Every dog owner knows the importance of a high-quality dog collar, which is why I look to Ruff Wear when I am buying for my favorite pooch, Bentley.  Ruff Wear understands active owners with active dogs.

Bentley is a very active, 97 pound Black Lab Mix.  He is now 3 years old, but like every Lab, still acts like a playful puppy.  Bentley is always up for an outdoor adventure, whether it is hiking up a mountain, going for a trail run, sprinting through the snow, or chasing squirrels. Bentley doesn’t know the meaning of slowing down. Ruff Wear’s Top Rope Collar was a terrific choice for Bentley’s active lifestyle.

The Top Rope Collar has a very appealing, outdoor-adventure design made from soft-yet-strong tubular webbing.  The collar comes in 4 different colors (green, blue, red, and purple) and has a continuous reflective stripe throughout that both looks nice and helps with visibility at night.  Bentley is all black, so I especially appreciate reflective properties that help me, and others, see him at night.

The Top Rope Collar has an aluminum, V-ring leash attachment point.  I love that Ruff Wear kept the leash attachment point and the ID tag attachment point separate.  On my old collar, the leash attachment point was also where the ID tag was located.  I cannot tell you how many times I accidentally hooked his leash to the ID tag split ring. Bentley would inevitably take off sprinting after something and the split ring would open, which left me hanging on to his leash while Bentley was dashing down the street. The V-ring stays perfectly positioned on top of Bentleys neck because of the opposing weight of the all-metal buckle underneath his neck, so I always have easy, quick access to hook his leash.   The aluminum is strong and durable, so I know Bentley will not be able to break free from me.  The ID Tag is located on the side of the collar and has a silicone tag-silencer attached.  The tag silencer is a great extra feature, one you will appreciate if you have multiple dog tags on the collar.

The all-metal Talon Buckle is what sets the Top Rope Collar aside from others.  The large metal buckle has superior smoothness & strength.  There is no way Bentley would be able to pull hard enough to break this buckle…and trust me he has tried!  The buckle is curved, so it follows Bentley’s neckline instead of sticking out.  The buckle is very sturdy but is easy enough to open with one hand when I need to take his collar off.

The metal buckle was initially my favorite feature of the Top Rope Collar, but after 2 months of wear, I started to notice he had patches of hair missing on his neckline.  I took the collar off and loosened it a bit.  I thought maybe it was too tight.  Bentley’s hair continued to rub off.  Unfortunately I loved the collar so much that I couldn’t part with it, so I started taking the collar off at night to give his skin a break.  After a few weeks of doing this I decided this was not a viable solution.  The metal buckle had worn his hair completely down to his skin in 2 perfect lines.  Bentley never seemed to be bothered by the collar, but this was not acceptable to me.  I contacted both Ruff Wear and Altrec (where I purchased the collar).  I have nothing but good things to say about the customer service at both places.  They both cared about my satisfaction, and Altrec returned my Top Rope Collar with no hassle.  Since I loved everything about the Top Rope Collar, except the chaffing, I opted to replace it with the Hoopie Collar.  The Hoopie Collar has a lot of the same great features of the Top Rope, but with a different closure system.

The major difference between the Top Rope Collar and the Hoopie Collar is the buckle.  The Hoopie Collar has a plastic, side-release buckle, instead of the metal buckle.  You lose the strength of the metal buckle, but for me, the side-release buckle works just fine, and I have found no other chaffing spots on Bentley’s neck.   The side-release buckle is very durable and is also easy enough to open with one hand when I need to remove his collar.

The Ruff Wear Hoopie Collar has a variety of color options, including a few patterned ones.  Unlike the Top Rope Collar, however, the Hoopie does not have the continuous reflective stripe throughout the collar.   On the plain colors, they replaced the reflective strip with a simple stitching line.  It is still very attractive, but in the switch I sacrificed the safety that the embedded reflective stripe provides.

The Hoopie Collar also has the aluminum V-ring leash attachment point.  The only difference is that, on the Top Rope Collar, the V-ring is positioned on top of the collar, and on the Hoopie Collar it is positioned on the bottom.  As long as the V-ring is there, I’m happy,  the location of the V-ring has not made a convenience difference for me.  The Hoopie also has the great feature of the separate ID tag attachment point, as well as the silicone tag silencer.

