Tech Tuesday: Speed Through Airports with This New Roller

There are roller bags and then there’s Think Tank Photo’s latest easy roller—the Airport Roller Derby.

Equipped with four sets of dual wheels, this eight-wheeler rolls upright, tilted to the front and tilts sideways to fit through narrow spaces like airplane aisles. Wheels are replaceable although with Think Tank Photo’s reputation for solid design and constructions, we doubt you’ll need to take advantage of this convenient feature.

Although it weighs between 10.5 and 11 pounds, you’ll hardly notice how much gear you’re toting thanks to its multiple wheel design. Measuring 9 x 14 x 22 inches, the Airport Roller Derby meets the latest airline baggage limitations that were updated earlier this year (but be sure to check with your airline for international flights, which often have their own maximum size restrictions).

In addition to individual internal pockets for up to a 15-inch laptop and a tablet, the bag can hold two DSLRs with lenses attached (depending on the DSLRs’ size), multiple lenses, strobes and other accessories. The bag sports a tripod mount and there’s even room for a 400mm f/2.8 lens so you won’t get caught short without the lens you want or need on a shoot.

Other features include a security cable and lockable zippers, a rain cover, interior and exterior pockets and a two position locking handle to accommodate those of us who are short and taller photographers who need a longer handle for easy wheeling.

The Airport Roller Derby costs $390, and if it makes rolling through airports or on long walks to a location as easy as we think it will, this bag will minimize the physical impact of traveling with a lot of gear that other bags do not.

Think Tank