Vagabond Backpack - Are They Worth It?

[Keyser]

Hey all,

I need a backpack, and came across a recommendation here about Vagabond. The item that caught my eye was this backpack

http://www.vagabondtraveler.com/shopping/index.php?route=product/product&path=43&product_id=535

 

But, when I look closely at the main picture I see imperfections that would make the straps difficult to use without damaging the backpack:I have circled the defect

http://i49.tinypic.com/15qel55.jpg

The thing is, I quite like this backpack's style and I do want it, but if this issue does exist, than I won't buy it. Alternatively, if it is not a defect and the straps are just for show, than ill pass, too.

So, if my worries are correct, could anyone make a suggestion to a similar kind of backpack? Doesn't need to be of same material, just the overall size, shape, compartments.

Thanks

Edited February 10, 2013 by Keyser

[harrietthespy]

No defect...just use scissors to cut off the excess. Backpacks are cheap so buy it and if you hate it get another one after you donate this one to someone else.

[beachwalker]

Hey all,

I need a backpack, and came across a recommendation here about Vagabond. The item that caught my eye was this backpack

www.vagabondtraveler.com/shopping/index.php?route=product/product&path=43&product_id=535

 

But, when I look closely at the main picture I see imperfections that would make the straps difficult to use without damaging the backpack:I have circled the defect

http://i49.tinypic.com/15qel55.jpg

The thing is, I quite like this backpack's style and I do want it, but if this issue does exist, than I won't buy it. Alternatively, if it is not a defect and the straps are just for show, than ill pass, too.

So, if my worries are correct, could anyone make a suggestion to a similar kind of backpack? Doesn't need to be of same material, just the overall size, shape, compartments.

Thanks

LL BEAN makes a waxed cotton rucksack that meets all my needs. Though it didn't cost $139 when I bought it...

Good luck in your search. Regards, John

[Keyser]

No defect...just use scissors to cut off the excess. Backpacks are cheap so buy it and if you hate it get another one after you donate this one to someone else.

 

well, i don't like "customizing" finished products. i don't know how the straps are sewn, and i don't want to damage them. sure, it's not the most expensive bag in the world, but stil

 

LL BEAN makes a waxed cotton rucksack that meets all my needs. Though it didn't cost $139 when I bought it...

Good luck in your search. Regards, John

 

well, price aside, it's a bit of an overkill in terms of size for my uses. but thanks!

Edited February 10, 2013 by Keyser

[kazoolaw]

Wouldn't it make sense to send your photo to Vagabond for their comment?

 

To my old eyes it looks like a glare from the end of the strap.

 

gary

[Keyser]

i've contacted them as you suggested, and waiting their reply.

 

anyway, it's not a reflection - it's apparent also in images on ebags and amazon. got to wait and see what their answer is, I guess

[Keyser]

ok, so I got a somewhat disappointing replay from them:

 

it is false strap opening; under the strap, it has button, which mean, you only open it with button, not strap.

Button like this: http://www.vagabondtraveler.com/shopping/image/cache/data/Canvas/C04/C04Y7-500x500.jpg

 

 

oh, well.

I'll have a look at army surplus stores, from what i gather they have canvas backpacks too.

[ever onward]

Yuck. I really dislike 'false' things like that. Disappointing, indeed.

 

Good luck finding what you want.

 

-eo

[Keyser]

Yuck. I really dislike 'false' things like that. Disappointing, indeed.

 

Good luck finding what you want.

 

-eo

 

Yeah, that's my problem too. Looks like army surpluses have all kinds of bags that seems like what I want

[Plume145]

I like the look of those old-timey canvas rucksacks, so I've looked for the perfect one...and looked...and looked. These ones, I've seen them all over ebay - I recognize the product photos, right down to the models used in the shoots - but I didn't realize they sold through their own website as well.

 

Regardless, I'm pretty sure these are the lowest-priced canvas backpacks that you're going to find that have the right sort of look. This sort of thing generally sells for 30-40% over that, BUT it would be unwise to expect those to be better quality than these. They might be, or they might not - luck of the draw, pretty much, because canvas bags are pretty trendy right now so what you find runs the gamut from well-made and low-priced (aka cheap and cheerful) all the way to poorly made and expensive (what you might call 'dear and grim').

 

Cutting off excess bits and maybe running the flame of a lighter along the edges to prevent fraying isn't really something I'd call 'customizing'. That's just basic prep, like giving a pen a flush before using it for the first time. Yeah, many pens write like a charm straight from the box, but some don't, and if all they need is flushing out, you can't really consider them defective. And if you want to avoid all work on your new purchase, army surplus is probably not for you - that stuff is for people who actually like customizing.

 

The part that they said is 'false', I think this was probably just lost in translation (sounds like English isn't their first language). Unless this bag is different from most of the canvas backpacks I've seen out there, this is not a fake strap or anything like that - it's just what I think of as a dual function closure, to offer extra functionality beyond the belt-style closure straps. Basically the idea is that having the snaps saves you the hassle of undoing the entire buckle every time you just want to get into the backpack quickly; but if you need extra room to overfill the backpack (for example because you want to stuff your coat in it so you don't have to carry it) then you still have the option of undoing the buckles and moving to the second or third hole of the little strap, to make it long enough to go over the stuffed backpack. This is actually a feature and designed to give a sort of 'best of both worlds' functionality to the backpack's closure.

 

Again, I can't be 100% sure this is the case, but most of the canvas backpacks I've seen that have actual buckles instead of JUST the snaps, they are like that - even the girly fashion rucksacks with flowery patterns and polka dots that you can get in places like Accessorize.

[Keyser]

well, that's what they've said anyway. I want the bag to have functional straps, 'cause i'm weird that way. i wouldn't mind going up with prices, as long as the bag is good.

[Plume145]

I don't know, but unless they've bungled it somehow, the straps ARE functional. It's just that their function isn't to open and close the pack, but to extend the fasteners. If you don't like that either, that's another thing, but I'm not sure I'd call that purely decorative.

 

I don't like functional features used as decorations only either - like fake pockets or random zips that don't actually close, stuff like that - so I know where you're coming from. But I don't think this is one of those things.