Interior Features
After recently purchasing a Canon VIXIA HF100 camcorder, I was anxious to see if the Inverse 200 AW would offer a solution to carry that along with my Nikon D40x DSLR. The interior storage consists of one large compartment that features adjustable dividers to customize the storage area to fit your gear. Similar to the exterior of the bag, there are a few small details that are sure to be appreciated.
Along the underside of the quick-access lid, you will find two convenient pockets that can be used to store additional memory cards. Due to the small size of memory cards, it can be quite frustrating to dig through a large pocket of accessories looking for an extra card. These pockets are a nice design touch, yet when you notice the soft Tricot fabric you realize how much Lowepro has covered the finest of details. When your camera is loaded into the bag, these pockets are directly over the LCD screen and the soft fabric is designed to protect the LCD screen from scratches and dust.
While there may only be one primary storage compartment, using the adjustable dividers offers the ability to use multiple configurations depending on the gear that you are carrying. The dividers are quite sturdy, so there is no need to worry about your lenses or camera sliding around inside the bag, and attach to the interior sides of the bag with a strip of velcro. One thing that would be nice to see is the ability to secure the dividers to all sides of the bag, as well as to the other dividers; however the velcro can only be secured in a section on two sides of the bag.
Usability and Durability
Anyone that has endured a long day of carrying a traditional camera bag will appreciate the intuitive design of the Inverse product line, as the contoured lumbar belt coupled with the padded shoulder strap provide multiple carrying options. For most people, using the thick padding of the lumbar belt and the adjustable straps provide hours of comfort. If you have ever used a traditional fanny pack, you may have experienced the discomfort of fabric that does not breathe. Fortunately, the cushioned lumbar belt of Inverse 200 AW is designed to help wick away moisture.
While my initial impressions of this bag may have been that it was too large and bulky, that never was a problem when actually using the bag. It did take some time to get used to it and I found it quite comfortable only using the lumbar belt and adjustable straps to secure the bag. On many outings, I opted to pair the padded shoulder strap with the lumbar belt for added stability and peace of mind.
The quick-access lid proved to be an extremely useful feature. There are times when every second counts and can be the difference between a great photo and a story of what could have been. With the ability to quickly retrieve your camera and lenses, you will find yourself with the great photo more times than not. The quick-access design is particularly useful when taking photos while out hiking the trails or traveling the city streets, where you will likely take out the camera for a quick picture and immediately return it to the safety of the bag many times throughout the day.
The Inverse 200 AW might not offer enough storage space to cover all of your shooting needs, but it is more than adequate for most every day situations. On most outings, I had the following equipment stored in the bag: Nikon D40x body with Nikon 18-55mm lens attached, an extra Nikon 55-200mm lens, and a Canon VIXIA HF100 camcorder. This left more than enough room to include an extra battery for both the Nikon and Canon camera, memory cards, and filters. The camera fit in the bag comfortably with either the 18-55mm lens or the 55-200mm lens attached, although anything larger than the 55-200mm lens would require you to store it horizontally or you would have to remove the lens.
Over the last month, I have had numerous opportunities to use the Inverse 200 AW and the bag has easily handled any of the abuse that I have dished out. The exterior fabric is quite durable yet also flexible enough to maintain a high level of comfort. The various straps have held up nicely under heavy use and load, although I did find that the bag seems to sag a little bit when fully loaded and only when using the lumbar belt with the adjustable straps fully tightened.
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