ask and ye shall receive

here goes.

size
I bought a Timbuk2 Hemlock size S. I also have a size M messenger bag from SAG. Here's the size comparison.

The size S Hemlock measures roughly 13" wide by 20" tall.

construction

In a nutshell, it's like a giant oversized envelope with a long roll top. The roll top is velcro secured closure, rolled, then buckled down. The back of the bag have a dense foam lining so nothing is going to poke u in ur back. The straps are also padded for comfort.

Four small buckles (2 on each side) of the main compartment tightens the whole bag so everything feels secure and not jumping around. The buckles are actually easy enough to loosen and tighten with one hand but secure enough that it doesn't slide out and gets longer.

I've read reviews that the strap that holds the roll top is too long and some people cut it off. I'ld like to think that there's a purpose for that. And it just so happens that it fits a yoga mat perfectly


The bag measures about 28" when expanded. Unrolling the top lets you carry taller objects (duh).

My cat broke my guitar.

There is a side compartment for easy access to your laptop and a even smaller side compartment that is just the size of an iPhone. The tag that came along with it says that a size S will fit a 13" laptop while a size M fits a 15" laptop. I guess they mean loosely or that PCs are mainly a little thicker than Mac laptops. I can almost wriggle my 17" mac laptop into it, I don't see how a 15" mac wouldn't fit. But who knows.

Water bottle holder to the left side of the bag.

The pouch in the front allows you to carry ur little things. There's 1 zipper pocket with 4 little card slots and 3 pen holding slots sitting on top. This front pouch is also slightly expandable with enough room to carry my Kryptonite Fahgettaboutit Mini U-Lock with a lot of room to spare.

One thing about this front pouch is that it's velcro secured. And when you put a lot of stuff in it with odd shapes it feels like the velcro is not perfectly tight though it did handle my u-lock's weight.

comfort
Now the important part. There are NO waist or sternum straps. However, the bag really doesn't need it. I've had a lot of back packs before (not really bike specific) but every single backpack I own likes to slip off my shoulders. Until I owned a skateboard backpack which has sternum straps and waist straps. That was really comfy to walk in, but to bike with that bag i need the waist strap too.

The Timbuk2 Hemlock does NOT slip off my shoulders one bit, walking or biking. This is the most comfortable back pack I have owned. There is really no need to put on ur bag and then buckled urself twice. The bag distributes weight really well and the foam padding feels nice on your back and it's just the right thickness. Not too thin that it softens the load but still uncomfortable, and not too thick that you feel hot.

in conclusion
If you are not regularly hauling giant irregular shaped objects, if most times you just need to carry a few things like laptop, books, clothes, groceries whatever the average person carries, it is a GREAT buy. If you are regularly hauling giant irregular shaped objects, then that other thread with the Chrome Berlin might be your better bet.

As far as a casual backpack goes, this is the best I've ever owned. And if you need more persuasion,

Every review or diy thread on BF isn't compete unless you have beer