Gear Bags

Chrome Niko Camera Pack Takes Your Gear on the Go

I received a review sample of the Chrome Niko Camera Pack backpack a few weeks ago, andI’ve been using it on and off since them. I loved the fact that the backpack came with a handwritten note that encouraged me to “be hard on the bag”. Always one to take direction well (okay not really) I have been doing just that. How has the bag done? Let’s just say I’m impressed by everything this backpack has to offer right down to the durability. Yes, it is one tough pack, and Chrome’s “365 To Life warranty” reflects that fact. (You can…

Events, Reviews

Spigen SGP Coated Backpack Video Review

While visiting with Spigen SGP during CES 2013, their Coated Backpack caught my eye. We’ve reviewed — and been impressed by — cases and screen protectors from Spigen SGP, but we had not previously encountered any of their larger offerings. They were kind enough to hand me one of the backpacks on the spot, and I used it the next day while walking the CES floor. It served me well and left me impressed. The backpack is light and simple but holds a surprisingly large amount of gear. Designed to hold laptops, tablets, smartphones and a host of accessories to…

Events, News & Features

Timbuk2’s 2013 Lineup Brings Organization and Power on the Go

During CES, Judie and I had a chance to spend some quality time with Timbuk2 checking out all of their 2013 offerings. We were there for quite a while since there was quite a bit to see. Check out the extensive gallery for a look. Among the most interesting current products are a laptop messenger and laptop backpack that not only hold and protect your gear, but also power it up on the go. As the company explains, Timbuk2 has partnered with Joey® Energy to offer the first series of purpose-built bags with a power supply to charge a variety of electronics while…

Reviews

Think Tank Photo CityWalker 20 Camera Messenger Review

I’m a fan of messenger-style gear bags. I find them to be comfortable, flexible and, well, I like the way they look. My appreciation of messenger bags extends to camera bags as well. And when a camera messenger bag can easily convert into a standard gear messenger, I’m interested. Think Tank Photos new CityWalker is just that kind of messenger back. The company was kind enough to send one for review, and I have to say I think it is one of my favorites. The bag is light, well-built, feature-rich, and it looks great. Let’s hear what Think Tank has…

Reviews

ecbc Javelin Daypack Review

A must have for every gear junky is a good gear bag. I have been carrying the Everki Titan Backpack for quite a while. I love the bag, but since I am not using a laptop anymore, it is just too large. I actually quit carrying a bag at all of late because of the over kill for my needs. All I carry now is a tablet, but also have some odds and ends that need to travel with me, just not as much as I did when I was using a laptop. A smaller, lighter gear bag is definitely…

Reviews

Skooba Photo:Tablet Traveler V.3, Video Review

We reviewed Skooba Design’s Skooba Tablet Messenger V3 and their Skooba Design Laptop Weekender V.3 . Both are well designed and well constructed ways to carry and protect your gear on the go. Now Skooba has added yet another item to their growing V.3 line. This time out we are taking a look at the new Skooba Photo:Tablet Traveler V.3. The bag has an MSRP of just under $100. and it is great if you want to carry and protect your DSLR, tablet and a few additional accessories. The bag is constructed from a Micro Ballistic Nylon exterior, while the…

Reviews, Travel

Skooba Cable Stable Rollup Kit Review

Back in June, I did a video post on how I created a Skooba Design “Go Pack”. I took one of the company’s Cable Stables and strategically loaded it with all the cables and accessories I need with me on the go. It continues to serve me well but, believe it on not, it can be a bit too large on days when I’m traveling super-light. This is especially so now that my iPad mini is my “go-everywhere” tablet. That’s why I was pleased to get one of Skooba Design’s first Cable Stable Rollup Kits. The Rollup Kit is small,…

News & Features

Waterfield’s New Indy Is Just the Right Size for the iPad mini

Judie reviewed the Waterfield Indy bag for the iPad when it was first released. (Read the review.) I then stole it from her and, ever since, it has been my favorite bag when I want to travel light. I like how thin and light it is and, with Raiders being my all time favorite movie, it kinda sorta appeals to me in a geeky way. (Come one, admit it, the opening scene with the big rolling ball is only outdone by the Nazi’s face melting.) I love the Indy, but now that’s am carrying the iPad mini as my daily…

Reviews

Lowepro Passport Sling Camera Bag, a Video Review

Another of Lowepro’s more unusual camera bags is the Passport Sling. The Passport Sling doesn’t look like a camera bag… but it is. Here’s a video look followed by some additional details. From Lowepro: We designed the modern Passport Sling to be a bit unconventional and REALLY useful. It offers freedom for your every move, protection for your camera, plus lots of personal space. Unzip the front to reveal an expansion compartment that gives you about 30% more storage room. Remove the camera box and turn the sling into a full day bag. Both the sling and camera box fold…

Gear Bits

5 Questions with Michael Hess of Skooba Design

Skooba Design was Gear Diary’s first advertiser back when Judie first launched the site. They were also the first company to become a Newsletter Underwriter. We tell you that in the interest of full disclosure, but what’s more important is that we really love AND use their stuff. Most recently, we were both taken by the new Skooba Design Laptop Weekender V.3, and are already getting a lot of use out of them. (Read the review here.) Skooba makes great products, and now comes outside confirmation of something that we’ve known for some time: they provide great customer service. Skooba…

News & Features

If You are Looking for a New Bag for Back-to-School Booq has You Covered

Booq has just announced two new water-resistant natural fiber bags as part of their Mamba Fibre Collection. The bags are constructed from a lightweight, durable material and provide “rugged protection with unparalleled elegance”. Personally I think they look great. As the company explains, As members of booq’s sleek Fibre Collection, the Mamba daypack and courier are constructed with an innovative natural fiber developed exclusively for the series. Water-resistant and organically dyed, with a smooth yet rugged feel, its unique properties allowed booq’s design team to achieve an extremely lightweight, durable and elegant design, while conserving valuable resources. Each bag comes…

