Rothco Canvas Urban Explorer Shoulder Bag

Okay I was super nervous when ordering this bag because I was afraid it was going to be larger than what I wanted and would have to return it. I just really wanted something small and compact I can carry around a few things like my camera, a water a wallet and minor things of that nature instead of a big purse. I was so happy when I received this bag and it was just what I was looking for. It's small enough to fit in a couple notebooks, make up case, glasses, keys, phone, water bottle, camera with plenty room for more BUT it's still small. It's so nice and compact and not huge which I'm so over joyed about. I like traveling light while carrying my stuff that I feel I like having with me if I go far. The two side pockets are perfect for a water bottle, for a baby bottle, for little snacks. I would say if you're a mom looking to pack light and do not want a flashy bag but a sturdy bag you can get dirty, then this is it. You can pack a couple diapers, wipes, baby bottles, snacks for the kids, a couple toys, pacifiers, pens a anything else you might carry as a mom it's perfect. If you're a man you will by no means feel less masculine carrying this. It's roomy enough for a wallet, mini ipad, or tablet, hand sanitizer, water bottles, camera, and still have room and this does not look like a purse so you won't feel like you look feminine. I love that it's canvas, I love that it's not faded black but a nice solid black. You have pockets for many smaller items. You will not go wrong if you're looking for something small enough to pack lightly but big enough to carry a few not to bulky items (cameras, snacks, bathing suit, water bottles, some mommy items, work items, notebooks etc.) I can't wait to use it, these little bags are what I look for and I am super happy with this purchase, no complaints shipping was pretty quick too. I know not too many people were happy about the main pocket not having a zipper, BUT the top lid closes enough to cover it, but to double protect my stuff, I purchased a little organizer that has zippers on the compartments so that I can feel more comfortable with that situation. This product is worth the money, I hope it can last a long time, but only time will tell!! If anyone has had it for a while please let me know it's condition whether light or heavy use, I would love to see this bags quality after some time.

When I went to Europe last summer I carried a leather messenger bag on my tip in order to store my laptop and things I'd be carrying around Paris, etc. It wasn't bad but I just felt like it could have been a bit lighter and a little less purse looking, after all carrying bags in the USA for men is a little less common than in Europe so a manlier bag was in order. I found this on Amazon and I debated it for a while. I typically don't carry military green things and I was unsure about how the pockets on each end looked in the picture. It was canvas and I read it was sturdy so I crossed my fingers and gave it a chance. The worst that could happen was I'd end up giving it to my brother for his ammo I thought. When it arrived and I took it out of the bag I was really shocked about how nice it looked. First off the front flap actually pulls all the way down and covers the entire front (not shown in the pic because they want to highlight the inner pockets) which is really great because the whole bag is nicely concealed by the flap. Second, the pockets are wonderful There is a pocket for everything and some are even layered. The pockets contained in this bag are as such: The front flap unzips at the top for a bag length pocket. A deep pocket on each side capable of inserting a 20 oz water bottle (Or cell phone and ipad chargers in my case" When you open it there is an ID pocket, with a layered pocket behind it and yet another taller layered pocket behind that, all good for carrying various forms of paper work and even a hard drive or two. To the left of the layered pockets are two ammo sized pockets which I rarely use but are good size for holding a pack of cigarettes in each and yet another layered pocket behind those. Then you have the inner section, when you open the bag up. Inside you have a very nicely lined interior and a zip pocket in the back of the inner part. Finally you have a clip inside so you can clip your keys or about anything you want to it and it fits inside the bag. Last but not least you have a velcro pocket on the backside of the bag - very useful for carrying passports. Pros: A lot of very useful pockets. Great if you travel overseas and have to carry a lot of passports, travel brochures, along with an ipad, cell phone. Basically you can fit about anything you can carry in here plus some. I'll never go on vacation with out it. -Strong, sturdy canvas. I'm clumsy and often rip stuff by getting snagged on things. I've carried this bag all over Montreal day in and day out as well as using it for an ipad carrying bag when I got back and it only looks better the more I use it. -Price is very cheap for such a nice bag. I expected to spend at least 50 and found this beauty for 15. Cons -I didn't find it sooner. The only real con I have found about this bag is that the strap is just a little bit thin. By that I don't mean that it's not strong, it is very strong so I have no worries about it breaking, it's just that after carrying it on a long trip it makes your shoulder just a little sore from the rubbing. This could easily be fixed by some sort of strap attachment or shoulder pad. It's certainly not a reason not to buy or use this bag. Even if I don't get one, it's still coming with me on my next trip. I can deal with the minor annoyance over how helpful it is. ,

