Rothco Canvas Urban Explorer Shoulder Bag

Okay I was super nervous when ordering this bag because I was afraid it was going to be larger than what I wanted and would have to return it. I just really wanted something small and compact I can carry around a few things like my camera, a water a wallet and minor things of that nature instead of a big purse. I was so happy when I received this bag and it was just what I was looking for. It's small enough to fit in a couple notebooks, make up case, glasses, keys, phone, water bottle, camera with plenty room for more BUT it's still small. It's so nice and compact and not huge which I'm so over joyed about. I like traveling light while carrying my stuff that I feel I like having with me if I go far. The two side pockets are perfect for a water bottle, for a baby bottle, for little snacks. I would say if you're a mom looking to pack light and do not want a flashy bag but a sturdy bag you can get dirty, then this is it. You can pack a couple diapers, wipes, baby bottles, snacks for the kids, a couple toys, pacifiers, pens a anything else you might carry as a mom it's perfect. If you're a man you will by no means feel less masculine carrying this. It's roomy enough for a wallet, mini ipad, or tablet, hand sanitizer, water bottles, camera, and still have room and this does not look like a purse so you won't feel like you look feminine. I love that it's canvas, I love that it's not faded black but a nice solid black. You have pockets for many smaller items. You will not go wrong if you're looking for something small enough to pack lightly but big enough to carry a few not to bulky items (cameras, snacks, bathing suit, water bottles, some mommy items, work items, notebooks etc.) I can't wait to use it, these little bags are what I look for and I am super happy with this purchase, no complaints shipping was pretty quick too. I know not too many people were happy about the main pocket not having a zipper, BUT the top lid closes enough to cover it, but to double protect my stuff, I purchased a little organizer that has zippers on the compartments so that I can feel more comfortable with that situation. This product is worth the money, I hope it can last a long time, but only time will tell!! If anyone has had it for a while please let me know it's condition whether light or heavy use, I would love to see this bags quality after some time. Read more

When I went to Europe last summer I carried a leather messenger bag on my tip in order to store my laptop and things I'd be carrying around Paris, etc. It wasn't bad but I just felt like it could have been a bit lighter and a little less purse looking, after all carrying bags in the USA for men is a little less common than in Europe so a manlier bag was in order. I found this on Amazon and I debated it for a while. I typically don't carry military green things and I was unsure about how the pockets on each end looked in the picture. It was canvas and I read it was sturdy so I crossed my fingers and gave it a chance. The worst that could happen was I'd end up giving it to my brother for his ammo I thought. When it arrived and I took it out of the bag I was really shocked about how nice it looked. First off the front flap actually pulls all the way down and covers the entire front (not shown in the pic because they want to highlight the inner pockets) which is really great because the whole bag is nicely concealed by the flap. Second, the pockets are wonderful There is a pocket for everything and some are even layered. The pockets contained in this bag are as such: The front flap unzips at the top for a bag length pocket. A deep pocket on each side capable of inserting a 20 oz water bottle (Or cell phone and ipad chargers in my case" When you open it there is an ID pocket, with a layered pocket behind it and yet another taller layered pocket behind that, all good for carrying various forms of paper work and even a hard drive or two. To the left of the layered pockets are two ammo sized pockets which I rarely use but are good size for holding a pack of cigarettes in each and yet another layered pocket behind those. Then you have the inner section, when you open the bag up. Inside you have a very nicely lined interior and a zip pocket in the back of the inner part. Finally you have a clip inside so you can clip your keys or about anything you want to it and it fits inside the bag. Last but not least you have a velcro pocket on the backside of the bag - very useful for carrying passports. Pros: A lot of very useful pockets. Great if you travel overseas and have to carry a lot of passports, travel brochures, along with an ipad, cell phone. Basically you can fit about anything you can carry in here plus some. I'll never go on vacation with out it. -Strong, sturdy canvas. I'm clumsy and often rip stuff by getting snagged on things. I've carried this bag all over Montreal day in and day out as well as using it for an ipad carrying bag when I got back and it only looks better the more I use it. -Price is very cheap for such a nice bag. I expected to spend at least 50 and found this beauty for 15. Cons -I didn't find it sooner. The only real con I have found about this bag is that the strap is just a little bit thin. By that I don't mean that it's not strong, it is very strong so I have no worries about it breaking, it's just that after carrying it on a long trip it makes your shoulder just a little sore from the rubbing. This could easily be fixed by some sort of strap attachment or shoulder pad. It's certainly not a reason not to buy or use this bag. Even if I don't get one, it's still coming with me on my next trip. I can deal with the minor annoyance over how helpful it is. , Read more

While this probably isn't large enough for a student who carries books, it is certainly large enough for somebody who carries a tablet and other school supplies. There are a multitude of compartments, and the quality of this bag is top notch. It's made with heavy canvas, and it is quite sturdy. My initial instinct was to give 4/5 stars for a size on the small size for a student, but the dimensions are clearly stated in the description. If I really wanted a bigger bag, I could have purchased a bigger bag. As it is, this was a gift for my teenage niece, so it should be more than enough to hold the numerous boy band and Harry Potter badges I've gotten for her. I am not worried one bit that she'll tear this messenger bag up at all. There are velcro-closed pouches (roughly 5.5"H x 3.5"W, tapered at the bottom) on either end of the bag, two small pouches on the front left (3"L x 2"H x 1"D, beneath the overflap), ID card slot on the right front (also beneath the overflap), a 5.5"W x 6"H flat slot behind the ID card slot, a 7.25"H x 5.25"W flat slot on both sides of the front, beneath the overflap, a plastic buckle to fasten the overflap. The overflap, itself, is a large zippered compartment (approx. 10.5"W" x 6"H), and inside of the bag is a zippered currency pocket (5.25"H x 7"W, as found in most purses). There is an internal plastic 1.25" snaphook on which to tether a keyring. The entire external body side of the bag is a velcro-closed flat pouch (10.75"W x 8"H) with curved corners at the bottom to match the shape of the bag. Read more