Think Tank Retro' 20 - Black or Pinestone, Which is less obvious?

Henry's is having a sale on the Think Tank Retro line, and I want to get the Retro 20
It comes in two colours, black and pinestone. Both look unnassuming, to me, but I spend a lot of my shoots in locations where thousands of dollars worth of equipment are stolen fairly consistently throughout the summer (local national horse shows = lots of expensive tack & equipment left unguarded and the grounds are open to the public...sad but happens all the time.)

I would never let my bag leave my hip, of course, but I'm wondering which colour is the least obnoxious / least noticible. I can see positives and minuses for both colours.

Black would be the obvious choice I think, but at the same time I feel like its become a staple now for camera bags to be "primarily" black in colour. A pinestone one is a unusual colour, and also looks like "an old bag" - and then at the same time while you are noticing all of this, you have "noticed" the pinestone bag.

Which colour would you turn to and why?
At the end of the day I'll still be walking around with a big white telephoto lens in my hand, which naturally draws attention anyway, but I'm thinking of the times when I'm not holding my camera and just carrying the bag across my chest.

I have Pinestone and love it. I believe the material is also heavier than the black material. I like the old and worn look personally. I think the color of the bag is a little like the color of a big telephoto lens: The size attracts as much attention as the color.

i have a 30 in pinestone and everyone that isn't in photography or know what the bag is always compliments that its a nice bag and thinks its a normal book bag/messenger bag. when i tell them its a camera bag they're pretty surprised

booja wrote in post #14262465
i have a 30 in pinestone and everyone that isn't in photography or know what the bag is always compliments that its a nice bag and thinks its a normal book bag/messenger bag. when i tell them its a camera bag they're pretty surprised

I really wish they made a Retro laid out as a regular messenger/laptop bag inside. I'd buy it in a minute.

I have a 20 in pinestone and love it...it is a bit heavy but doesn't scream, "hey, I have expensive stuff in here"

I love my black. Looks just like a regular bag

I just purchased a pinestone 20 2 days ago to accompany with my 70-200 II. Very nice bag. As some others mentioned, the material "seems" to be (look) heavier than black version.

Best,
MC

i have the pinestone 20
love the bag, nobody knows it's a camera bag, unless that person is into photography and knows the bag
but it IS heavy though

Choosing between the two colors should be all about matching them to what you wear often. I used to shoot in school with uniforms, and freelance with smart casual wear (and jeans) so I got the pinestone... but then I started shooting more formal things and the pinestone didn't quite fit some all-black formal wear with blazers etc. Ultimately it's your choice, but know that the pinestone seems more durable as it's a different material than the black (the flap is heavier, for example).

Christina.DazzleByDesi​gn wrote in post #14262273
.....I spend a lot of my shoots in locations where thousands of dollars worth of equipment are stolen fairly consistently throughout the summer.....

camera thieves are going to spot the pinestone easily because it's become such a popular bag. but I don't think the black is really going to give you much more camouflage from thieves. the shape of the bag alone makes it obvious to me.

I would go with whatever color you personally like and just use common sense to protect your stuff

Thank you guys! I went with the Pinestone in the end, so far very happy with it! I agree the fabric looks "tougher" than the black, although I doubt there is ACTUALLY any difference, I just like the illusion

Christina.DazzleByDesi​gn wrote in post #14265857
Thank you guys! I went with the Pinestone in the end, so far very happy with it! I agree the fabric looks "tougher" than the black, although I doubt there is ACTUALLY any difference, I just like the illusion

It is the opposite actually, it's easier worn out than black one, the material is different not just color. Lowepro Messenger Pro has tougher fabric and comes in slate grey color which is in between Pinestone and pitch black. But to be honest I personally like TT Pinestone look much, much better and I own both.

Andrew_WOT wrote in post #14266433
It is the opposite actually, it's easier worn out than black one, the material is different not just color. Lowepro Messenger Pro has tougher fabric and comes in slate grey color which is in between Pinestone and pitch black. But to be honest I personally like TT Pinestone look much, much better and I own both.

Thanks Andrew! Appreciate your posts.
When I was deciding whether to keep my Retro10PS I couldn't find much information about the fabric at all.
My concern was which bag was best in rain?
The other concern was finding enough space in my Miata. Solved that. Sold the Miata.

That was why I bought the Streetwalker. Thought I might suspend it between the seat backs, but it was too tight a fit.

black. It's not obtrusive. I have one.

J.