Think Tank Street Walker Backpack

[Abel]

Review: Think Tank Street Walker Backpack

The Think Tank Street Walker backpack is one of the newer lines in Think Tank products. There are 3 versions total, the Street Walker (reviewed here) which is a slim low profile design and only accommodates normal DSLR camera bodies (without a battery grip attached) and not Pro style camera bodies. The second version available is the Street Walker Pro which is deeper and you guessed it, caters to the taller pro style camera bodies. The third option available is the Street Walker Hard Drive which is a bit larger than the two previous models and also has the ability to stow away a 15" laptop computer. Think Tank has done a great job at giving photographer a great selection of backpacks to choose from.

I've been a fan of Think Tank products for quite some time now and I have owned many of their various models over the past few years. I've always been very impressed with all that they offer.


Features:

• Holds DSLR and 70-200 2.8 attached with hood in position
• Carry monopods and tripods in the bottom front pocket
• Contoured harness with air channel for men and women
• Removable seam-sealed rain cover
• Upper organizer pocket for pens, memory cards, passports, and more
• Two side pockets and two stretch pockets
• Removable webbing waist belt detaches easily
• Shoulder harness pockets, D Rings, and sternum strap
• Clear business card holder on top for quick identification
• YKK lockable zipper sliders
• Lifetime Warranty
• Online product Manual HERE

Specifications:

Interior Dimensions

• Width: 8.5 inches
• Height: 16 inches
• Depth: 5.5 inches

Exterior Dimensions

• Width: 9.5 inches
• Height: 17 inches
• Depth: 6 inches
• Weight: 2.2 lbs

Summary:

I have owned many camera bag packpacks over the past several years and some I have found that I like more than others. My favorite backpack for the past couple of years was the Think Tank Glass Taxi but that quickly changed as soon as the Street Walker was released. I was completely happy with the Glass Taxi and felt it was the PERFECT bag... little did I know the perfect bag was yet to come.

The Street Walker backpack build and overall material quality is amazing from top to bottom. No question about it. Think Tank has released several back packs in the past and they all had their shortcomings in one area or another. Not necessarily in the build or quality, but in the design and function. The Street Walker, in my opinion has no shortcomings at all, it has all I would ever need.

Function:

In regards to capacity, this backpack can hold a lot of gear. I would normally pack the following:

• Canon 5d MKII (No Grip)
• Canon 135 f2L (Mounted, Hood Reversed)
• Canon 17-40 f4L (Hood Detached)
• Canon 35 f1.4L (Hood Reversed)
• Canon G9 Point & Shoot (Converted for Infrared)
• Canon 580EXII & Diffuser
• Think Tank Card Wallet (10 CF Cards)
• Think Tank Card Wallet (10 SD Cards)
• Sony GPS Module (Attached Outside Strap)
• 2 Spare Canon LP-6 Batteries
• Gitzo 1227 Tripod (Attached to Outside)
• See photo below for more...

The Street Walker has been Go-To Camera bag for all of my trips and shoots and have only replaced it recently with the Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home shoulder bag since I have consolidated my photography kit quite a bit. I still own the Street Walker backpack as it makes for a nice bag to house all of my off camera flash lighting gear. The photo below is how I packed the bag with my gear, as you can see you can get a bit more glass in there than what I had.

One thing I like about Think Tank products is that they include rain covers with almost all of their bags. I don't think I've ever had to use one for the rain but I always carried it just in case. In the photo thats posted later in this review you'll see me trekking through the snow with my Street Walker and in that shot I was actually using the rain cover to cover my camera and not the bag. The nylon bag itself is pretty resistant to water so it held up great against the snow. As I was walking around I'd take my camera out from under the rain cover, get my shots and simply cover it back up and walk on some more. I was very thankful that I brought it along for the trip. =)

The fit and comfort of this backpack is unmatched with any other I've owned and/or tried out. I really like the padded lumbar support as it made carrying this bag and its contents much more tolerable on those long photo walks of mine. The shoulder straps are nice, thick and comfy and never felt like they were digging into my chest or shoulders like some of my older bags did. You can see from the details pictured that Think Tank has put a lot of thought into this bag and design and they should be commended for it as they all come in very handy! The one thing I never tried was attaching my camera to the shoulder straps as pictured on the bottom left hand corner. I myself saw no advantage to using that setup but others may find it useful... maybe those shooting with multiple cameras etc.

