On the face of it Millican is a masterclass in branding, flaunting their heritage and inspiration much more than describing their products. They tout the Smith 'The Roll' as a pack for travelling, and back this up with outdoorsy imagery and a hankerin' for the old ways...
But the primacy of the 'story' is not covering up deficiencies in the product. On the contrary it makes for even more joy upon receiving your pack, as you find feature after beautiful feature. It's as though Millican revel in the journey of discovery you'll embark upon by just exploring your new bag.
Essentially, it's a day pack; a simple 25 litre with a front pocket and a neat, weather-proof roll top opening. It has a hip belt with a very neat method of removal if it's not needed. And it has a laptop pocket against your back, with a long, easy-access opening (first surprise; an easily overlooked sewn-in magnet that holds the storm-flap closed over the laptop compartment zip. Genius simplicity).
It's 57% recycled and 30% stronger than regular canvas, and all the buckles are lightweight aluminium, to avoid plastic. So far so hipster commuter. But beyond looking cool and having ethics and a great genesis, there are plenty of features for the outdoors too.
Second surprise; there is a hidden (retractable) loop for hiking poles, ice-axes etc., which is so neat and discrete they forgot to mention it. There are little elastic tabs on the side pocket openings which serve to keep water bottles secure as well as prevent the pockets sagging when empty. There is a hidden pocket behind the laptop compartment, perfect for phones, passports etc.. And weeks after receiving it, I only just found (third surprise) there is a stuff pocket behind the front pocket - perfect for quick access to an OS map or over trousers.
There are endless organisation pockets inside, which somehow don't get in the way, and perhaps most importantly, it's incredibly comfortable. It loses one point on this (9/10) simply because the laptop compartment necessarily makes the back system a little flat. But it's a tiny point. Otherwise this is very close to the perfect pack.
