Graham
on
Rockin’ a plain black camera bag is essential if you want to convince people that you’re a super-serious photographer, but adding a little splash of colour into your gear proves that you might just have moved beyond such base efforts. I’ve been hauling the Flipside Sport 10L AW for the last six weeks, and it’s convenient to the point where it may put my aging DayTrekker on hiatus for a while. The fact that it’s bright orange? Well, that’s just icing on a very flashy cake.
If you’re into sports you’re going to want a photopack that will go with you without getting in the way. The Flipside line is handy for that; they’re tall and slim, so they stay centered on your back so you move easily. It’s also long enough that your shirt won’t ride up as you walk, a problem that’s frequently found in shorter bags.
On the other side of the bag there’s a spot for a water bottle. As someone who likes to hike with a camera on-hand, this is perfect–staying hydrated is important!
Inside the bag there’s space for a DSLR with a long lens, placed sideways. This unusual orientation keeps the camera stable and keeps the bag slim. There’s space for a few lenses or a flash or other camera accessories, and keeping with the sport designation there’s an internal shroud that pulls closed with a pullstring; it’s a great way to keep the inside of your bag dry and dirt free in less than ideal conditions.
The Flipside Sport 10L includes the letters “AW” in the name for a reason: it means All Weather. Inside the back of the unit there’s LowePro’s famous “raincoat” - a weatherproof covering that folds up inside and tucks out of sight when not in use. I look for this feature on all my new camera bags because it’s saved my gear more than once. It doesn’t matter if you live in Vancouver or Vaughn, you’re going to get stuck in a torrential downpour sooner or later, and a bag like this means you’re prepared.
Verdict? I love this thing. It’s heartbreaking that Future Shop wants it back, but them’s the breaks. I’m off to go buy another one!