Both the Top Rope Collar and the Hoopie Collar are wonderful; if you need the strength of the metal buckle, the Top Rope is a great product, just keep an eye out for ‘buckle-rub’ that could potentially result if your dog is a heavy-puller. The Hoopie has most of the same great features, but is slightly less expensive with its traditional side-release buckle.  I purchased a size Large in both collars, which fit perfect around Bentley’s neck.

Top Rope Collar MSRP $29.94  /  Hoopie Collar MSRP $14.95

If you are in the market for an all-weather, winter hiking boot, take note.   The new Delta Boot by KEEN is made for both men and women, and is a very capable option for you winter activities.  While KEEN is best recognized for their summer waterfront shoes, their sturdy boots are also very much worthy of attention.

I was a little worried I wasn’t going to be able to test the Delta Boot in snow, since winter has been taking its time in arriving this year.  I have been hiking in the Delta Boot for about 4 months, in temperatures ranging from 5 degrees to 30 degrees, without snow.  Then finally in late December, Big Sky Montana was blessed with a dumping, and I was able to hike and snowshoe to test them in a true winter environment.

The Delta Boot is geared toward winter hiking.  It features a 200-gram KEEN.WARM insulation, which is toasty enough to keep you warm and dry, but also breathable enough so your feet aren’t sweating when you’re putting in the miles.  Along with the insulation, the Delta boot offers KEEN Dry, a waterproof, breathable membrane.  The waterproof Nubuck covers the boots’ upper.  The Nubuck keeps the water out, while also allowing your feet to breath.  My feet were always warm and dry.  My boots still look great after trekking them through a few feet of powder.  The Nubuck is high-quality, and has not shown any signs of water spots.

The Delta has amazing traction.  KEEN strategically placed 4 mm, multi-directional traction lugs throughout the sole.  The lugs kept me upright, even on steep, icy descents.   Along with the dual-climate and ice-traction rubber outsole, the Delta also rocks KEENs signature, patented toe protection.  I love this visibly recognizable characteristic of KEEN shoes, not to mention the toe protection always comes in handy when you are hiking through rocky terrain!

Keen also placed in the Delta Boot a TPU stability shank to keep you upright and stable while hitting the trails. The collar height is 7.25 “, making the Delta stiff enough to keep your ankle protected, but just flexible enough to offer you full range of motion.  As I said before, I used the Delta Boot while snowshoeing.  The boot was slender enough to use with my snowshoes.  They felt fairly light while I was navigating through a few feet of snow!  The Women’s Delta Boot weighs in at 18.23 oz, and the Men’s weighs in at 22.15 oz.

When I first put the Delta Boot on, I noticed they were a little stiff.  My first hike with the Delta Boot actually gave me a blister.  I wore fairly thin, Smartwool hiking socks, and took a longer hike than I perhaps should have in new boots.  As with any new boot or shoe, you should always wear them around the house for a few hours, or out on shorter ventures, to break them in before hitting the mountains.  I learned my lesson.  After the third hike in the Deltas, the boots felt great, and clearly will deliver long-lasting comfort and support.  Once I broke in the boot, my feet fell in love!

On KEEN’s website, it states that the Delta boot runs about a ½ size small.  I am typically a US 8.5 (EU 39).  That is what I ordered, and I found the boot fit perfectly true to size.  I usually wore a mid-weight hiking sock during my testing.   Before buying the boot online, I recommend going to your local KEEN dealer and try the boot on first.  You always want to make sure you have a well-fitted hiking boot.

The Women’s Delta boot comes in 2 colors:  Chocolate Chip/Nile Blue & Black/Madder Brown.  The Men’s also comes in 2 colors: Stone Grey/Madder Brown & Black/Laurel Oak.

MSRP $130.

Happy Hiking!

