You’ll quickly become everyone’s favorite bike messenger when you roll up with the Timbuk2 Dolores Cooler filled with ice and their favorite beverage. The Dolores looks like the company’s Classic messenger bag. But a waterproof interior combined with insulation throughout transform the bag into a cunning cooler that fits 12 cans or bottles.
Toss in your brews, add some ice, zip the inner flap closed, latch the outer flap, and you’re ready to ride. Got to your spot but forgot a bottle opener? No worries! The Dolores comes prepared with a bottle opener attached to the side.
The bag’s outer ballistic nylon fabric — like what’s found on other Timbuk2 bags — is extremely durable. The cooler would be great for a day at the beach or the park, but the company should have included a support strap and shoulder pad like its other bags to make for easier riding.
Riding a bike with the weight of 144 liquid ounces plus ice would likely cause the cooler to slide around on your back or dig into your shoulder. Later on, emptied of its contents after meeting up with friends, you may encounter other issues with bike control.
The update to the Timbuk3 cooler, the Dolores München Chiller Messenger features some great updates and is currently available for $150 on Timbuk2’s site.
—Ryan Dionne
