WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L Evaluation

I do know I can belief myself when defending my digital camera gear. I child my digital camera physique and ensure every lens is tucked into my bag securely earlier than each occasion. I place each SD card into its little plastic casing and maintain my digital camera straps tight.

Briefly: The WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L isn’t solely snug to put on, however it is usually manufactured from weather-resistant materials, and has sufficient padding to guard a full-frame digital camera physique and two to a few spare lenses. I can belief and recognize its well-structured design and sturdiness when on a job the place the sudden can occur. Photographers doing small occasions like concert events, events, or banquets would love the comfortability the WANDRD bag has to supply. Though it’s $159, if you’re on a finances, there are different luggage, a few of which I reviewed in The Greatest Digital camera Luggage of 2024. 

WANDRD Rogue Sling 9L Evaluation

Not solely are WANDRD luggage aesthetically pleasing to the attention, however they’re additionally decided to offer photographers with a snug, sturdy digital camera bag that retains gear protected, it doesn’t matter what the job entails. 

The Rogue 9L Sling may be carried over the shoulder, as a messenger bag, or fanny pack type. It has simply adjustable straps and three totally different seize handles.

Its extra options embrace extra straps for a small tripod, entrance clips, a number of pockets, together with SD card-specific slots, and a “secret” pocket at its base for an umbrella, water bottle, or gentle jacket. It’s also obtainable in a number of colours and three sizes (3L, 6L, and 9L). 

Whereas preventing via live performance crowds, the three seize handles on the prime and sides of the bag made it simple for me to maneuver to my facet or again, whereas the adjustable strap allowed me to change positions so my shoulder wouldn’t bear the load of the bag for too lengthy. And the YKK zippers make for simple entry. 

By means of the Thick of It

I’ve been photographing concert events for just a few years. Some crowds are simple to handle, whereas others will not be so easy. I must pack gentle gear in order that I can handle the straightforward lens change whereas navigating via a sea of our bodies which can be simply there to benefit from the music and don’t have an consciousness of their environment. 

I’ll say that I get pleasure from not simply being a spectator at concert events, but in addition photographing them. I get pleasure from capturing the vitality of the performers and the crowds on the venue. Nonetheless, some crowds get extra rowdy than others. As an illustration, you usually tend to discover a mosh pit at a rock or metallic live performance than a rustic one. That is only one of many quirks about concert events, you pay for that sq. foot of house you stand in to get pleasure from music from artists stay. 

One thing I’ll by no means danger is the protection of my digital camera gear, irrespective of the price of a very good digital camera bag. I like the WANDRD Rogue 9L Sling as a result of I can belief it to guard my gear from the crowds, which may be just a bit too tough. The thick padding protects in opposition to the shock of getting via and across the individuals who don’t wish to surrender the sq. foot of house they paid for. 

Typically, individuals are glad to maneuver out of your means since you are carrying the black, lensed badge and so they know what you might be there for. However, when individuals are having a very good time, drinks get spilled or dropped.

I’m additionally grateful for the Rogue Sling’s weather-resistant exterior. I knew it will shield in opposition to water if I took it on a hike and it rained. However it was actually put to the take a look at once I introduced it to my live performance jobs.

Beer was the most typical factor spilled or splashed on me, and the occasional syrupy drink occurred, however my digital camera gear stayed dry and protected each present. The bag’s exterior can also be a straightforward clear on the finish of every evening. 

Critiques

The WANDRD Rogue 9L Sling is certainly one of my favourite digital camera luggage I’ve used. It’s snug, sturdy, and comprised of high-quality, weather-resistant materials. Nonetheless, I do have a few small points. 

The patented laptop computer dock is a cool characteristic for photographers who must deliver their 14-inch or 16-inch laptop computer on the go. However solely 6L and 9L Rogue Slings have this pocket. Should you have been to only put a laptop computer in its case into the pocket, the liner comes out and its base doesn’t have further padding, so your laptop computer will solely have the safety of that laptop computer case.

WANDRD created this characteristic to pair with its patented laptop computer case as a result of it matches the baggage and has a security strap and hook that attaches to the sling. Though this can be a neat characteristic, evidently to have that further safety is to purchase the branded laptop computer case, which is one other $55. 

I did use my laptop computer and my very own case, and it labored superb, however about 4 to five inches of laptop computer stands proud of the highest (I’ve a 16-inch laptop computer), and it turned troublesome to work round. I discovered that my digital camera monitor match completely in that zippered slot as a result of it’s only a 6-inch by 4-inch display with the cage, and it stayed well-protected that means. 

The perimeters of the Rogue 9L Sling are additionally not as padded as they might be. The entrance, again, prime, and backside of the bag are very well-padded and safe, however the two sides aren’t as padded as the remaining. It’s nonetheless a protecting bag, nevertheless it appears odd that the 2 outer sides aren’t as protected as the remainder of the bag. 

Conclusion

The WANDRD Rogue 9L Sling is an incredible bag with many protecting options. Any photographer can be proud of its modern design and luxury. It’s good for small occasion shoots the place you solely want your digital camera physique and some lenses, and its three-way carry adapts simply to anybody’s choice of sporting it. It’s snug when packed full of substances, and the adjustable inserts permit for custom-made safety for specific-sized lenses. 

The Rogue 9L Sling is certainly one of my favourite luggage. I take advantage of it for all my live performance images, small video shoots, and primary hikes. I knew it will be nice in opposition to rain and easy jobs, however I wished to place it to the true take a look at in opposition to crowds with my live performance images.

I discovered it to be among the best luggage I’ve introduced on these jobs, and it has change into a daily in my tools listing circulation. It protects my gear throughout my fast-paced shoots with out sacrificing my consolation.