My initial suspicions about this beast proved to be true. I tested the KEEN Revel boot in extreme conditions, including hikes in temperatures between 10 and 40 degrees, and terrain varying from packed trail to mud to deep snow, and never experienced cold or wet feet. The Revel boots are seriously warm! I wore these to work on a particularly cold and snowy Colorado day, and found the Revel to be almost too warm for long-term indoor use. The KEEN.WARM Trapolater wool insole, along with the 200g KEEN.WARM layers in the upper of the Revel, provide superior insulation over other winter boots.

The boot upper, made of waterproof nubuck, is quite supportive, and more reminiscent of high quality mountaineering boots than most other winter boots. The patented KEEN toe wrap is even more substantial in the Revel, and does an excellent job of protecting the toes from impact. The Revel is definitely up to the challenge for extreme winter adventures. I found the KEEN Revel to run about half a size smaller than other KEENs, possibly due to the amount of insulation in the upper. Be sure to try on the Revel before buying, or just go up half a size from your normal KEEN size.

The outsole of the Revel also shines. Those of us living in cooler climes know that getting your car tires ‘siped’ can help with traction on ice and snow. Siping involves cutting slits across the tread of the tire to create edges which grip the road surface. KEEN has decided to employ similar thinking in the Revel, visible in the photo at left. The result is perceivably better traction on slippery surfaces.

Overall, I consider the KEEN Revel to be one of the few cold-weather gear rockstars, and should definitely be on your shortlist for cold weather extreme outdoor adventures.

The KEEN Revel retails for $140.

ADDITIONAL IMAGES:
    

Thankfully, companies like Ruff Wear exist to help meet the needs of dogs that go out into the wilderness. The Bark’n Boots are a prime example, and offer excellent protection for your dog in a variety of conditions. Suki, our fabulous female dog tester, had the opportunity to test-drive these boots over the past few months in Colorado.

Regarding size and fit:  Ruff Wear provides a detailed size guide and instructions on how to measure your dog’s paws. I felt that the boots ran true to size, however, I wished that I would have measured all four paws. Some dogs, my Suki included, have different sized paws. She could wear a smaller size up front and size up for the back. Each boot is identical to the next; no boot is specific to right, left, front, or back.  Therefore, I always recommend measuring and giving them a trial run, if possible, in the store. In the future, I would buy a package of each size and combine them (mixing sizes) to make a primary and a back-up set.

The boots are relatively easy to slip on once your dog is familiar with the process; after a while, Suki would sit and hold out her front paws in anticipation of an outing. Simply slip the boot on, adjust the velcro closure strap, and you are done. I recommend letting your dog run around for a bit, and re-checking the boots to ensure they are tight enough. In the beginning, it is challenging to know how tight is too tight, especially if you have a furry dog. So, when you first get going, you will find yourself glancing at your dog’s paws quite a lot. After multiple hikes in the mud, and even in deep snow, I still have all 4 boots. The boots are sold in sets of four, but there is a small note on Ruff Wear’s website that says the boots ARE available as a single boot. So if you happen to lose one, which you shouldn’t with proper fit and micro-adjustments, you don’t have to replace it with an entire set.

The Bark’n Boots feature a non-marking Vibram® outsole with lugs designed to maintain grip and control while your dog is on the move. Dogs are built with innate crampons, or claws, that grab and adapt to the changing conditions. Fortunately, with the Bark’n Boots, Suki’s ability to frolic in mud, dry dirt, scree, ice, and snow, was not compromised. When comparing her traction with boots to Aspen (our other dog testers) sans boots, she could hang right with him.  The difference, however, was that her paws didn’t have any cracks, sores, excess mud, or snow-balls wedged between her pads. Aspen on the other hand, had to take more breaks to chew out snow between his paws.  The boot upper is composed of air mesh, which kept dirt and small rocks out of Suki’s paws (her paws remained slightly drier as well).  The mesh is designed to ventilate, and unfortunately Suki can’t tell me if she had a swampy sensation in her feet on our last hike.  I used them also during day-hikes on dry ground, and her paws at the end were dry and clean.  The non-marking outsole may also work nicely for those who take their dog boating; the Bark’n Boots deliver good traction without the surface scratches.

