ProsDurable, Great Value, Performing as Expected, epic, awesome
The bag lends an awesome old-timey explorer to your strolls down the street/hallway/floating crocodile (pith helmet not included). Absolutely reccomended to everyone and everything, ever. If you haves a torso and two arms you need this bag.
I've owned this pack for two and a half years, now. I use it every day as a student, I've taken it abroad to rough-travel places in Asia and Africa as my only luggage, and have not been careful nor kind to it in that time. It has exceeded my expectations and has taken all of my attempts to destroy it with ease. I seldom leave my home without it--it even serves as my only grocery sack.
Previously, I had owned the Deluxe Continental Rucksack which was heavy nylon with a thick leather bottom. It was not sold for long, but I used and abused it for over ten years, carrying it to every continent but Australia and Antarctica as well as over-stuffing it with books through my bachelor's and master's years. It still hangs ready to use in the closet, though the years and the elements have thinned the nylon, somewhat. The Waxed Cotton Continental Rucksack is a worthy successor.
The drawbacks are always the most useful part of a review. Here are those I find:
1. The shoulder straps, as others mention, do not hold up for long and soon roll in on themselves, creating rope-like straps. This is certainly true if you regularly over-load the pack, as I do, especially with books. I have riveted strips of belt leather to the cotton sides of the straps and sewed strips of real sheepskin to the other side. They are now the most comfortable shoulder straps I've ever had on any pack.
2. The inner mesh pockets--all three of them--were easily torn and frayed in the first year. These are not important to me and do little to change the function of the pack. If you're concerned about having compartments for all your little gadgets and tchotchkes, then this is not the pack for you, anyway.
3. The fraying of the nylon layer between the leather of the straps is a minor issue. Other reviews, I believe, have made it seem more serious than it is. A match easily removes the frayed ends.
4. The factory-applied wax was rather thin and did little to keep out water, even in a moderate rain. If you intend to use this pack seriously, then regular re-application of wax should be part of the maintenance. There are some good waxes available from well-known waxed-canvas clothing manufacturers.
5. The stitching of the leather straps on the three pockets, while absolutely sufficient and resilient, does not reach the edge of the pockets and results in stretching and bunching of the canvas when the straps are pulled tight. I corrected this by first adding my own stitching to the edge of the pocket, but later replacing this stitching with brass rivets just below the factory stitching. This has held up solidly and fixed what is the most minor of my concerns with the pack.
Those are the only negative issues with the pack. In every other respect, under every condition that I have used this pack (and it is a wide-ranging set of conditions) I have been very satisfied.
I am moving to Costa Rica for a graduate program where the weather and regions change very quickly. I need a back pack that allows me to walk to school in the rain without fear of my laptop getting soaked, and also one that has the ability of being used for long hikes in our backyard (the rainforest) or weekend trips to the coast. And, of course, it has to look somewhat stylish.
I looked around a lot online and was even afraid that I made a mistake after ordering this one... but I certainly didn't. If you are into aesthetics, the rucksack is beautiful. I was concerned that the modern back section would look a little off but its barely even noticeable and I am sure I will be grateful for it after treking for a few hours.
The leather is better than I would have imagined for the price and smells delicious (as others have mentioned).
The size is perfect (I'm 5' 4'' and 130 pounds) though I can see how it may be big for people just going on a short day trip.
I personally like that the front pocket is zip and buckle as it makes me less afraid of pickpocketing (always a fear when you are carrying a backpack).
The straps are quite comfortable as well. I do wonder how they will do in the rain (i.e. how much water they will absorb) but I guess you can't have everything. The only other concern is that I question how water resistant this really is... might have to invest in a waterproof plastic bag (sealable) to put my computer in within the rucksack just in case...
