Vanguard Pampas Sling Bags

What will fit in?

The Pampas Sling Bags is an oblong bag with many compartments. The upper compartment of the bag is relatively small, barely big enough for a sweater, just big enough for a couple of sandwiches. At the top is a flap, behind this is room for memory cards for example. The other, large compartment is for the camera and accessories. The camera is crosswise in the bag; this does not allow for a long lens: the maximum length is 14 cm. A Canon 70-200 4.0 mm will thus not fit. A 24-105 mm including lens hood, a 100 mm 2.0 and a camera with macro 100 mm 2.8 do fit. There is still room for smaller items then. On top of this big flap is another compartment of reinforced material for securities.

Design and finishing

The outer fabric feels firm but not rough. The stitching is neat, besides a few loose threads. The two front flaps are of reinforced material. These flaps are difficult to open and close. The other zippers do go smoothly. In the operation of the quick zip on the side (both zippers are tied together with a string) you have to get skilled. The clip for the securities I miss. The bag has a special waterproof fabric on the bottom. Yet this will not always help, because the zipper of the lower compartment also touches the ground. The zipper has no flap. None of the zippers have anti-water flaps by the way. Only the quick zip on the side has a small flap at the beginning of the zippers, and the compartment on top has a flap. Taking a monopod or tripod is not possible with this bag.

Wearing comfort

The name Sling Bags says it all, there is only one back strap, a shoulder strap. The padding is good, feels soft and comfortable. The seams are on the side, so you have no problems with that while wearing. The band is easily adjustable. There is also a strap for extra strength. This keeps the bag firmly in place. The tire can only be attached on one side, and can thus be worn only on one shoulder. The back is therefore always loaded on the same side. It is inconvenient if you prefer to wear the bag on the other shoulder bears or take the camera out the other way. The shoulder strap can be put in the back of the bag. The handle on top has no extra padding and is quite small.

Convenience

The accessibility of the camera equipment is optimal. The compartment can be opened in three different ways, so you have access everywhere. Remember where you have put where, otherwise it is likely that you have the wrong zipper. The loose divides are easy to move. The two upper divisions are not fixed with Velcro to the side; this is not possible because the bag can also be opened there. Also because the edge of the bag overlaps somewhat, the lenses could otherwise not be removed. The big flap with everything accessible is very convenient. Most one-shoulder strap bags do not have this. Due to the gauze on the side, the flap cannot open wide, and nothing will fall out. The interior is nicely finished and has a good padding. A major advantage is that without putting the bag down, you can withdraw all your devices. With most one-shoulder strap bags, you can only reach the camera. Furthermore, the bag is not very big and quite light. This improves the ease of use.

Conclusion

Vanguard Pampas Sling Bags

Pros

• Opening and carrying go simultaneously
  Extra protection at the bottom
  Large opening
  Many different openings
  Lots of space for equipment in relation to size bag

 Cons

• Shoulder strap only on one side
  No flap at zippers against rain
  A zipper at the bottom
  No rain cover is present
  Taking a tripod or monopod is not possible

The biggest advantage of the Vanguard Pampas Sling Bags bag is, because it is a bag with one shoulder strap, the ability to take the equipment from the bag while walking. But this also directly provides a major drawback, because it is not possible to move that one shoulder strap. You always wear with the same shoulder. There are a number of zippers that allow easy access to all your devices. The protection against water and dust is disappointing unfortunately; there are almost no flaps over the zippers and a rain cover is also missing. The bottom is protected against dirt and water with a thick material; unfortunately, next to this protection is a zipper without rain flap: dirt and water can therefore still penetrate. There is no provision for carrying a tripod or monopod. The bag is quite small, yet fits in a lot of equipment. All in all, the Vanguard Pampas Sling Bags bag a handy bag, but test whether the shoulder strap is on the right side for you before buying.