With so many reviews posted for this bag, I'm going to restrict myself to just two points. Ok, three points. First off, these are first impressions only. I assume the bag will wear well and likely be among my possessions that my children will have to allocate when I'm gone (if my beautiful bride/widow doesn't take grab it). That said, buyers should be aware that this bag arrives stiff and cranky, not too much unlike yours truly. I'm sure that with use, the bag will soften, but be aware if you plan to have it delivered to be immediately filled and on the trail with you. My only suggestion to improve the bag, so far, is that an integrated drink holder would be nice. It's no surprise that the bag has none, it's obvious from pics and specs on Maxpedition's website, but this is the Cadillac, er....Lexus of gear bags; for this price a bottle holder could be included. Alternatively, how about a discount code for an accessory so I can afford to buy the add-on holder? For now, the elastic string with locking nut, on the rear top of the bag, will suffice to use to lash down a bottle. It seems secure, albeit horizontal and not easily grabbed while wearing the bag on my back. Aside from that low-level gripe, this baby is just right. I've been on a quest to find a durable sling bag with military/tactical styling and features, that besides hauling a wide assortment of gear, can hold a decent-size book as well as 8.5 x 11 paper and file folders without bending or folding them required. Malaga will suit me on the hiking trail on weekends and the city street during the week. Which brings me to my real complaint: Somebody has got to standardize how the specs on these bags are measured and communicated. This is an endemic Amazon disorder, but I'll confine this comment to sling bags. Why do some bags, even within the Maxpedition line, list measurements of capacity and pocket sizes that are estimates, while others are precise? Why do some include a stated dimensions and volume for the main compartment, while others do not? It's impossible to get reliable specs, making it very difficult to select the right bag for an individual's needs without resorting to trial and error. I had to order, pay, and return four bags to determine that the Malaga has the features I need. Even Maxpedition's website, which offers a great deal of good info, is internally contradictory at times, let alone contradictory to the respective listings on Amazon. So, let my serial ordering and returning be advisory: if you have specific carrying capacity or features requirements, research carefully and be prepared for some guesswork anyway. I would have benefitted from having a B and M retailer who carries these products locally so I could have gathered empirical data. But I had no such luck. For now, I'm giving the Malaga four stars because it is so stiff that it impedes use. However, if the bag softens up with use and wears as well as expected, I suspect if will be adding that fifth star soon enough. Compared to other similar bags, the feature set on the Malaga and the build quality are superior. Admittedly, it's possible that the Maxpedition's bags are overbuilt for the demands many, perhaps most users will make of the equipment. So it's likely ,depending on your specific needs, that there may be a less expensive, but entirely suitable alternative product for you to consider. But if you're seeking to use the bag to transport standard paper and folders among your gear, the Malaga is just right. Also, for what it's worth, the box this bag arrived in reeked of cigarette smoke. I hesitated to bring the box into my house. Thankfully, the Malaga within, while it did have some quick off-gassing to do, did not pick up the cancer stick fumes. That's not a product issue, but I'd be curious if others report the same shipping issue.
