Webbingbabel: Dutch Army Rotota Bag

Tas, Goederen, Klein (Bag, Items, Small)

Rotota Bag (Small stuff-sack)
NSN : 8465-17-106-4023

The Rotota bag has a cylindrical shape and is coated with a water proof coating from the inside. The bag has the same nameplate pouch as the backpack. On the bottom and alongside the zipper are simple carry handles. These bags are available in woodland camouflage (Dutch DPM) and dessert (Dutch CDU) camouflage. The NSN number for the woodland version is 8465-17-106-4023.

Rotota stands for Ronnie Tober Tas (Ronnie Tober Bag) a Dutch singer who was popular in the gay scene during the 90’s. After-all the bag looks like a woman’s handbag. The official name is Tas, Goederen, Klein (Bag, Items, Small)Small duffel bag that fits about 15 litres. Most likely intended to be used with backpack or combat vests, and can be attached to anything with general purpose straps.

Nice extra from this backpack is that you can attach an extra bag to the front. Therefore the rucksack has two female fast release buckle parts mounted on the shoulder straps. In this way you can carry a lot more stuff with you and the load is much better divided. Also it will draw the backpack closer towards your back. This will also result in more carrying comfort. The original purpose of this bag was to carry additional clothing like a spare pair of boots and uniform. When engaged in a firefight this bag could easily be ditched so the soldier was more mobile. Therefore this bag was also nicknamed the Panic Bag.

The size and shape resembles a large sleeping bag. One zipper length-wise on the side to access the inside. The bottom has a large carrying handle and the side has two smaller ones. Two male plastic buckles are found in one end, so it's obviously designed to be mated with other Dutch gear. With this bag alone they serve no purpose.

In the Dutch army this piece of kit is called "RoTo Tas", which refers to Ronnie Tober, "tas" being Dutch for "bag".

Made of tough, water repellent synthetic fabric. Weighs about 400 grams, that should tell something about the material strength.

Length: 37 cm
Diameter: 27 cm