I have traveled with a number of Timbuk2 products over the years, and their line of custom Prospect bags always intrigue me. In addition to my custom Prospect messenger bag, Timbuk2 offers two fully customizable options: a standard-size 22L backpack and the smaller 12L Mini Prospect.
Most of my travel backpacks are between 20-40 liters, so I set out on a mission to test & review the Timbuk2 Mini Prospect Backpack to answer one question: is a twelve-liter backpack too small for weekend travel?
Who is Timbuk2?
Timbuk2, which grew out of a San Francisco bike messenger’s garage, has built a reputation by crafting high-quality gear for urban cyclists & digital nomads. Whether your preferred method of travel involves two wheels or two wings, Timbuk2 aims to have a practical 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.
Timbuk2 produces a modern range of backpacks & messenger bags targeted at tech-focused consumers. I have owned a number of Timbuk2 bags, and all of them have been well-made with useful features. Their budget-tier bags offer a ton of bang for your buck, and their premium bags offer more frills & customization for gear junkies who know exactly what features they desire in their bags.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| + Extremely portable | – Very limited internal organization |
| + High-quality build construction | – Water bottle pocket costs extra |
| + Made in USA |
Timuk2 Mini Prospect Backpack Specifications
- Dimensions: 10.2” x 15.7” x 5.1” (width x height x depth)
- Capacity: 12L
- Laptop Sleeve: Yes (fits up to 13” laptop)
- External Material: Cordura fabric or reflective polyester
- Internal Material: Water-resistant lining
- Zippers: YKK #10 (brass)
- Hardware: Brass
- Made in the USA (San Francisco, CA)
- Price: $99 MSRP (check the current price on Timbuk2’s website)
How does the Mini Prospect look?
The Timbuk2 Mini Prospect is exactly what it sets out to be: a smaller version of Timbuk’s well-known 22L Prospect backpack (not to be confused with the similarly named Prospect Messenger Bag).
The 12L Mini Prospect is roughly 3 inches shorter & 2.5 inches narrower than the original Prospect backpack. With such a smaller footprint, the Mini Prospect is perfect for those who have a smaller frame.
As a 5’7” male traveler, I can report that the Mini Prospect doesn’t look “too small” on my back. This is not a children’s backpack; the Mini Prospect still looks like a serious backpack.
Timbuk2 offers customized Mini Prospect backpacks with countless color & fabric options, so no two bags will look alike. My bag features navy & brown panels along with black accents. This was my way of choosing a unique colorway that compliments my wardrobe well.
I’m a firm believer that your travel gear should be as unique as you, and Timbuk2’s Customizer tool allows anyone to create a one-of-a-kind backpack.
How does the Mini Prospect feel?
The Mini Prospect backpack feels just as well made as Timbuk2’s other mid-range backpacks. Honestly, I wouldn’t expect any less at this price point: a custom Mini Prospect backpack retails for $100.
Timbuk2 offers a few different types of material, but the standard option (and the one with the most variety of colors) is a 1830D Polyester Cordura blend. This fabric feels supple yet strong, and it has not exhibited any rips or tears after over a year of use.
The plastic hardware feels very generic, and Timbuk2 installed smaller buckles to fit the aesthetic of the miniature backpack. The straps are made of the standard fabric we have come to expect from mid-level bags, and all of the stitching on my bag was secured well.
One major benefit of purchasing a custom bag from Timbuk2 is that they crafted & assembled at their San Francisco factory. As a supply chain professional, I can appreciate that quality materials & craftsmanship can be found all over the world. That said, I highly value U.S.-made goods. I am glad that Timbuk2 continues to produce their customized bags in California.
How does the Mini Prospect fit?
The Mini Prospect feels noticeably smaller on my back, but that doesn’t stop it from fitting extremely well. The straps are thinly padded & feature airmesh. They are more than capable of carrying any load you manage to stuff into the small 12L main compartment.
Because of its smaller footprint, the Mini Prospect sits higher up on my back than most bags I own. When I tighten the padded shoulder straps, my bag’s airmesh panel securely hugs the upper two-thirds of my back.
This feeling took some time to get used to, but I have come to enjoy the smaller size. Unlike my larger travel backpacks, the Mini Prospect doesn’t sway around as much.
The compact footprint combined with the smaller carrying capacity make the Mini Prospect a very comfortable backpack to wear.
Timbuk2 Mini Prospect Backpack Features
Roll-top Closure
I love the look of roll-top backpacks, and Timbuk2’s Prospect line is no exception. The single-fold closure is fastened by two velcro patches & two small buckle straps.
While not as labor-intensive to open & close as Timbuk2’s larger Clark Commuter Backpack, it still requires multiple motions to access the main compartment.
TPU Liner
Timbuk2 markets the Prospect Mini as a water-resistant backpack, and that’s largely due to the fact that the entire main compartment is lined with TPU. This material feels like the inside of a lunchbox, so it should help keep moisture out of your belongings.
However, the simple roll-top closure of my backpack doesn’t form a waterproof seal, so I would be wary of the rain when traveling with the Mini Prospect. Obviously the water-resistant liner will provide zero protection if you let water drip into the main compartment through gaps in the top of the bag.
Front & Back Reflector Strips
There’s no question that Timbuk2 still leans heavily into their bike messenger roots when looking at the MIni Prospect.
Both roll-top buckle straps feature reflective strips that hang outside the front panel of the backpack. A single horizontal reflector is stitched on the left-hand backpack strap to make you more visible to oncoming traffic.
Internal Organization
Both the Prospect & Mini Prospect are light on internal organization, but you will find just enough sleeves & pockets to keep you organized throughout the day.
The smaller front pouch can fit a surprising amount of bulky items, and it features a two-pocket sleeve to hold smaller items.
The main compartment features a non-zippered laptop sleeve (large enough to barely fit my 13” HP laptop) in addition to a three-pocket organization panel that is perfect for snacks & charging cables.
Verdict
After months of using the Mini Prospect backpack for work, I can tell this bag simply isn’t for me. If I just needed a way to carry my work stuff back & forth to the office, the Mini Prospect would be fine. If you need a small daypack to run errands or to supplement a larger bag, then this could be right for you.
However, the small capacity means it is useless to me for any trips longer than 24 hours. I have taken the Mini Prospect on a few weekend trips, and I always struggle to fit more than a day’s worth of clothes inside the main compartment (not to mention any other gear I might need).
The $99 price tag can’t be overlooked either. There are other small backpacks on the market that serve a similar function (many for half the cost of the Prospect Mini). Timbuk2 has produced a well-made product that will last many years, but only you can decide if the ability to customize the materials/colors are worth the premium price tag.
Recommended For: anyone who wants to replace their messenger bag with a small backpack, or travelers who want a customized daypack to use after unpacking a larger back at their destination.
