RiBL Solis 20 Shoulder Bag Andy Westlake
examines a small, inexpensive cross-body camera bag
● £29.90 ● www.ukdigital.co.uk
WHILE I suspect most photographers own large bags to store and carry all their kit, sometimes it makes sense to carry a lighter selection. This compact shoulder bag from new brand RiBL will take a small mirrorless camera and two or three lenses, and a small selection of personal items. It’s constructed from eco-friendly 100% recycled rPET fabric, which is typically made from plastic drinks bottles. Best of all, in an age when gear seems to be getting ever-more expensive, it costs just £30.
Despite the low price, it still has plenty to offer. Its padded, semi-rigid design should provide reasonable protection against accidental bumps and knocks, while the polyester fabric promises a degree of weather-resistance. A zip around three sides of the bag allows it to open wide in an unusual clamshell design, giving excellent access. I’d avoid unzipping this too far, though, especially in public spaces, as the front can op open alarmingly.
Inside, you’ll nd small mesh pockets for spare batteries and memory cards, along with a secure zipped pocket that’s wide enough to hold a large smartphone. Similar-sized external pockets are found on the front and the back, but it’s worth noting that all three are very slim. Along with a large grab handle, you get a seatbelt-style nylon shoulder strap that provides a wide range of adjustment and includes a grippy, but not too bulky, shoulder pad.
Two exible padded dividers are provided to organise the interior. This is a rather slim bag, though, at just 10cm front-to-back and 19cm deep, so it’ll only accept small cameras and lenses. It’s probably best suited to Micro Four Thirds or APS-C mirrorless systems; for example, I was able to t in my Olympus OM-D E-M5 with 12-40mm f/2.8, 8-18mm f/2.8-4 and 40-150mm f/4-5.6 zooms. An alternative arrangement allowed me to carry a small range nder-style camera along with such essentials as sunglasses and earphones. At a stretch, I was even able to squeeze in a Sony Alpha 7 II with 24-105mm f/4 and 16-35mm f/4 zooms.
Verdict
This little shoulder bag may look unremarkable, but its charms grew on me over time. The slimline padded design and discreet styling make it an attractive choice for travel, while providing enough space for a small camera kit. You’ll get a higher level of protection and more organisation with more expensive bags, but for £30 you can’t complain.