www.timbuk2.com
For us, carrying camera equipment almost crystallizes what a bag should be: You want something that’s both highly functional and highly protective—but you don’t want anyone to know that you’re lugging around all that well-protected, expensive camera gear. The simple truth is that thieves are sufficiently sophisticated to recognize camera-specific bags by their brands. This is why Timbuk2’s Snoop Camera Bag rises above most competitors. Crafted out of durable ballistic nylon by the San Fran cycling bag company, the secret of the Scoop is it’s stealthy diversity.  The main compartment is spacious enough to hold all varieties of SLR camera bodies, lenses, portable flashes, and more—all ensconced in thick padding. Better still, the internal padded sleeves are attached by Velcro, which lets you modify the interior to custom-fit the specifics of your kit. This main pocket is accessible by a wide, side zipper flap (there’s no top-loading access, an unconventional approach for a backpack), along with a narrow zipper opening for quick access.  The flip-top lid has three pockets (two of them mesh) for SD cards, batteries, and cables. There’s also a shallow, wide zipper pocket on the front of the pack for flight documents. The bag comes equipped with a plush, padded laptop sleeve, which can handle a 17-inch computer and is accessible from both the main compartment and an easy-to-access exterior zip that greatly simplifies the TSA juggling act.  Two burly shoulder pads and a removable sternum strap distributed the weight nicely while terminal hopping in Seattle International, and the two straps on the back of the pack are ideal for lashing on a full-sized tripod (though…yea, that may announce your Ansel Adams-like ambitions).  We did wish for somewhat more storage options; the bag is designed for the gear-laden photographer out for a day shoot, rather than travel. The Tetris-like internal customization does allow you to create space for in-flight essentials like an eBook, magazines, and a sweater, but a few additional pockets would make this pack even more versatile.