Accessories

Andy Westlake assesses a unique and cleverly designed backpack

£200 eu.wandrd.com

WANDRD is a young company that’s building up a reputation for its thoughtfully designed camera and travel bags. Its latest offering, the Duo, is an everyday backpack that can provide protective space for carrying a camera, via a box-like compartment that can be folded away when not in use.

The Duo’s most unusual feature is the opening, which employs a single long zip that runs continuously around the side panels and over the top, with no fewer than four pulls. This enables a party trick whereby the bag can be completely deconstructed, with the front panel folded down flat and the sides opened out. However, that’s not a particularly helpful way of thinking about how you’d actually use it. Instead, the design affords a remarkably flexible level of access from both the top and the sides.

Another standout feature is the sheer level of organisation on offer. Alongside slip-in compartments for a laptop and tablet, the Duo is equipped with pockets of all shapes and sizes. Two well-padded elasticated pockets above the camera cube can be used to carry a flashgun, hard drive or lenses, while multiple pockets on the side panels provide space for batteries, chargers and cables. On the outside, you’ll find a small fleece-lined top pocket for personal items, along with a large pocket covering the front face that’ll take a magazine, book, or lightweight jacket. A handy expanding water-bottle holder is provided on one side.

The camera cube measures 14x11x24cm, and will accommodate anything up to a full-frame DSLR with a standard zoom attached, with another smaller lens alongside. Padded end panels keep your kit protected in transit, but can be folded out of the way for quick access when you’re shooting. In practice it’s easy to get your camera out from one side of the bag, and second lens from the other.

Verdict

In the Duo, Wandrd has created a cleverly designed and versatile bag that’s great for carrying a camera and a couple of lenses, along with everything else you need for a day. Materials and construction are excellent, with waterproof fabrics and zips employed throughout, and it’s comfortable to carry even when full. The all-black interior isn’t a great choice, though; it’s much easier to locate your kit quickly in bags that use bright- coloured fabrics. It probably wouldn’t be my first choice as a primary camera bag, but it could be a fine supplementary option for work and travel.