Timbuk2
506 Hayes St
(between Laguna St & Octavia St)
San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 252-9860
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
13 reviews
Neighborhood: Union Square
"I wasn't even plannng on buying a wedding band today but I ended up purchasing one! haha... our sales person was extremely nice and they…" read more »
54 Reviews for Timbuk2
Nice store and extremely helpful employees. If i was a 'secret shopper' hired by timbuk2 to come in there and test out the customer service they would have gotten top scores. Natalie rules and her co-worker (don't know of her name) could not have been sweeter. The bags are pricey but I guess the quality speaks for that.
I went there to spend my hard-earned money on an over-priced messenger bag, only to feel like the employees there were doing me a HUGE favor by showing me the bags, explaining them to me, etc... which they did a horrible job of. i guess they would rather read books and "LOL" at their friends on myspace.
Snooty ass hipster jerks. I'll never go back there.
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Nothing Compares 2 U, Timbuk2!
To be fair, I bought my first two Timbuk2 bags at Sportsbasement, which feels like cheating a little bit, but they are pricey. I got the Marina computer bag and the Cargo Tote in discontinued colors, and they have been all over the universe with me, and they still look brand new. I knew they were great bags from my husband, who has had his for years, and it has survived 4 trips to Burning Man, multiple vacations, plus hearty every day use. We are not delicate when it comes to our stuff.
I needed a new everyday bag for myself, bigger than a purse but smaller than a computer bag - solution: small messenger bag. The thing is, I didn't want the same ones that everyone else carries, in the same configuration of colors and materials - and I wanted it to be slightly less sporty (I am many things, but sporty is not one of them). So off I went to Hayes Valley to check out what they had.
The store is small, but worth visiting for a few reasons - you can see the actual color of the materials (vs. online), you can try the bags on, and you can find limited edition one-of-a-kind bags that no one else has. Score. I found a perfect sized bag in a great, somewhat elegant fabric, that suited my color palette and still had all of the hearty features of the classics. It fits all of my stuff beautifully, and has the "Hand Made in San Francisco" tag inside that makes me smile.
It's kind of a self-help place - like Sephora, but for bags. If you need extra assistance, you have to ask for it. Good for some people, annoying for others. I get that. It worked for me.
Having a Timbuk2 bag is like carrying your membership card to living in San Francisco. It's easy to become jaded to a brand that you see slung over the shoulders of every other person. But they really are made to last, stylish, and original, and a product of local ingenuity - and that's hard to overlook.
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A note about Timbuk2 bags: If you order a custom bag it is sewn in SF and that = mad cred.
If you but pre made at rei you'll find a little made in china tag somewhere :( .
I got my first tb2 bag several years ago. It is made of a discontinued material: waxed canvas, it's not the most durable bag.
I wanted to get a new bag (this one officially a diaper bag). I checked out the website and was impressed by the virtual Assembly their in. I just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on it in front of my computer. I figured I'll wait till I'm in the city to check out the shop.
The guys working there were really helpful and patient. Patients are mandatory to work here. There were many many more swatches to choose from for a custom bag, I was honestly dizzy trying to piece together my new "murse". The nice man hand wrote my order, reviewed it for accuracy and told me when I could expect it to be finished. I declined having it shipped to my house- I'm always looking for an excuse to return to SF. The bag was perfect. It was also done several days early. I'll post a picture of it soon- it's that cool.
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Expensive as hell, but good quality products. I can't say I hate the brand; hell, I have a timbuk2 laptop bag. One thing I hate, though, is being lied to. I went into the store last year and saw the cutest laptop bag but it was a small; I needed a medium sized one for my 13" Macbook.
I was pretty bummed because
1. It was the cutest bag ever and
2. the salesperson told me that if I wanted a Medium, which was previously sold to another customer, I would have to order it custom ($$$$$$) because it was one of a kind.
I thought long and hard about it, too. It was so cute that it might be worth it to pay the extra however-many-dollars to have it. Butttt...I just couldn't pay that much for a laptop bag.
I left the store disappointed. I went home, thought about it more, and thought "oh whatever...I'll use it all the time; maybe its worth the $"
So I headed back to the store a few days later and there it is: sitting on the shelf, with a much more reasonable price tag than I would have had to pay if I had it done custom. I was happy yet a little perturbed - yes, I said it: perturbed - that they would be deceptive about making a sale.
Liars.
