dave_l. Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I'm looking at getting a ThinkTank Urban Disguise bag as I hear nothing but positive reviews and they seem very thoughfully laid out. I know it's well made, has lots of pockets, etc. But how comfortable is it on the move? I can't tell how good the shoulder strap is, how the bag fits against your body, etc. Sadly, I live in in area where I cannot get somewhere that sells ThinkTank bags to try them personally. I'm liable to be walking long distances (no hiking/camping) and possibly riding a bike with the bag on. Any thoughts on its suitability for light activity like this? Ergonomics are important to me and I love my Timbuk2 messenger bag for this reason. I would never be carrying a laptop and very rarely would I be carrying a second body in this bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennett_richards Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 VERY comfortable. Thinner profile so whatever weight is in the bag stays close to the body. I bought the 60 as when I travel I carry a lot of junk besides cameras... but occasionally I WILL have enough gear to fill the bag. The included strap is the most comfortable I have ever used and the even come with a detachable CF/SD card caddy. as well as a deployable rain shield. VERY well designed and built. I have used LowePro for 25 years... but ThinkTank is the best out there... unless you need a camping... wilderness environment bag... then it's still LoewPro's area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 very comfortable until you load one up up with so much stuff that your shoulder hurts. But given what you want it for a Thinktank Photo Rotation 360 makes more sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 A shoulder bag is very tiring after a while. If you plan to walk more than 2 hours, a backpack is a much better choice. You can always sling it over one shoulder for short distances or when things get busy. Sure, you have to put it down to swap gear, but I find I have to do that with an heavy shoulder bag as well. I've been using a LowePro Computrekker Plus as my two-camera gig bag for nearly two years now, and recently a Thinktank backpack for video/sound gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_l. Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 I'm well aware of the loss of comfort with shoulder bags. I have a Lowepro Orion Trekker that suits my style quite well (although I still struggle to lash a tripod to it). But I also know there is a HUGE range of comfort possible with shoulder bags. A lot of that is due to how they fit when worn across your body and against your back. And there are many times when I'm in large crowds, confined spaces, etc where I find a backpack very cumbersome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 It is precisely in close spaces where I find a backpack superior to a shoulder bag - from clamboring up narrow stairs in European castles, or the bustling Summer Palace in Beijing. I also find that climbing (or decending) steep ways with a shoulder bag is seriously destabilizing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_gardner Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Us old guys (and some younger ones) always have back problems. Shoulder bags always put a strain on my back. I just bought a Lowepro Slingshot 200 backpack (the medium size). All I can say is WOW. The biggest selling point for me was how I can swing the bag around to the front of my body (without taking it off) and quickly remove my camera - literally within seconds! This can be accomplished even while walking or running. With the bag in front, I can rest my elbows on it for stabilization. Here's a link with images of a wide variety of cameras and equipment in the Slingshot. http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=lowepro+slingshot+200&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_l. Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 I doubt anyone is going to read a follow-up to a month old post, but I thought I might give an update. I stopped by Helix Camera in Chicago (wonderful shop, by the way) and tried out the Urban Disguise bag. I bought one on the spot. I don't think I can express how well thought out, well made, comfortable, and flexible these bags are. This is about as comfortable as you can possibly get with a shoulder bag. The additional d-rings on the back allow me to use a stabilizing cross-strap I have from another messenger bag. For my needs it blew the slingshot, tamrac velocity, and any of the crumpler bags out of the water. Really, just a great bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benedikt_heinen Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 <p>I used the Lowepro Slingshot 300AW before, and I find that it isn't all that great on my back either - especially, if you have it filled up with my photo gear...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now