Timbuk2 Hemlock question
 

Hello,
Can anyone that has a Timbuk2 Hemlock Backpack confirm that it is waterproof? Can you fill with ice? Looking at getting something a little bit bigger than my Chrome Citizen for commuting this winter, but it needs to be totally waterproof. I've heard that it is waterproof, but it really doesn't look it! Thanks in advance.
calamander

i'm too lazy to fill it with ice.
I tried running water from the sink before and it seems okay. Tho i don't think it's totally waterproof. It's not advertised as a waterproof backpack.
I might be wrong.

I have one.

100% waterproof? Not sure. Water resistant? Definitely.

One caveat, if you want to protect your things from water, do not use the front pocket. the flap isn't wide enough, so it leaves some small openings on both sides. That was kind of a dumb oversight on their part.

Otherwise, great bag. Rode with it under some torrential rain a while ago and everything in it (main compartment, and "stash pocket") remained safe and dry til the end.

I have one but I admit, I haven't filled it with ice, and I'm not sure why you'd want to. But I have been caught in a couple of serious downpours and nothing in the bag has gotten wet at all. The liner on the inside is waterproof, but I don't think the zippers and seams are completely waterproof. So it will probably be fine for heavy rain, but I wouldn't go submerging it under water or anything.

fwiw i haven't tried it, but the swig is very similar construction but a flap instead of a rolltop. they are not waterproof in terms of holding water. the maverick line is seam welded so that should be waterproof, but i have no clue if the interior seams are seam welded as well. both are meant to keep water out, not keep water in, so if you want a backpack you can fill with ice i don't think these are your best options.

i had AND i live in Oregon and no, not water proof. not to mention it's a biatch to ride with on account that it has no chest straps. i got a chrome backbone and have been 100% satisfied with it thus far(after six months of use)

^^^
that's a first. My hemlock feels pretty awesome on and off the bike even more so than my other packs with chest strap.

+1, didnt work for PDX downpours so I returned mine for a SealLine. I wouldnt trust the hemlock to hold water.

Thanks everyone. I really need it to be waterproof for my commute, guess I will check out some alternatives. Every Spring the college where I work has a large concert, and loading a pack with ice and beer is much nicer than carrying a cooler full of ice/beer the three mile walk it takes to get there (I've done that way too many times, been using regular pack with several garbage bags as a liners). So that is why the ice question. More concerned with bike commute aspect of it.