Gootium 21101 Specially High Density Thick Canvas Backpack Rucksack

I bought this backpack over 4 years ago for around $40 . I've used it essentially every day and it's travelled with me on 3 continents. I was not very nice to this bag. It was rained on, thrown around, walked all over, crammed under lots of seats,and dragged across many a train station floor. I regularly carried a 15 in. laptop in a case inside it along with other things with no problem, and often crammed it full of a lot of really heavy groceries and walked long distances with them and /or took public transit. The seam on the bottom finally gave out a few weeks ago. I'm sorry to see it go, and I will be trying to fix it. I DID have a friend replace the main buckles as soon as I got it because they were a bit flimsy and I wanted real buckles, not snap ons, and the drawstring gave out like a year or so ago and I've been using a shoelace, but honestly this bag is well worth the money.

I’ve had a number of backpacks for traveling, and for the most part they have been perfectly serviceable and fairly long lasting, but this is a bit different. First of all, it’s a rucksack. One big bag with a drawstring tie and three pockets hung on the sides. Being used to the multi compartment ‘hiking/book bag’ type of packs, this took some getting use to, but now that I have, its really is the only way to go. The material is a heavy duty canvas type of fabric and I love it. Kicking your backpack under airplane seats and train seats takes a toll on fancy upper end packs but this should last a very long time. Unlike most packs, this has no structure and just kinda collapses in a heap when empty, which makes packing it a tidbit more challenging, but deffinetly not a deal breaker. The buckles on this are strictly cosmetic and the real closures are snaps which close the pockets pretty securely. Tuck the flaps of the side pockets into the pockets and they make great water bottle holders. They are pretty big and deep so they will hold good size bottles. Mine is a size small, but has more than enough room for everything I usually carry including a fleece pullover and packable vest plus all the odds and ends you use when traveling through Europe. The retro look is very, very cool and gets attention. I actually had a gentleman seriously ask me if I was an archeologist. All in all, a solid five stars.

Received this bag this afternoon. I bought it because I was looking for a durable backpack for hiking and general scavenging purposes. I was prepared to pay a decent price for a good pack that would hold up well and last a LONG time. However when I started doing my research I found that any of the really heavy-duty bags were $200 plus dollars. I wasn’t finding one single bag that seemed like it was the one to buy at the price point so I decided to pick up something cheaper with lots of good reviews to tide me over while I did more research. So I bought this bag based on the description and number of good reviews.On first impression I was a bit disappointed. The canvas doesn’t strike me s especially durable. It’s what I would expect from any old average canvas bag. Also, as some of the other reviews have noted, there’s really no structure to it. When you set it down it pretty much crumples into a shapeless pile. The straps and latches are not functional on the main top cover. They are strictly cosmetic and there are snaps underneath them that actually do the closing. That kind of bothers me as I hate stuff that serves no actual purpose except cosmetics. The main storage portion of the bag is secured with a rope that ties in the front to cinch it. It doesn’t seem the most secure. There is a zippered small compartment in there but it wouldn’t hold much.Size wise it’s not what I would call a “large” bag. It’s average sized for a backpack a student might have, maybe at best a little bigger but don’t be deceived- it’s not huge by any means.Overall, it seems ok. Honestly, I feel like it’s a bit over-priced for what you get. I paid just over $40 for it. I think I would feel a little better about my purchase if it had been around $30. I don’t really feel like it’s anything special and unless all of the other comparable bags in this price point are total crap I don’t understand the abundance of really high ratings for this bag.

I've carried this bag through 4 years of highschool many hikes and camping trips and even through a motorcycle crash and its held up perfectly. everything still works perfectly and i'm still using it today and will continue until it falls apart.