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Fantastic bags and super cool store. I wish they had more of their smaller items (like wallets and cell phone holders) in the store though. Not much in that area to browse through.
Yes, dear God.
I don't know what I'm doing on Sundays, but God is working his magic.
Any guy sporting a timbuk2 bag is hot. Extra points if you're carrying a book, a copy of The Simpsons DVD's, and/or a chocolate chip cookie.
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Nice, clean presentation of urban accessories in what is slowly becoming one of my fav shopping hoods. Was looking for a "device" accessory and rolled no dice at my go 2 spot- flight001.
Found a cool little area in the far end left-hand corner of the store that had just what i was looking for...my blackjack fit all nice and snug and the look of it was simple but not all dorky looking like the accessories at cingular.
PROBLEM! The velcro nearly all ripped off in less than a month just from using what it is made for!!! Argh!! I am not the type to go back in a store and give them a second chance...bye-bye forever timbuk2!!!!
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So I finally got a MacBook, which rocketed me from the hand-me-down hoopty pieces-and-parts bullshit virus-and-popup non-workin' ass Windows PC past to the bright and shiny era of civility and modernity in computing, in the twinkling of a nanosecond.
When the box arrived, all white and clean and new, I gingerly unwrapped my MacBook. As I unfolded her for the first time, I knew I was in big trouble. I asked my Mac daddy (a former Apple employee friend) for his recommendations. He suggested that I upgrade the RAM, which I promptly did with two new 1 gig chips, and get a good bag to carry the computer in. Mac daddy recommended I check out Timbuk2.
Feeling a little (a lot) stupid, I took my MacBook with me to Timbuk2. She was naked to the elements when I entered, but I knew we'd find her a great home. I came with delusions of a simple, humble, slender black or gray canvas bag. What I didn't realize was how many awesome bags and accessories they would have, and how easily seduced I could be with well-matched glittering, dazzling colors! As I busied myself trying bags out on my preciousssss, it occurred to me that I was purse shopping. Fucking purse shopping!!! And every bit as concerned and angst-ridden about it as a young prom queen, picking out the right tiara.
I chuckled to myself and found the perfect messenger bag. It's stunning. In turquoise and olive, it is by no means inconspicuous...no, I went for vanity, damn it, and looks. The matching shoulder strap pad ($10.00) makes it even more candy-like. Fine. Fine!!
I highly recommend it, gentlemen. The purse-shopping high is not to be trifled with.
www.timbuk2.com
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So many people rave about these bags that I had to take a look. Honestly, I was not all that impressed. The bags look like a typical messenger bag you can get anywhere -- I don't care if you can get it customized to your style, I'm still not going to pay over a hundred bucks for a cheap-looking bag. With that much money, you might as well go to Kate Spade and buy a messenger bag from her Jack line, which looks far more hip, sophisticated, and more urbanized than these bags.
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Hi my name is Mona and I am a Timbuk2-aholic. My life goal is to have a bag in every size and style they carry. Yes, you can say I'm a collector - but don't tell DH, he said I'm not allow to collect anything.
I have three -a metro, small, and medium and all of them are dirty from regular use. I want one, maybe two more custom bags. I *adore* the Hayes Valley store. Although it's more expensive, it's worth having a bag custom made.
The staff is always helpful and you can keep yourself busy for over an hour just mixing and matching swatches.
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Major points for the bag. My large can carry gym clothes, laptop, lunch, extra pair of shoes and more. I bring it with me on weekend long trips and fit everything I need in it. No joke, this thing can carry 5 watermelons home from the grocery store and after all this torture, it's still in tack.
Why only 3 stars for the review?
I don't really think the store is necessary. It seems more like an art gallery then a place you go to buy an everyday timbuk2 bag. I've only walked in once or twice, but would never buy there.
Awesome shop! Sooooooooo many colors to chooooooose from. Employees were great and patient with my indecisiveness. Finally ended up with a medium messenger bag that looks like it'll last me a life time.
I'm using it for my Canon 40D.
Haven't been to the shop yet, but had the Best (tm) experience at www.timbuk2.com. I ordered the Marina laptop tote, since I knew it would fit my new MacBook Pro perfectly (in various colors, it is fast become our standard "office" laptop caddy - four of my coworkers have one, too!)
I misplaced my reciept, and needed one to get reimbursed by my company for it. Jason in their customer service department got me a digital copy within hours of my request via their general email.