Reviews

ThinkTank Photo StreetWalker Camera Backpack Review

We’ve already looked at a number of bags for carrying your camera, photographic accessories and, in some cases, a tablet or laptop. Those bags all fell into the category of shoulder bags or slings. This time out we are taking a look at a backpack-style system for carrying all your gear. The Think Tank Photo Streetwalker “holds a regular size DSLR with 70-200 2.8 attached and hood in position ready to shoot”. The company targets this bag as being a good fit for “all photographers, from pros to serious enthusiasts” and, having run it through its paces, I have to…

News & Features

Think Tank Photo Lets You “Test Drive” Your Next Camera Bag

I’m enjoying the process of using and reviewing a number of different camera bags from Think Tank Photo. As we have previously noted, the bags are impressive in their design and flexibility. You can read and see our overview here. Think Tank just let us know that they have launched a new program- The Think Tank Test Drive. The Think Tank Test Drive program, which runs through the end of August, means you can try one of their Sling-O-Matic sling bags for free for 30 days. (This program is in place of the free gift Gear Diary readers get with Think…

Gear Bits, News & Features

Protect Your Gear with iSafeBags Urban Crew Backpacks

Have you ever had something valuable stolen out of a laptop case or backpack? Most people have. Whether it was an ipod, cell phone, or wallet, this type of thing tends to happen to everyone – especially in urban environments and public areas. Fewer people, I’d imagine, would consider arming their backpack with a full-fledged alarm system. That’s exactly the motivation for tech retailer iSafeBags.com, which specializes in protecting your stuff through specialized bags and packs. The company’s newly launched Urban Crew Campus Laptop Backpack features two 125 decibel sirens and a high-intensity strobe light. An allegedly undetectable activation switch…

News & Features

DryCASE’s New Backpack Keeps Your Gear Dry and You Happy

As a frequent rider of mass transit, specifically buses, I have to be prepared for the elements. This includes making sure my gear remains safe if I happen to incur a sudden downpour or get caught in a snowstorm. While my current gearbag, a Swiss Gear Cobalt does an ok job but I still wonder with the thunderstorm season upon us here in Central Ohio. That’s why the bag above from DryCASE peaked my interest. The bag is the DryCASE Waterproof Backpack. This bag has many features a lot of bags don’t that will help the stuff inside stay bone dry as…

News & Features

Stylishly Protect and Carry Your Gear with Lowepro’s New Camera Bags

When we were at CES in January I had the opportunity to stop by the Lowepro booth and see some of the awesome camera bags they have to offer. At the time I was interested, but didn’t find the gear personally relevant since I was content using my iPhone and Canon G11 for photos, and neither requires a good camera bag. Fast forward a few months, and I am actually looking for a good camera bag. You see, I thought the SonyDSLR we posted on a number of weeks back looked amazing, and I plan to pick one up as…

News & Features

Keep Your Camera in the Bag and STILL Get Your Shots

This is a nutty idea but it just might be nutty enough to actually make sense. If you carry a DSLR you know you need to have a decent camera bag to protect it. But if the camera is in the bag you might miss that great action shot during the ten seconds it takes to pull the thing out. Cloak has found a way to let you protect your camera AND leave it in the bag while taking shots. Seriously, it is a bag that is designed to let you take the shots you want from within the bag….

News & Features

Mother’s Day is Almost Here, and You Know that Mom Loves Her Gear!

Still debating what you should get the woman who loved you first for Mother’s Day? Look no further; we are here to help … Eers PCS-150 Eers PCS-150 are “high-end headphones with a special twist”. Carly reviewed these amazing headphones and loved them. The music-loving parent will too. Here’s what they offer… Custom-fitted earphones in only 4 Minutes! Single driver, dynamic speaker Single button in-line microphone compatible with all mobile devices Crisp, detailed sound Excellent Frequency response with hard driving bass Safe and Comfortable SonoFit™ Fitting Process. Custom-fitted shape creates Sound Isolation “Acoustic Seal” Secure fit so earphones do not…

Reviews

The WaterField Indy iPad Bag Review

I’m not going to get into all the obvious movie allusions I could make about the WaterField Indy iPad Bag; suffice it to say, the bag has rugged appeal with just enough refinement, and even when brand new, it looks like something that might have been handed down to you from a favorite uncle. That’s actually a selling point, I think. Measuring 10.3″ wide x 12″ tall x 1″ deep, the Indy weighs 17 ounces empty. It is composed of tumbled and distressed leather, which comes complete with scratches, imperfections, and other miscellaneous markings; this means that from the beginning,…

Outdoors, Reviews, Vehicles & Gear

Case Logic and LoveCases Can Outfit You for your Next Adventure, Urban or Remote

I love it when a great plan comes together, even if totally by accident. Recently Gear Diary received a request from LoveCases online camera bag and gear case retailer to pick a bag or two we would like to review. As many of the bags they offer are for photographic gear I was asked if I would like to participate. I jumped at the chance despite my being smack-dab in the middle of recuperation from right shoulder surgery and at the time could not even pick up a camera let alone shoot with it. As my shoulder progressed so did…

Gear Bits

Think Making a Promo-Video is Easy? Think Again.

If you think making a promo-video is easy, then you need to think again. What you see on TV, in the movies or even on You Tube has been sliced and diced in more ways than you can ever imagine. It also likely took five or ten or fifty takes to get the right words in the right places. Most of the time you’ll never see the outtakes except on a bloopers reel. And even then, the bloopers have been edited for effect. So what if we had a bloopers reel that proves that what can go wrong will go…

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