Shown above is the Tenba Fulton V2 14L camera backpack – it’s the bag I’ve taken to media events since I bought it 4 years ago.
The Tenba Fulton 14-liter bag is comically small. But it works and is small enough to be considered a personal bag on domestic flights where I also have a larger carry-on bag.
The Fulton has a smallish camera department with dividers, a smallish roll-top compartment that I stuff with pouches, a front pocket that somehow fits my laptop, tablet, and few accessories, a mesh pocket I barely use, and a tripod pocket I fill with a large water bottle on airport days and a tripod at event days.
It’s a good bag, or at least highly functional.
For 4 years before that, and maybe once or twice since, I used this Tenba DNA 10 messenger camera bag. The color isn’t as bad in person. Don’t judge, I bought it because it was discounted to $50.
The Tenba DNA 10 bag largely replaced the Think Tank Photo Retrospective 5 that I bought in 2012.
In the past 18 years, I also had a Dakine camera bag, an Incase sling bag (2010), and I used a non-camera EDC-style sling bag that doubled as a diaper bag.
I have also used backpacks with camera blocks.
I only use camera bags a couple of times a year, but when I do it’s important for me to be comfortable and functional.
The wrong choice can be extremely fatiguing and clumsy.
I plan to attend a couple of events over the next few months. My Tenba backpack is at the ready.
But, there’s one event where I won’t be bringing my regular camera. Based on the itinerary, it’s going to be unwise for me to pack my camera, microphones, and the whole shebang.
I’ll probably still need my laptop and tablet. And a small vlogging-style camera. Power bank. Snacks for the plane?
I donated my unused camera bags with recent cameras to the local high school. I still have the Tenba backpack and somewhat ugly brown-shade thin and compact messenger bag. Those won’t really work well if I don’t need a standard-size camera.
Okay. So I’ll need a personal bag for the airport and plane, and a man purse bag for the event and related excursions.
Messenger bags suck for whole-day events and outings. They just do. Maybe it’s because I’m a little older now? No, the ergonomics are just lousy for all-day gear hauling.
I’ve been looking at travel backpacks. Smaller bags tend to have a large clamshell-style compartment for suitcase-like packing.
There are lots of makes and models that can maybe work.
But if it’s not going to be a camera bag, I want it to be useful for other times besides just plane or train travel.
That also ruled out briefcases and similar carry-on tech bags.
I ordered a larger messenger-style sling bag that looks okay for shorter trips. That should be fine at the airport where I’ll also have rolling luggage. I guess? And then maybe it can be used to haul stuff around when I’m with my kids on some outings.
What about during the event? I settled for small sling bags. The Carhartt I posted about today? (See Carhartt Crossbody Bag Looks Like an Easy Buy) That’s more of a shoulder bag.
I ordered a hiking-style 8-liter sling bag. I then ordered another style. They were pretty affordable and I got tired of the internal debate. I then found another bag from a USA-made company. I might order that one too.
The irritating part of sling bags is that you really need to try them as the ergonomics can be wildly different. Many are one-size-fits-most, but can be very unsuitable for those they don’t fit. There’s no perfect bag.
So, for this and other events or outings where I don’t need a camera, I’ll work with a travel bag and then a smaller “out-and-about” bag. And they’re going to have to be multi-purpose.
I used the Vanquest Tolcat VPacker as a media event bag and then as a diaper bag when my camera needs outgrew it. I gave it away after a while, mostly because I wasn’t using it, and also because my tastes have changed and I was unlikely to use it again.
That’s what I look for in a bag – one-style-fits-many suitability.
The same goes for tool bags of course. I buy storage and mobile gear that fits specific needs, but I also keep in mind that my needs can and will change.
The Tenba backpack that I mentioned at the start of the post – I’m pretty sure I could use it without a camera, but it’ll be harder to ignore its flaws.
Waterfield (SFBags) makes some very functional (and pricey) tech bags and backpacks. Way too expensive for my needs, and it’s also the type of bag I couldn’t also fill with kids stuff, tools, or random lifestyle gear.
I have been looking at the Tom Bihn Synik backpacks for a few years. It would be great, but the clamshell design seems wasted on my needs.
Their Airport bag would be great as a personal item carry-on, for holding my laptop, tablet, gear, and snacks.
