More of a "murse" than a messenger/urban bag.
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2016
I really wanted to like this bag. I tried to like it but in the end it is way too much of a niche bag. Really its more of a murse than an urban commuter bag. I live in NYC and commute on the subway about an hour each way to and from work, so having a good messenger bag is a must. My every day carry items I keep limited (1L water bottle, micro umbrella, pepper spray, ipad, phone, glasses, bandanna, ear plugs, wet wipes, reading glasses, key ring, ear plugs). I figured this bag would be perfect and when my old bag got a big tear I ordered it.Unfortunately, this bag is really meant for someone with very specific needs. It has a major flaw which was a deal breaker for me. It has a lot of pockets (11 or 12 in total) but they are all really small or really tight, including the main pocket which has a doubled cloth liner which makes it smaller and tighter than a regular main pocket. So if you have a whole lot of flat or small items you need to carry every day, then this bag may be ideal for you. But if you need to carry some larger items, you're going to most likely drop them all into the main pocket and let them all tangle up with each other.It really reminds me more of a canvas OD green women's purse.Pros:Solid constructionLooks good (actually got a compliment on it)Lots of individual pocketsCons:Main pouch plastic clip broke the first dayPouches/pockets are really tight and/or smallClear plastic pocket seems mostly useless beyond putting your contact infoShoulder strap was not easy to adjustDouble lined main pouch is a nice idea with very poor execution.Like I said I really wanted to love it, but in the end I gave up after using it for less than a week and ordered a real messenger bag.
Many Pockets, Smaller Than A Messenger Bag
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2020
I highly recommend these bags if you want a small-medium size utility bag with ample pockets.Pro: - Versatile, - many pockets, - ages well, - key hook inside, - doesnât look like a purseCon: - A softer/lighter canvas than you may be expecting, - plastic âFast...â connectors may break, - light weight lining lacks firm backing for hook & loop fasteners, (See last picture in series) - no user-serviceable parts inside, (strap and connectors are not easily replaced) - NOT waterproof, - no longer an inexpensive hackable bagThis is my go-to âgo-bagâ when I dash from the house. My wife begged that I replace my eight year old Urban because it didnât present well any longer. (A great reason to keep it, in my book) The bag, olive green when I first bought it, had sun-bleached tan. I re-bought the same Rothco Urban Bag after I researched current offerings. Even though the current Urban is 40% more expensive than in 2011, it was the right size, capacity, look, and feature set.I have several bags, most made better and more expensive; however, I can haul my iPad, water, tube of sunblock, liquid food, a bag of nuts, apple, three mandarin oranges, headphones and a down coat with gloves. (Tested!) I use it on a motorcycle, hiking, a lunch bag for work, airplanes, or anything short of carrying my work computer.The niggles: hook & loop fasteners sown onto the liner will start to pull off that liner after a few years since they are not stitched through to the canvas. (See last picture in series) To bad this has never been fixed by the manufacturer. The plastic fast-fastener broke on my original Urban after about five years but still latched well enough for my use. The covering flap could stand a bit more âbodyâ so it doesnât flap in the wind. (Solution: turn the flap toward your body)Absolutely no regrets.
20 monhs later, it's still the perfect sub-laptop sized messenger bag
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2015
I have a fairly hefty every day carry - 7 inch tablet, thermos, utility knife, point n' shoot camera, gloves and scarf in winter, numerous odd n' ends everything from thumb drives to breath mints to pens and pencils and spare change, and this bag has held up great. Here's what I like:* Rugged build: It's taken everything I can throw at it through all four seasons (In New England, no less) and is still in great shape.* Lots of pockets to keep things separated* Quick-snap buckle for the main compartment that's safe, secure, and makes easy to get in and out of the bag. I don't know why more manufacturer don't use these. Zippers get stuck, magnetic closures are never strong enough, and regular buckles are a PITA.* The velcro and zippers for other pockets are still in good shape.* Holds it structure and doesn't turn into a limp sack when empty.* Washes well* secure lanyard on the inside* Strap that's easily adjustable and comfortable* It's military-looking, but not overly so.* Only $18 bucks!What more could you ask for?
Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2015
It is sturdy and has several pockets. There is a big pocket on the flap, pockets on the front, side, inside the bag and one big pocket on the back.It's a really great bag.
