Backpacks

Millican Fraser Backpack | Review

This classically styled backpack does everything – well.

Everything about the Millican Fraser backpack screams classic. The way it looks, the retro leather trim, even its name; a name that conjures up some sort of Victorian-era Scottish explorer with a handlebar moustache, mutton chop sideburns, and a smoking pipe.

A fresh and functional take on an old school kind of bag, the Millican Fraser nods to the past without ignoring the opportunity to bring more modern, technical, elements into play. You’re going to love it.

Whether you need it for overnight stays or casual weekend walks, the Fraser ticks all the right boxes. Made from just a few panels of highly weatherproof Bionic Canvas (Bionic Canvas being one of the lesser known characters in Avengers: Infinity War), this bag will more than hold its own come rain or shine.

The canvas is 57% recycled, which’ll please the environmentally conscientious among you, and 30% stronger than regular canvas, which’ll please those of you after a bag that can take a beating.

“It gets a a big, tidy, thumbs up from us on the Outdoor 100 panel”

The fact that the buckles are made from aluminium, for better durability and strength, merely serves to underline how this high street, stylistically speaking, product has clearly been built to handle the rough and tumble nature of an outdoor lifestyle.

Made from just a few panels of highly weatherproof Bionic Canvas

Remove the belt strap and it makes for a great city pack too

Other aspects of this bag that are getting a big, tidy, thumbs up from us on the Outdoors Magic 100 panel are the compression straps that double up as pole/tripod holders, the easy-to-access zip pockets for your valuables on the hipbelt, and the internal sleeve that’s the perfect shape for a hydration pack or laptop.

The Millican Fraser is available in a choice of four colours: ‘Rust’ (Red), ‘Moss’ (Green), ‘Slate’ (Blue) and ‘Graphite’ (Black). Also worth mentioning, at this point, that the Spring/Summer 2018 model comes with a new, revised, lid shape and reverse hook closure. Good bag, this one. Very good bag indeed.

“The padding is comfortable, the side pockets incredibly roomy, and the main pocket is enormous”

“If we were judging backpacks on the number of times I have used said backpack to collect my groceries, then this bag would win. Of course, we are not doing that, because this is an outdoor gear guide and that would be ridiculous – but there’s something in that nonetheless. This is a backpack I’ve found myself using in day-to-day life a lot because it’s comfortable and good looking without sacrificing any of the comfort or spaciousness you need in an outdoor backpack.

The padding is comfortable, the side pockets incredibly roomy, and the main pocket is enormous. I’ve travelled around the world and hiked mountains in numerous countries without complaint while wearing this bag, but remove the belt strap and it makes for a great city pack too. The Millican Fraser is a really solid backpack and one you can get a whole lot of use out of.” OM Gear Tester, Stuart Kenny.