The Martialist: The Magazine For Those Who Fight Unfairly

The Rothco 9148 Heavyweight Classic Messenger Bag is
a roomy, versatile shoulder bag that I purchased specifically because
it is similar (if not identical) to the one carried by “Jack Bauer” on
the Fox series 24. I call it, affectionately, the Jack Sack.
It happens to be a really great bag, too. It is of heavy, 100% cotton,
Olive Drab (OD) canvas. Manufactured in India, it is 15 inches by 11
inches by 6 inches, with a comfortable 2 inch wide shoulder strap and
brass hardware.

Mostly open, the bag has a single large flap that
secures loosely to the front of the bag using hook and loop strips sewn
into the canvas. There are two open exterior front pouches and two side
pouches. The side pouches each have a curious fabric loop bearing a
snap, which allows the mouth of the side pouches to be restricted (but
not truly closed). A small zippered pouch sewn into the top of one
inner side swings freely from its seam. It is perfect for holding
identification and other small items that would otherwise be lost in
the cavernous interior.

Two canvas loops are sewn into the outer flap and
could serve as mounting points for light hardware (such as a wristwatch
or a carabiner). The adjustable shoulder strap attaches to rectangular
brass rings that are in turn mounted to heavy canvas flaps. A rivet on
each side further strengthens the connection to the shoulder strap.

At roughly 20 USD (give or take), the bag is not
expensive. Its fit and finish are accordingly quite rough. There are
many loose threads and imprecise sections of stitching, leading me to
wonder just how the bag will hold up under daily use (especially with
the heavy load I impose on it as my daily work and survival bag). Time
will tell. Aesthetically, the bag’s rugged look is a positive, not a
negative, as a “man purse” must look as butch as possible if the man
toting it is to retain his masculine dignity.

The size of the messenger bag, coupled with its wide
strap, make it an ideal carry bag for the man or woman of action. It
can be worn comfortably across the body for hands-free access (much as
Jack Bauer carries his — though, curiously, Jack keeps his bag on his
right hand side, where I would think it would interefere with his
holstered pistol). I have used a spare Rothco Messenger Bag as an
all-purpose carry bag and dump pouch while running close-quarters
combat firearms courses and was very pleased with its utility. The very
thing that makes the bag a good dump pouch makes it a relatively
insecure piece of luggage, however — the hook and loop strips are the
only thing that retain the strap, meaning a dropped bag could easily
dump its contents all over the floor or ground.

I own several of these messenger bags and have come
to like them very much, pressing them into service in a variety of
roles. At the low asking price you can afford to keep one or two on
hand. I encourage you to get one.

Don’t do it for me; do it for Jack Bauer.

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