Timbuk2 Spire 2.0 26L Tested & Reviewed in 2025

A Bike-Friendly Laptop Bag

Switching from the Borealis for a few weeks to using the Spire, some testers among our review team found that there are some interesting points of comparison.

The mesh back padding on the Spire doesn’t minimize sweating as on the Borealis or Jester. Compared to the North Face packs, the Spire 2.0 doesn’t offer a solid back with aeration pads.

But what it lacks in hiking features, it more than makes up for in terms of organization. Pocket placement and internal design is great on the Spire and the dual option to side-load or top-load a laptop is great.

We’d wish that the laptop compartment could be a bit more protected and even a little tighter. A strap would’ve been a solution. Otherwise, it’s one of the cooler-looking bags for daily driving.

We think of urban warfare, tough everyday use and the biking delight when we see the tactical-looking exterior. The bright internal lining makes for better visibility when looking for things in the main compartment and the pockets.

During the later period of testing during our review process, Bradley was biking over black ice and bailed on the asphalt, onto his side. The side of the bag, where the laptop sleeve is, was impacted.

This accident provided an excellent chance to test the bag for laptop protection and general durability.

The laptop was fine but back at the office, the zipper on the side pocket broke. Accidents happen and gear gets damage through the course of life–it is what it is. At the least, this bag proved up to the task of protecting a $1,000 computer, but it came out scathed and requiring repairs.

We were happy to see that Timbuk2 has a lifetime warranty and a repair service but unfortunately, it does not cover accidents. We’ll update as we try to get the bag fixed–maybe by Patagonia (ironically).

As of summer 2024, we’ve not repaired the bag, which is unfortunate. It’s a great and useful bag. We only wish the zipper on the side-access were a bit more protected or more robust. On the other hand, the impact was significant and may have broken the sturdiest of zippers.

Commuter-Friendly Internal & External Features

The Spire is a distinct bag, due to its tactical look and abundance of attachment loops in the front and the side. Affixing a Kryptonite lock for bikes and a red light for night cycling is useful.

The daisy chain webbing system is there to hold a U-lock, bicycle lights and any other gear you need and makes life with a bike easier and commuting efficient and safer.

Its webbing and clips are durable. There are longer pulls on the zippers for easy grabbing.

A cool feature of this bag is the bottle opener attached to the shoulder strap.

Timbuk2 Backpack Quality

This Timbuk2 pack is made to repel water when on the move with its DWR polyurethane and polyethylene mix fabric. It is not technically waterproof, but it easily kept laptop and contents dry during 30-minute rides in the rain.

Don’t expect much more than that. Check out the Isle Gateway for the ultimate waterproofing daily laptop pack if that’s needed.

The Spire has enforced padding on the back and the shoulders. It is also easy to wipe dry and the padding dries off quickly, which means it does not absorb much water.

We find it to be supportive and ergonomically fitting but not as supportive as some comparative North Face packs.

Its material is strong and seems to have anti-abrasion properties, which is a plus.

The internal lining in a bright neon color makes it easy to find what you need.

There is a large clip-in buckle at the front and additional velcro strips both for securing the main compartment flap and the external webbing when attaching heavier items.

The reverse coil YKK zippers are of standard quality and, as mentioned earlier, we managed to break one during a commute. The adjustable and removable chest strap has a buckle on it and there are clip buttons instead of adjustable slides which is convenient actually.

For casual use, rather than for use as a bike pack, removing the straps is easier. Unless you’re lugging 10 pounds of gear around.

Capacity and Pockets

At 26L the Spire will take your everyday essentials wherever you need them most.

The padded laptop sleeve fits most 15’’ to 17’’ inch devices and offers side access, without having to open the main compartment which is very convenient on the go, in the airport or when traveling.

There is one stretch water bottle pocket on the side and we managed to fit the 32oz Nalgene bottle in it, which is quite wide.

Something like a Napoleon pocket, a vertical slot with a zipper is found under the main compartment flap, which is convenient and nice to have, especially when your front pockets are full of stationery and smaller items.

An interesting feature is the zipper on the other side of the small, vertical pocket, which allows you to open the front of the bag halfway, much like a U zipper would, for easy access to the main compartment and items that might be at the bottom of your pack.

The Value Proposition of the Spire 2.0

The Spire 2.0 is justifiably one of the most popular Timbuk2 backpacks. Its organization is a huge plus for easy and efficient packing to and from the office, school, university, weekend outings, and light grocery shopping.

We find that the Spire 2.0 is well-priced for its construction and the Timbuk2 Lifetime Warranty and repair service is a plus, especially for items that are intended for everyday use but mostly manufacturing defects are covered.

There is also the option to order spare parts like hardware and zippers for your products if need be.

We are a bit concerned about the zipper incident, but on the other hand, this kind of fall does not happen every day. We’re currently working on either sending the bag into Timbuk2 for repairs or figuring out a DIY solution.

Many backpack brands these days offer laptop compartments and sufficient padding for urban or outdoor use. If you are unsure about whether you need to invest in a laptop backpack or even a fully waterproof backpack, have a deeper dive into our different guides and learn more about these categories.

Comparing the Timbuk2 Spire 2.0

We compared the Spire to the Troubadour Pioneer 23.5L laptop backpack which comes at a much steeper price but is a bag with great features, has separate compartments for shoes and a laptop, and its sleek, contemporary design works well for office commutes or business trips.

We find that the Spire has better weatherproofing and it dries faster than the Troubadour, which does not perform as well in rainy conditions. It lacks the padded trolley sleeve of the Troubadour though and has a less sleek, more urban rough-handling-oriented look.

The Rains Rolltop 13L Rucksack is another alternative at a slightly higher price, which offers great waterproofing and a well-padded slightly-suspended laptop compartment but lacks internal organization by far, compared to the Timbuk2 Spire.

Finally, we think that the Stubble & Co Roll Top is another 20L capacity alternative that resembles the Spire features and pricing. It has a similar construction and was tested for cycling with great results. This features a rolltop opening but does not offer the same convenient external storage.

Do We Recommend the Timbuk2 Spire 2.0?

We really like the Timbuk2 Spire 2.0. It is one of the laptop bags that work well for different everyday commutes in and outside the city due to its great organizational design.

The 26L capacity works well for everyday essentials, for packing for a workout after work, biking or picking up groceries on the way home. It can work as a carry-on, which is a plus.

We were a bit surprised to see the laptop compartment zipper on the side pocket break so easily but we are happy to see that Timbuk2 offers the option to order spare parts if you want to repair your bag yourself.

It is comfortable and well-padded. The double chest strap is interesting, with its special clip-on buckles, but remember to store the straps away when not using them as they might fall off.