Need a Travel Photography Bag? Try the Chrome Niko Sling Bag

Choosing an equipment bag is a lot like playing hot potato. Or living the three bears folk story. With your first purchase, despite doing all your research, it's just not for you. Too big. Not enough pockets. Too many zippers. For me? I got really lucky with the Chrome Niko Sling Bag. It's surprising but it happens. And it saved me from having to buy at least two other bags. So, here is my honest review after owning the bag for more than three years.

Quick gear breakdown

I honestly wish I could give you the proper specs but my bag is, I think, the first version of the weatherproof camera bag in this particular line. I will link to the latest version though; I just don't want to A) Steer anyone wrong or B) Let you miss out on the latest and greatest.

But, as I said, it's waterproof which was one of the main selling points for me. I do a lot of outdoor photography and sometimes, I’ll get hit with a random bit of rain. So better to be prepared.

It also has a collapsible sections to give you those few extra spare inches for a longer lens if you need it. All in all, there are about three different ways you can divide for space: one with space for a spare lens while your camera body already has one equipped, a full kit of say a 24-70mm lens attached to the camera body, and then maybe three primes and a camera body (no lenses attached). So pretty economical I’d say.

What it can do, what it does well

The Niko does exactly as advertised, it stays weatherproof and as a sling bag, it sits nicely on my body frame.

I actually prefer to let it rest on my lower back than in the middle of my back OR on my hip. Because things bouncing off my hips with each step and then smacking me with an equal amount of force are like wired headphones getting caught on door knobs for me

Its just perfect for street photography (especially in Europe where men’s street wear featuring the cross torso body bags are ingrained in the culture so I can fly even further down the radar).

And it's not too unwieldy, which is perfect for quick outings.

Most importantly and why I picked it all those years ago overall: its low key. No fancy design. No loud colors. When you're doing outdoor photography (unless you’re doing the kind of street photography where you're shooting right up on someone), you generally want to move as quietly as possible. Or at least, not drawing too much attention to yourself if you’re trying to get a perfect mood without influencing it too much. Or, you know, advertising that you may have upwards of 2k dollars’ worth of gear on you.

And at first glance, the additional pockets look, well, tiny. But I'm genuinely able to fit a whole lot into them without getting weird bumps that register against my jeans: keys, headphone cases, phones, most anything that can fit in your pockets or small purse can go here no problem.

How it travels

This is something you want to take when you’re going out for a bit, maybe a half a day of outdoor photography. The strap won't dig into you like a seatbelt on a long road trip and most of all, it keeps all of your things secure and snug. That isn't to say it can't go the distance of an all day outing. I’ve done it, but it gets noticeable unless you’re swapping to the mid back position.

Why I pick it for my photography and photographic travels

If I’m doing outdoor photography, I’m doing it in any situation so I needed something trustworthy that wouldn’t (or couldn’t) ruin my already weatherproof camera but my phone, wallet, memory cards, and journal.

It doesn't get in the way of me swapping out lenses on the fly at all. The zipper basically has a ripcord type feature that still hasn’t gotten stuck after years of use and the bag itself has a wide enough mouth that you're not angling your hands to struggle to get it open.

Efficiency overall and while traveling

I can adjust all the features I need pretty quickly in or out of the field. And again, that weatherproof factor has been phenomenal: it never lets anything in. It's been snowed, hailed, and rained on and it still looks like it hasn't been beat up (which it has).

Quick analysis breakdown

What I like

It's subtle, it's small, it's tough, it gives me (limited options) for carrying without becoming overburdened. I’m putting that as a plus for someone who, well, does not travel with a lot of gear but the fewer options, the less waffling around when I’m out shooting.

What I don't

If I've got the 24-70mm equipped, it's a careful Tetris dance of lining things up perfectly as to not wreck them. You can only really do two smaller lenses or one big lens in here and even then, again, you can't go much higher for a zoom lens than maybe 70mm-90mm. Though if you're picking this particular bag for an outing, I can't think of a situation you’d need a lens that big.

Thoughts on the brand overall

Good. I’d probably buy a bigger bag from them if not more gear if I need it. I see they sell shoes. So maybe those too.

Would I upgrade

Honestly I think, for its price point, it's the king where its sitting.

Staying power

It's been my go to bag for outdoor photography (unless I need extra gear) about four years now and I have no intention of replacing it until it wears down to nothing.

Is it worth a buy?

Absolutely.