Rothco Mini Alice Pack – Heavyweight 18 OZ Cotton Canvas Rucksack – 20L Capacity

Small issues but I still gave it 5 stars. The canvas is a nice material that feels pretty tear resistant. The front pouches are finally a good size which is hard to find although they could be a little wider on the side ones. The main area is just one big maw with no partitions which I prefer over all the extra flaps or dual pouch style. I'm a K9 handler and I keep a dog first aid kit, Jute toy, muzzle, work belt with cuffs and flashlight rolled up, and a few other small things in it and it closes just fine. The issues tho are the straps to wear it and close the big pouch. They are short to wear it. A co worker tried it on because he liked the look but at 6'2" and 260 the straps were not long enough to reach around him and clasp back on to the bag. I'm 5'8" and around 190 and there is about an inch and a half of extra left over which is pushing the minimum to stay in place. Plus the part where it connects is hidden under the bag and very short and unlike the military style you cant give it a lift on your shoulders and tighten them as they pull backwards in direction from that style of bag which makes it very hard to adjust where it rides on your back once you have it on. The front straps to close it attach at the same place, under the bag. So if the bag is sitting on a desk you can't close it without tipping it backwards making it a little awkward. These are first world problems though so I still gave it 5 because it's big enough without being a full ruck, feels durable, and I got a couple "nice bag" compliments in a few weeks. I am working on modifying the straps to be better which is a mild annoyance but for the overall price well worth a little extra effort.

I was undecided on whether to get this or not. I have enough backpacks, but for the price, and a comment from another reviewer about good durability, I bought it. I am glad I did. The "mini" in the title misled me slightly. I was expecting something quite small, in my opinion, it is not small. I'd consider it a medium sized backpack. A large edc pack. The shoulder straps are soft, not meant for heavy loads, but comfortable. It has 3 nice sized external pouches, all with flaps and straps. Old School straps that you easily pass thru the buckles, no quick release anything here. I like that old school feature, some may not. The external pouches could carry a fat water bottle, not the thin tall type. The main compartment is roomy and closed first with a drawstring, then with a flap and strap, again easily passed thru metal buckles. It is capable of carrying a lot of your lighter belongings. I wouldn't use it for a book bag, some of those text books are too heavy, but anything lighter for your daily trips, this is a good pack. A pair of size 12 tennis shoes fit nicely in the bottom of the main compartment, and a ranger style rolled change of clothes would leave room for other stuff. I don't usually leave lengthy reviews, but this is worthwhile. I got the olive drab, and there are a few other color options that I will consider purchasing soon. In case you didn't get the idea, I highly recommend.

Almost perfect reproduction, slightly larger than an original army issue one I picked up a lifetime ago and have been enjoying ever since. Straps are wide and comfortable on the shoulders, large central pouch stores many items without disrupting your center of gravity. Stitching is quality, material is not quite as heavy of a canvas as the original, but still stout enough to take any abuse you can throw at it. Buckles and straps hold pouches securely closed, even after days of hiking. My only issue was that the smaller pouches were not large enough to fit a GI-style canteen and cup, so I plan to sew a canteen pouch somewhere onto the pack. If you’re looking for a small to medium pack that’s perfect for any 1-3 day trip, in any environment, this is the pack for you. I’ve used packs that I paid a lot more for and haven’t been able to do nearly as much with. There’s a reason this style pack has been a faithful companion on my hunting and camping expeditions for over a decade

Great pack! I have stuffed it with everything I need! Sits nicely on my back. Very comfortable!

Very good and sturdy backpack and budget friendly I bought this for my prepping supplies and a second one for E.D.C and i can already tell this backpack will definitely last throughout and beyond an S.H.T.F scenario definitely recommend if your looking for something to carry your bugout essentials or for everyday use if your on a budget

First off the good points. Heavy canvas and wide shoulder straps that are heavily stitched and sturdy enough is the best I can say. Main bag is roomy and is big enough for you to overload it! Wink. Now the bad. Buckles for shoulder straps won't grip the strap properly so it slips to longest position with any kind of load. To prevent slippage, the end must be run back through the end of the buckle to create a second tension point. This prevents readjusting the straps once on the back as needed. The side pockets have a diagonal stitch at both top corners that prevents the pocket from fully opening. For example, the pocket is wide enough for two 20 oz water bottles but the "neck" formed by the stitches means you must squish one to fit through the neck and unsquish after getting it in. A pair of light leather gloves must be rolled tightly to fit through then unrolled once inside to lay flat. A normal size roll of toilet paper would fit easily in the pocket except it can't get through the pocket neck. Frustrating. Will end up cutting the stitches. I loaded 40 lbs of gear/food in the bag but it was too much. I know it's a day bag but just wanted to warn you it's easy to get carried away filling it. Probably better as a beach bag than a overnight or weekend hiking pack but that depends on the load.

I almost didn't buy this pack after reading some of these reviews. GLAD that I didn't listen to the nay sayers. I am a retired infantry medic, if you know what that job details then you know I carried a lot of gear. My regular combat load, my personal gear, plus my medical combat gear. Point is I have more experience with military rucksacks/backpacks than the regular Joe. This is a tough backpack. It is made of thick canvas . The metal buckles are exactly what I've seen and used in service. I've neverbeen issued a rucksack/backpack where the metal tips have never worn loose and came off, that's just stupid. Crimp them back on or super glue the strap ends and soldier on. This is a very well made bag. I've used all sizes, this one is just slightly smaller than a medium Alice pack. If your using it to camp or hike it'll work great for you. My gosh for $25 this is a real deal. If you want a pack to use this is it. If your name is Nancy and you want super comfort on your day hike and want a perfect poser bag, pay the $$$.00 and get the girly bag. But don't tell folks on here this is a bad bag, because it's not. I recommend it if your name isn't Nancy.

I liked this pack so much I just bought the black version as well. As long as you use this pack as it's intended, a good day hike or perhaps an overnighter, then you'll be just fine as it is big enough. I think some people want to use it for an extended stay and that's why it doesn't meet their expectations. A couple of wet bags or stuff sacks to protect your gear and maybe a little water proofing as you can find on youtube, search "diy canvas waterproofing", and this pack will easily earn it's low cost. update: I'm still very happy with these bags - useful mods.... I've added a 14 quart plastic wastebasket which fits nicely inside the main compartment. Adding a rope weaved through the top by using holes drilled around the top edge gives me a water container while providing extra protection for the gear packed inside as well as walls so that my back is protected from whatever I carry. The next mod will be for me to wax the canvas.