Billingham Hadley One owners?

My current two favourite bags, Brady Arial Small and Brady Gelderburn are both so worn that my wife is displeased when I wear either in her company.

I therefore currently use a Hadley Pro which I have owned for the past 11 years - but rarely use because I find it too stiff and boxy with the insert and too loose and shapeless without.

 

In my research for a new alternative to replace the Brady bags*, I noticed that the (new?) Hadley One apparently has some back/side/bottom padding build into the bag. I'd imagine that improves on the structure when used without insert - Are there any owners here that could comment on that?

 

*In case you you wonder; I am not going to buy a Brady bag again because they lifted a photo of mine from Flickr and used it in their marketing without permission or credit and gave me a hard time when I pointed it out.

I choose bags for the way they protect, carry, and make accessible my gear, not how they look, Hadley bags are made well. The leather latches are durable and quiet. However, you must stack equipment, which means you must unstack it to get things on the bottom. The inserts keep things from banging together, so removing it is not a good idea. For anything more than a camera and three lenses, one attached, I prefer a backpack, aesthetics notwithstanding.

Thanks. Maybe I was unclear: I own a Hadley Pro, so I am aware of the quality and operation of Billingham bags in general.

I don't really like the structural integrity of the Pro model without the the insert (the Brady bags are very good in that regard).

I want to know if owners of the Hadley One can comment on this specific model's ability to maintain its structure when the insert is removed.

Protecting the equipment is another matter irrelevant to this question.

Edited September 8, 2019 by NHSN

Irrelevant? Okay. Please don't ask to borrow mine ;)

To answer my own question. I ordered a Hadley One from Billingham, and it arrived yesterday. As I had hoped, the side/bottom padding is relatively thin, so while providing some protection and structural support, it also appears to be more flexible than the Hadley Pro w insert.

A laptop sleeve is built into the bag an serves as support/protection towards the body. With a laptop, the bag will be inflexible - of course- but without, the sleeve seems to be flexible enough to partially follow the shape of your hips.

I am fairly sure it will suit my needs.

I once owned a Billingham Hadley. Poppy told me that I looked very dashing wearing it with my jabot. Unfortunately I lost my Vacheron Constantine tourbillon in the Tarn when one of the pockets on the Hadley failed to stay closed. I had to send my vallet home to bring the spare. I felt naked and victimized.

Well, those VC tourbillons are best considered disposables. Excellent choice for moving around the Tarn, though. Next time you feel victimized, just let it out on your vallet. Mine kind of likes it - I think.

I once owned a Billingham Hadley. Poppy told me that I looked very dashing wearing it with my jabot. Unfortunately I lost my Vacheron Constantine tourbillon in the Tarn when one of the pockets on the Hadley failed to stay closed. I had to send my vallet home to bring the spare. I felt naked and victimized.

 

Hmm... I have no idea what

this post is about...

http://bayouline.com/o2.gif

Vincent, please forgive me. My response was intended as tongue-in-cheek conversation when NHSN did not get a response regarding his interest in Billingjam that as a member of the bag of the month club I consider in the elite category. Mr. NHSN saw the humor and was audacious enough to one up me.

I am a son of the south with a pair of camouflage Crocs but camera gear aside I do have a fondness for a good Bordeaux, fine Swiss, German and Japanese watches, well made pocket knives and most importantly nice camera bags that ooze quality. There is plenty of seriousness on this site to go around. I will leave it at that. Good hunting:)

Vincent, please forgive me. My response was intended as tongue-in-cheek conversation when NHSN did not get a response regarding his interest in Billingjam....:)

 

I knew that. That's why I had my Great Ape pal (she needs a name) say it.

 

I wonder if I could have a contest on photo.net to find her a name... Moderators?

You can take the girl out of gorilla and get Lora - wait, no you can't. And I know she's an Orangutan too.

Anne Orangutan?