Tenba Shootout Review

Tenba Shootout Medium Rolling Backpack Review

*Web images removed until I can figure out if it's really infected... links are clickable but will lead nowhere... I might move images somewhere else...
**I scanned everything, re-uploaded just in case. Links are back up.

This coming February I will be going to China and Japan for a week’s worth of vacation. I wanted to bring my gear with me and my Lowepro Rezo 180 just wouldn’t be big and comfortable enough for a week’s worth of trekking. So I went online, did research, and found a few promising choices. I ended up with the Tenba Shootout Medium Rolling backpack (you’ll probably see why at the end of this review).

Here is the Tenba in black and olive (it looks more muted in color than the silver and black).
Please excuse the bad lighting.

Front:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0241.jpg
Back:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0243.jpg

This version of the Shootout has 5 zippers that can be seen from the top, for the front tripod compartment, main bag, laptop, pop-up handle, and backpack straps.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0246.jpg


The handle pops up in 2 segments and is a bit curved upwards when you stroll it along (likely to keep it from bending).

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0245.jpg

The Shootout has backpack strap, a waist belt, and a little chest strap. The main shoulder straps connect to metal D-rings at the base of the pack. As you can see from the photo, the shoulder blade area, waist belt, and shoulder straps are all lined with a soft, moisture-wicking material and are thickly padded, providing good comfort.

Straps:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0247.jpg
Connector:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0249.jpg
Mesh:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0250.jpg

While most bags use either an external or internal rain guard around the zippers, the Shootout’s approach is a bit different. It utilizes a sort of zip-lock style zipper guard. I have not tested its water resistance, but it appears to seal the zippers in tightly.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0251.jpg

Within the side pockets are small openings for easy access of small items stored in the main compartment.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0252.jpg

The tethered cell phone/mp3 player pouch is shown here. It should be able to fit most modern hand-held media. On the back, there is a strap that you can wrap around a belt or shoulder strap.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0253.jpg

Tenba has also included a card holder. Now I am all for card holders, but Tenba should really work on it a bit more. While SD cards fit and can be removed comfortably, CF cards are VERY hard to remove once they have been put in. The plastic coverings are simply too tight and the finger hole in the center doesn’t do much good either. Perhaps over time the plastic will stretch and be more accommodating, but I don’t have that kind of time to break it in.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0256.jpg

The tripod holder works pretty well. The pack employs a MSTC (Multi-Stage Tripod Carrying) System. Depending on the size, all but the biggest tripods can fit its legs into the cover-turned-holster pocket.

Straps:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0259.jpg
Tripod:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0290.jpg
Holster:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0291.jpg

And here is the inside of the Shootout!

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0263.jpg

Here is all my gear that I will attempt to stuff inside the Shootout:
20D w/POTN strap, 100-400L IS 4.5-5.6, 28-135 IS f3.5-5.6, 17-40L f4, 85 f1.8, 1.4x II, 580ex II, Old and trusty Spiratone tripod, 18-55 Kit, 75-300 III f4-5.6, 3 CF cards, 3 77mm filters (C-Polarizer, ND 8x, 920nm IR), Eclipse cleaning kit, 2 Batteries & Charger, Adidt shutter release cord, Purosol lens cleaner, Nikon 50 1.8 Ai-s w/adapter (for fun!)

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0266.jpg

The main divider pads are fairly thick with the smaller pads being a bit thinner, but nonetheless protective.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0264.jpg

Here is the pack fully stuffed. I was able to get everything but the 75-300mm in. Note the flash reaching the bottom plastic cover of the 85mm.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0266.jpg

On the inside of the main compartment flap are two webbed/clear storage areas for various small gear, maps, etc. The thick black straps on either side can store flashlights and pens.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0268.jpg

There is a small, somewhat hidden compartment at the base of the flap to store whatever else you need.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0269.jpg

I really like how Tenba has paid attention to some minute details. They have included small covers for the zippers on the flaps to prevent them from scratching the gear once you close the pack.

Zippers:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0270.jpg
Cover:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0273.jpg

For security, there are lock straps on the sides in case you have some really heavy equipment and fear zipper failure.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0292.jpg

The rain cover clips together near the top of the pack and covers all except the shoulder straps and the back.

Front:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0281.jpg
Back:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0280.jpg

For versatility, you can take out the innards in the main compartment and use it like a regular pack. The inside also folds out to allow servicing of the extendable handle. But beware, there are no covers for the easy access holes once you take it out, so be careful removing it.

Removed:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0288.jpg
Empty:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0287.jpg
Service:http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0289.jpg

Here is how it looks.

