Review of Think Tank Streetwalker Rolling Backpack

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After my large, long-term travel camera backpack’s demise, time for a new one. After research, reading user reviews, finalizing a personal technical specs checklist, I purchased the Think Tank Streetwalker Pro. Our bags are an investment in protecting our gear and our backs. Since I travel frequently and own mid size backpacks and a sling, I opted to go with a proven performer roller bag.

This review shares decision criteria, bags considered and a review of my purchase. Spoiler alert: I love it!

Buying tip: Lay out your camera gear in a compact way, just as if you were loading it in your camera bag. I place mine on a table or on the floor. Then I rearrange my gear a bit to fit how I pull my gear in and out of the bag while using. This helps determine width and length dimensions. When shopping in stores, I carry my gear with me to see how it works before buying.

Personal Technical Specs Checklist that Lead to the Think Tank Streetwalker Rolling Backpack

Buying a camera bag is not an easy decision. It’s very personal and unique based on our preferences. The good news is that there are many backpacks and roller bags to choose from.

With so many options and price points, finding the right one takes time and research. Plus, this impacts quite a bit in the long run. We opt for comfort, gear fit, gear protection and convenience in stowage when traveling.

We also don’t want a camera bag that fights with us. You know the ones. They talk back at us with sticky zippers, mean velcro, a bit too tight where it’s just plain annoying and dark crevices where things disappear.

As bags are an investment and expensive, I definitely need to get it right.

The criteria used to make my decision:

• Taking weight off of my back. While I still use working backpacks of varying sizes for hiking, a roller bag just makes sense for travel.
• Streamlined and narrow. When navigating planes, a wider roller is a tighter squeeze in the aisles. Narrow prevents hitting chairs (and people).
• Holds multiple camera bodies, lenses, a laptop and accessories without a fight and tight squeeze.
• Backpack conversion if needed in the event of rough terrain.
• Solid reviews and a company that backs up their quality.
• 2 wheels or 4 wheels. My main suitcase is a spinner so I was flexible with either.
• Sturdy construction and solid padding.
• Easy to configure compartments with velcro that doesn’t fight me when I need to move items around.
• Fits in overhead bins. Even better if under the seat.
• Travel is mostly via camper today, if it’s lean and mean, makes for easier stowage there too.
• Quick access to gear if there’s a need to do any quick gear exchange from one bag to another.

Camera Bags Considered

Since I live quite a distance from my nearest camera store, the web is our friend. Between criteria, reviews, measuring my gear on the table (see tip above), I narrowed it down to these 5. The options are all very solid with a few different strengths. If you’re considering a roller that holds 1 – 2 camera bodies and a few lenses, these are viable options.

• Pelican 1510 Case With Padded Dividers 
• Manfrotto Reloader Switch-55 PL
• Tenba Roadie Roller 21 US Domestic Carry-On Camera Bag with Wheels
• Lowepro LP37272-PWW Pro Trekker RLX 450 AW II Camera Convertible Backpack-Roller
• Think Tank Streetwalker Pro

I tend to diversify the brands I use for camera bags. This is not intentional. It happens as a result of looking at dimensions, weight, design against my criteria versus a specific brand. However, this is my second Think Tank bag. I also use their sling bag, the digital holster and it’s a solid workhorse.

If I need to carry a lot of gear on a plane, I split gear between the roller and a smaller backpack to prevent too much weight to lift into the overhead bin.

How did the Think Tank Streetwalker Rolling Backpack Perform?

This is truly one of those purchases that shouts, “Why didn’t I do this earlier?” The streamlined build, weight made it easy to navigate throughout the airport and small walkways.

This roller bag fits in overhead bins and definitely under the seat in larger airplanes. With airplane stowage, the bag’s balanced weight made it easy to lift and place in the overhead bins.

The frame, handles and padding are secure and sturdy. It’s easy to pack gear snugly, yet easy to grab my camera and go.

I used the backpack function in an older hotel that only offered stairs. It rested comfortably on the back and shoulders. However, I will not use this on a long hike. It’s a heavier bag due to rollers and handle that I don’t need when hiking. That’s also where carrying the second smaller backpack pays off.

The gray compartments are easy to move and shift without a velcro war.

Additionally, this bag holds a lot of gear. Two camera bodies, multiple lenses, filters, cords, laptop, batteries and a few personal items. I never felt that the bag was overstuffed or too tight.

The area to store my laptop is inside the bag vs the exterior which I appreciated for protection. The other compartments are think and sturdy, yet you see what’s inside.

FYI: My limitation is that it holds more gear than I’m able to safely lift on a regular basis. My other carry on is a smaller hiking backpack where I store a few items while flying. Then the lighter bag is used to carry a camera and a lens or two on hikes.

Packing tip: When carrying my gear on a plane and I need to work, I move the laptop to my smaller backpack that goes under the seat. Think Tank’s laptop compartment is sizable enough to hold 3 – 4 external 5TB hard drives in place of the laptop too.

Would I Buy this Again?

Yes. Absolutely. My only wish is that I purchased this bag a long time ago! It works, it’s easy and will go the distance.

However, there’s one feature missing in all camera bags? They don’t reduce the weight of your gear. If we found one that did that, well, we’d all be happy campers, travelers and hikers indeed!