But when would I use that outside of travel?
I wonder if it’s weird that I have a bag dedicated to traveling with my camera, but won’t consider a non-camera travel-specific bag.
Maybe it’s the fact that I expect to have my camera at most media events, just not one that’s coming up.
Every year I check to see if any other compact camera bags would serve me better than the Tenba, but so far it’s as good as I can find, despite it looking like an awkward mini backback and feeling like an anchor.
It’s a pain to travel all day with gear on my back and at my side, and I’ll pay for gains in comfort or efficiency.
There’s just so much variability. Different materials. Pockets and organization. Ergonomics.
Tool bags are the same way, and gone are the days where you can them all out at the local home center or supply house.
Some people toss all of their tools into a 5-gallon bucket. Others have $250+ structured tool bags with tons of pockets and special features.
Whether we’re talking about tools, tech gear, or everyday items, I want storage and mobility solutions that I don’t have to think about.
I’m a bag person.
My gym bag is a tote bag. I bought a small duffel bag from Amazon. I still mainly use my tote bag. It’s a poor solution, but with little impact.
I bought a Peak Design gear pouch (Field Pouch V1) 9 years ago. It’s seen dozens of uses. It will likely travel with me to every upcoming media event.
Well-made and well-designed soft storage products are versatile and mold to suit changing needs.
Shopping for new bags can be a grueling process.
The good news is that I have learned some lessons over the years. I have more preferences. Or is that the bad news that makes the process more difficult?
For example, I know that I strongly prefer structured messenger-style bags over the type that flop around and rely on a laptop or books to give them shape.
I get stuck in decision loops.
I briefly considered the Nutsac (heehee) Satchel 13, but I’m not sure if or when I would use it again. I love the styling, but it’s impractical for me. The briefcase-style laptop bag design doesn’t suit my broader needs. I don’t commute to an office or lab anymore.
I see parallels to tools. Sometimes I still have to consciously force myself to recognize the distinction between utility and “utility for me.”
Chrome makes biking bags, but their Kadet Max 15L sling-style bag seemed suited for stowing under an airplane seat, and can then serve as a dad gear bag. Maybe?
There’s also a camera block insert, although it’s designed for their shallower bag.
It has a padded laptop sleeve and also very large internal compartment that I’ll probably need to fill with an insertable organizer. Or maybe pouches.
If it works out, this could be a flexible solution that sees years of varied use.
“Who cares, they’re just bags!”
Around 24 years ago, I was shopping with my parents at a sport goods store. I needed a better backpack for working at summer camp. I splurged and bought a Camelbak HAWG hydration bag. That bag lasted over 10 years. I used it for all kinds of excursions and travel, with and without the hydration bladder.
I recall buying it when my father was off looking somewhere else, because he would comment about the price. He did shop according to features at times, and not just price. I remember going with him when it was time to buy a new TV. He spent a little more for one model over another because it had better speakers and that was important.
But for bags? He wouldn’t have spent a premium.
Years later, my wife at times criticized my affinity for gear shopping. She thought I just liked shopping for and buying stuff. I really do! That doesn’t mean it’s frivolous. There’s purpose behind the effort.
After a couple of outdoors trips where she filled her high school or college backpack with water bottles, she bought a Camelbak hydration pack too.
And she started buying wool socks.
She bought the same brand of winter boots – I think they’ve lasted her over 10 years at this point.
She kept borrowing one of my bags to travel with and eventually bought her own. She borrows the luggage that I spent too much money on (Eagle Creek from maybe 8 or 9 years ago). On that note, we really need a second piece of rolling carry-on luggage, but I’m not sure what to get.
Bags are in investment. There’s no perfect bag. I’m looking for bags that will last years and tons of varied usage. But I also don’t want a closet full of uni-taskers.
I’m overthinking things. I know this. It’s what I do. While that’s frustrating, it’s also part of the fun when things work out.
Same with tools. I think about and plan out my purchases so that I don’t have to think about things later.
Good gear makes things easier, especially challenging situations. Bags don’t have to perfect, they just have to tackle the highest priorities in efficient, comfortable, and durable ways.
Now that I’m done shopping for travel bags, I’m good for a few years. Or until my needs change.
