You may not know it, but there's been a major evolutionary struggle going on between the various camera bag makers over the last several years. Call it a variation on Darwin's theory of natural selection, or simply old-fashioned capitalist survival of the fittest, but bag manufacturers want your attention and they're willing to do just about anything to get it.

I mean this in the best possible way. Little by little, stitch by stitch, and zipper by zipper, designers have been throwing everything they can into the latest bags and backpacks and the result has been great for photographers. Form follows function, indeed.



Smart Design

In terms of small photo backpacks, the new Shootout Daypack from Tenba is clearly a product of this increased competition and, consequently, one of the best-designed models I've used yet. While from a distance it might not look very different from competing bags on the market, peer a little closer and you'll realize that just about every inch of this pack has been extremely well thought out.

For starters, examine the top of the Daypack and you'll see a small padded nylon handle. Ah yes, there are times when I'll want to pick this backpack up with my hand and toss it in the back of the car. And for that, I'll need. . .a handle! There are also nylon handles on both sides of the pack. Smart thinking.

I also really liked the stowaway nylon cover that zips over the bag's straps and lumbar belt. If you're stashing this bag in a place where there's a bunch of other stuff—an overhead compartment on a plane, for example—you definitely don't want those straps getting snagged and the cover is a simple, discreet solution. After you unzip it you can either use it as a ground cloth or stash it behind the padded back support.

Though it's one of the smallest models in the Shootout line, there's plenty of room in the Daypack for multiple cameras, flashes and lenses. I was able to fit a DSLR body, a 70-200 f/4 IS lens, 16-25mm f/2.8, and 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, and a Speed-lite flash unit and had room left over.



Over the Shoulder

Backpacks, by their very nature, rest on your back and this has some inherent limitations for photographers who need quick access to their gear at all times. Tenba's solution with the Shootout line are "QuickAccess" panels inside the pack's side cargo pockets that allow you reach your hand directly into the back of the pack without taking it off your shoulder. Though not perfect—what is, with a backpack?—I found this system to be useful for relatively quick, over-the-shoulder, lens changes.

New to the Daypack is its "PackOUT" compartment, which is a soft rear panel that expands out to provide space for assorted non-photo gear such as clothing, snacks or first aid supplies. While I liked this option since there are often times when I go out into the woods for a nature shoot and want to bring along something to eat and a bottle of water, I struggled a bit with the PackOUT zippers which tend to bunch up when the compartment isn't fully stuffed. A minor quibble.

Other things I liked about the Shootout Daypack were its tough, weather-sealed zippers, hidden rain cover, and small attachable/removable pouches for memory cards and other items in the cargo pockets. Best of all, the pack is comfortable with two load compression straps on either side to cinch it down and balance the weight.



The Bottom Line

If you're going out for a day of shooting, the Tenba Shootout Daypack is one of the best designed bags on the market for schlepping your gear—and your lunch!



Tenba Shootout Daypack



www.tenba.com



Pros: Extremely well thought out design with great attention to detail; comfortable fit with good gear balance; don't have to take backpack off to access lenses; new PackOUT compartment provides room for non-photo items



Cons: PackOUT zippers bunch up when compartment isn't fully stuffed



Price: $246