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0293.jpg

And remember how I said I was comparing between a few packs but chose this? Well, aside from all the features I described above, it’s the price!

http://img.photobucket​.com …49/animearth/IM​G_0286.jpg

At the risk of sounding like a plug, for $150 (reg ~$220ish online), it just doesn’t get any better! Keeble & Shuchat (Palo Alto, CA) have about 500 of them for sale at this special price! It just so happens I found this while calling around. They just started their sale yesterday! If you like it, give them a call before you go in to make sure they still have it in stock!

These images/Website is virus infected and crashed my computer. You might want to scan your computer.

NSWESP wrote in post #4740938
These images/Website is virus infected and crashed my computer. You might want to scan your computer.

That's odd... Sorry for your computer crashing... I just scanned my computer using Symantec and nothing came up. I would think photobucket has some sort of protection as well... argh...

Just scaned mine it was a spyware causingproblems that didnt come up in other scans. Sorry.

NSWESP wrote in post #4740979
Just scaned mine it was a spyware causingproblems that didnt come up in other scans. Sorry.

Np. Better safe than infected. Links are back up.

NSWESP wrote in post #4740979
Just scaned mine it was a spyware causingproblems that didnt come up in other scans. Sorry.

I think this was a carbon based error.

Thanks for those wonderful , useful pics. I am set to buy the tenba medium rolling, it is the same size exterior and interior as the shootout medium (not rolling), but ofcourse it is heavier. thanks. but will it fit a 15.4 laptop? just curious.

That looks like a good bag.
Tenba stuff is great. The tripod hoslter thingy looks good.
Would that back carry a Manfrotto 055c ?

i think it will check out the video http://www.youtube.com …cgOsW8c7w&featu​re=related

Reviving an old thread from the dead, but how did the backpack fair during your Asia trip? Details please! =)

KnIgHtCoM wrote in post #6908009
Reviving an old thread from the dead, but how did the backpack fair during your Asia trip? Details please! =)

It did quite well! Because I didn't want to miss a moment, I ended up carrying all my gear throughout my daily travels. Yes, it was kinda heavy (~15lb), but quite worth the pictures (which sadly I am STILL processing... lol). I didn't run through a torrential downpour, but it snowed for a good while nonetheless. Best part is I didn't have to even take out the all weather cover (well, I got excited and forgotops; the zippers stayed solid and nothing seeped through. I also took it on my trip to Paris this past November, but it got a much lighter duty use there as the weather was nice and mild - except the cobbled streets that the wheels had to endure, which they did.

Here's snow
http://flickr.com/phot​os/mxwphoto/3129439165​/

Here's what it looks like being carried 24/7 with all my gear in/on it
http://flickr.com/phot​os/mxwphoto/3129438565​/

Edit: Yes it will fit a 15.4" laptop, but only if it is widescreen. It will also carry the 055c series tripod. Just be careful when leaning over so it doesn't hit anything.

I am about to buy a Tenba backpack but the dimensions seem bigger than the maximum carry-on size of 21”H x 14”W x 8”D (not to mention in small planes the overhead bins are even smaller).

I was undecided between the Mini and the Small Shootout since the Medium seems to be 13" Depth.

Did you had any trouble traveling with your bag thru the airport? DId it fit the Carry-On measurer?

telles75 wrote in post #6969137
I am about to buy a Tenba backpack but the dimensions seem bigger than the maximum carry-on size of 21”H x 14”W x 8”D (not to mention in small planes the overhead bins are even smaller).

I was undecided between the Mini and the Small Shootout since the Medium seems to be 13" Depth.

Did you had any trouble traveling with your bag thru the airport? DId it fit the Carry-On measurer?

Happy new year! I travelled carry-on for the Tenba Medium Roller without any issues - to China, Japan, and France (of course, they were all international, so bin sizes may have been bit bigger). I didn't really measure it and the attendants didn't seem to care either. It did fit into all the overhead bins, albeit sometimes a tight squeeze. I don't believe airports strictly enforce the carry-on dimensions as long as the luggage is not grossly oversized.

As for which one to get, I would say grab the one that fits all your gear and has a bit of spare room to grow so you don't end up having to carry multiple packs or buying a new pack every time a new gear comes along.

I ended up buying the Medium Tenba Shootout at a very good price (about US$120), the regular one, not the rolling one. It has some room for 1 or 2 extra lenses in case I grow. The small one fitted my gear exactly but no room to grow so I hope not to run with issues when travelling. Thanks for the answer.