Rothco Black M-51 Engineers Bag, Black

I've re-edited this review after using the bag for almost 2 years! (Edits are in parenthesis.)I got this bag as a Christmas gift (almost two years ago). I've been using it daily since then. The bag is tough, reliable and strong. I have on several occasions over stuffed the bag with no visible strain on the closures, zippers, or carrying strap or handle. This bag is built like a tank. As far as I'm concerned there are only two drawbacks to the bag.First, it would've been great if the front of the bag also had some stiffening, similar to the back and center in order to keep the mouth of the bag opened when you lift the large flap.The second problem is the bag is heavy even when empty. Having dealt with heavy canvas bags in the past, this was no surprise to me but if you don't currently own the bag you should be aware that you're going to be carrying at least three pounds of canvas even when the bag is empty.The weight is inherent with canvas bags, especially when they are big and have multiple compartments, pockets, straps, etc. In the end the weight is a trade off. The bag is very tough and durable and will give you many years of service. It can handle the daily commute as well as the hike in the woods regardless of weather conditions.What I like most about the bag (I mean besides the generous space and multiple pockets) is the carrying handle at the top. This really makes it quite easy to pick up and carry. The shoulder strap is also quite durable and is comfortable enough and allows hands free carry when required. But unlike many bags I've owned, I have the option of shoulder carry or hand carry with this bag.Did I mention the bag is big? It is big. Read the dimensions in the descriptions. If you're still not sure of how big it is go to the grocery store and find three large loaves of bread and set them side by side. You'll get a rough idea of how big the bag is.I read about problems with the flap lock but have not experienced anything like that, despite often having the bag over loaded and having plenty of tension on the little lock. (going on two years now since I bought it.) It seems a whole lot more sturdy than it looks. The same goes for the D rings that are sewn to top of the bad and are used for attaching the shoulder strap. I know eventually it will happen but over time everything wears out. But these D-ring and the shoulder strap and the rest of the furniture all seem to be top notch and show absolutely no sign of wear after several month of use and some abuse. (Its going on two years and I finally need to do some re-stiching. To be fair, I've often overloaded the bag and toss it around carelessly by the shoulder strap.)Since getting the M51 Engineer bag, it has been been my daily commute bag, my overnight bag and my field bag for day hikes. Despite being snowed on, rained on, jostled about in Chicago's rush hour commutes, and hikes through the occasional swamp the bag still looks brand new as it enters it second year of service.If the last (several months) are any clue as to the how well the bag will serve me, I'd hazard to guess I'll get several more years out of it. That is better than most canvas bags I've used and at this price it is an absolute bargain. All I can say is this bag has left me a very happy customer and camper. If you like canvas bags and don't mind the extra weight, you should snarf one up.

This has been my daily bag for the past year or so. It was my second bag of this same model. (Except the first one was black.)I love this bag. It's the best satchel I've ever owned. It saw me through Seminary and I continue to use it everywhere I go.PROS1. This is a very masculine bag. It's huge, durable, and looks like something from the military. No-one has made any "murse" jokes since I've been carrying this bag. I've actually received many compliments.2. It is very big. I can carry my laptop (Mac Book Air in a felt sleeve), several books, all kinds of cords and dongles, and journals, pens, a tablet, Kindle, etc...3. There are so many compartments! I can't even find enough stuff to put in them. You can be as organized as you like.4. There is a clear plastic map pocket in the flap. I use it to hold a 'cheatsheet' of the Hebrew alphabet that comes in handy for school. (Not to cheat! That's just an expression...)CONS1. On my black bag the top handle broke after about six months. It simply came un-sewn. It was disappointing, but I liked the bag so much I just bought another and hoped the handle thing was a fluke. To be honest, I flung that bag around pretty hard and it was always overstuffed with school books and stuff. Way beyond typical and reasonable use. I'm pretty sure the handle can be reattached with a strong enough sewing machine.2. On both bags, the metal clasp that holds the flap down broke. On the first bag, the part that turns just popped off. On my current bag, it remained intact but just pulled through the fabric. To be honest, I keep the bag too full to use the clasp. The flap stays down without it anyway. Again, this is probably due to my heavy and hard use of the bag.

I work in the IT industry as a network tech among other duties. I was looking to get away from the just out of college look with my old Swiss Army backpack. Tried out a half dozen different messenger bags in various stores but the flashy colors presented the same boyish image according to my wife.What I like about this bag:These are the main points I like about this bag. The olive drab color is unique while not flashy and off-putting. The canvas like material is quiet and doesn't make that swishy sound that ballistic nylon and other synthetics make when you shoulder, set down or open your bag. Also worth pointing out that the canvas doesn't build up a static charge like synthetics (a big deal in my line of work). The reinforced velcro/zipper panel on the back holds my 13" laptop perfectly and after a few months of use I can certainly say that protects well. Also, if you pack it right the bag will actually stand straight up when you set it down (a big plus in the often cramped closets the average company passes off as a server room). The main compartment has plenty of space for the misc. tools of my trade; ie patch cables, small cable tone/test device, large pad of paper or notebook and laptop power supply.Some ancillary highlights would be the little side pocket for misc. USB cables, a small cigarette lighter adapter and any loose flash drives. It also fits a wallet or pack of smokes perfectly. The one larger velcro pouch under the flip up cover holds a 7" tablet and a small pad of paper perfectly. The two pouchs directly above are excellent for misc hand tools like screw drivers, leatherman, flashlight and my personal savior a large USB battery for the plethora of devices that it can keep topped off.Things I don't like:These are two minor quibbles that I did not feel should detract a star. The semi-mesh side pocket is too small for a water bottle of any decent size. I have discovered that it holds keys and sunglasses perfectly so problem solved. Also, like anything Rotcho some of the stitching is loose on arrival but nothing a person can't tune up with fifteen minutes, a hefty needle and some strong thread.All in all:This is bag is great. Holds all my gear with room to stuff in some misc. small part for a job on the fly. The looks are exactly what I was going for. The compartments are ideal for an IT pro. I would rate durability pretty high if you get those loose threads locked down from day one. Frankly, if this one ever does wear out I will just order another rather than pay $100+ for the fancy brand modern ones. I dig it.

Tiene la estética militar buscada, es bastante cómoda, cuenta con los compartimentos suficientes.Yo la uso para 1 laptop, papelería y libreta.Muy satisfecho de la compra.

My husband was given one of these bags several years ago and actually wore it out...had it repaired a couple of times as well. He was very happy to be able to find another the same. He finds it very useful for his books, odds and ends and even his iPad when necessary...pretty much a man-purse.

A4ファイルが数冊入るため、仕事で使用しています。

調査で山に入る仕事につかう、現場用カバンとして購入しました。全体的に大味な作りでしたが、生地はしっかりしていて形状も調査に向いており、必要なものをさっと取り出せ、しかも簡単に落ちたりしない作りになっているのがよいです。一つ気になることといえば、肩紐を取り付けている金具が貧弱なことでしょうか。重たいものを入れたり現場でひっかけたりすると壊れそうです。まぁ値段を考えるとこんなものと諦め、代替となる金具に付け替えようかと思います。どなたかも書いておられましたが、簡単な構造で信頼でき、こわれにくく、修理しやすいのは大事ですね。

相変わらず大雑把な作りですが、そこが好きなんで…。フラップを留める金具がはなからぶつかって動きません。トンカチで叩いて調整しました。バックなのに板金作業が必要です。