I've had a number of backpacks for traveling, and for the most part they have been perfectly serviceable and fairly long lasting, but this is a bit different. First of all, it's a rucksack. One big bag with a drawstring tie and three pockets hung on the sides. Being used to the multi compartment "˜hiking/book bag' type of packs, this took some getting use to, but now that I have, its really is the only way to go. The material is a heavy duty canvas type of fabric and I love it. Kicking your backpack under airplane seats and train seats takes a toll on fancy upper end packs but this should last a very long time. Unlike most packs, this has no structure and just kinda collapses in a heap when empty, which makes packing it a tidbit more challenging, but deffinetly not a deal breaker. The buckles on this are strictly cosmetic and the real closures are snaps which close the pockets pretty securely. Tuck the flaps of the side pockets into the pockets and they make great water bottle holders. They are pretty big and deep so they will hold good size bottles. Mine is a size small, but has more than enough room for everything I usually carry including a fleece pullover and packable vest plus all the odds and ends you use when traveling through Europe. The retro look is very, very cool and gets attention. I actually had a gentleman seriously ask me if I was an archeologist. All in all, a solid five stars.

Just got this backpack and I absolutely love it. I can easily see this thing lasting a really really long time. It's made of thick canvas that you would see on a military style sleeping bag for example. But due to it being a canvas rucksack and not like a nylon backpack, it is very flexible and will squish down like a very broken-in bag when you set it on the ground. The backpack looks great and when you fully open up the rucksack, wow it has an insane amount of room in it. Due to it being canvas its very comfortable on your back and the straps are as well. I have always been one to kind of collect backpacks as I see ones that I like, typically military style, but this one is by far my favorite right now and I am switching to it and can see myself staying with it for a very long time. Definitely my new favorite bag already. I've been taking this backpack to work so far and putting gear in it and I've been using it for just taking clothes, towels, glasses, chargers, and other basic things around town. Going to use it for street bike rides as well and honestly it's probably gunna be my backpack I use for everything now. I've yanked at all the stitching and seams and they aren't going anywhere. You can tell the canvas material is very strong feeling yet flexible. You can tell this is a very well made backpack that is going to last years. I can't believe this backpack was only $42. Absolutely love it.

Note: The buckles are cosmetic and there are actually metal snaps underneath which I prefer because it would get old having to undo the buckles everytime. They seem very secure right now and I have no doubts that they will open up the canvas flap itself has some weight to it to hold it down/closed.

I will update if there becomes any issues, but right now is this a steal of a backpack for the price.

Yay!!!! I just received it and have only been using it for about 8 hours, but so far I love it. It is bigger than I thought it was going to be, but that is perfectly fine with me. The color is just like in the picture. It feels amazing. It's not too stiff and the weight of the canvas feels very sturdy. Just enough pockets for all my stuff and the straps are amazingly comfortable. My wife loves it too. I'm so excited about this. I'll try to update it after I put it through some more paces, but so far it's great. I am planning on waterproofing it and I've got a nifty little Wonder Woman patch that I think will look great on this bag.
I saw some people complain about the lack of form for this bag and, while I understand what they are saying, I didn't expect or want this bag to have a lot of rigidity to it. To me, it looks perfect. So excited to use it and really break it in nicely. Update to follow...hopefully!
UPDATE: It's been 3 months and I love this bag. It has held up very very well so far. No issues with stitching or snaps. The lack of structure did take a bit of getting used to after my previous pack, but it has not been a hindrance at all. I can fit my 32 oz cup in either the side pocket or the main compartment. My biggest "load" so far was my lunch bag, gym clothes, shoes, 13" laptop, all power cords, 32 oz cup in side pocket, and various other things. It was heavy, but that was my fault. The straps are comfortable and adjust well for me. I love the front compartment and when it's not loaded down it's squishy enough to fit in a drawer at work or the tiny compartment they call my locker. It's been to the gym, work, playdates with kids, outside, inside, dropped, smooshed, and slug around. It's a great bag so far. Haven't waterproofed it yet, but I figure I'll get to that soon. Wonderful product!

I bought this backpack over 4 years ago for around $40 . I've used it essentially every day and it's travelled with me on 3 continents. I was not very nice to this bag. It was rained on, thrown around, walked all over, crammed under lots of seats,and dragged across many a train station floor. I regularly carried a 15 in. laptop in a case inside it along with other things with no problem, and often crammed it full of a lot of really heavy groceries and walked long distances with them and /or took public transit. The seam on the bottom finally gave out a few weeks ago. I'm sorry to see it go, and I will be trying to fix it. I DID have a friend replace the main buckles as soon as I got it because they were a bit flimsy and I wanted real buckles, not snap ons, and the drawstring gave out like a year or so ago and I've been using a shoelace, but honestly this bag is well worth the money.

So, I have to be honest. I wanted to really, really, really love this backpack. I love the aesthetic, I love the material, and it had fantastic ratings.

It arrived and of course I fell in love! But some of the cons make it sort of.. I feel a small twinge of regret getting it, but it is really fleeting.

Pros: Slick; fashionable
Pro: Canvas; durable
Pro: BIG SPACE INSIDE
Pro: Its got this cool little inside zippered pocket that keeps your important/dainty things right there for you to grab
Pro: Actually very comfortable and forgiving straps.

CON: The straps on the sides don't say adjusted. The backpack straps? Yeah. Killer on the back because it sags so quickly. I adjusted the straps to where I wanted em, and then tied a knot there. Pro: Now they won't move an inch. Just bummer I had to do it in the first place.
CON: The buckles out in front are removable. This is a con for me as a college student, because it seems like they fell off at the gentle notion of the idea of falling off. For something like this, I'd prefer they stay adhered to the backpack. I'll be brushing up my sewing skills to affix them to the bag.
CON: Yeah, I thought I'd be okay with the drawstring, but it was not meant to be. Alas. I will also be modifying the back so that it has a more secure way of closing for when I travel using the bus- maybe a button or something? Who knows.

Overall, I'm very happy with this backpack as a college student. It'll be perfect once I make the necessary fixes I need to make for it.