Go here for:
-Awesome Styles
-Variety of selection
-Killer customer service!
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UPDATE:
I recently went in, and they now carry backpacks and other bags besides the ever famous messenger bags. Hooray!! Plus one more star.
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It's cool to come in here and get a feel for the material, but if you want anything other than a messenger bag you might as well just go online.
Don't get me wrong, the messenger bags are cool, but Timbuk2 has a lot more bag designs on their website. The staff here are cool, but they always seem overwhelmed with people in the store.
Honestly, I just come here to feel up the bag material before going home and ordering online.
Does that make me a pervert?
.
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What a great little shop. The first time I was in the market for a Timbuk2 messenger bag, I was a little unsure. Because they are primarily an online company, I was skeptical about buying a band sight unseen, even though they are completely customizable. When I arrived at the Timbuk2 Store on a Sunny Sunday afternoon, it was fabulous. The girl that helped me was super friendly and helpful. She explained everything. She asked what kind of bags I was interested in. Then she went in the back and brought out two huge plastic totes full of bags that all matched what I was interested in. She even invited me to step in the back room too look in the mirror with the bags on. How great is that. I am so thankful that Timbuk2 decided to open this sole retail location. I am further grateful that they have hired such a great staff. I am a customer for life now.
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Snooty store.
My suggestion, just go to the Sports Basement to get your Timbuk2 gear - they have better pricing. If you want it specially made, just go online. The time I visited the store, I was shocked at the service. At first they were welcoming with me and my bike. The next thing, they didn't want the bike there. Strange, especially for such a "hip" and "bike friendly" brand.
I give them 2 stars only because I heart their gear.
My bag is the shit.
black / silver / silver
Yeah, that'd be all asymmetrical up in your grill. Blacked out logo. Maybe about as individual as I can get while still looking like everyoneelseinsanfrancisco.
Okay, I love it.
The staff is helpful and the custom order was quick!
A S S I M I L A T E.
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Good service, pricey wares, but I do love my commute laptop bag better than the laptop backpack I had before, even if it is a bit smaller than the backpack.
I went into the store to find out about doing and RMA for the backpack, which had had its straps come detached. The clerk was helpful and friendly as she pointed me to their website to get the ball rolling. The company issued me a credit only a day or two after I sent the defective bag to them, and with that I was able to purchase the new bag.
I love good service! That will get me every time...
The girls that work here are always exceeding friendly. They only have a small selection of limited edition bags and most of them are ridiculously, retardedly and cantankerously expensive.
I was looking for a bag that was available at Lombardi's for a limited time and the girl helped me find it on Zappos.com.
Big thumbs up for helping me find the bag I wanted even if I wasn't buying it from them.
Big thumbs down for seeing "Made in China" printed on a bunch of Timbuk2's new stuff. Boo.
I still love their bags, but I sure hope they can continue to make the bags in America.
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I LOVE Timbuk2 but I was not impressed with the store. It's more like a boutique, with bags designed by artists. That's great if that's what you're looking for, but if you just want a normal bag, there is not a lot to choose from. Try Michael Bruno instead.
Local shop, local flavor, great products, this busts corporations making similar products in the gut. I don't own a Timbuk2 bag, yet but I did happen to buy their MUNI pass holder for my existing bag I sport around SF. I'm really hoping my current bag goes bust soon so I too can be a proud Timbuk2 bag owner.
This store in Hayes Valley is their only retail store yet they sell their products all over SF in places like Edwards Luggage (Embarcadero Center), REI (SOMA), Michael Bruno (CASTRO), etc. If I am going to get a Timbuk2 bag in the future I would shoot for a Metro (Mini Messenger) or the XS Messenger. I don't think I can go any bigger than that. The staff is always great and very helpful. You can also pick out fabrics to have a bag customized for you (keep in mind it only applies to a few of the styles, not all). I will be coming back sooner or later for my very own bag (taking scissors to old bag, oops!).
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Go now because I seriously doubt this store will still be open in one year's time.
I know Timbuk2's been struggling as a business recently, and just a couple years back they off-shored most of their bag production to China. No judgment here... $1 per hour labor vs. $10 per hour labor? Yeah...
Fear not, though, all custom bags are still made in a factory here in SF. I just can't really imagine why the shop exists... Yeah, it's a showcase for limited edition bags designed by local artists. And I suppose a few folks every day will get the urge to buy a bag by actually seeing one in the store.
