The Day Chaser backpack: a journey digicam bag that matches every thing you could possibly presumably need

Digicam backpacks are available all sizes and shapes nowadays, and it will probably typically be a bit overwhelming if you’re making an attempt to resolve what would greatest suit your wants. The primary port of name then is to determine precisely what these wants are, after which discover one thing that addresses these.

This reverse engineering method is one thing that digicam equipment model Second has been doing notably nicely recently. They’ve simply launched a collaboration with journey photographer Emmett Sparling and have launched the 35 L Day Chaser Digicam backpack. It’s being billed as “rugged, versatile and intensely snug” and “constructed to hold every thing”. I used to be capable of strive it out and put it via its paces in my most up-to-date travels throughout Europe.

Options

Firstly, let’s take a look at what this bag has to supply. At first look, it’s a really nice-looking piece of bags. The backpack is available in two color combos: both plain black or a lovely midnight blue with gold trim. It seems to be like a top quality piece of kit that hasn’t skimped on options.

The bag measures 53cm (21 inches) in top and 28cm (13 inches) vast. Empty the bag weighs 2.3 kilos (5 lb 2 oz), reassuringly weighty sufficient to persuade you that your digicam tools might be nicely protected. The digicam compartment matches 16L of drugs, and an additional expandable compartment on the highest simply matches an additional 14L of just about something you may consider that you simply would possibly need to carry. There’s additionally a aspect pocket that matches a medium-sized laptop computer.

The opposite distinctive promoting level of this explicit bag is that it’s designed to suit “travelling photographers of all sizes and shapes”. The bag makes use of a military-grade harness design with 4 factors of adjustment and must be snug for all heights and genders, in accordance with the Kickstarter web page.

The bag is made out of “tremendous rugged” DWR impregnated 500D kodra material with a double-layer waterproof backing. The bag additionally contains an extra rain cowl for notably dangerous climate encounters.

Digicam compartment

The digicam compartment is a basic aspect entry function. This enables photographers to entry their gear with out having to take off the backpack. The thought is you can simply slide it round. A flap and twin buckles stop individuals from unzipping this compartment with out the wearer figuring out.

In follow, this aspect opening system is kind of sensible though I often find yourself taking the backpack off anyway to entry the digicam gear.

The compartment may be very spacious, far greater than I’d probably ever want. It’s additionally very deep which means you can get your longer lenses in vertically. It simply matches two digicam our bodies plus a number of lenses, and sure a small drone or gimbal as nicely. It’s very nicely padded and your tools feels safe and cushty. Any knocks or jolts and your tools goes to be protected from harm on this bag.

Different tools

Behind the digicam compartment is a laptop computer pocket constructed into the aspect. That is designed to suit a medium-sized Mac E book Professional or equal. I simply fitted each my iPad professional and my laptop computer into this compartment. It’s totally protected by the harness and again padding, and but you may’t really feel it if you’re carrying the backpack.

Including a laptop computer, though making the bag heavier, doesn’t impinge on any inside house in any respect. It’s a really intelligent design, notably as most photographers will not be capable of journey with out their laptops nowadays when travelling and dealing on the similar time.

The highest a part of the bag is split into 3 separate zip pocket sections. Every pocket additionally has small compartments inside which may be very helpful for preserving issues organised. The most important pocket matches an additional 14L of kit. The Kickstarter web page says that it ought to simply match 2 pairs of pants, 2 t-shirts, underwear and a small toiletry package. Relying on the scale and nature of your garments, I believe it is a viable declare if packing extraordinarily gentle.

When you’re going for a weekend you could possibly simply get away with simply taking this bag for all of your tools. Longer than that and you may want an extra bag or small suitcase. However the idea is strong: match every thing you want for a brief journey into this one bag. It will likely be heavy but it surely does simplify every thing considerably.

The aspect pocket simply matches a small tripod or a large-sized water bottle. There’s loads of house and no feeling of forcing something in to suit.

Consolation

Now as we all know, backpacks have to be snug, and I used to be eager to see how the Daychaser fared on this side and lived as much as its claims.

I’m 5 foot 5 inches tall. This backpack is kind of giant on my body. Nonetheless, the 4 totally different factors of adjustment on the harness undoubtedly modify nicely to make it snug. Even totally loaded up with gear for travelling it felt nicely balanced. It did want the waist and chest straps nevertheless to take the pressure off the shoulders.

After all, that is all down to private preferences, but it surely was snug sufficient lugging the backpack across the airport all day. Saying that although, in case you have been carrying this pack round full for days on finish it might really feel heavy shortly.

My solely actual grievance about this bag is that the scale (top) is simply 5cm over the utmost top for European airways’ below the seat cabin bag restrictions. Bigger than this and you should pay further for the overhead bin. Because it was, I managed to smuggle the bag onto an Easyjet flight with out anybody stopping me. Nonetheless, it was undoubtedly too giant to simply match below the seat. This might be a consideration for individuals taking price range flights and making an attempt to maintain prices down. You actually don’t need to threat your digicam tools being put beneath the airplane within the maintain in the event that they don’t allow you to on.

Conclusion

That is an extremely well-made digicam backpack which makes use of intelligent design to not solely make it snug however extremely roomy and versatile as nicely. With this bag, you don’t want to decide on between taking all of the digicam gear you need and different objects resembling further garments, laptops, food and drinks.

It’s additionally excellent in dangerous climate. I took it out for a stroll in fairly heavy rain with out utilizing the rain cowl, and every thing stayed dry inside. It may possibly survive a typical British summer season, that’s excessive reward certainly!

The Day Chaser is just not small and it’s not gentle. However in case you wish to carry every thing with you, or have to pack out a ton of digicam gear with a couple of further objects and need every thing in your again in a single bag, that is good. Nice for digital nomads, the laptop computer sleeve is a very good contact. All the things feels very safe and properly padded. I’d not fear about objects getting broken or stolen on this bag.

I’d use this backpack primarily for multi-stop journey. It’s good for multi-cities or taking over a prepare or flight, offered you may smuggle it on board with out paying enormous oversize charges. It could maintain up nicely within the open air, nevertheless, in case you’re a critical wilderness photographer or doing a multi-day trek there are higher choices on the market, such because the Strohl Mountain Mild backpack.

However for many journey photographers, it is a very sturdy, sturdy backpack, which actually does dwell as much as its claims of consolation and capability.

The DayChaser backpack is out there to purchase now from $199 on Kickstarter and can begin delivery in January 2023.