**EDITED BELOW WITH IMPORTANT INFO!**
There has clearly been a lot of discussion about this bag being of poor quality, and after receiving mine and viewing several others in stores, I can objectively tell you that there are some fakes floating around the market. I feel terrible for all the people who have had bad experiences with their "Rothco" bag, as idiots who have flooded the market with Chinese junk are making a terrible name for a great brand. Below is a review of the official M-51 Engineers Bag.
DESIGN/QUALITY
Ok take a look at the picture on this page - this looks like a slim vertical messenger bag right? Ok now imagine that you are going to receive a bigger bag than the one in the picture. Got it? It's going to be even bigger than that! As another reviewer rightly mentioned, the dimensions given are an under-estimation of the INTERIOR dimensions. Pulling this bag out of the box, it truly is bigger than you would think. It doesn't help that it is made of heavy canvas, but then again, it depends on your expectations. The TRUE Rothco bag is very well made. The stitching is all very straight and clearly not going to break any time soon. The strap is heavy, and after several weeks of heavy use I can tell you that not one part of the bag looks like it is going to give out any time soon. Now on the design. The bag has a total of 3 Large pockets (Main laptop area, and two in the flap). It has 4 velcro pockets for cellphones/chargers etc, and 20 open pockets of various sizes for pens/cables etc. This is more than enough for any power user.
AND THE FAKES?
The imitations (cheap fakes) that I caught at a local store have none of these characteristics, the stitching is terrible and wonky in some places, and the zippers/clasps/strap all feel flimsy and cheap. One good tell is the stitching on the very front of the bag which is not the rounded triangle shape on the original, but more of a wonky wave...
**EDIT** I FINALLY got through to someone at Rothco HQ, who confirmed that they are aware that there are cheap knock-offs floating around the internet. They said the best way to avoid the fakes is by purchasing through a Rothco Dealer, or failing that an Army Surplus store!**EDIT**
HOW BIG???
The real dimensions are closer to 14x17x8, a good two inches thicker than stated on the product page. Does it make a difference? Well, allow me to share. I currently have: A macbook pro 13" with case and the charger, a Mighty Mouse, an iPad with case and wall charger, my cellphone, wallet and keys, a small pack of batteries, some smallish notebooks, 7 pens and a stylus, my earbud headphones and my large headphones, a large legal pad, 4 USB cables, 2 screwdrivers, a granola bar and other various odds and ends. And no, it's not full. This should give you an idea!
WHY 4 STARS??
- The real Rothco is EXCELLENT quality (+)
- Stylish without being flashy. Quite unassuming until you open it up and see the incredible functionality(+)
- Holds enough to satisfy most needs, technical or other.
- Could have been smaller, pictures should have included a mannequin shot (-)
OVERALL
I am very pleased with this bag, and feel that many people may have been duped. I would highly advise calling Rothco rather than the seller, and sending it in to them if you had a problem. This will (a) get you a replacement if indeed you have a Rothco original product, (b) help you in your case with Amazon requesting a refund, and finally (and most importantly) (c) help raise Rothco's awareness as to the possibility of fakes on the market, probably drying up some of the sources.
Overall I highly recommend ordering this bag from one of the Military Surplus Amazon stores that can be found under the "More Buying Options". These people know what they are dealing with and are much more likely to spot any fakes. This is a great bag, highly useful for the urban techie, and I will even be using this bag for camping/trekking.
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The location of the pen slots are in a "weird" spot--high up on the bag where the pens (or pencils/highlighters/markers, etc.) would be sticking up slightly past the opening of the bag. A pic is included to help illustrate. The pen slots themselves are different sizes--also shown in the pics. The reasoning behind that? Who knows... mass factory line production, or the skinny slots intended to hold a whatchamallit used to do some repairin' of thingamajigs?Maybe the position of the pen slots are for the more convenient reach as this bag is vertical oriented. However, being a short person with short arms, I still prefer the pen slot to be in a lower location. I could see the pens being in the way while trying to retrieve something from the pocket directly behind it, or the pens being abraded with the direct contact of the long flap.The extra supports are sewn into the bag. Personally, I hate the stiff supports and had thought of opening the seams, removing them then hand-sewing the seams closed.(Yes. I have needle and thread and am not afraid to use them!)However, the plastic-like supports are the dividers. Yuck. I like canvas material and would prefer a "limp" bag as heavy duty canvas is supportive enough for the notebooks, sketchbooks that I MUST have with me at all times. Carrying the bag with the unforgiving supports is like carrying a box; no stuffing into a corner of the already full trunk or just uncomfortable--for me--to carry.The arrangement of all the pockets are workable, but are not where I find them useful.This is personal preference and not a statement of criticism for the manufacturer.The bag was returned as I could see myself using it and hoping it would "grow on me" and when realizing it wasn't "grow(ing) on me" it would be too late to return it.
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