Why you’ll be able to belief Digital Digicam World
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In the event you personal a premium compact digicam such because the Fujifilm X100VI, or one in all its coveted predecessors, or different fastened lens compacts just like the Leica D-Lux 8 or Sony RX1R II, you could have struggled to search out the right digicam bag to pair with them. Lots of the finest digicam backpacks and finest messenger baggage are too large, which is nice for carry additional equipment and objects like a small laptop computer or pill, however they’re not essentially the most transportable answer. In truth, if you happen to’re in search of portability many photographers merely ditch the case altogether and like to make use of their premium compact handheld, or with a neck or wrist strap and stashed in a coat pocket when not in use.
PolarPro has, it appears, give you a extra elegant answer and is focusing on customers particularly with premium compacts to hold their cameras with fashion, maintain them protected, out of sight, have accent storage and a protected place to stash your digicam at dwelling so it doesn’t acquire mud.
Californian photograph accent firm PolarPro was established in 2011 and since then has made a reputation for themselves as innovators within the pictures area with ingenious designs made for use outside with premium supplies and environmentally accountable.
I bought maintain of the PolarPro 1L Roadrunner, which on the time of this evaluation was brand-new out, and put it to the take a look at to search out out if you can purchase one.
PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Specs
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Bag kind |
Sling |
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Exterior dimensions |
5x4x7” |
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Inner dimensions |
4x3x6” |
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Materials |
600D RipStop Nylon |
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Capability |
1L |
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Weight |
132g |
PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Worth
The PolarPro 1L RoadRunner at first appears fairly steep costing $49.99 for such a small digicam bag, particularly when you think about you can a way more expansive shoulder bag for the same spend – for instance the Ruggard Commando Professional 45 DSLR Shoulder Bag prices $49.95 and has area for a DSLR, a number of lenses and even a ten” pill.
Nevertheless, that’s not the purpose. PolarPro is thought for making prime quality equipment and the 1L RoadRunner isn’t any totally different, it’s designed to be a light-weight and compact cupboard space for premium compacts. Slightly than evaluate it to bigger shoulder baggage, I feel it makes extra sense to check the 1L RoadRunner to a sling digicam strap just like the Black Speedy Sport Breathe which lets you put on your digicam over the shoulder and prices $99.95. The 1L RoadRunner is comparable, in that it permits your premium compact digicam to be worn over the shoulder so that you at all times have it prepared handy to get taking pictures, but in addition has the additional benefit of offering protecting padding, accent pockets and likewise hides your digicam from prying eyes when it’s not in use.
PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Design & Dealing with
As you may count on from a one-litre bag the PolarPro 1L RoadRunner may be very small with exterior dimensions of 5x4x7” so it’s transportable and doesn’t get in the best way, although its inside dimensions are roomier than you may count on at 4x3x6”. It’s designed to accommodate a Fujifilm X100VI, Leica D-lux 8 or Sony RX1R II – if you happen to’ve bought a premium compact with a hard and fast lens or smaller, you ought to be good to go. I used to be even in a position to squeeze in an APS-C mirrorless Fujifilm X-Pro1, although this was because of the very slender 18mm f/2 pancake lens connected to it which meant the match was very comfortable, nevertheless it did match all the best way in with a little bit of persuasion.
The bag is a sling kind and comes with a 1cm broad strap that may be clipped onto the bag and worn over the shoulder and this works very nicely. It’s additionally adjustable so you’ll be able to fine-tune how excessive or low you need to put on it and swing it round on to your again in order that it’s not in the best way. The strap additionally has a small neoprene shoulder pad that provides just a little additional consolation and likewise has grippy strips on its inside to assist make certain it stays in place in your shoulder – although the padding will also be eliminated if you happen to desire.
By way of supplies the 1L RoadRunner is comprised of 600D RipStop Nylon and is barely accessible in black with a light-weight khaki trim – the within of the case is that this cream khaki shade too and is microfibre materials – so it’s powerful on the surface to maintain your digicam protected and mushy on the within to verify it’s not scratched.
For such a small bag it suits in quite a lot of neat little options and storage areas. There’s a stretchy pocket on its again giant sufficient to suit your telephone or a giant lens cap, on the entrance there’s a small zippered pocket giant sufficient for some money or small equipment like a UV filter or reminiscence playing cards. On the within of the highest lid there’s additionally a netted pocket which once more might retailer a filter or playing cards. It additionally has a small seize deal with and plastic D-rings to connect the supplied strap which permits the 1L bag to be worn over the shoulder or throughout the physique, sling trend. One notable omission I did suppose would have been a pleasant contact is any kind of belt loop as I feel this is able to have been nice to have the ability to buckle this to a belt and would simply present a distinct sporting choice than simply the shoulder.
The zipper on the entrance ‘money’ pocket is YKK and Water Resistant with extra waterproof materials on this zipper part, although the highest primary zippered entrance to the digicam compartment is simply YKK and doesn’t have this additional climate safety.
The zip pulls are comprised of paracord and have warmth shrink tubing round their knotted ends which feels good to the contact and function.
PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Efficiency
Although small the PolarPro 1L RoadRunner is mighty and impressed on take a look at with its construct high quality, supplies and design. Small premium compact cameras just like the Fujifilm X100-series have grown in recognition over time and customers haven’t had quite a lot of alternative with regards to storing them – positive you’ll be able to convey an excessively giant shoulder bag with, which has the good thing about having the ability to convey all the pieces you want together with additional lenses, however I can see the good thing about this 1L case for the instances if you don’t want it and also you’re trying to journey with the naked necessities.
