I have two photography scenarios that maybe you can relate to. I like to travel and spend a day or two exploring a new destination but don’t want to carry much—maybe a couple of lenses, some filters, and spare batteries. What I do carry is heavy enough that a backpack makes sense, making photography easier. If I pop out for a few hours to wander around doing street photography, I have one little camera and lens, a filter, and a spare battery. I may have my reading glasses and phone too. I only need a small bag for that, where I can stow the camera if the weather gets bad. Otherwise, the camera is around my neck, so the bag is virtually empty.
The challenge has always been to find a streamlined backpack that isn’t too large and bulky, or to find a very small, slim-profile shoulder bag that I barely notice I’m carrying. As good fortune would have it, those innovative folks at PolarPro have launched a new line of lightweight shoulder bags and backpacks that address both of my scenarios. The RoadRunner Collection includes a choice of two backpacks, two shoulder bags, and a compact camera bag.
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RoadRunner 1L Sling – 132 g ($49.99)
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RoadRunner 6L Shoulder Bag – 579 g ($99.99)
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RoadRunner 8L Backpack – 878 g ($139.99)
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RoadRunner 12L Shoulder Bag – 755 g ($119.99)
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RoadRunner 16L Backpack – 1,337 g ($179.99)
I got to test the 6L shoulder bag and the 8L backpack. They are black, with webbing in PolarPro’s signature gold beige. This adds some sophistication without making the bags stand out and appear too “showy.” I like that. Many camera manufacturers make the padding too thick, which I dislike and which is one of the main reasons I’ve always sought non-camera-specific bags in the past—particularly with backpacks. Not so with these RoadRunner bags. They’re just thick enough to offer protection, but not so much that the bags become bulky.
A nice little touch on both bags is two microfiber lens cleaning cloths attached inside on an elasticated string.
6L Shoulder Bag
This is the perfect size for a day out doing street photography. The bag comes with removable dividers, and I arranged one so I could place a camera with lens on one side and a spare lens and a few accessories on the other. For my street photography, I carry a Leica Q2M or a Nikon Z50 / Z6III with a prime lens. Either one fits with plenty of room. In fact, I currently have a long-term loan from Hasselblad—the X2D and their big 2–35 zoom. Even that fits in with ease.
There’s a front compartment perfect for a couple of filters, my phone, and a few business cards. There are adjustable straps under the bag so I can attach a small tripod if necessary or maybe compress a light rain jacket. The lid of the bag has stretchy drop pockets too—great for memory cards. At the back side of the bag, sitting out of sight against your body, there’s a full-width open pocket. I found this useful for putting printouts of shot lists and travel details or storing my phone when I’m away from busy crowds and out of reach of pickpockets.
After a few days out with this bag, wearing it around my neck, I found PolarPro’s description of it as a “mobile workstation” adept. I can easily unzip the lid and access my camera, positioning the bag with the adjustable strap so it sits perfectly for changing a lens or filter, using the bag as my support “desk.”
8L Backpack
I believe this is the smallest and most streamlined camera backpack on the market—and possibly the lightest—weighing in at just 1.93 lbs. It’s proving to be the perfect size for a day out exploring a city or the countryside. I can easily carry a camera body and three lenses, or two lenses and my GoPro and audio gear for vlogging.
You access your gear from either side of the main pack, where everything is arranged using a couple of padded dividers. There’s a long front zippered pocket—perfect for memory cards, filters, phone, etc.—and a small zippered pocket at the top of the bag where you can securely attach and store keys and a money clip.
For adventuring in wet weather, you’ll find a built-in rain cover that wraps around the entire backpack.
If you need to carry a small travel tripod, selfie stick for vlogging, and/or a water bottle, you have pockets on either side, complete with adjustable securing straps if needed. The RoadRunner Collection is now available for purchase.
Many thanks to Andy Strote for additional photos.