You Tube

You Tube

Options Available:

From left to right: Street Walker, Street Walker Pro & Street Walker Hard Drive

The Verdict:

If you're looking for a nice sleek looking camera backpack then look no further. This is the one for you! I highly recommend the Think Tank Street Walker as it is and has been my favorite camera backpack that I've ever owned. Having a Lifetime Warranty on construction and materials to back you up just in case is a great added slice of comfort. The only decision in my mind that you'll have to make is what version of the Street Walker would best suite your needs

Me trekking through the snow with my StreetWalker - Estes Park, CO - April 2009

Where To Buy:

Find the lowest price on these items here:


Think Tank Street Walker Backpack

Think Tank Street Walker Pro Backpack

Think Tank Street Walker Hard Drive Backpack

[groovyone]

So where is the real reason you bought the bag? Thought you ordered something else and a bag showed up? haha

[isonoisy]

Nice review Abel. I own a TT Holster 50 and love it for walking around but I've been looking for a smallish pack for birding/hiking-type stuff when I want to bring 2 or 3 lenses and maybe a lightweight tripod. This looks it might be the ticket. I think I know the answer already but I'll ask anyway: does the Walker have a compartment that could used to hold a camelbak bladder? It looks like the Hard Drive's laptop compartment might could be used for that purpose but that one looks a bit big for what I was looking for.

[KenJulio]

You could put water bottles in the expandable side pockets. Another option may be going with the Thinktank Rotation 360.

[Abel]

Originally Posted by isonoisy

Nice review Abel. I own a TT Holster 50 and love it for walking around but I've been looking for a smallish pack for birding/hiking-type stuff when I want to bring 2 or 3 lenses and maybe a lightweight tripod. This looks it might be the ticket. I think I know the answer already but I'll ask anyway: does the Walker have a compartment that could used to hold a camelbak bladder? It looks like the Hard Drive's laptop compartment might could be used for that purpose but that one looks a bit big for what I was looking for.

John, no... there's no way to easily attach a camelbak water bladder but Ken is right, you could add a water bottle to each of the two expandable pockets on the side.

Thats what I do... Take a look at the third image in the review above and you'll see how they have a bottle pictured.

Hope this helps.

[TheFantasticG]

I love my Streetwalker bag. Used it tonight at the rodeo.

[popawalker]

I have the hard drive version, it is comfortable to use. I sometimes use the laptop pocket area to carry a couple of reflectors.

[BEphoto]

I have the Streetwalker Pro and love it. I now wish i would have gone ahead and gone with the Hard Drive just because i get sick of carrying my camera bag and a laptop bag.

The construction of the bag is great though, and I have used the tripod straps on several occasions during trips to Vegas and whatnot. Overall just a very "smart" bag.

[KenJulio]

I think this is one of the best if not the best backpack around. It's not overly padded, so not to have any additional weight. Fits perfectly in the overhead of commuter planes and of course no issues on the larger planes as well. I think the only drawback I would have would be the placement of where they want you to store the tripod as this is a hassle if you want to grab a lens from the bag, you'll have to unstrap the top and then unzip.

Other than that, it treated me well for 3 weeks across China.

[Abel]

Originally Posted by ken74

I think this is one of the best if not the best backpack around. It's not overly padded, so not to have any additional weight.

I completely agree. +1

[RubenZamora]

I just purchased the PRO and I'm pretty excited about getting it. Do any of you know if a IPAD would fit in the medium zipper pocket on outside? I didn't get HD version because I never really carry laptop around.

[Kael]

is there a place to keep my ipad?

[AngryBlackBear]

Originally Posted by Kael

is there a place to keep my ipad?

I bought the HardDrive version to store my iPad(while it's in its case). Not sure about the other sizes. The Pro didn't look like it could fit one, from what I saw at the store.

Not to mention, it's protected in the laptop slot.

[Abel]

lemme check mine real quick...

[Abel]

the ipad wont fit in the front pockets of my StreetWalker that i have pictured in the first post of my thread BUT I have my ipad in a padded Belkin case which does fit IN the bag on top of the gear. the top zips up fine...