Bag Review: Lowepro Classified 160AW w/pics

Hi everyone, this is my first attempt at doing a product review on POTN. I'm not a professional photographer and simply an enthusiast who travels a lot overseas. I've been searching for the perfect bag that is deceivingly compact, low profile, with good ergonomics, plenty of storage compartments, good protection against weather and the elements, easy top-loading access to capture the moment, and most importantly, look good. I've done lots of research and have purchased and returned many bags until my recently got my hands on a LowePro Classified 160AW shoulder bag.

Lowepro product info: http://products.lowepr​o.com …ssified-160%20AW,2121.htm

The Classified series is one of Lowepro's newest line of sling / shoulder bags. Its name suggests just that, classified. It's meant to be stealthy and blend you in with the crowd. Although it doesn't scream camera bag, it still looks like a fine piece of luggage / laptop bag. Some may or may not like that, but to me it looks good without looking like a camera bag. The quality of material and construction of the bag is world class with fine stitching and leather accents on high grade nylon. With quality, comes with a steep price tag of $174 retail and $129.95 through online retailers.

My gear requirements:
1. Canon 5D Mark II
2. Canon 70-200 f/4L IS
3. Canon 24-70 f/2.8L
4. Canon 16-35 f/2.8L
5. Canon 430EX II
6. Compact Flash wallet
7. Spare battery
8. Battery Charger
9. USB cables
10. Lens Pen, caps, keys, etc.
11. ** 10.1" Netbook PC

Rear document pocket:

Now to put everything into perspective; how big is this bag really? The bag is fully loaded as shown in the earlier pics. There's still plenty of room in there to throw my charger, a small point+shoot, and key fobs.

I took out the 70-200 f/4L IS and attached the hood forward to clearly show that this bag is capable of holding the 70-200 f/2.8IS with hood reversed attached to body.

Fantastic review! Thanks very much for the photos, particularly the comparison photos of the 6MDH - these were the two bags I was tossing up between and ended up going with the Crumpler... this settles in my mind that I jumped the right way for my needs.

Very helpful. Thanks for posting

Could you use a Domke postal pad on the strap to make it more comfortable?

Also, make sure to get this added to the bag reviews sticky

Jim G wrote in post #8303640
Fantastic review! Thanks very much for the photos, particularly the comparison photos of the 6MDH - these were the two bags I was tossing up between and ended up going with the Crumpler... this settles in my mind that I jumped the right way for my needs.

Very helpful. Thanks for posting

Could you use a Domke postal pad on the strap to make it more comfortable?

Also, make sure to get this added to the bag reviews sticky

Thanks. I still love my 6MDH and use it for walking about town when I don't need to bring my 70-200. One of my main requirements is to be able to have the 70-200 attached to the body and the ability to take it in and out without having to remove it. In the 6MDH, the bag will not close right and you would have to put on a different lens to stow it properly.

I will look at the Domke postal pad and see if that works.

Thanks for the review. although i am currently not looking at this bag, I am looking at the 140 and it gives me some idea.
I cant decide from a Lowepro Classified 140 or a Domke J5XB or a Crumpler 5MDH

Thanks for the review!

Wow - I love how your netbook fits into this bag. Nobody would ever guess that you have that much gear in such a relatively small and discrete bag. Thanks for the detailed photos.

I say! Rather nice review you've written there, my good sir! The photographs provided are much appreciated.

Great review. I also have the 6MDH and I've been looking for a shoulder bag that can hold a 70-200 lens attached. This looks pretty good.

Nice review....pretty slim profile on the bag

Do you have a pic you can post of the camera in the bag with the 70-200 f4 and its hood attached. Are you able to zip up the top that way?

Don

Is there anyway to attach a tripod on that bag?

DMOEsq wrote in post #8590719
Do you have a pic you can post of the camera in the bag with the 70-200 f4 and its hood attached. Are you able to zip up the top that way?

Don

It will zip up all the way with the 70-200/f4 attached with room to spare, but the hood has to be reversed.