Very good size, this about as big I can can carry when full of clothes. The placement of these shoulder straps closer together are more comfortable other bags, even without any padding on straps. Shoulder straps are attached securely to the bag. If you stuff the bag with bunches of clothes, flatten out the strap side of bag before carrying to lessen the bulge in your back and increase comfort. A good backpack with a waist strap will place the majority of the pack weight onto your hips, so without a waist strap arranging items in this bag can help with a safer and more comfortable carry. Place heaver items at bottom and closer to your back, lightest items on top. After a couple of months of weekly use and wash, the material has softened slightly, but still looks and feels as strong as new. The cinch spring will slip like most bags, a quick slip knot just ahead of cinch holds top closed securely during carry. I have seen bags with thicker material but inherently heavier -if you keep this fairly dry, clean and don’t use fabric softener, this will last a dozen years.