The Bark’n Boots require a little bit of break-in, just like a human’s new pair of shoes. Ruff Wear offers some easy tips on their website. I simply kept the boots in a warm part of the house (not stored in the garage in winter) and worked the soles with my hands back and forth for a few minutes before each wear. I did this for about two weeks. Suki, the primary boot tester, didn’t complain about initial stiffness (despite doing the “boot dance”), but I felt that a more pliable outsole must equate to a more comfortable foot strike. As for storage, the boots come with a nice little stuff sack that helps keep them all in one place.

Suki testing out the boots; note the snow on the outside of the boot that would otherwise be stuck to her fur

The Bark’n Boots are the do-all boot for your dog, with an emphasis on hiking and paw protection. We found, however, that the boots cross over well to winter pursuits, stayed put, and eliminated pesky snowballs. If you are questioning which kind of boot to purchase for your pooch, please read Ruff Wear’s article on “Selecting the Right Boot”.

The boots are available in 6 sizes, based on paw width (not length), and two colors: gray and red.

MSRP $64.95 for a set of four.

Suki gives the boots, "4 Paws up!"

The Solio Bolt is a simple device that seeks to do a simple job; provide a backup energy source for your electronics when you are away from an outlet. This wide bar-of-soap-sized plastic object combines a 2000 mAh lithium ion battery with a pair of small solar panels.  I tested the Solio Bolt primarily with an iPhone 4s to see how it would fair.

The Bolt’s internal battery can be charged up in one of two ways.  By plugging the included USB cord into a powered USB port, it takes about 4.5 hours to reach a full charge.  This method ensures you start out with a full battery when you leave outlets behind, and don’t want to rely on the sun to get you started.  The other method of charging the Solio Bolt is obviously the built in solar panels.  As with all solar charging methods, charging times are largely dependent upon the availability and location of the sun.  In optimum conditions (i.e. panels pointed directly at the sun with no clouds), the Solio Bolt will reach a full charge in 8-10 hours.  According to the Solio website, optimum charging times are between 10am and 2pm, so a full charge will take at least two days of sun exposure.  While this is a limitation, remember that you can still charge a device without fully charging the Bolt first.   I brought the battery outside and pointed towards a cloudy sky and sure enough, the little red LED lit up, indicating a solar charge coming in.  The design of the device is such that you flip it open to reveal the two solar panels and I found this to be a smart way to keep it compact when not charging.

To test the Solio Bolt’s ability to charge devices, I plugged a completely dead iPhone 4S into the battery and started a timer.  After 2 hours, the Bolt was out of juice and the phone was at about 90%.  This is a little out of line with what Solio claims, but an important note is that I used the phone multiple times while it was recharging.  I would expect the Bolt to meet the company’s claims of charging an iPhone 4S in 1.5 hours if I had not used it during this time.  Given the size of the Bolt, I am quite happy with its charging capabilities and capacity.

A few suggestions for improvement:   1)  I would like a method of connecting the charger to the outside of pack for collecting sun when hiking – perhaps a hole for a small carabiner or similar would work perfectly.  2) The rubber cover to the USB ports is frustratingly difficult to remove, and could be redesigned.  3) the fold-out hinge does not give a very durable first-impression (not sure if it actually is), and may ultimately require some reinforcement.  These small quibbles aside, I would recommend the Solio Bolt to anyone looking for a convenient and simple method of having some extra juice when away from power for extended periods of time.  At $70, the Bolt is a solid value when compared to some of the more expensive options available.

Zuke’s Z-Bones are natural dental chews that are packed with ingredients that are grain free, to help with digestion, and dairy free, another common allergen with pups. Z-Bones are available in three different flavors: Clean Apple Crisip, Clean Cherry Berry, and Clean Carrot Crunch. Each bone, regardless of flavor, contains specific ingredients to naturally improve your dogs breath. Aspen and Suki tested out the Clean Cherry Berry flavor, featuring Alfalfa concentrate which naturally freshens breath, thanks to a high concentration of chlorophyll.  Rosemary, clove, and parsley are added for the same reason.

Upon opening the carton, Suki knew that I had a GOOD treat for her, and immediately began trying to sit and shake and lay down. Suki and Aspen ate their Z-Bone in about 5 minutes, tops. Here is a funny photo series of them and their Z-Bones.

