What
bag
by J. Ramón Palacios
tell
a friend about this article
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WHAT
TO LOOK FOR
The
best possible bags and cases are those capable of complying with
stringent military specifications.
|
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Big
Pro 612 shoulder bag by Tamrac® |
FABRICS
FOR BAGS
| To
endure, a good bag needs to be made of fabrics with high tear
strength but as light as possible. Best examples found today
in the market are PowerGrid™ Cordura®
from Dupont and PowerGrid™ Nylon with Spectra®
from Allied Signal. Dupont's Cordura®
has set the standard in high performance fabrics for outdoor,
industrial and military applications. The PowerGrid™ weave
adds significant strength to this already super strong materials.
Spectra®
is one of the lightest and strongest new miracle fibers,
used in mountain climbing rope, bullet proof vests, military
vehicle armor, cut protection gloves and premium fishing
lines. Spectra®
is a high tenacity fiber with four times the break strength
as the same sized strand of standard nylon. Ballistic
Nylon and 900 denier Polytek add to the arsenal of available
fabrics for today's best bags' interiors. |
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ZIPPERS
One
of the worst things that can happen in the field is a rusted
stuck zipper, either you won't be able to open your bag
or can't close it; so by all means avoid bags with metal
zippers. (Yes, I have one of those too and the required
good set of pliers to open it).
To
have plastic zippers is not enough, the self-healing nylon
coil type is so far the best to avoid problems. |
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HARDWARE
Again,
searching for security and light weight, look for welded,
heavy duty Double Bar D Rings that never turn sideways.
You don't want a ring to open under a heavy load of precious
camera gear.
If
the bag has side release buckles, make certain they are
high load bearing. |
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BAGS BOTTOM AND PARTITIONS
A
professional bag must have a tough and protective bottom,
not a soft one. You don't want to listen ED glass breaking
when the bag is put on the ground. The best bottom plates
are made of high impact ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
plastic, the same used in football helmets. Insist on it.
Partitions
better be of closed cell foam padding for shock and vibration
protection. Should also be removable for flexibility of
contents arrangement. |
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The nicest thing about bags with these materials
and characteristics is that not only they will outlast us and
the roughest conditions, but can always look like new (unlike
us); just clean them over with a damp cloth or towel and that's
that.
By now you know why I always end up buying Tamrac, even after
attracted by sexy looking bags of other reputable brands.
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