Review: Digital Camera Bags for Bike Riding

I’ll be the first to admit it, I have a problem. I buy too many bags. I am always searching for the right bag… For a while I was searching for a bag that would hold a digital camera on my camelback strap while mountain biking. I have gone through a few and will review four. They all have good points, only one is sort of bad.

Here are the four I am going to showcase.
From L-R
– Crumpler John Thursday
– Timbuk2 iPod Case
– Timbuk2 2Way
– Chrome Accessory Pouch

Crumpler John Thursday
The first one I purchased was a John Thursday 40 from Crumpler. I have a Crumpler Budgie Smuggler bag for my DSLR and it is so well made I figured I’d try this. It is the smallest of all the bags. I have had this thing forever… But it has two short comings: the orientation it attaches to straps is sideways and the opening for the camera is elastic and its hard to get the camera back in while riding. But its still nice if you can’t find anything else.

The bag has a smooth nylon inside, decent sized velcro for the top flap and a little tiny pocket for something small in the top.


The closure for going around a strap is really secure, it has 3 pieces of velcro, like a velcro sandwich. Here is a close up.

Here is the real problem. the closure is vertical not horizontal, so the camera is not sitting right and bounces around when on backpack straps.

However it fits fine on a courier bag strap.

It looks like it called a Thirsty Al now.

Timbuk2 iPod Case
The next one up is an older Timbuk2 iPod case. This one has a little hole in the top of the flap for a pair of headphones… Makes sense since it was sold as an ipod pouch.

It as a really big swatch of velcro for closing the top, which makes it really easy to open and close while riding. The Crumpler one is a bit smaller and harder to line up while riding. This is a better choice. Also the bag has a little pouch where you can store a memory card. The inside is lined with a fleecy material
The velcro closure on the back is gigantic and can hold the pouch on really securely. The only possible complaint is that the hook/scratchy part of the velcro is the part that is exposed if you can’t closely the velcro completely. Why does this matter? Well the hook part scratches up your jersey. But not so much.

Timbuk2 2Way
The next is the Timbuk2 2Way pouch. Ok so this is really the same pouch as above but without the slit for headphones. And I really just bought this for my iPhone, but its still nice and fits in this review.

This version has a slightly smaller velcro pouch, the same soft fleecy lining and a separate little pocket in the front for headphones or a memory card.

Chrome Accessory Pouch
The chrome accessory pouch is the largest of all the ones reviewed. It is also the only waterproof one. The others can absorb sweat or rain.


The interior is smooth nylon, which is kinda nice since it makes it easy to clean out.

Here on the side is a little slot for a pen.
It has a little D-Ring on the bottom. The bag has a decent size piece of velcro on the bottom to secure to the strap but its not nearly as secure as the Timbuk2 2Way.
Also the nylon webbing sewn in underneath could be used to secure to a strap.

Its pretty gigantic on a camelback, but it might be your only choice if you have a bigger camera lke a G9 or similar. Although its totally fine on a courier bag strap. I actually keep this one on my work laptop bag I use for meetings and travel.

Extra iPhone iNfo

I figured I’d show how well these work for an iPhone. The timbuk2s are nice, the Chrome is great. For mountain biking, the timbuk2 are a better choice. But the Chrome is nice since it can hold ear phones easier. Plus as its a little bigger it doesn’t put as much pressure on the earphone cable when you put the top flap down. The Timbuk2 iPhone one is the best fit with its slot in the top for headphones. But since they don’t make that one anymore you’ll have to search for it, or go for the Chrome bag.

Conclusion
The best one of them all for mtn biking on a camelback is either of the timbuk2s. For an over the shoulder/courier bag the Chrome is the better choice.