The Think Tank StreetWalker Pro V2.0 is part of a StreetWalker series that has been around a while and has garnered some great reviews from outdoor photographers, so the arrival of this new member of the ‘V2’ series is welcome.
Although all StreetWalkers can carry up to two camera bodies attached to lenses, further up in the StreetWalker series is the StreetWalker Pro V2.0, which adds a tripod cup and an optional large waist belt to the StreetWalker V2.0’s anything-but-basic feature set. Size-up further to the StreetWalker HardDrive V2.0 and you get a top-accessed pouch for a 15-inch laptop.
But for many outdoor photographers, the regular StreetWalker V2.0 is going to hit the sweet spot. Here’s why.
Specifications
Weight empty: 1.5kg
Dimensions: 25x44x18cm
Materials (exterior): 1680D ballistic nylon with polyurethane coating, 20D velocity nylon and 550D polyester
Materials (interior): 200D polyester and laminated clear mesh pockets
Waterproofing: durable water-repellent coating
Dividers: 8 polyurethane backed velex dividers, closed cell foam PE board reinforced
Holds: 2 standard DSLR bodies, 3-4 standard zoom lenses and a 10-inch tablet
Key features
Considering its small size, the StreetWalker V2.0 can take a lot of gear. The well-padded main inner compartment is accessed from the front and is built around a flexible L or Z-shaped central column that’s designed to fit around either one or two camera bodies attached to lenses, both arranged top and tail. That’s impressive on a bag this small. There’s also plenty of depth up top to house a full-frame DSLR body.
That central column is attached securely by Velcro, but can be removed if you want to use the StreetWalker V2.0 as a regular backpack for non-camera gear (or a large drone). There are then a further seven Velcro-powered dividers to cater for lenses, each of them very light, but strong enough to keep everything in its right place. It’s designed to take two standard DSLR bodies and three to four lenses, though depending on how you customise the inside of the bag it can take an extra zoom lens, or alternatively a couple of large mirrorless or compact DSLR cameras. Either way, the limit on lens size is going to be a 300mm f/2.8 lens.
Inside the lid are a couple of laminated pockets for storing SD cards, cables and whatever else you want to stay away from water. The great quality zippers to this main compartment can be padlocked together, which is a nice touch.
The exterior of the bag is less impressive. The clear highlight is a very well protected pocket behind the shoulder straps that can take a 10-inch tablet (19.5x26.5x1cm). On the sides are ultra-stretch pockets helpful for carrying drinks and perhaps a hiking umbrella (or the included nylon rain cover). Behind each are roomy L-shaped zipped pockets, one of which can safely stow a large smartphone while the other has a keyring attachment and a small Velcro strap for attaching to keys or other valuables.
On the front of the backpack is an organiser pocket with lots of small, fussy compartments for pens and cables. Below is another curved, zipped pocket designed to take two legs of a tripod. ThinkTank also provides two loose straps that can be clipped on to four loops, one at each corner of the StreetWalker V2.0’s front. So it’s possible to attach a large tripod and secure it in place, though it does mean that pocket is likely to get very muddy and wet. Thankfully these loops don’t interfere with access to the main compartment so you don’t have to remove your tripod every time you fetch your camera.
Quality and usability
Yes, you can get a lot of gear into the StreetWalker V2.0, and you can do it really comfortably. What impressed us most about the StreetWalker V2.0 are its shoulder straps. Really wide and comfortable, they’re excellent for long days and serious hikes. Those straps even have D-rings for attaching a camera strap.
The 320G air-mesh back panel is there for airflow, and so avoid a sweaty back. It works as well as any other camera backpack, which is to say, not too well. Only curved backpacks achieve airflow, but they’re wholly unsuitable for camera gear. Also on board is a sternum strap while a basic waist belt adds little support but prevents the bag from shifting around.
Some outdoor photographers will mourn its lack of a pocket for a water hydration bladder, such as a Camelbak, but at least both sides have ultra-stretch pockets for gripping a water bottle flask.
We’re mostly fine about the StreetWalker V2.0’s main compartment only being accessible from the outside, but as well as making it easy for an opportunist thief to access we’re also slightly concerned about quick access. If you lay the StreetWalker V2.0 on wet ground you’re essentially making the shoulder straps and rear of the bag wet, which isn’t ideal. Some packs open to the back-side, which removes both problems.
Verdict
Here’s a camera backpack ideal for small rigs that prioritises padding for both you and your camera gear. You can get a lot of core camera gear into the StreetWalker V2.0 in various layouts, and we like its flexible approach to carrying a tripod. The optional clip-on straps work well if you do need to carry a tripod. If you don’t need one you’re left with a clean-looking backpack that isn’t covered in straps.
Although it does lack support for a hydration bladder, it’s an exceedingly comfortable camera backpack to wear for long periods. All that makes the StreetWalker V2.0 worth considering for anyone after a versatile camera backpack for long days and the great outdoors.
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