GEAR BUYERS’ GUIDE
Take the strain out of lugging kit around with a top-class roller case ON A ROLL WHEELIE GREAT BAGS!
WORDS ADAM DUCKWORTH
W hatever amount of gear you end up bringing, it always takes its toll on your hands, arms, shoulders and back. Just adding a set of wheels makes it so much easier to roll your bag behind you – as long as surfaces are smooth. They’re ideal for urban settings, but perhaps not for slogging across muddy fields or gravelly drives. Portability is great, but the purpose of a video kit bag is also to transport your gear in safety. For the ultimate in protection, custom-fitted hard cases are ideal, but these are large and can be cumbersome. Fit with wheels, they become much more manageable. The factors you have to juggle when selecting your travelling bag are protection and mobility. The stakes only get higher when flying – the cost of a heavy bag is huge, but the potential for damage also increases.
Many still love traditional hard plastic cases due to their robust construction, while soft bags are more popular – but maybe not the safest in terms of drop protection or fending off thieves. In this buyers’ guide, we take a look at some of the best roller bags and cases at lots of different price points and sizes, to suit just about every need. “The stakes get higher when flying – the cost of a heavy bag is huge, but so is the potential for damage”
LOWEPRO PRO TREKKER RLX 450 AW II £322/$429 lowepro.com
weight to the hips for comfort, while a built-in sternum strap buckles the shoulder straps together to prevent the bag from bouncing around. A Lowepro gear box equipment pouch is included so you can fit cords, adapters and other essentials. The shoulder straps can be stowed behind the rear panel to ensure the bag meets any airline carry-on requirements. It comes with a rain cover, as well as a water bottle pouch, an accessory case, tripod cup plus two cinch straps.
The Lowepro Pro Trekker RLX 450 AW II is a well-built backpack which can carry either one or two mirrorless cameras, including one with an attached 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. It will hold additional lenses, a folding drone kit, tripod and laptop. And best of all, it has wheels so you can wear it or pull it behind you. Access to the backpack’s central compartment is provided by a zipped panel. The bag can be carried using its built-in handle, side handle or by its adjustable shoulder straps. A waist belt transfers
Pros: Ideal for outdoor use
Cons: Heavy to use as a rucksack when full
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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