I've just bought myself a new bag because the two that I've been using in heavy rotation for some years--the Eagle Creek Sidekick and another Eagle Creek bag whose make I haven't been able to identify--don't quite fit the bill. The Sidekick is too small for my purposes; the other bag is too large under many circumstances. My new bag, the Urban Explorer Canvas Shoulder Bag, which measures 12"x10"x4", is in between these two, size-wise. It's a very nice bag, and I think it will suit my purposes well, but it's not perfect. I can't add pictures here, but I've added three to my account on Flickr and annotated them with on-screen notes. In particular, I point out where all the pockets are. The pictures are public, so if you search for "Urban Explorer Black Canvas Shoulder Bag" you should find them. PROS * I got the bag for about $20 delivered from Amazon, which you really can't beat. * The bag is, to me at least, quite attractive. * I haven't run it through any stress tests, of course, but it feels very sturdy. * It's the perfect size for me. Large enough to carry a composition book and a couple of hardcovers at least, yet not so big that it feels empty or sags if you're not carrying any big items. * It feels comfortable wearing it. This is presumably a function of its size and fabric, but also of its strap.... * The strap--which is adjustable but cannot be removed--is the perfect thickness for the bag. More importantly, it doesn't slip off your shoulder. * The bag has a lanyard for keys, which is convenient. * The bag has 12 pockets (for details of which, click through to the Flickr pics), but not all of these can be counted among the bag's pluses. The two side pockets, with velcro closures, are handy, however, and seem secure. CONS My various objections to the bag can be summed up by saying that the pockets, though numerous (12!), are neither as convenient (many of them) nor as secure (many of them) as one would like. To wit: * The ID card holder (again, I refer you to the Flickr pictures) may be convenient for some, but I certainly have no need for it, so it's wasted space. * There are no pen slots (but one of the three narrow, deep pockets can be used for the purpose). * The two small velcro pockets on the front of the bag would be great for carrying something like a cell phone, but the velcro doesn't stay closed! So you can't trust the pockets for anything of value. They're essentially useless. * The main interior pocket is not zippered. There is a zippered compartment within the main compartment, and another in the bag's flap, but neither's very convenient for grabbing a wallet from, for example. I'd want the main compartment to be zippered so that when, inevitably, the bag is tossed around or it falls from the bleachers at a softball game, everything won't fall out of it. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT * Most importantly, add a zipper to the main interior pocket. * Put snap closures on the small pockets instead of velcro. (Perhaps replace them with one larger but more secure pocket.) * Get rid of the ID pocket and replace it with something more useful--perhaps another small pocket with snap closure. -- Debra Hamel

I read all of the positive and negative reviews, and I would say that almost all are accurate. It is important to know and understand what you will use this bag for, and what you want to be able to carry. For my purposes it is perfect. Solid canvas and the right size to carry my iPad plus other misc. items. Larger canvas bags can become 'floppy' so I wanted something smaller to prevent this, but wanted something large enough that I could carry other items such as a charger, small notebook, book, glasses, etc. The 4 velcro pockets (two in front, and one on each side) are perfect for holding smaller items for quick and convenient access. However... as noted on a number of the negative reviews, they are NOT good for holding very small items such as spare change, for example. The enclosure does not completely 'seal' the contents, and smaller items could spill out. I knew that I would not be carrying these items in this bag so this was not an issue for me. There are two zippered pouches - one on the outside flap and one on the inside, that can be used to securely hold items as needed, and there is a large pocket on the back, with a velcro closure that is perfect to hold a book, notepad, maps, etc. Really give some thought to the storage sections and make sure they will carry/contain the items you plan to carry. If they will, then this bag is fantastic - you will appreciate the smaller (yet more than adequate to carry a netbook or tablet), lightweight, and durable canvas.

