The Standby With Me team and Timbuk2 have something in common: we both have roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is no secret that we have a sort of affinity for the small bike messenger company that grew into a global leader of travel & tech gear. When we stumbled across the Blink Pack, we had to get our hands on it. Ripstop fabric is a polarizing material that has its fair share of supporters & haters, but we had never tested a travel backpack that employed this much of it. What started as an experiment with a unique backpack material turned into a bit of a love story as the Blink Pack’s design proved perfect for our style of travel. Read on to see what we found during our review of this backpack to earn it a spot in my regular rotation of carry-on bags.
Who is Timbuk2?
Timbuk2, a company that was started out of a San Francisco bike messenger’s garage, has built a reputation making high-quality gear for bike enthusiasts and urban nomads. Whether your preferred method of travel involves two wheels or two wings, Timbuk2 aims to have a practical & tech-oriented bag for every occasion.
Timbuk2 also goes out of their way to offer repairs & upcycling opportunities once their products reach the end of their useful lives.
| Pros | Cons |
| + Clamshell opening | – Not waterproof |
| + Decent internal organization options | – Ripstop fabric shows wear easily |
| – Availability is limited because this backpack is discontinued |
Timbuk2 Blink Pack Specifications
- Capacity: 24 liters
- Dimensions: 20.9” x 11” x 3.9” (53.1cm x 27.9cm x 9.9cm)
- Weight: 1.6 pounds (0.7 kg)
- Style: Clamshell
- Zippers/Hardware: YKK zippers & plastic buckles
- Laptop Sleeve: Yes (up to 15”)
- MSRP: $119 (check latest price on Amazon)
How does the Timbuk2 Blink Pack look?
The Blink Pack comes in two colorways: a soft black & a bright royal blue. Timbuk2 designed the Blink Pack with simple lines & large panels that are not interrupted by many external features. The overall backpack looks sleek enough to appeal to minimalist travelers. This one-color design is professional enough to pull double-duty at the office & while traveling.
A large exterior panel stretches from the top to the bottom of the bag which adds just enough character to the Blink’s profile without making it too busy of a design. This panel holds a small zippered exterior pocket and provides a frame for an internal mesh compartment, so it serves a purpose too.
There is no visible stitching on the exterior of the Blink Pack. The folded panels create a sleek & modern profile.
The compression straps add a visually balancing element to the backpack. Plus, the Blink Pack looks great when cinched down. The single water bottle pocket is the only asymmetrical feature of this backpack. I originally thought this would bother me, but the single pocket has become a charming feature that I grew to love. I only travel with a single reusable bottle, so I hardly ever notice the lack of a second pocket.
The black 420D ripstop nylon fabric is an eye-catching material that adds a unique sheen to the backpack, but do not expect it to look flawless forever. Our Blink Pack began to develop visible scratches and marks as the bag patinas with use. I enjoy the look of a well-worn bag because I think imperfections are a badge of honor, but I know everyone does not share my rabid enthusiasm for battle scars.
Overall, the Blink Pack is a well-balanced backpack that looks great on a variety of people.
How does the Timbuk2 Blink Pack feel?
The 420D ripstop nylon fabric blankets the exterior of the Blink Pack. The ripstop adds toughness to the bag along with a very synthetic feel. If you like a backpack with structure, the Blink Pack’s stiffer fabric helps prevent the bag from flopping around. The ripstop fabric feels unique and claims to be water-resistant, but I wouldn’t walk around in the rain for extended periods of time: none of the zippers on this backpack are waterproof.
The top carrying handle is padding covered in seatbelt-like fabric. This is one of the most comfortable grab handles I have found on a backpack, and it is perfectly positioned for sliding this bag around on an airplane.
The YKK zippers feature zipper pulls that make opening the 3 exterior pockets a breeze. The zipper pulls are a nice touch & a joy to use.
How does the Timbuk2 Bink Pack fit?
The substantial Woojin Plastic (WJ) buckles used on the compression straps have a nice tactile response that clip in with a satisfying click. Timbuk2 employs ITW plastic hardware for the smaller sternum strap & adjustable buckles included in the backpack harness system. These smaller pieces are simple & lightweight, and we trust them to hold up over time.
The 24-liter Blink Pack is a nice middle-of-the-road size. It can be a challenge to find a travel backpack that doesn’t visually overwhelm smaller-framed travelers, and I am happy to report that this bag fit well on our 5’3” & 5’7” testers. This backpack’s thin profile will complement travelers of all sizes.
The backpack harness system on this bag isn’t high-tech, but it does the job. A padded airmesh back that is slightly raised along the sides allows for extra airflow along the spine. The backpack straps include the same airmesh along with stiff foam padding. There isn’t a lot of give in the straps, so there is not a lot of plushness in this harness.
The adjustable sternum strap is free to slide up & down the backpack straps. Some may find this feature distracting, so we modified our bag by sewing the sternum strap into a comfortable location on the chest.
The elastic strap keepers keep the excess compression straps & harness straps out of the way while adding a touch of sophistication. The same can be said for the elastic water bottle holder. Both of these small features are simple additions that give the Blink Pack a polished fit.
The Blink Pack is a straightforward bag that is comfortable on the back and doesn’t look too bulky (even on smaller travelers).
Features of the Timbuk2 Blink Pack
Clamshell Opening
When it comes to travel backpacks, clamshell systems are one of the most popular options. Let me be clear: the hype is real. Clamshell backpacks can be fully opened when laid flat to give you easy access to the entire main compartment.
This may not be a sought-after feature for someone who is just sliding books in & out of their bag, but this is incredibly helpful when you are trying to pull out clothes from the bottom of the bag without having to rearrange its contents.
The clamshell’s opening flap includes a long & shallow mesh pocket. I would have loved to see this pocket be large enough for shoes (it’s not), but you can stuff small accessories here so they don’t get lost in the main compartment.
Separate Laptop Pocket & Sleeve
The other large compartment in the Blink Pack runs the entire length of the back panel and features a padded laptop sleeve with a false bottom to provide drop protection for your computer. This pocket also includes an zippered pocket with plenty of space for charging cables along with a couple internal organizers that are large enough to fit wallets or passports.
Quick-access External Pocket
This pocket is useful for carrying smaller items that need to be accesible. While I probably wouldn’t store my keys or wallet here because it would be the easiest pocket for a pickpocketer to access, I think this is a good place for my small external battery or cell phone charger.
Final Thoughts
I honestly had low expectations for this bag based on its price point and relative simplicity, but I found myself absolutely loving this bag after using it regularly on my commute. In fact, I almost hate how much I enjoy using this bag because it is forcing more expensive bags out of my normal rotation.
This Blink Pack simply does everything I need it to in a compact size that is appropriate for virtually of my trips.
Timbuk2 has officially discontinued the Blink Pack, but you may be able to find it from other retailers or resellers.
Recommended For:
Weekend warriors who are looking for a modern clamshell backpack with good laptop protection.
