http://www.digitalcameraworld.com JUNE 2019 DIGITAL CAMERA^129Mini Test
Vanguard Alta
Fly 55T
£200/$230
http://www.vanguardworld.comU
nusually among camera roller bags, the
Alta Fly 55T boasts a four-wheel design
for manoeuvrability. You also get
backpack straps, and Vanguard includes generous
lower back padding and a simple waist strap to
further lighten the load. Despite all this, weight
is still a reasonable 3.9kg, and while the overall
rigidity is nothing special, the gear padding
is sumptuous.
However, the four-wheel setup inevitably eats
into interior capacity, as the 55 x 35 x 22cm
external dimensions shrink to a bijou 41 x 31 x
11cm inside. You can fix this by stepping up to
the larger Alta Fly 58T, but that’s not carry-on
compatible. Alternatively, the 49T and slightly
larger 48T use a conventional two-wheel design
and sacrifice straps to maximise internal space.PROS Bristling with useful features;
very well-priced; carry-on compatibleCONS Small inside, especially for
depth; not as solid as some rivalsVerdict
Think Tank Airport
International V3
£369/$399
http://www.thinktankphoto.comT
his may be the priciest bag here, but you
get what you pay for. This is a roller bag
built for pros: its interior is cleverly
shaped to fit a pair of gripped DSLR bodies and
lenses as large as a 500mm f/4. There’s also
space for a 15in laptop and 10in tablet. It’s
carry-on suitable at 53 x 36 x 20cm, although
we measured the external thickness at 23cm.
The construction exudes quality at every point,
from the handle to the zippers. It lacks the sheer
rigidity of the Tenba bag, but it still manages to
retain its shape when stood on.
Smart touches include a four-stage extending
handle that only intrudes halfway down the bag
when stowed, generously sized underside scuff
panels, a stout zipper lock, and even a coated
cable and combination lock.PROS Stunning quality; extremely
robust; space for all essential gearCONS Heavy at 5.2kg; heavy on your
pocket; slightly thicker than advertisedVerdict
Tenba Roadie
Air Case Roller 21
£299/$382
http://www.tenba.com
I
t’s an unnerving experience: you’re
about to board your plane, only to be
told there’s no more room for cabin
baggage and your camera gear will have to go
in the hold, at the mercy of baggage handlers.
This needn’t be a worry if you’ve got a
Tenba Air Case. Designed as a cross between a
conventional roller bag and a tough hard case,
the Air Case is exceptionally crush-resistant.
We were able to stand on the bag and it easily
retained its shape. The secret is a solid internal
construction that encases the whole bag.
The Air Case range comes in many sizes: the
Roadie Air Case Roller 21 is cabin-compliant
at 53 x 36 x 23cm, and though its construction
restricts interior space to 46 x 31 x 15cm, it’s
still a practical space for gear. There’s also a
removable camera insert, but no laptop slot.
PROS Strong and well-made, yet reasonably
light at 4.7kg; cabin-friendly
CONS No laptop storage; not the largest interior
Verdict
Five things to
look out for1
A 55 x 35 x 23cm bag
should see you through
check-ins, but many
airlines won’t go past
10kg of carry-on.2
Most bags contain a
three column layout, so
overall interior width is
critical when packing
larger-diameter lenses.3
Roller bags can take a
lot of abuse. Quality,
user-replaceable
wheels should roll
with the punches.4
Carrying cameras and
lenses is just the start.
Look out for bags that
boast a laptop slot
and tripod system.5
A roller bag with a pair
of backpack straps
is great when you’re
negotiating stairs
or rough ground.