To be used with premium compacts it lets you put on your digicam bag as a sling in order that it’s at all times handy, however not like a cross-body sling strap, your digicam is hidden away from potential thieves. The bag’s minimalist and easy black design isn’t flashy and lets you maintain a low profile.
I used to be just a little involved because the shoulder strap may be very small, skinny and also you additionally don’t get quite a lot of padding to your cash both. Nevertheless, these considerations have been shortly put to mattress as even with the heaviest lens I might pack into the case for a few of my take a look at walks I hardly seen it was there.
It’s additionally value noting that the case will likely be too small for DSLRs or bigger mirrorless setups, nevertheless it might nonetheless be helpful for carrying a spare lens in addition to equipment like SD playing cards and filters. It additionally comes with a microfibre material which has a rivet and is secured by a chunk of string so that you simply at all times have a cleansing material handy.
The padding may be very respectable across the bag and I preferred the quantity of storage choices, from the netted again pocket to your telephone, entrance pocket for money or different small equipment and the interior pocket on the within of the lid – although relying on how tight a suit your digicam is inside the bag, you won’t be capable of put something too cumbersome in that lid pocket because it might cease it from closing.
I gave the PolarPro 1L RoadRunner a bathe to check its climate resistance. The highest and backside of the RoadRunner or 600D RipStop nylon which the water beaded off, although the YKK zipper across the high flap isn’t sealed so water can get in and looks like a little bit of a weak level. The entrance pocket for small equipment does have an additional layer of climate resistance, so I’d have preferred to seen this on the digicam compartment zip to make it higher protected because it doesn’t include any kind of rain cowl.
PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Verdict
The PolarPro 1L RoadRunner is a well-built, compact sling bag designed for premium compact cameras, although it may well accommodate a slim APS-C mirrorless setup. Its high quality supplies and considerate design, together with numerous storage pockets and an adjustable strap, are commendable.
Whereas the $49.99 price ticket might sound steep initially, its distinctive performance as a discreet, over-the-shoulder carry answer with added safety justifies the price. Nevertheless, the dearth of climate sealing on the primary digicam compartment zipper is a notable downside. Regardless of this, the RoadRunner excels in its supposed function, providing a light-weight, transportable, and low-profile option to carry important digicam gear. It is ultimate for these looking for a minimalist answer somewhat than a cumbersome, multi-lens bag.
For house owners of premium compacts such because the Leica D-Lux 8 or Fujifilm X100VI, each of which retail for round $1600, spending an extra $50 on a top quality case like this 1L RoadRunner may very well be a no brainer.
In the event you desire to not use a case so that you simply at all times have your digicam straight handy, or if you happen to want a much bigger shoulder bag to hold additional lenses or a pill/laptop computer then the 1L RoadRunner received’t be for you, nonetheless if you happen to like the concept of sporting your digicam case over the shoulder for higher consolation, having a bit extra padding and safety, accent stash spots and being able to shortly put your digicam away from prying eyes, the PolarPro 1L RoadRunner ticks quite a lot of bins.
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Options ★★★★☆ |
The PolarPro 1L RoadRunner is a small sling bag designed for premium compact cameras like Fujifilm X100VI, Leica D-lux 8, and Sony RX1R II, and may even match an APS-C mirrorless with a slender lens. The bag includes a 1cm broad adjustable strap, a neoprene shoulder pad, and is comprised of 600D RipStop Nylon. It has a number of storage areas together with a stretchy again pocket, a zippered entrance pocket, and a netted inside pocket. The entrance pocket has a waterproof YKK zipper, whereas the primary digicam compartment zip lacks climate safety. |
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Design ★★★★★ |
The PolarPro 1L RoadRunner is a compact sling bag, measuring 5x4x7” externally and 4x3x6” internally. It is designed for premium compact cameras however can match an APS-C mirrorless with a slim lens. It includes a 1cm adjustable strap with a detachable neoprene shoulder pad and is manufactured from 600D RipStop Nylon. The bag features a stretchy again pocket, a zippered entrance pocket with a waterproof YKK zipper, and an inner netted pocket. |
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Efficiency ★★★★☆ |
The PolarPro 1L RoadRunner impressed with its construct high quality and design throughout testing. It is ultimate for premium compact cameras, providing sling-style carry and discreet safety. Regardless of preliminary considerations concerning the skinny strap, it proved comfy even with heavier lenses. Whereas too small for bigger setups, it is helpful for spare lenses and equipment. The bag has respectable padding and a number of storage choices, however the primary zipper lacks climate sealing, not like the entrance pocket. Water beaded off the nylon materials, however the unsealed zipper stays a weak level. It was very comfy and sturdy on take a look at, and it is so gentle.I typically forgot I used to be sporting it. |
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Worth ★★★★☆ |
$49.99 for simply 1L of storage at first appears poor worth, particularly when in comparison with bigger baggage in the identical worth vary. However, its specialised goal for premium compact cameras justifies the price – it gives safety, accent storage, and discreet over-the-shoulder carry. Whereas dear, it offers greater than only a strap, including vital worth for compact digicam customers. For house owners of high-end cameras, this extra funding for defense and comfort is a worthwhile consideration, making the 1L RoadRunner a useful accent for its supposed person base. |