But the user experience by customizing your bag on the Internet is just so much better. More variables and better visualization (with the exception of getting colors just right).
Kudos to Timbuk2 for making awesome bags and showing them off, but I can't imagine the ROI is positive in the slightest.
I respectfully call FETISH on this store and the cult-like zeal with which their European Man Purses and messenger bags are, well, fetishized by their customers. I've walked in and out several times and played with the website, but in the end, I'm usually asking myself, does my company-issued laptop deserve to be cossetted like this? Mostly I carry around a Stinkpad and a lot of receipts, empty Reese-cup wrappers, missing pages from SOW's, and stray pieces of gum. Those bitches don't deserve these bags.
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For years I have been noticing more and more of these bags with the little swirl. Call me stupid but I had no idea what kind of bag it was until one day I needed a new bag to carry all of my work shit and gym shit. I looked into several different types. I have seen "guys" walking around with Luis Vuitton prissy little bags, and some with the Jack Spade logo (more conservative but expensive). Finally I investigated the bag with the swirl. I fell in love with this brand! Saturday I was the fortunate recipient of this bag as a gift. This week I have proudly been carrying this durable bag, which I have in orange and brown, periodically I will lift the flap because I love the "tough sound" the Velcro makes ripping away from it's mate.
Imagine my horror this morning on BART when I looked over at the guy next to me who was sporting a Timbuk2 in a different color and his swirl was in light blue. Immediately I panicked thinking...I don't have a swirl on my bag...I don't remember seeing it...is this authentic? How could someone buy me a gift that was not authentic? I know they wouldn't do that knowing how much I wanted one. I kid you not as soon as I got off the train, I took that bag off my shoulder and with great happiness found my swirl!
Timbuk2 bags rock! www.timbuk2.com
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I feel like I have to practice Cafe-Gratitude-like self-affirmations when I enter Timbuk2.
I Am Socially Responsible.
I Am Frugally Rich.
I Am Vanguard.
I Am Casually Urban.
My Consumer Choices Speak My Lifestyle.
I Think Globally and Spend Locally.
I Support "The Arts."
My Hip Lifestyle Is Envied.
I Look Amazing With a European Men's Carry-All.
My Sturdy Man Bag Shows Comfort in My Masculinity.
I Am Amazingly Handsome.
Zen, people. It's about Zen.
Aw fuck, who am I kidding. At the end of the day, I'm just a tool who spent $120 to look like every other hipster in San Francisco.
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I love this store and I LOVE my timbuk2 bag.
I needed a great laptop bag for my new baby - my gorgeous 15.4" macbook pro. I looked around for something girly and cute, because, ya know... but I walked in Timbuk2 and couldn't leave! I'm so picky that all of the other bags from other stores were just a LITTLE off, but since I could customize my bag, I was able to get exactly what I wanted and needed!
I got a medium sized bag with a laptop insert built in. The padded laptop part fits my baby PERFECTLY! I went with fairly neutral colors, a greyish green on the outside panels and blue in the middle. They let me choose everything, from the type of tabs on the end of the clips to whether or not there was a handle on top. They even asked what side I wore my bag on, which was great because I'm left handed and wear my bag on a different side than most people. The people there were extremely helpful (especially since my friend I brought is inept and colorblind) and assured me that I was choosing good colors. Thanks guys.
The bag hadn't gotten to me within the 10 days that they had estimated, so I had to call them to check in. They were EXTREMELY apologetic and wonderful about the delay. I got a great email from someone at the store assuring me that my bag would be here shortly!
Moral of the story, sometimes it's ok to be practical instead of cute and girly. But really, my bag IS pretty cute...
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Shatangi called the store yesterday afternoon to ask some questions. Kate (Is that your name?) who just came back from vacation and her fellow staff member were scarily, enthusiastically mellow. They even answered all my stupid questions and made me fell like they cared enough for me to run right over there after work last night just before they closed. I knew the bag I wanted immediately. They were super friendly and I feel like I got an awesome deal.
Shatangi told you
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Underwhelmed by staff here...attentive in sales, shitty in post. Ordered bag was cool as hell but came in days after it was promised, which sucked as it was a gift. Thanks guys. Order early, because they will say whatever to sell you a bag.
Again, the bag is cool.
Another neat store in Hayes. Have I mentioned I have a thing for Hayes? We're dating ok, so back the f-off she's mine and you can't have her.