Aspen and his Z-Bone; Zuke's states that a slobbery Z-Bone plus light surface equals possible stain! Fortunately, he ate the bone so quickly that this was not an issue, but be warned.

Suki taking a brief time out from chomping her Clean Cherry Berry Z-Bone

Our dogs don’t really have terrible breath that needed addressing, so I am unable to comment on the effectiveness of this product on dogs with truly bad breath.  I smelled each of their mouths before and after, and didn’t notice much of a difference. Perhaps a bit cleaner.  With that said, the dogs thoroughly enjoyed these treats. The Z-Bones are available in sizes Mini, Regular, Large, and Giant.  Size recommendations are based on the weight of your dog.  Our two dogs, weighing 60 and 75 lbs, fit within the Large bone category. Zuke’s recommends a bone a day for ongoing teeth and breath hygiene.   However, a single bone is $3.99 for a size Large, while a carton of 6 runs $18.99. Perhaps we will use these bones as an occasional treat because two dogs equals double the price, which may get expensive on a monthly basis.

The size large Z-Bone is about the length of a ball point pen

Overall, I would recommend these healthy, wheat- and dairy-free bones to anyone looking for a healthy alternative treat. The dogs seemed to enjoy them thoroughly and didn’t experience any negative side-effects (e.g. upset stomach or gas) that sometimes occur with introduction of a new treat.  Look for Zuke’s Z-Bones individually wrapped or within a multi-pack carton: price range for a single bone runs from $1.29 to $ 6.69, for sizes Mini to Giant.

Mountainsmith Swift FX Camera Bag

As a person who likes to take photos with a digital SLR and a smaller point and shoot, having a camera bag that can carry both cameras without a lot of extra bulk is important.  There are certain situations where my smaller point and shoot camera will do the trick and I don’t need my larger SLR out.  In this scenario, I like to be able to have a secure place to stash my larger camera.  The Mountainsmith camera bag has a larger compartment to stash a camera and lens, and a smaller section to store other small items.

Mountainsmith Swift FX

On each side of the main compartment, there is a outer mesh pocket to store items you don’t want close to your more expensive gear. Here I like to place my water and other food items.  There is a separate outside pocket with a hard protective shell like outer.  This is a good place to store your smaller point and shoot.  In this compartment, there are two smaller zippered pockets that are color coded.  This is good for storing different memory cards and being able to remember what cards are which, or different batteries with different power levels.  The hip belt for the Mountainsmith Swift FX has one side pocket which is also big enough to store a smaller point and shoot, cell phone, or a set of keys.

For the eco conscious shopper, it is worth noting that the Mountainsmith Swift FX has a nice green story.  The fabric used in the Swift FX is made from 100% ReForgeT PET fabric and polyester features.

As for performance, I found the Mountainsmith Swift FX to fit snug along the small of my back.  And since it has adjustable straps, it can accomodate different size waists.

The Swift FX is new for 2012, and has an MSRP of $75.

For starters, I don’t believe many dogs actually like wearing a coat. Therefore, the process of getting a coat on your dog can be quite an issue. The Quinzee is probably the easiest jacket to get on that we have tested.

Side zip

Step 1: there is a handy side zip on the right-side that can be unzipped to help get the jacket over the top of your dogs head. For Aspen, I don’t even need to unzip the jacket!

Y-shaped fabric

Step 2: Trace the Y-shaped fabric along your dogs underbelly. This piece features reflective piping for increased visibility and houses a single stretchy strap with a buckle on each end. What I like, and I am sure Aspen does too, is that the strap doesn’t rub along his underbelly because the strap is piped into the fabric, and can slide within the compartment.

Sheltered side release buckles

Step 3: Buckle each side. The strap length can be changed easily to loosen or tighten the fit around your dog. Each buckle is “sheltered”, or hidden under a piece of overhanging fabric. This helps prevent catching on any objects and keeps the jacket more streamlined. Note the reflective Ruff Wear logo in the photo, the jacket also features reflective piping on the tail-side of the jacket as well.

