Customer Reviews

Rothco Urban Explorer O.D. Canvas Shoulder Bag

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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'm a 6'5" 240 lb combat vet that carries my stuff in what the military might refer to as a 'rucksack'. I looked everywhere for something that didn't look or feel like a 'purse', and came across this bag in an Army-Navy store about 6 years ago. I wore it out, using it every day.
I tried several other bags, but they just didn't work. Then I found the exact duplicate; the same bag. It's strong canvas, has a tremendous number of pockets, is exteremly well built, wears like iron, and cleans easily. End pockets, interior pockets, a pocket in the cover flap, envelope slots, and compartments with a large main bag. I take it everywhere, all the time. Best 'Male' bag out there, bar none.

The bag is durable and comfortable to carry. I love all the pockets. My only complaint would be the width. The main compartment is just wide enough to carry documents, but because the bag does not have reinforcement, the documents bend. I put two pieces of cardboard inside to give some support to the main compartment--problem solved.

This bag was perfectly sized and pocketed for my travels. I'm still giving it 5 stars, even though the Velco frayed quickly and was obliterated by the end of my 2 week trip.

Here's a list of all the pockets, because that's what I was looking for when I bought it, and an example of what I put into each pocket.

1) Main compartment (Quick-release buckle) - My 10.5" x 7.5" netbook laptop fit here with some room to spare.
2) Pocket inside the main compartment (Zippered) - Passport and cash.
3) Pocket on flap (Zippered) - Important papers/tickets.
4) Large outside pocket (Velcro) - Perfect for quick access to maps and tour books and random fliers. I used it so much the small Velcro rectangle disintegrated in a week.
5) Side pocket (Velcro) - Camera.
6) Side pocket (Velcro) - Phone.
7) Tall sleeve - Laptop power adapter.
8) Tall sleeve - Umbrella.
9) 4/5ths tall sleeve - Pens, tissues.
10) Small pocket (Velcro) - Power converter.
11) Small pocket (Velcro) - Chap stick, gum, etc.
12) ID sleeve - Didn't use. It's a shiny way to ugly-up an otherwise great looking bag, though the flap covers it just fine.

This is just the right bag to take my netbook with me on a day trip to The City.

I've been using this bag a lot as a camera bag. It doesn't have padding but everything fits in it so well and it is very comfortable. There are lots of little pockets and even the top flap can hold a tabletop tripod.

The main problem with this bag is that the front velcro pockets don't stay closed and I've lost some stuff. The side pockets seem fine though.

This isn't a big bulky bag like some but it also isn't small. It seems to be well made, but only time will tell about this. The only complaint I have is the Velcro seem to be attached poorly and on the one pocket in a bad place.

I use this bag for my commute to and from work.

A few tips for those of you considering this bag - check the product dimensions before you buy. It is not a full size messenger bag. And ladies, this bag comes up on Amazon search as a messenger bag for MEN. Don't complain if your stuff won't fit or falls out. It's not a woman's handbag.

Now for my purpose, this bag is just fine. The main compartment can hold my 10" netbook and the inside zippered pouch holds the power adapter/cord, mini mouse, memory cards and some other cables. I still have room in the main compartment for a 1/2 liter water bottle and my lunch.

A pocket on each side of the bag - one holds my eyeglasses, the other my Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (Black).

Several pockets under the flap hold my bus fare, business cards and other odds and ends.

A zippered pouch on the front flap stores my sunglasses and SanDisk Sansa Clip+ 4 GB MP3 Player (Black). It would probably hold a average sized paperback book too.

Lastly, a pouch on the back can hold papers (8.5 x 11 folded in half) and other flat items.

One minor flaw that I just noticed as I was typing this is that the strip of material on the outer flap zipper pull (as seen is upper left of item picture) wasn't stitched adequately. I'll fix that later or just remove it.

Overall, a good bag for what I need it to do and the price is nice.

Before buying this bag, I needed to know how long the strap of this bag was when fully extended, and I am sure others might need to know as well. Many, many manufacturers don't list this measurement (including this manufacturer) and I can't think why - people come in all sizes, like tall, pregnant (or both), etc., etc., and if they are going to buy online, they sometimes need to know if the bag is going to fit them. So, according to the tape measure from my sewing kit, the Urban Explorer Canvas Shoulder Bag strap is about 53 inches from end to end. In other words, if you hang it over your shoulder, the bag will fall about 26.5 inches down the length of your body. Of course, the strap is adjustable so you can shorten if you need to.

As for the rest of the bag, I like it very much. Others have detailed the pockets, closures, etc. so no need to repeat all that. I bought it to replace a very heavy leather messenger bag that I'd had for years, and which was causing me back pain. This new bag is much appreciated for its comparatively lightweight canvas; it's sure been easier on my back since I do wear it cross-body. The bag is big enough to hold a full-size wallet, a bottle of Tylenol, a hairbrush, a coin purse, a big bunch of keys, cell phone, book or Kindle, a couple of cosmetics, and quite often my lunch too. I for one appreciate the little plastic ID pocket. I put my bus pass in it and it's nice not to have to fumble for it when boarding the bus... although it must be said that since I do have to lift the flap of the bag to show the pass to the drivers (the flap of the bag I got covers the ID pocket rather than sitting just above it like the photo shows in this product description), it always feels a little like I am flashing them... oh, well!

this bag the Urban Explorer Canvas Shoulder Bag is the second "man" bag I got through Amazon.....
the first one was the Heavyweight Classic Messenger Bag from Rothco....it was a really great bag...but it was too large for
my purposes...I don't carry around a lap top computer....like a lot of people do in their bag...so it was much too large for me...
with Amazon's return policy I was able to return the bag for a full refund....and I started researching for another bag...
that's when I found the Explorer bag...
mainly I will be using the Explorer bag when I travel....it is a good size and is able to hold.... wallet, keys, small P&S camera, note pad and pen, sunglasses, bottle water,
a book, travel tickets and itinerary, maps, camera charger.....these things I would not be able to carry around any other way... the bag looks cool in the olive color...and one doesn't feel
awkward carrying around a bag...just having the freedom to not carry the ole wallet in my back pocket is really cool...
for you guys out there thinking of getting a bag...this is the one...you won't regret getting it....
and the price was very reasonable....
Willie.....7/08/2010

Very well made, surprisingly roomy, incredible number of USABLE pockets! Inside, outside, in the front flap, on the back, etc., etc. Only possible negative is the lack of a handle, it has an adjustable shoulder strap that is akward to use to pick it up, move it around. I highly recommend this, great bag for the price!