Anyways I really like these bags, but all the ones I saw in the store had a serious flaw: no padding for your laptop. Buying an expensive cloth messenger bag seems crazy if it means breaking your expensive laptop, am I right?
Oh well, I'm sure they'll figure it out if they haven't already...
UPDATE: They do have lots of laptop bags on their website: timbuk2.com cool!
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I guess there's not much more that I can add to all of these great reviews of Timbuk2. ... Customizing my own bag was fun, at least until I got to the choosing my colour section, where I was stuck for hours. Back and forth, back and forth. Should I make a neopolitan bag, should I make a rastafarian bag? Oh, the choices? Maybe if I wasn't so darn undecisive, this wouldn't have been such a problem.
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half a year ago, i was going to get a laptop messenger bag, but they ran out of the mediums and only had smalls of the one i wanted. sighs. also, the bf said we'd look like douches if we both had a timbuk2 bag to match... but they're were going to be different colors! we can't possibly be *that* douchey looking, right? okay, maybe we will. so i held back on my purchase.
the other day when i was flying back from boston, the girl sitting next to me had the cutest timbuk2 bag that i've ever seen. i knew i had to get it! it's the little marina laptop handbag! CUTE times a million! i got it in bright yellow (or "soft yellow"). I called the store, but they don't carry the marinas. poo. but then he said i can order it online and ship it to the store and avoid shipping costs! yay! You don't need any secret code or anything, you just have to enter in their store address for the shipping address and magically, there's no 13.95$ shipping cost!
Ok, I have to be honest.
While I do fully appreciate my timbuk2, the reason I like this store is cuz there are usually really attractive women outside when I'm on my smoke break and i have little love for my job.
5 stars for the bags and shininess, two stars because I'm a jerk. Still, I'm a cute jerk who appreciates women.
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I got my bag on Saturday. I didn't burn with a desire to get a Timbuk2 bag when I walked into the store. Why did I get it? I got it for a simple reason - I needed something big enough to stuff with groceries and things when I go shopping on my bike, and that something must be waterproof, and not too hard on the heart to kick. Timbuk2 looked like it would match my needs.
When I woke up the next day, I realized that this bag is super awesome. That day I learned that it fits two six-packs plus a bag of chips, and thats a good enough reason for me to like it. And, it doesn't hurt my back or slide around on the turns as most of the other bags do.
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I'm already a Timbuk2 bag junkie - got my first one at the now-defunct Rand McNally store about 2 or so years ago, and I use it for schlepping stuff around (usually when I fly home, or for weekend trips). My second bag came from my beloved Baxter Hull store, and has been "borrowed" by my SO.
So, I went to the Timbuk2 store in Hayes Valley ... the selection may feel limited, but I love that the bags are mostly designed by local artists - much nicer looking than the "standard" bags, in my opinion. ;) So, I'd recommend the store if you're looking for the more unique and limited-edition bags!
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I got the perfect birthday gift for my best friend here. The bag is very hip looking, tough, and uber functional.
I have two problems with this place:
1) I want to spend way too much money on a bunch of bags for myself.
2) Little selection of pre-made bags.
Actually, item 2 is a mixed bag (EDIT: Oh... my... god... no pun intended!) it helped to make a quick decision on my buddy's birthday gift.
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Great bags! Its been over 6 years that I've played with their site endlessly trying to choose which colors and options to get. I was never happy with the ones I saw in normal stores and the Hayes store was my answer! Most of the bags there are limited production or one offs that are only available at the store. I finally found a great bag there that has two panels of their new X-Pac lightweight fabric, and has a built in laptop sleeve that fits the 13" MacBook PERFECTLY! I'm thrilled with the product and happy to support a San Francisco icon.
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Not my type of bag, but the saleswoman is scarily enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and any store that is so confident about one product gets my vote.
They have some cool, one-of-a-kind bags painted by local artists to support local charities, too.
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The new TImbuk2 store is very cool...they don't carry their entire line of bags but intstead the classic messenger bags in limited edition (art work, graffiti, different fabrics) If you're looking for a unique bag that'll definitely stand out from the crowd, get yee to TImbuk2 on Hayes.
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What a thrill to have Timuk2 open a store in Hayes Valley. Very stalwart yet very design friendly as well, all of their bags have personality.
The store itself reminds me of a spartan SoHo boutique - the bags are displayed without distraction, and that is art in itself.
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