I was very pleased with the size and style of the backpack when it arrived, but after two weeks of ordinary use - carrying spiral notebooks and occasionally a 2 lb netbook - both straps began to rip at the bottom, the top, and in the middle. The zipper on the main external pocket broke after only a week, and the drawstring for the main compartment snapped in half shortly thereafter. Also, I had to sew the canvas strips holding the buckles together because the buckles repeatedly fell off. I am now shopping for a new backpack, and this time, I will pay attention to the customer reviews!!