Preliminary Boda Dry Review - Not good, yet.

[foghorn]

I received my Boda Dry today from B&H. I was excited to load up some lenses and try it out. I glanced it over and noticed the build quality was average. Which can be good or bad. My concerns were over non essential parts. More on this in a second.
There are lots of pockets, and the size appears just right. I was hoping it would be barely big enough so it can take the gear I need, and nothing more to reduce the bulk. I can't wait to use it for wedding season.
I removed the shoulder strap from the bag and procedeed to attach it.
Uh-oh. There is a part missing, it's one of the buckle connectors.



I am now stuck with a useless bag. I emailed Boda, and I will give them a chance to remedy this. It really stinks that I opted for 2nd day air. My excitement to try it out has to wait. In the meantime, I realized ordering a waist belt wouldn't do any good for this problem, you still have to attach it to one of the connectors. I am trying to think of how to fasten it to my Lowepro belt, but I can't think of anyway at the moment.


On the build quality, some of the stitching looks frayed on some non essential items. The little yellow tags in the CF card pockets are frayed. And the microfiber cloth looks like it has seen better days. If I were pressed into fixing the yellow tags, I am sure a heat gun or a bic lighter would do the trick if done right.

Cliffs: arrrrrrrghhhhhhh!!!

[yokotas13]

Or you can chill out. Stuff happens

[foghorn]

Originally Posted by yokotas13

Or you can chill out. Stuff happens

None required. Wasn't mad, just let down. Why don't you chill on the nanny posts or try to add something productive?

[Mark]

You sure you didn't end up with a used bag somehow?!

[powaysteve]

Originally Posted by pendulum15

You sure you didn't end up with a used bag somehow?!

I'll second that. It sounds to me like you got a bag someone else returned. A lot of the other threads about the Boda Dry talk about the quality of construction. Yours doesn't fit that mold.

[foghorn]

There is nothing to indicate that it was used. No odors except the overly synthetic smell of new fabric, no actual discoloration, and it was sealed in Boda's plastic wrapper.

[Sean]

I'll say I was intrested in this bag, but more I look at it, less I like it. What it like sorting the gear in it? Does it hold your stuff well? What can you put in it to take in the field?

[stathunter]

Sorry to hear about your boda issue==== I have several bags and thought about picking up the boda--- but I really love my ThinkTank bags and continue to be impressed with the more of them I collect.
I would certainly send it back-- and return it for another-- get what you want or try another manufacturer -- there are a lot of them out there.

[Familiaphoto]

Thanks for your observations. With baseball season approaching I need a bag around my waist and have been looking at Boda and Think Tank solutions. Not sure which way to go get.

[foghorn]

I still can't wait to try it out. My opinion of them didn't change. I was just bummed I couldn't try it on for size right away.
I will do a full review once I get that part.
I am really digging the size of it. I couldn't find anything from ThinkTank that seemed to offer exactly what I needed as far as size goes. I reallly like the Change Up, but I would have to add a modular item or two.
The closest thing to this Boda is the Lowepro Classifieds. However, their weight distribution is different because where the straps anchor, and it's one akward looking opening on the top.

[Mark]

Having used the boda(briefly) and the think tank (almost always) I *far* prefer the thinktank modular pack, set it up the way you like it, and you have the perfect bag for you.
Also the boda waist belt is unpadded and really tugs in on one side of the body (maybe I didn't set it up right...) whereas with the thinktank you can choose unpadded, padded, super padded, and can even get shoulder straps to take some of the weight.
Another major advantage of the thinktank for me is that it seems to stay put when you run around much better.
If you get the TT set up the pouches so they catch the hood when you stick a lens in there (no caps), that way you can change lenses real fast and easy, the way I have mine I can run around with it like that, and once again the major advantage is you can set it up with ten pouches to carry your 300 and all your primes, or just one for a single body 24-70/70-200 rig...

[Twotan]

Did Boda ever send you out the replacement part? What do you think of the bad since you have been using in for a few months now. I am thinking of getting this bag. Thanks for the info.

[foghorn]

Originally Posted by Twotan

Did Boda ever send you out the replacement part? What do you think of the bad since you have been using in for a few months now. I am thinking of getting this bag. Thanks for the info.

Sorry if I didn't update this post.
The folks at Boda mailed one to me right away after I emailed them. Nothing to complain about there. That incident wouldn't have turned me off on a brand. Stuff happens, I just got bummed I couldn't try it out that coming weekend.

I still have to make a full review of my own. Right now I can't deploy my 70-200 without it getting caught on something. While I know others can without an issue. Until I remedy this or my technique, I can't offer a full review.

BTW-I pm'd you back.