Living in the Vancouver area, it’s common that I find myself heading into town early or staying late to avoid city traffic. Luckily, I can just park myself in a coffee shop for a few hours to get some work done while I wait.
That means I need a bag that can fit all of my daily work essentials, and, if I’m lucky, a change of clothes (because you never know what’s going to happen in a rainy, muddy city like Vancouver).
I’ve spent a lot of time and effort trying to find the perfect commuter bag to take with me. I’ve probably tested 30 or 40 bags over the last few years, and I’ve got to say, the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe is one of the best-performing work-carrying solutions I’ve tried.
Here’s what I’ve learned through my hands-on experience with this bag.
Specs: Sleek and Slim
Before I get into my thoughts, let’s examine the bag’s specs:
- Size: 20L
- External Dimensions: 11.4” x 18.9” x 5.31”
- Weight: 2.4 lbs
- Materials: 100% recycled nylon (from pre-consumer materials)
Size and Capacity
For a daily commuter, I don’t need a big, bulky bag that I can throw everything but the kitchen sink into. Sleek and compact is the ideal solution, something that won’t annoy fellow commuters or won’t be too big to keep next to me when tucked away into the corner of a coffee shop.
At just over 5 inches thick (when empty), the Authority Laptop Backpack delivers the slimness I need. When I really stuff it full, it’s still no more than 10-12 inches thick—streamlined enough to wear in any crammed train or bus.
The 20-liter storage space is more than enough for me to fit everything I’ll need for work: laptop, tablet, headphones, cables, chargers, and other small electronics.
Photos by Andy Peloquin
There’s also enough room that I can include a lightweight raincoat, a backup pair of pants and shirt, and a change of socks.
The fact that it fits a 17-inch laptop is ideal for me, as I’ve always worked on oversized laptops (blame my crappy eyes). Where other bags are limited to 13 or 15-inch laptops, I can slide my work computer nicely into this bag with room to spare.
Packability and Portability
Packing the bag is made incredibly easy, thanks to the abundance of well-conceived, well-designed pockets.
The entire rear compartment of the bag is a padded laptop sleeve that offers impressive protection for delicate computers. I’ve been on bumpy motorcycle and bicycle rides with this bag and my computer remains dent- and ding-free.
The middle compartment contains a dedicated tablet section (that doubles as notebook/legal pad/textbook storage), and enough space to store my headphones, chargers, extension cord, and a change of clothes tucked into the bottom.
The front compartment has a zippered pocket that I use to stash my passport and card wallet, along with pen/pencil/tablet stylus holders and a small sectioned compartment perfect for storing my regular wallet.
On top of that, there’s even more space for small electronics and items (running headphones, phone stand, glasses case, etc.).
The side water bottle pocket fits my thermal coffee mug or a slim water bottle, but barely.
Finally, the exterior pocket. It’s sized to fit a large phone, small Kindle tablet (anything under 7”), a notebook, or battery pack. It’s also got a key clip and lanyard, making it the perfect place to stash my house keys and bicycle keys when not in use.
Though 20-liter storage doesn’t sound like a lot, when the backpack is organized as efficiently as this one, it turns out to be more than enough.
Durability
The backpack is made from 100% recycled nylon from pre-consumer materials. As with many nylon bags I’ve tested, it’s a tough, sturdy choice. It’s naturally resistant to abrasion, rips, tears, scuffs, and scrapes.
For me, the most important feature is rainproofing/weatherproofing. Between the cold, slush, and snow we get throughout the year in Vancouver, my commuter bag needs to stand up to some rough weather.
This bag isn’t fully waterproof—instead, it’s “water-resistant”. It can stand up to all but a heavy rain.
However, be warned: the zippers aren’t fully sealed against water. There is a risk of leaking or seepage that could damage your contents if you go through heavy rains.
A cool feature is the “boot”, a protective layer of waterproof leather encasing the bottom of the bag to shield it from water should I have to set it down in puddles or on rainy ground.
Comfort and Convenience
This is where the Authority Laptop Backpack really shines.
Timbuk2 clearly designed this backpack with user comfort in mind, because the strap and back panel padding is so thick that I can wear this bag all day long (at a convention or zipping around town) without any strain or discomfort.
The airmesh ventilated back panel is perfect for keeping my back cool even on hot days (and I’m a heavy sweater, so it makes a huge difference!).
When traveling abroad, the luggage pass-through makes it easy to slide the backpack over my carry-on suitcase and wheel it through the airport, no stress, no hassle.
My Favorite Features
The Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack won me over with a few specific features:
· The impressive interior organization and well-sized dedicated storage compartments.
· The thick padding both to protect my laptop and on the back panel and shoulder straps to ease the tension on me when carrying it all day long.
· The compression straps on the front allow the bag to expand, but make it easy to pull it tight for a slimmer, more compact carry.
· The durability and reliable water-resistance.
· The lifetime warranty (an absolute must for a frequent traveler like me!)
What I Didn’t Like
Honestly, I’ve been racking my brain and I can’t think of a single thing I disliked about the bag (okay, fine, I might have like a larger water bottle pocket).
It’s been the ideal companion for commuting around Vancouver, taking my work with me wherever I go.
The 20-liter size doesn’t give me a ton of extra storage (I can’t pack a pair of gym clothes, for example), but that’s to be expected from a sleek, streamlined laptop backpack. It’s a trade-off I’ll gladly make to slim down my daily carry.
Best Uses
The Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack is ideal for any daily commuters or freelance professionals who need a compact yet surprisingly spacious bag to take their work on the go.
Whether you’re heading into the office or you need to get some work done in a coffee shop, it’s got space enough for your daily essentials while still being sleek and streamlined enough for commuting or cycling.
Recap:
The Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack blew me away with its impressive organization, its sturdy build, and its comfort and convenience. It offers me enough storage space for everything I need to take to work on the go and is tough and water-resistant to stand up to average Vancouver rainfall.
For a daily commuter bag, it’s as close to perfect as any I’ve tested to date.
Price: $169
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