Old Navy Bag Alternative

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:21 pm

I was in Old Navy today and they are now selling what looks to be some Army surplus products. They look like they might be from an Army supplier, then aged and distressed. Some of them were pretty interesting.

Most notably, there were two bags, one was a bit smaller than a MK and the other was a bit larger and a bit more square. Both came in various shades of gray, camo, green khaki, and yellowish khaki. All were distressed and had that army-surplus look. There were many pockets inside. They had nice heavy-duty canvas straps, which were also distressed. These would make nice additions or compliments to MK bags. These bags were $17.50.

They also had parkas in the same colors for $29. And they had a neat rucksack in the same colors. I forget how much it cost.

Unfortunately, they are not online at their website, so you'll have to go in there and look for yourself. I was thinking of buying some and using them for storage: whips, for instance (once I buy a whip).

I thought you all might want to know.

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:37 pm

Hey Hemingway,

Which Old Navy store had this fine selection? (Probably a stupid question since there are so many of these all over the place...) Did you pick one of those bags up? And last, were the canvas straps fixed on the bag or were they detachable?

Thanks for the scoop!

-GCR

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:49 pm

GCR,
Believe it or not, and I don't know what I was thinking (Actually, I do: I had just bought so much other stuff), But I didn't buy one. After writing my post, I decided that I was going back tomorrow and getting one.

I saw them in the CambridgeSide Galleria, but I'm heading over to Watertown tomorrow morning to fix my mistake and buy one or two of them. I am pretty sure that they all have the same stuff, so there must be thousands of these out there! I can tell you what I find in Watertown after I go.

And, if memory serves me correctly, I am pretty sure the straps are detachable. But, as you know, everything is detachable if you have access to a good sewing machine.

They actually were pretty cool. I think it would be worth your time, going over there and having a look.
Best,
HJ

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 12:17 pm

OK, GCR,
Here's the report:
The size is good, slightly larger than what I imagine a MK to be. It is the same basic design. The straps, as you suspected, do not come off. They have these wide rectangular rings linking the canvas strap to the bag. There is a dual leather and metal button device for closing it. On the front is says:

US/45V -Type R-M3 and there is a star with the number 672 above that writing. This was definitely designed for Old Navy and not army (any army) surplus, but that's what it looks like.

Inside, there is one big compartment and one small zippered pocket up top.

I like it. I think it was work the $17.50 and there were two other styles, one a smaller version of this and the other a traditional rucksack.

I am going to use it for storing all of those whips I don't own yet.

Oh, and I picked it up in Watertown at the Arsenio, I mean, Arsenal Mall.
Best, HJ

GCR · Post by **GCR** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 12:33 pm

Sounds like a good purchase for under 20 bucks. Got any pics of this little duesey or am I gonna have to wait until Saturday at Joe's?

Then again I could get off my lazy butt and check out Old Navy myself...

Thanks again for the heads up on these!

-GCR

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 12:53 pm

You know, I don't have a digital camera. I need to buy one of those. But I will definitely bring it to Joe's.

IndyBlues · Post by **IndyBlues** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:47 pm

UPDATE:

I know this is an old thread, but I just went to Old Navy, and they are selling all of those bags for $15.00 now. What a steal!

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:53 pm

The bag I carry everything in (which I take to work, too) is an army surplus map bag which I paid 12 or 15 bucks for a couple years ago at a surplus shop in town. It looks to be the similar in size as the MkVII (which I don't yet have) and it's rectangular. It's got several pockets, including one which is hidden by the flap when it closes... Anyhow, it's also a good "general use/adventure bag."

Heck, I've got it right here. If I take a pic, can I send it to someone to post for me?

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:51 pm

Someone post a pic of the old navy bag, please!!

IJ

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:47 pm

Someone post a pic of the old navy bag, please!!

All right, James, You asked for it, you got it! Follow the link please. Click on the image to advance through. I put my new MK VII next to it for comparison:

http://public.fotki.com/HemingwayJones/gear/2bags2.html

Note: I'll leave these up for a few days. Then I'll come back and edit the link and take these off.

Jordan · Post by **Jordan** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:37 pm

Those actually look pretty cool...Kinda looks to me like an old Army mail bag or something of the sort...Are they authentic or reproductions?

Thanks for the pics!

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:16 am

AhHHH that one.....thanks so much for the pic hemingway!!

I J

Hemingway Jones · Post by **Hemingway Jones** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 8:30 am

Riverwind wrote:

Those actually look pretty cool...Kinda looks to me like an old Army mail bag or something of the sort...Are they authentic or reproductions?

The have to be reproductions. There are probably a hundred of them in each store and they're all nearly indentical.

thanks so much for the pic hemingway!!

You're welcome, IndianaJames.

I think these bags are great for storing gear. Whips, for instance, would fit in them nicely. Now, if only I had a whip!

Lord_Clarence · Post by **Lord_Clarence** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 7:57 pm

These bags are now at the online store... I'm thinking about picking one up.

http://www.oldnavy.com/asp/Product.asp?wpid=233227

I'm heading down to Death Valley for spring break and it would be fun to have a shoulder bag.

Cordially,
Lord Clarence

Andiana · Post by **Andiana** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 2:24 am

they are already sold out!!!! WOW!