I’ve been a fan of ThinkTank bags for many years now, dating back to my very first “real” camera backpack, the Streetwalker! I still have that backpack, and nearly fifteen years after buying it, I still use it regularly and love it. But when I acquired a habit for birding and bought the camera equipment to fit the habit, I knew I needed something bigger and better for travel. Big cameras, very big lenses, binoculars, and a few other accessories need a safe place to hide when traveling through an airport or even on a long road trip. That backpack is perfect for my big kit going to a local park or short trip, but for the long haul, or air travel, or when I need more gear, the ThinkTank Airport Advantage is my go-to “big” bag.

When our hockey home team made the Stanley Cup Final in 2019, we booked a quick trip back to my home town to catch some of the games live and at home, but also to visit family and friends and visit some new locations and see some new birds and wildlife! I wanted a smaller set up to take around with friends and family, but also wanted the big kit for those birds. Realizing that I did not have a bag equipped to safely carry a DSLR, multiple lenses (including a 200-500mm big boy), a couple of smaller lenses, and binoculars! Oh, the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup, by the way!

I started browsing the big backpacks and bags of that style but wasn’t finding anything that looked like it’d be comfortable holding so much weight. I also wanted something small and streamlined to tuck into the overhead on the plane, even if I ended up on a smaller plane. I anticipate that there will be lots of travel in our lives, and with the birding hobby, that big kit will probably come along on every trip now (or whenever we can travel again, hopefully, when COVID-19 is over). In a case of ending up on a small regional plane, I would want to keep my camera equipment and laptop or iPad with me, so I knew the bag had to be small enough to fit that scenario.

After looking at a few different options, I landed on ThinkTank and started comparing their extensive line-up of rolling bags. The Airport Advantage is a smaller option in their line-up but perfectly sized for my gear and possible travel situations I was considering. The bag meets the size requirements for regional and commuter jets, so my gear will always be with me. On its maiden voyage, it rolled through the airport looking like a million other rolling suitcases, so it doesn’t stand out as a big camera bag. It fit easily in the overhead on four different planes.

The inside of the bag has plenty of structure to keep the form and not get crushed, but also softness for all of the gear to stay safe. Plenty of padded dividers are included to block out individual items. The bag is very lightweight unloaded but as strong and stable as I would expect from ThinkTank. A slip sleeve on the front holds a laptop or tablet, though not with much padding (in my opinion). I carried my 15” MacBook Pro in that sleeve but also had it in a neoprene sleeve for an added cushion against any bumps on the outside of the bag. I keep my laptop in a sleeve when it’s traveling anyway, so this wasn’t a difficult thing for me to adapt to. The wheels are high quality and roll super smoothly. I appreciate the two big zip pockets inside for all of the little gadgets that come along with a camera kit. There are handles on every side of the bag, so it is very easy to retrieve from a trunk or overhead. The handle is strong and high-quality. A rain cover is included, which I almost left in sunny SoCal, but was very happy to have onboard when I landed in a rainstorm in St. Louis.

So, what did I pack on that trip? Here’s my list:

2 Nikon D750’s (ungripped)
35mm lens
50mm lens
24-120mm lens
28-300mm lens
200-500mm lens with a collar
Nikon 10x42 binoculars
Battery charger, straps, rain cover
15” Macbook Pro

The ThinkTank Airport Advantage is a well designed minimalist rolling camera bag, and perfect for hauling through airports and tossing (carefully) in car trunks. This is a gear hauler, for when a lot of gear is needed, and it hauls that gear safely.

It’s a small bag for a big kit that will keep it safe and move about unnoticed, and those things all add up to a perfect fit for air travel and road trips. Now, if only we could get back to those trips…! (Go away coronavirus!)

Features (from ThinkTank)

Specially designed interior to maximize gear for carry-on for small aircraft such as commuter and regional jets. Meets U.S. and international airline carry-on requirements
Ultra light design weighs only 5.9 lbs. / 2.7kg, keeping your roller under weight restrictions
Dedicated laptop pocket fits up to 15” laptops in a padded sleeve
Custom designed retractable handle with inset channel on aluminum tubing for added strength and durability
Tripod mount and water bottle pocket on side. (Additional straps included for larger tripods)
YKK® RC Fuse zippers, and closed-cell PU foam are the highest quality materials in the industry
Lockable zipper sliders (lock not included)
Interior zippered pockets for batteries, memory cards, filters and accessories
User replaceable retractable handle, wheels, wheel housings, and front foot extends product life
Custom-designed, high-performance, 80mm wheels with sealed ABEC grade 5 bearings for quiet rolling
Seam-sealed rain cover included
Handles on three sides ensure rapid and easy retrieval from overhead bins, car trunks, etc.
Closed-cell foam dividers support heavy gear and maintain strength over time
Business card holder on top for identification

What Fits (according to ThinkTank)

1 gripped DSLR with lens attached, 1 standard size DSLR with lens attached plus 3–4 additional lenses, and 15” laptop
Or 2 gripped DSLRs with lenses detached plus 3–4 lenses
Or 2 Mirrorless bodies with a crazy amount of lenses
Max Lens: 200–400mm f/4 detached (hood reversed)
Fits two camera bodies with lenses attached

Specs (from ThinkTank)