1. Adorama Slinger Graphic Backpack
$90, direct
www.adorama.com
A retro-style canvas bag that's all about pouches, this pack sports seven exterior spots for gadgets big and small. Brass clasps and hasps shut some; others use Velcro and zippers. You can combine the two interior compartments with a quick zip. A flat pocket (roughly 13.5x10x1.75 inches) fits some 15-inch laptops. The shoulder straps are comfortably padded, and a D-ring cinching waist belt keeps the load steady.
2. CaseLogic SLR & Computer Backpack
$100, street
www.caselogic.com
The top compartment of this well-designed bag will hold a pro-level DSLR and midrange zoom, while the bottom holds more lenses and accessories—join them for bigger gear. Flush against the straps is a pocket for a 15-inch laptop. Side wings hold batteries, filters, and other gadgets. A rigid base helps it stay upright, and a bungee on the front can tie down a jacket or a small 'pod. Tiny zips in the straps can fit only a few dollars or a spare memory card.
3. Kata DPS DR-467 Digital Rucksack
$80, street
www.kata-bags.com
You can spot your gear easily against the saffron lining of this divided pack. The bottom pouch folds out 45 degrees for quick access, and the wedge-shaped pocket on top can hold more gear, a windbreaker, or even lunch—but these can't be joined to fit big glass. A flat rear pocket holds a 17-inch laptop. Three gadget pockets and a zip-to-hide water bottle pocket add to functionality, as do D-rings on the shoulder straps, a sternum stabilizer, and a luggage trolley strap.
4. Lowepro Flipside 300
$57, street
www.lowepro.com
A single compartment fits a pro DSLR with a big tele, along with a few more lenses, strobes, and gadgets. For security, the zippers are under the shoulder straps, so no one can sneak into the pack when it's on your back—perfect for keeping your gear safe in the dodgiest settings. There's no laptop slot on this sleek bag, but the front has clips and a pocket for a compact tripod.
5. Tamrac Aero 80
$90, street
www.tamrac.com
A pared-down version of Tamrac's Adventure 9, this pack has combinable top and bottom compartments and a 17-inch laptop slot. The shoulder straps will hold two accessory add-ons, and three external mesh pockets fit a strobe, water bottle, a few energy bars, and such. This model foregoes the Adventure's waist belt, sternum support, and useful battery-and-memory-management pockets; but the four internal gadget holders will keep small gear from bouncing around.
|
