I'm one of those people who prefer a classic look to his accessories, and there's something decidedly old-fashioned about the design of this bag. Once I got it, I then discovered how good it was as a carry-on for trips by air.
I've packed two complete changes of clothes, an extra change of underwear / socks, and a hefty sweater in the main compartment, toiletry and laundry kits in the back pocket, notebook and pens on one side, camera and chargers on the other, and a wool cap in the pocket on the top flap. That got me through a one-week stay in London.
Two drawbacks: one, the straps (being buckles) aren't as easy to quick-adjust as they are on a conventional slide-strap style backpack. Two: it's not really all that convenient to pack a laptop into this one along with the above gear (although a netbook might fit in that top flap).
Really though, it's a small price to pay for the convenience of being hands-free from terminal arrival to departure gate.
I found this bag at the outlet store in Maine on a photography journey. This will probably turn out to be the second-to-last backpack I will ever purchase (I need something bigger for a two-month hike across NC). I see aesthetics as one of the most important aspects of life, and I tell you, when you pull your camp stove, text books, or mandolin out of this bag, you feel the air of ages past (and smell it, as some other reviewers have said. It smells real nice). Think about it this way: If the straps on the sides were on any other pack, they would probably be meant to carry a tripod, or some trekking poles perhaps. On THIS pack, they are for your pick-axe, astrolabe, vintage swiss skis, musket... You get the idea.
My issues with this back are few, and picky: First, I have a relatively tall torso, and I am scrawny as a dogwood sapling. This makes it so I have to lower the straps pretty far in order to use the hip belt. But when the pack is that low, it flaps around a lot, and the center of gravity is really low. I can solve this by strapping heavy stuff to the leather tie-ons on the lid (which are really, really cool, by the way), but the stuff still flaps around too much. The only way I can think of to solve this would be to craft your own internal frame (not too difficult thanks to the openings in which to store the hip belt... I am currently looking for bits of aluminum to do this). Also, for the first year of putting this bag through the stresses of a highschool bookbag, a fringe of threads sprouts perpetually from between the sandwiched leather parts. It just looks funny.
In summary, buy this pack RIGHT NOW. It looks better once you've got ink stains all over the inside pockets. Oh man... and the furry straps... genius!
This ruckcack is a quality product. Lots of various pockets and spaces. The straps are very comfortable. I have used it to date to carry my field guides for trees, butterflies, native shrubs, wildflowers etc. That makes for a heavy rucksack, but still comfortable to carry. I know when I need it for traveling it will accomadate everything I need.
It's a great pack. If you're trying to convince yourself to get this bag - just get it. It looks tough and it is tough. I've only had mine for a few weeks but I've already put it to work. It's been on a couple of short hiking trips and is great for carrying just about anything. I use it for hauling everything. And as a plein air painter this rucksack has tons of room for my painting gear.
