BUYERS’ GUIDE
LOWEPRO PRO TREKKER RLX 450 AW II £319/$429 lowepro.com
The Lowepro Pro Trekker RLX 450 AW II is built for creators who never quite know how they’ll need to move their kit. Part backpack, part roller case, it offers a flexible solution for hauling heavy loads across everything from airport terminals to uneven outdoor locations. When worn, the adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap and padded waist belt work together to shift weight onto the hips, keeping long carries comfortable. When the load gets too much, the extending handle and integrated wheels quickly turn it into a roller. Capacity is generous. The Pro Trekker can house one or two mirrorless cameras, including a body with a 70-200mm f/2.8 attached, alongside multiple lenses, a drone kit, tripod and laptop. Plus multiple carry handles provide even more handling options in tight spaces. Inside, Lowepro’s Gearup pouch keeps cables, batteries and adapters organised. The bag meets most airline carry-on limits and includes a rain cover, tripod cup, cinch straps, accessory case and water bottle pouch, making it a true all-conditions workhorse.
Pros: Multi-style case in one Cons: Not as tough as hard cases
MANFROTTO PRO LIGHT CINELOADER £280/$416 manfrotto.com
The Manfrotto Pro Light Cineloader is unapologetically built for video work. It is not adapted from a stills bag and hoping for the best. It’s designed for solo operators and small crews who need a fast and no-nonsense way to move serious kit on and off set. Its biggest advantage is simplicity. The wide, traditional opening lets you drop in a fully rigged camera –
camcorder or compact cinema body – without stripping it down or removing accessories. That alone can save valuable time during tight turnarounds. Inside, Manfrotto’s M-Guard dividers provide dense, shock-absorbing protection while keeping wasted space to a minimum, helping the bag handle a hefty payload of up to 25kg in the large version. A semi-rigid top panel adds extra practicality, allowing a slider or tripod to be strapped on securely without compressing the gear below. With an expanding range of optional accessories, including
Hard cases are the workhorses of professional transport. They offer near- bombproof protection, weather sealing and peace of mind when kit is shipped, stacked or thrown into trucks. On-set, they often moonlight as stools, tables or stands. The downside is bulk and weight. Then there’s the aviation problem. Airline bag-size limits, carry-on rules and weight restrictions can instantly overrule your favourite solution, forcing tough decisions to be made about what flies with you and what gets checked. The smartest filmmakers don’t hunt for one miracle bag – they build a carry strategy. A backpack for speed, a roller for volume, a hard case for protection. In this guide, we look at standout options across bags, backpacks and cases, helping you choose the right solution for the way you shoot.
whether it is a mirrorless,
internal pouches and rain covers, the Cineloader is a dependable workhorse for
real-world video production work.
Pros: Purpose-
made for video Cons: Doesn’t have wheels
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