Here’s a tale from a traveling photographer who has decided that his next camera bag will not be a camera bag:
My solution is not a camera bag at all. I’ve looked at Moose Peterson’s bags and I think he comes close to my needs. But I want a bag I can throw my laptop into and not be forced to strap it to the side. Or at least I want the option to do either. The bag that I think comes closest is a Red Oxx Air Boss. The Air Boss, some GearWraps, and a thin sleeve for my laptop will protect my gear against bumps and save me 5+ pounds. And it’ll fit into bins.
RED OXX seems to make some of the most bomb-proof travel kit out there. On a side note, be careful with the words “bomb-proof” when travelling. An airport security officer recently remarked on my Stormcase as I threw it on the belt. He said it looked tough. I said it was “bomb-proof.” He suggested I not say that again. Momentary lapse in judgement - it had been a long, long day.
He makes a great point that I learned many years ago as a photojournalist: Padding wastes space and creates uneccessary bulk. Use specific padding (like wraps) or improvised padding (like clothes your taking anyway) to maximize efficiency. And a quality laptop sleeve - like those from Tom Bihn - can turn any bag into a computer bag.
See our review of the Air Boss here.