Week In Review ~ 21 June

Rad camera packs for guys and gals, a compact multi-tool that’s big on features, a bag that could change the way you travel and ruggedly stylish carry from South Korea. Welcome to the Week In Review…

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Putting the focus on camera packs for women and urban/outdoor environments

When it comes to packs for adventure and outdoor photography, f-stop is right up there with the best – and now they’ve introduced two new packs which tackle some key problems that crop up in photography: finding a bag that caters well to a woman’s physique, as well as a bag that can work equally well in urban and rural settings. The Kashmir UL is an ultralight backpack designed for women and users with smaller frames. Coming in at around 1kg in weight with a volume of 30 liters, the pack was created for active photography environments. The smallest backpack in the Mountain Series, the Lotus is an everyday pack that can do double duty in outdoor environments. Offering 32 liters of space and weighing 1.5kg, the pack provides enhanced versatility by straddling the divide between urban and outdoor use.

Think Tank Photo takes on the workhorse trinity of lenses

Think Tank Photo have also been busy on the camera backpack development front with the Trifecta series, which caters specifically to what Think Tank Photo calls the “workhorse trinity” of camera lenses: the ultra-wide, the mid-range, and the telephoto zoom. The Trifecta 8 is designed to hold a medium to large mirrorless body with lens attached, as well as 2 to 5 additional lenses, a tablet measuring up to 8 inches and personal gear. The Trifecta 10 accommodates a standard size DSLR body with lens attached, 2 to 4 additional lenses, up to a 10-inch tablet, as well as personal gear. The packs enhance their user-friendliness with access from the left and right, as well as the rear panel, so you can get to your gear in a jiffy when that amazing shot presents itself.

RAWROW salutes denim

Tough and timeless, denim is one of the hardest-working fabrics out there. In a salute to its rugged attractiveness, South Korean brand RAWROW are giving it the recognition it deserves with their 2015 S/S DENIM capsule collection. A variety of carry needs are covered as the collection includes a backpack, pouch and totes. Each piece also comes in a choice of navy and light blue colorways, with plenty of casual style while you’re out and about getting daily tasks done or taking things at a leisurely pace on your travels.

Avoiding the crankiness of not having the right tool when you need it

When that DIY job crops up, it’s a matter of seconds to sort it out with the right tool…well, it would be if you actually had that tool on you. More often than not, you don’t. That’s where the Cranker comes in. This multi-tool is compact enough to easily carry on a keyring or in a bag, so you’ve got it close to hand when the need arises. Suitable for daily use at work, within your home and while traveling or out and about, the Cranker features a host of functions and comes in a choice of hard-wearing stainless steel or titanium. The Cranker has successfully reached its Kickstarter funding goal but there’s plenty of time left to bag one for your EDC essentials kit.

Pack lots, pack small, travel fast

Checking in luggage is a hassle and time-consuming. Plus there’s the thrill of waiting at the baggage carousel in the eager hopes it actually arrives at the same destination you do. But it does mean you can bring more stuff… However, the folks behind the GOBAG think there’s a better way – and judging by the massive success of their Kickstarter campaign (still live but ending soon), a lot of other people do too. The GOBAG is a vacuum compressible carry-on bag which can compress 70 litres of soft gear into its 35-litre form thanks to the Max Pack Bag which features a vacuum valve. In addition to this handy feature, the compact duffel also boasts a range of other useful features such as removable shoulder straps, a tough TPU-coated ballistic nylon construction and an S-shaped zip that runs along the edge of the back and side panels for quicker access to gear. There’s also dedicated space for up to a 15-inch laptop and the bag is available with a durable detachable transparent bag for handling your liquids at airport security. If you’re keen to pack more in a smaller space and avoid checking luggage in, this could be the bag for you.