PetriStor Soviet Army Bag Backpack Made in USSR backpack rucksack knapsack duffel bag SIDOR WWII Type

This is a simple, no frills bag that holds quite a lot. Since I didn't find the typical 30 liter capacity description helpful (as if I'm going to fill this with water), I decided to have some fun and see what it could hold. I was able to fit an entire US Army pup tent with poles, ropes, and stakes, plus two homemade mess kits, and I still had room for a bit more. The material is canvas that is slightly thinner than you'd find in a US Army duffel bag, but it's definitely sturdy. It has what appears to be a hemp or jute twine drawstring that honestly is a little problematic (as in difficult to close), but you can just wrap it around the neck of the bag once you've loaded it up, and it'll be out of your way. The straps of the pack work by pinching the two sides together, folding the loop down, grabbing the center, and then putting the two remaining sides together, forming a loop, which then goes around the neck of the bag. Pull tight, and you have your straps. If this isn't clear, there are lots of video tutorials for how to close it. All in all, this is a great backpack, and the price is right.

If you like history and something worth the money for the abuse it can take, this is your baby. While I haven’t used this on proper hikes, so I can’t speak to that aspect, it is very functional and spacious, as well as feels well built. While the Soviet design philosophy was often on simple and rugged products, as well as disposable, this pack feels it is the former, rugged and durable. I’ve so far used it to clean the house, tossing non-breakables in while reorganizing, stuff for the shooting range, etc. You could fit a small child in here if so inclined. Mine doesn’t have any odd odors other reviews have mentioned, got lucky there, but the canvas does look waterproofed (or resistant, most likely) by some waxy compound. Everything about this pack is simple, and that’s probably a good thing, though you will sacrifice comfort for function, the Soviet way.

The bag itself is fine, finding a video explaining how to close it shouldn't be difficult for those unfamiliar with it, and you can easily sling it over one arm as well. I'm using it as a gym bag currently and plan to use it in the winter as a carrying pack. My one complaint was the apparent sloppiness of the box stitches attaching the side straps to the bag: the stitch inside was loose and had many hanging threads between them, as if the stitcher couldn't be bothered to start a fresh thread when going from one stitch to another, which got in the way of anything I put into the bag. I ended up cutting the training threads and will see about re-stitching the straps myself later on.

It came all the way from Russia and it took one month and a half to arrive but is worth the wait! Simple design and tough. Great for bushcraft activities and traveling. Easy to store away, just roll it up and put away. Really happy with it.

Can hold a surprising amount, seems really well made. Authentic as well, as there is indistinguishable (faded) cyrillic text on the inside toward the rear of the bag. Very sturdy, will definitely recommend.

Great little pack! It was made in 1987, but was in unissued condition! Heavy duty, yet you can fill it up to 35L! Hard to believe the Soviets used it for as long as they did! I'm going to get many years of use out of it!

A no frills pack. It is made of nice canvas, pack hard edges furthest from your back. A pad like a neeling pad up against the side riding against your back can save some hot spots. It holds about 30 liters. The straps will eat into your shoulders if your load is heavy. Pack works good for day trips when I don't want to use my Swedish framed lk35 p

My sack arrived on Friday and appeared as new except for a white "V" drawn on the outside and it smelled funky but I expected that. I've washed it 5 times since then and now it smells super fresh but there is a white residue that has washed off backs off rectangular leather/pleather pieces inside where the stiching is reinforced. Does anyone know how to get this stuff off. I've been turning it inside out and washing in warm cold with Tide with Febreze. Edit Monday May 7th, 2018, gonna try equal parts rubbing alcohol and water to scrub off tonight. Not even mild bleach solution would kill the mildew. Bought another bag which also came in a "PETRISTOR" plastic bag. It has jagged cuts on the pleather, no leather anywhere (or mildew), stitching is erratic and doesn't even meet in some but still overlaps an inch so all is good. Bag smelled funky BUT is completely functional. Gonna bounce my original rating of 2 stars up to 4stars only because Amazon made getting a refund for my first bag painless.