If you want to travel light, but still need to carry your compact camera, 10″ tablet, smartphone and a few accessories, then you might want to check out the Lowepro StreamLine 250. It’s an everyday bag from one of the leaders in camera bags and backpacks. Light and inexpensive, the $44.99 bag carries a surprising amount of gear!
Yes, the Lowepro Streamline 250 looks a bit like a murse, and that gave me pause before using it for the first time. But, thanks to its size and design, the more I carried the bag the more it felt like a smallish, curved messenger bag than a murse. I can’t say the same thing about the Lowepro StreamLine 150 I am also reviewing. More on that in the upcoming review.
The bag features:
- Lightweight construction with durable, weather-resistant fabrics provide all-day wearing comfort, plus protection of gear
- Padded and softly lined device compartments
- Protects devices against dust, scratches and abrasion
- Has an expandable main compartment unzips at bottom of bag to offer more storage for personal items
Designed to hold a 10? tablet, a smartphone, and personal items along with a compact camera like my Sony RX100, this isn’t the bag for someone who wants to travel with a ton of gear, a laptop, or a large camera.
The front flap is kept closed through the magic of Velcro. That means there is no way to open it silently — something to keep in mind if you have this bag with you at the movies! It opens to reveal two open pockets for various items like a smartphone, a wallet, and some cables.
A front zipper toward the top of the bag opens to reveal a padded compartment designed to hold a camera and a few small camera accessories. The space is separated into two parts by a permanent divided. It would have been nice were the divider movable but, alas, that is not the case. The space is fine for my Sony RX100, but it is also large enough for my Sony NEX-6 and an extra lens. It will not, of course, work for a full-size DSLR.
The top of the bag opens to reveal the main storage area. This is a large, open space that can hold an assortment of items.
At the back is a tablet space that is large enough for a full-size tablet. It isn’t a highly padded area, so you will likely want your tablet in a case or, at a minimum, will want to be careful when setting the bag down.
The Lowepro Streamline 250 has one more trick up its sleeve. A zipper that runs along the sides and across the bottom that can be released. This allows the bag to expand in a significant manner for those times when you ned to carry a bit more than expected; it is a great feature that will be appreciated the first time it becomes necessary!
In all the Lowepro Streamline 250 is a great offering for someone who wants to travel light and is looking for an inexpensive Lowepro bag. It is one of the lightest Lowepro bags we have reviewed, but that doesn’t mean it is cheap. For the person looking to carry a small camera, tablet and assorted accessories, someone for whom a large bag or backpack would be overkill, this bag may be “just right”. Check out the entire Streamline line here.
MSRP: $44.99
What I Like: Thoughtfully designed; Expandable main compartment; Light; Unassuming
What Needs Improvement: Minimal tablet protection; Limited storage space; A bit Murse-ish
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample