BARS Soviet Army WWII Type Duffle Bag Backpack Sidor rucksack knapsack Brand new 1970

This is a more updated version of the rucksacks worn by Russian soldiers as depicted in the World War 2 movie, "Enemy at the Gates".The ruck I received was new, minus the funky mildew smell of many surplus finds, in excellent condition, and made in 1978. The first thing I did was turn it inside out to keep the metal buckles from clanging in the washer, tossed it in the washing machine, and then dried it outside in the sun.This ruck weights 1lb, 2.4oz (522g) and measures 17" wide (43cm) by 24" long (61cm). The single exterior pocket is 7" (17cm) wide by 9.5" (10cm) long with a 4" (10cm) flap that covers the button down pocket.On either side of the rucksack are 2 sets of buckle down straps that allow you to externally carry a bedroll, poncho, tarp, etc. The straps are 14.5" (36 cm) long. The shoulder straps are 1.5" (3.8cm) wide with 5 rows of parallel reinforcement sewing. The drawstring at the opening of the ruck is flimsy and and takes some tugging to get it in place. I pulled it out and replaced it with a length of slick paracord and a cordlock.The shoulder straps are actually one continuous strap that is folded in the middle and secured around the cinched up neck of the ruck with a simple Lark's Head Knot, which can be tied in 1 second even in total darkness. An online search of "Tying a Veshmeshok Soviet Backpack 101" will land you on a 24 second video on how to tie this knot.Being an old school ruck, this rig is properly packed with other bags full of gear: it is a bag filled with bags. For example, when you lay all your camping gear out on the floor you group your gear by type. Clean clothes go in one bag, food goes in another, and so on for medical gear cooking kit, tool bag, etc. Once your stuffsacks are loaded you pack them in order of priority and comfort. Having each stuffsack in different colors makes identifying gear quicker and easier to locate.I cut a piece of closed cell foam from an old army pad and it goes in first so when the pack is loaded it provides comfort my back and when I pull into camp I can pull it out for a pad to sit on the damp ground.Heavy, bulky items and things of least importance go in the bottom. Gear you might to need to access quickly are loaded last on top of all other gear. This would include raingear, first aid kit, camera, etc.This vintage piece of surplus gear is simplicity defined. It's a lightweight, sturdy ruck that can be worn in comfort once you get the hang of packing it properly and you can drag it and abuse it without worries. Once it is broken in it is as reliable as an old friend.The dictionary defines something as "ultimate" when it "represents a limit beyond which further progress is impossible".For me, that makes makes the Veshmeshok the Ultimate Bushcraft Rucksack.

This bag is super cool!It easily carries my laptop and everything I need on campus for the day, plus it is super unique. The closure at the top is a little tricky though. The top has a manila twine cinch cord that is very stiff when you first get the bag. It is not really required to keep the bag sealed up due to the way that the straps work. The arm straps that make this whole thing a "backpack" are only attached to the bottom of the bag. In order to close the top, you have to wrap the straps around the canvas and use a little belt strap to keep it tight. If you don't do it right, the straps will let go of the top of the bag, the backpack will flop down and hit the back of your legs, and all your stuff will pour out onto the ground.So, yeah... it takes some practice. You will not find it easy and practical to open and close this bag frivolously.There are some really sturdy cargo straps on both sides. If I feel insecure about the top of the bag, I flop the knot over and put it through the top cargo loop. That makes things really secure, no way I'll lose my laptop while riding my bike around campus.For being an original and almost half a century old, these bags are in awesome shape. Mine has zero cosmetic defects and looks like it was made yesterday. I would buy ten of these if I could think of a reason I needed that many!

For a backpack dated 1989 or ‘83 (to faded to tell) it’s in amazing condition. Cons: Minimal oxidation on the brass fittings that easily wipes off. My sternum strap was put on backwards resulting in not having a loop for excess material. The cord that is used to close the pack has deteriorated to the point it can’t be used. I replaced it with paracord. Works well now. Requires proper packing (you can’t just dump stuff in it as you will get jabbed in the back) Pros: It can be used as a small to medium backpack. Came in great condition. Heavy duty material. Comfortable if packed correctly. Durable. Has bedroll straps that can be used for other things. Simple design. Water resistance (I waxed mine) light weight.

I’ve been using this for just over a year. Overall I am quite happy with the purchase, and use it mostly for holding my camping stuff.It IS very functional and ideal for carrying bulky things. I definitely recommend it for its sturdiness, and the design is so damn simple that, if something DOES break or tear, it is easily fixed..You WILL learn the importance of packing your bag a certain way. I’d you pack it well, this thing will be fairly comfortable. If you just toss stuff in there you’re likely to have a bad time. I have managed to fit most of my camping stuff into the bag at once:Hammock and strapsTarp (cinched down by the straps on either side of the bag in a horseshoe)MSR Stowaway pot (utensils, snacks, and small olive oil bottle inside)Single person 20 degree (F) Sleeping bag in a compression sackSmall folding sawKnifeLightersFlashlightNotebookFirst aid kitThis configuration was workable, but didn’t leave much more room for anything else.I recommend replacing the jute rope that it comes with. As neat and authentic as it is, it smelled pretty bad. Just tie some paracord to one end of the jute cord, and pull the untied end of the jute cord out until you have paracord coming out either side