I made a horrible mistake by not opening the package with this bag until after a month later.Why? Because there is not a chance in the world that I would’ve kept his back had I had the sense to check it on arrival.The buttons that keep the bag closed keep opening - to the point where I have to just walk around with an open bag.It’s not as nice looking as it seemed. Honestly, it’s more hassle than anything.I am so annoyed at myself because had I known the bag was so poorly designed, I would’ve returned it instantly. What a waste of money - will be going straight in the bin

This rucksack is certainly strong and well made. Being made of canvas - it is not waterproof but dries quickly when wet. It is a bag. There is no padding or framework inside the bag (it is a basic rucksack), so it can be rolled up and carried easily in a holdall (for holidays). As it fits the contours of your back, you may feel the carried items rubbing on your back.The wide padded shoulder straps are comfortable when wearing the rucksack: the drawstring closure facility is helpful; good sized side and front pockets are useful for quick access to loose change (ensure the flaps are securely closed!I use this small black rucksack on a daily basis for carrying stuff like: travel pass, keys, wallet, glasses etc. Have found it useful to carry a beige coloured lunch bag (carrying handle removed) within the rucksack and placing all my stuff in the bag. Bag flap can be folded over - provides extra security! While a torch/self glowing stick will provide light within the rucksack to find stuff in dim light conditions.Have been using my rucksack for several weeks with no problems; it suits my needs and I recommend it.

Item arrived fast enough to my neck of the woods (Romania), the box was tampered by some curious "postal" worker but the inner packaging was intact. Included was a nice voucher for some food company, only available in UK.The Good: the overall quality is quite OK, I bought this backpack for carrying groceries only - being canvas you cannot take it safely in outdoor trips, will not behave well in the rain. I carried 14kg (30 pounds for you imperials) and it shows that the materials are sturdy, and the sewing too. For someone just cruising around town with few books, or tools, a bottle of water and some clothes, is ideal. Think duffel bag.The Neutral: the bag is not padded and is not advertised to be, either, so you should know this as I did before buying. Thing is, I was not using non-padded backpacks for almost 2 decades now, and I forgot how it feels - If some solid edge object (in my case, tin cans or glass jars/bottles) will end up next to your back, you're in for a nasty surprise. So pack accordingly or you can use a bit of padding on the inside (those old sleeping pads are great to cut a piece from).The Bad: well... is the fasteners.The backpack has some nice buckles right there, but for some reason the designer choose not to sew them on the canvas itself but to add a staple (fastener?) and use that instead as the main securing system for the top cover (well there is a string too to secure the content at the top, but for heavier loads will not be enough, the weight will spill laterally). Weird - the only thing I do not like it. Use the classic belt and buckle guys, is sturdy, proven over time and is there already. Thank you!

I love this bag. it is sturdy and looks exactly like the picture. Its also HUGE! I can fit so much stuff in it. I one fit two mens puffer jackets in here no problem. Only down side is because the buckles are done up by clips when the clips arent attached it means the only thing that is keeping the buckle on is gravity. So i have lost one buckle already. Which is quite frustrating. Im thinking of glueing the bottom of the buckle to the back and undoing through the buckle so i don't have to worry about any of the other buckles falling off.

If you're looking for a vintage style rucksack, I'd strongly recommend this one. It's exceedingly well made. The fabric is thick, the leather good quality, and the stitching secure and doubled at stress points. The padding on the straps is thick, and although the rucksack is reassurringly heavy in the hand, as canvas should be, it's well shaped and feels wonderfully light on your back. While it can't be fully waterproof, I took it out in heavy showers and found it surprisingly watertight and quick to dry.But it's thoughtful touches which make it such a good choice. The press-stud fastenings for the pockets and lid, for example, are fitted to leather loops rather than directly to the rucksack, so they can be easily fastened between finger and thumb. The toggle on the drawstring slides smoothly and grips firmly when needed. The metal sliders on the straps are simple, well-made, and effective, and so too are the working buckles on the pockets.I'd have preferred an interior laptop/device pocket, for if Gootium can add a zipped key pocket then why not a laptop pocket too? And I'd forgotten that canvas doesn't breath: used to rucksacks with a supportive back system, I was surprised how sweaty I got going uphill at speed, although this is the inevitable result of a rucksack which slouches comfortably on your back. In town, which is why I bought it, I didn't notice.So, I was honestly surprised how good this rucksack was. There must be equally good vintage style rucksacks elsewhere, but I'm glad I picked this one.