Timbuk2 Impulse Travel Backpack Duffel Bag

I got this bag for a gravel bike trip to Spain and now using a road bike trip in France via AMS. Had a rolling bike bag with me, laptop and the combo worked very well. I put it through the motions fully loaded no issues. It performed well. As a product manager and traveler to improve the bag it could use an outside sleeve in the bottom to fit the base of a hydroflask water bottle which can be cinched down on top with side straps. Shoulder straps could have a bit more padding. Otherwise great bag.

I was able to fit everything I needed for my two week trip. Excellent quality, so many great features and survived being checked in from an international location to domestic. Definitely worth the investment!

Great bag. Zipper issues seems to be fixed

Claimed to fit 17" laptops, did not fit my lenovo P17. Returned.

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I wanted to love this bag!! I love the look, the name, and the features it has. My main issue with the bag is once I put my ipad inside, the bag felt very flat and stiff on my back. This is my main concern with bags that put your laptop and ipad right up against your back. It takes away the bag’s ability to flex and mold itself to the contour of your back. Pros - its a duffel that allows easy access to your clothes without giving access to your tech items - has a shoe compartment that could double as a wet stash pocket for a wet jacket or towel so you don’t have to worry about getting your other items wet. - material allows for an easy wipe down - tech pouch is really big on this bag. I was able to fit my sony noise canceling headphones (over the ear), portable charging battery, charging blocks for ipad and phone, charging cords, and a plug in for the car with room to spare. - has a descent sized laptop sleeve and ipad pouch Cons: - You will not be able to fit a 12 inch ipad in the pocket if you have a magic keyboard or case - The zippers are not easy to maneuver with one hand. You will have to hold the bag still and pull hard at times to get the zipper to move. It will stick in some spots. - The material that the zipper pulls are made of are really abrasive. In short amount of time my finger tips started to feel sore, and felt like they were burning. Almost feels the same way like a minor carpet burn. - If you have a laptop and/or an ipad in the pocket it’s really stiff and uncomfortable on the back.

Awesome product.

I have traveled in multiple countries, by rail, car, and air, with a bag of this design that I thought I would never replace: the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45. As dearly as I love Timbuk2, I never thought there would be a better carry-on than the Aeronaut. I was wrong. Timbuk2 has taken the perfect bag, and somehow made it better. For those who aren't used to traveling with a compartmented duffel, the concept is fairly straightforward. The main compartment is designed for packing cubes, and can easily accommodate the needs of a seasoned traveler for a week or more, depending on climate and access to washing facilities. Both ends of the bags have zippered compartments which can be used for shoes, toiletries, a rain jacket, etc - or used not at all and the main compartment can be stretched to fill the entire 45L of space. The Timbuk2 follows this basic design, but does so with Timbuk2's commitment to comfort, durability, and function. The first way in which this is immediately obvious is the quality of the material. The heavy, coated nylon is as water resistant as I have seen on any bag of this style. It's clearly designed to take constant abuse from the weather, the ground, and all the hazards of travel. The interior liner is equally strong. There's also padding everywhere. The top and bottom (if standing lengthwise) of the bag are generously padded. In addition, the (lengthwise) bottom of the bag - which goes against your back if its worn as a backpack - has the kind of thick mesh padding I would expect from a daypack. Timbuk2's expertise in that area shows, and the Impulse is much more comfortable than any wearable duffle aI have used. Behind the backpanel is a padded laptop compartment, an innovation which may cost you a little packing space, but which has enough room for a 17" gaming laptop. It's a fantastic addition for those of us who always travel with a full-sized PC laptop. Duffels typically don't have even this much organization, but the Impulse adds a little extra in the form of zippered, mesh compartments: three in the lid and one running the length of one of the end pockets. I rely so heavily on packing cubes that I do not typically use them for more than the occasional business card, but they're handy to have. There is also a zippered pocket that I didn't notice at first beneath the side handle. It has a key lanyard, and is perfect for stashing your wallet, phone, and pocket miscellaney before going through airport security. It's a nice touch that I didn't know I wanted until I had it as an option. As someone who frequently hangs stuff from his bag, I was thrilled that Timbuk2 added two rows of webbing across the face of the bag. It's sturdy, and perfect for attaching a couple carabiners and/or bungee cords. There are also compression straps for light packers, or people who need an additional attachment point. As for carrying the bag, again Timbuk2's decades of experience making messengers and backpacks is obvious. The ergonomic, lightly padded straps are as nice as I would expect to find on a high-quality backpack. They have an adjustable chest strap, and an attachment loop on each strap. The straps can be stowed in a pocket behind the back padding, which also feels like it has a small plastic frame sheet. In addition to the shoulder straps, there is a removable hip belt with slim pockets on both sides. The hip belt can be attached at one of two locations, depending on your height. While it adds some stability, I didn't find it necessary. Fully packed, I wouldn't want to carry the Impulse off my shoulders for long, but there are handles on the side and top of carrying or for easily stowing it in (or pulling it from) a luggage compartment . The handles are lightly padded, and feel quite strong. There are no attachment points for a shoulder strap, although you could probably rig something with the compression straps. Frankly, the backpack straps are so comfortable, I'm not sure that's necessary. If, like me, you don't like traveling with a rollerboard, I can't think of a better option that the Impulse. Not only is it thoughtfully designed with excellent organization, the comfort is much higher than I typically find with a duffel, and the build quality - typical of Timbuk 2 - is top-notch. Those who do not travel with a laptop may find the bag over-padded, costing them a modicum of precious cargo space. In addition, this bag starts out heavy, and only gets heavier if you fill it to its capacity. Beyond those caveats, the Impulse gets my highest possible recommendation.

Like the design,

I purchased this bag for a month long backpack adventure all around Europe, couldnt have asked for a better bag , no issues , perfect amount of compartments, super cool looking aswell