischen Schlaufen vorhanden.3. Konnte ich noch nicht testen. Allerdings sind weder die Nähte abgedichtet noch die Reißverschlüsse. Einem richtigem Regen wird die Tasche also eher nicht standhalten können.4. der größte Kritikpunkt. Die Verarbeitung der Tasche ist vergleichbar mit jedem 30€ China Produkt. Alles nur einfach vernäht. Den Rücken bildet ein überdimensionaler Pappdeckel der es unmöglich macht die Tasche irgendwo abzustellen und der sich in keinster Weise an den Rücken anpasst. Für den Preis nicht angemessen.Es ist ärgerlich wenn man sich entscheidet Geld für ein Qualitätsprodukt auszuprobieren geben und dann etwas bekommt das man für ein drittel des Geldes auch woanders bekommen hätte. Ich frage mich wer solche Internetreviews erstellt und solche Produkte so hyped. Definitiv keine Kaufempfehlung.Zwei Sterne da man genug Möglichkeiten hat Elektronikkram zu verstauen und weil die Schlaufen an der Aussenseite wirklich praktisch sind.The best bag I've ever owned, hands down. Absolutely a Timbuk fan-boy now.
