This is a great backpack. It is very well built. The stitching, the waxed cotton, the leather straps, the brass hardware are all first class. I get so many compliments on this bag too. It's old school looks. It goes great with my old school Harley too!
This is a first impression after a week in the front range of Colorado: the bag is perfect for me. Diesel legged hikers love huge bags for all their equipment; I can carry exactly what I can fit in this bag. It looks so "old school" on the outside, but has small sanctuary places for things you never want to lose or damage. It has strength in the stress points, fits well, carries well, and is pleasing to the eye. I think this is my bag for the duration.
I've had this backpack for about 4 years and it has been with me through 15 countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Not only is this a great bag for travel in the U.S., it is fantastic in regions where there is significantly less "service" than Westerners are accustomed to. Its Old World look means you stand out less in a crowd. Add a PacSafe mesh to your pack, and it is secure even from the most determined thief, as its straps are easily pulled through the net to still be wearable. I do not recommend this bag for hiking long distances, its spacious design holds more gear than you will want to comfortably wear in a frameless pack, but for traveling light from country to country, it is fantastic. Packing light, I can travel for three to four weeks with just this pack. The pack straps do shed little stings from the leather part, but it doesn't affect the integrity of the pack, and a little trimming gets it looking like new again.