While this probably isn't large enough for a student who carries books, it is certainly large enough for somebody who carries a tablet and other school supplies. There are a multitude of compartments, and the quality of this bag is top notch. It's made with heavy canvas, and it is quite sturdy. My initial instinct was to give 4/5 stars for a size on the small size for a student, but the dimensions are clearly stated in the description. If I really wanted a bigger bag, I could have purchased a bigger bag. As it is, this was a gift for my teenage niece, so it should be more than enough to hold the numerous boy band and Harry Potter badges I've gotten for her. I am not worried one bit that she'll tear this messenger bag up at all. There are velcro-closed pouches (roughly 5.5"H x 3.5"W, tapered at the bottom) on either end of the bag, two small pouches on the front left (3"L x 2"H x 1"D, beneath the overflap), ID card slot on the right front (also beneath the overflap), a 5.5"W x 6"H flat slot behind the ID card slot, a 7.25"H x 5.25"W flat slot on both sides of the front, beneath the overflap, a plastic buckle to fasten the overflap. The overflap, itself, is a large zippered compartment (approx. 10.5"W" x 6"H), and inside of the bag is a zippered currency pocket (5.25"H x 7"W, as found in most purses). There is an internal plastic 1.25" snaphook on which to tether a keyring. The entire external body side of the bag is a velcro-closed flat pouch (10.75"W x 8"H) with curved corners at the bottom to match the shape of the bag.

It's time men to use a little common sense. A man today can not do everything out of his wallet and a professional briefcase isn't for every man. This is a masculine, incredibly functional mini duffle that has pockets up the wazoo and is made of heavy canvas, will take a beating and keep marching' on! Will carry books, laptop/notebook, notebooks, personal stuff, and mini-pockets for a lot of stuff. A strap that lets you wear it across your chest or short enough to hang on one shoulder. I have a lot of Doctor appointments, lawyer appointments, other medical stuff, shopping, personal business and relying on cargo pockets and trying to use a cane and carry things in my one free hand is just a pain in the butt! This 'man bag' solves all my problems and makes my life sooo much easier. And once you start wearing one you'll notice how many other men have been wearing them. Now I can carry my medicine and other necessities everywhere I go.

I wanted a small bag to carry ipad, or 7 inch tablet, a book or two and maybe lunch. This fit the bill. It has an abundance of pockets. It is a small back but it can hold a decent amount of stuff. There is a zipper on the flap where I keep earphones and misc items. there is a pocket in the back for a magazine or something of that nature. There are 2 large pockets under the flap and 1 medium one. The large pocket fits a android 7 inch tablet. The ipad would go in the main compartment. I can fit an ipad and book with a small bit of room left over for a small sandwhich or some small snack, maybe some bars etc. I want to try with a macbook air 11 inch and 13 inch. The pockets on the side can hold glasses without a hardshell case. Or a water bottle. It's lightweight. cons: Just make sure to check all the stitching. There were a few loose threads but very easy to reinforce and fix if you check in the beginning. Everything looks well made.

Seriously, I'm pretty secure with masculinity, but most of the bags I've seen for my intended purpose look like purses. This bag however, does not. When I first pulled it out of the box my kids said, Ha, dad bought a murse! Upon further inspection my daughter said that's cool and my son said that's not a purse it's a satchel. LMAO! I bought the bag to use while traversing the floor of a 3 day trade show and I was so pleased with the utility of the bag that I now use it everyday and have for several moths now. It's light weight (a good thing) and made of very durable canvas. It the past I've Maxpedition messenger bag that I really like, but it's too heavy for day of carry and the strap is not very comfortable. There is no shoulder fatigue with this canvas bag strap. I don't know how practical this bag is for ladies compared to a purse, but it's great for There are a couple of cons: The front ID holder is great for a couple of business cards, but you'll want to be careful with what you put in the other two Velcro pockets located on the front of the bag. You really need to press hard on the Velcro closure to ensure it stays closed. I use the front pockets for eye drops and other things of no real value so this is not a big deal. With that said, I haven't had anything fall out of the pockets so far. The size - For me it's perfect, but if you plan on putting anything with the outer dimension greater than a standard file folder then you'll probably want to go a different route. I keep my iPad, product literature, and a few other items in the main compartment and pens, cards and tons of other smaller items in the front and internal sipper pockets, There's also a large Velcro packet on the back of the bag that's large enough for a medium frame handgun if you happen to a license to carry. The bottom line: The bag is less than $18 so let's be real. It is what it says it is and there is nothing misleading in the product description. For you guys, let the length of the strap all the way out and carry it cross shouldered with the bag hanging on your backside It's 2013, no one is going to laugh at you...unless you're wearing a fanny pack. DOH! UPDATE - I just ordered another one of these bags to put back in case I lose the first.

Very nice non-expensive bag. I use it to carry my personnal stuff and my ipad. Fits great. Only thing keeping it from getting 5 stars is that the pockets arent really sealed and it is easy to drop something from them if your not careful.