Finished product: The entire jacket can be stuffed into a pocket on the underside of the jacket for easy traveling

The Quinzee jacket is composed of 50% recycled polyester insulation to help keep your dog warm on the coldest of days. The outer shell is composed of 40% recycled polyester. Ruff Wear notes that the outer shell is water and abrasion resistant. Resistant is the key word here. If you plan on letting your dog loose in the woods, the Quinzee might not be your best bet due to risk of snagging on branches and exposing the insulation. I found that after about an hour of walking out in a heavy snowstorm, the jacket was relatively saturated. To remedy this, I plan to use a wash-in water repellent (e.g. Nikwax).

As far as fit goes, Aspen is typically in-between sizes. The size large goes well over his tail, while the medium in some of Ruff Wear’s other offerings is a little tight. Aspen tested out the medium and I believe that it was the best size for him. In order to help you get a precise fit, I have included Ruff Wear’s size guide below. One thing many reviewers have noted in the past with dog jackets, is that sometimes fabric from the jacket covers the male parts.  For obvious reasons, this would be a design flaw.  As you can see, this is not an issue with the Quinzee Jacket.

Aspen and Suki (our female Airedale tester)  have also tested out Ruff Wear’s Cloud Chaser and Climate Changer models. These jackets have a slimmer fit, feature a full length zipper, and easily accommodate a pack over-top. The Quinzee is more like a casual jacket, if their is such a thing for a dog! I say this because it would be difficult to put a pack over this jacket for two major reasons: 1) the buckles are located in the identical position as our dog pack, making it rather bulking and a potential spot for friction 2) the jacket is made from a synthetic nylon that would cause the pack to slide around on your dogs back. The Quinzee, therefore, is a puffy for your dog to use in between activities or around town on cold days. Ruff Wear has an excellent table to help find the right coat for the right conditions and activities.

The Quinzee is made from eco-friendly materials, and is available in two colors (gray and red).  It retails for $85.

Girth = measurement around widest part of rib cage

Aspen modeling the Quinzee Jacket during a snowstorm

The Think Tank Airport Security V2.0 rolling camera bag is the answer to the professional/serious amateur’s gear carrying challenge.  Think Tank as a brand is considered among many pros as the ultimate in practical, well-made camera protection and transportation products. They consult professionals on every design, and put the feedback directly into their bags and accessories. The extremely well-thought-out features and usability are a testament to this process.  As the name would indicate, the V2.0 is the second iteration of the Airport Security bag.  The Think Tank Airport Security v2.0 is the largest rolling camera bag that will still fit in a US domestic flight overhead compartment, and it is amazing how much gear it can hold.  It is obvious they worked hard to use every last inch of space to provide practical storage. I’ve used the Airport Security rolling bag as my primary gear bag since receiving it, which is as good a review as I can give. I’ve taken it on multiple plane trips and numerous portrait and wedding sessions, and it has been an excellent companion.

External Features:  Two of the most important features of any rolling bag are the wheels and the handle.   Thankfully Think Tank held nothing back with these.  High quality roller blade wheels are smooth rolling and replaceable, and the handle is made of solid metal materials.  When not in use, the handle retracts and even has a zippered cover to make it completely snag-free. Think Tank also realized that people will not always be using the rolling handle, and equipped the Airport Security V2.0 with multiple carrying handles.  There are handles on every side of the bag, which comes in handy more than you would assume. They didn’t stop there with the carrying options: they even included ‘emergency’ backpack straps for times when you can’t roll and don’t want to hand-hold the bag.  These straps fold up and disappear out of sight behind a zippered flap on the back panel, and are deployed with two simple clip ins.  On the top of the bag is a clear window for sliding in business cards and also a small zippered pocket for small items like a wallet and passport. The top part of the front of the bag is home to an organizer pocket that is perfect for pens, keys, and small accessories. The rest of the front is covered with a large stretch pocket that is designed to hold a laptop in one of Think Tank’s laptop sleeves. I’ve found it to be a great place to slip my iPad and some magazines as well.  It can accommodate a 17 inch laptop in a slip case.  Finally, a hidden flap in the back of the bag stores a cable with a lock that is perfect for deterring opportunistic thieves at an event or other venue. At a wedding, I used this to attach the bag to the DJ table but it would come in handy in a lot of scenarios.  In addition to the cable lock, the Airport Security v2.0 has a TSA compatible zipper lock for the main compartment. It is a unique lock that is embedded in the bag and you snap the zipper-pulls into it so you don’t have to worry about toting a separate lock.  Think Tank did an awesome job utilizing the outside of the bag while still keeping it within airline regulations.

