I've really gone back and forth on Timbuk2 products. I really enjoyed the first products I bought from them but as of late they seemed to have fallen victim to an inclination to nickel-and-dime their customers and provide not nearly as quality a product. I'm happy to say that with one (potentially major) exception, this bag is definitely a return to form and one I would recommend to friends based on their needs.

First off, the bag is huge. It doesn't appear large outwardly but once you start filling it up you'll be shocked by exactly how much fits in the main compartment. And the pockets, oh the pockets! There are so many that I feel like I find a new one everyday. The main compartment has a large zippered compartment in addition to several small sleeve-style pockets and pencil-holders. Directly under the flap are three additional horizontal zippered compartment and another vertically-zippered one perfect for reaching into with the flap down. At the bottom of the bag is another zippered compartment for your laptop cord. There's also the standard water bottle holder on the side. Really, really impressive array of pockets. I actually fear losing things in the bowels of this bag.

The top cover can be fastened by either metal hooks or Velcro (covers for the Velcro are provided if you'd like to forgo that option. Not the standard fastening buckle most are used to, but it works fine and makes the bag easier to get into (for you and would-be thieves). The shoulder strap is well padded and seemingly heavy duty. I'd trust it with my valuables.

Now we come to the laptop sleeve, the focal point of the bag and also its potential downfall. Look, maybe I've been spoiled by the luxurious corduroy-lined sleeve of the Timbuk2 commute (1 or 2) but the padding on this bag is utterly insubstantial. The laptop sleeve is on the back of the bag (to facilitate the TSA-compliance) and I'd estimate there's about 1/6 of an inch of foam-like cratered padding. My Envy 14 weighs about 6 pounds and I wouldn't trust this bag with it. Will your machine survive in 90% of situations? But in that once-a-year instance where your bag is dropped or thrown, your laptop will definitely be at risk. The laptop compartment is also MASSIVE, and I think it would actually fit a 17 inch. That leaves a ton of room for your machine to rattle around in. All this said, laptops are getting thinner and lighter and I could definitely see my way clear to trusting this bag with an ultrabook or Macbook Air style laptop as they wouldn't tax the compartment as much (but it may slide around a bit in the huge compartment). The laptop compartment also has a tablet sleeve that IS lined in a faux-velvet, at the very least it feels nice.

Overall, I'd say that if you have a lighter laptop or aren't anal about padding, this is an ideal bag. If Timbuk2 could just give the Command a Commute-style, well-padded laptop compartment it would be the perfect traveling companion.