Internal Features:  While on the outside, the Airport Security v2.0 looks like a nondescript rolling suitcase, the inside is all camera bag. Again, Think Tank did an amazing job of using the space to its full potential. Along the entirety of the front flap are zippered, see-through compartments for accessories like cf cards, batteries, cables, etc.  I am able to store everything I need for a shoot in these compartments, and quickly locate them.  There is just the right balance of size and volume; this is another testament to the user input that goes into Think Tank’s designs.  Upon opening the camera compartment, I discovered a significant number of dividers included for compartment customization.  At first I was a little overwhelmed, but found some example configurations online, and was able to customize according to my exact needs. I like having my primary body stored with a lens on it for quick use, and luckily the Airport Security v2.0 has a great divider option that includes a lens pass-through for this purpose. As you can see below in my list of bag contents, I was able to configure the bag to store a huge amount of gear, and I could have stored even more had I needed to.  The dividers are fairly easy to arrange and additional dividers are available for purchase on the Think Tank website . There is even a low divider set option if you want to sacrifice come camera gear storage in order to place your laptop in the interior.

To bring the magnitude of storage space to life, here is a list of camera gear I was able to carry in Think Tank Airport Security V2.0 Rolling Bag:

• Nikon D700 body
• Nikon D300 body
• Nikon 70-200 2.8 lens
• Nikon 24-70 2.8 lens
• Nikon 60mm 2.8 micro lens
• Nikon 50mm 1.8 lens
• Nikon SB-900 flash
• Nikon SB-600 flash
• LED light panel
• Nikon SD-9 battery pack
• Lots of cables, chargers, accessories, batteries, et cetera

Features:

• Carry-on size meets US domestic airline restrictions
• Main compartment can be locked with an included TSA lock
• Security cable locks bag to immovable object
• Front stretch pocket holds slim laptop case or iPad, etc.
• “Emergency” shoulder straps tuck away and convert rolling bag into backpack for temporary carrying
• Seam-sealed rain cover included
• Doesn’t attract the attention of a camera bag

I recently purchased an iPad2 and with the cost of the item and the information it stores, I felt that it was very important to protect the product.  For starters, the OtterBox Defender for iPad2 has a hard plastic case that surrounds the back of the device.  To add a little extra protection and outdoor styling, there is a silicone layer that covers the hard plastic layering.  One of the things that I like about the silicone layer is that it gives you something to hold on to as it has a grippy feeling to it which helps prevent it from slipping out of your hands.  And while your hands cling to the silicone rubber, some testers found that dirt and dust also stuck to it.  For me personally, I did not find it to be a problem.

To protect the screen, the OtterBox Defender for iPad2 has a hard plastic case that snaps into place and protects the screen from getting cracked.  One of the nice things about this hard plastic protector is that it doubles as a stand for the iPad2.  There are two ways in which the iPad2 can be placed; one that lays at about a 25 degree angle and one that is about a 70 degree angle.  The 25 degree angle is good for working and the 70 degree angle is good for viewing.

Since the iPad2 has a few areas that should not be blocked, the Defender by OtterBox has strategically placed openings/holes that allow for you to plug in your headphone jacks and power supply cords.  These openings tend to stick out a little bit when not open, but I didn’t find it to be a problem.  The one downside to the Defender series by Otterbox for iPad2 is that it is somewhat bulky.  Since one of the appeals to the iPad2 is the slim design, it would have been nice to see a case that did not add the bulk. Without the bulk though, I am not sure whether you would get the same protection.  So this is something you have to keep in mind; whether you value the slim size more or protecting your iPad2 from damage. My personal thought on the Defender Series for iPad2 by OtterBox is that it provides great protection and has good styling.