This is actually my second purchase of the same camera bag; I loved the first one so much I had to buy one for my husband. This bag carried my Sony SLT-A55V through long trips in New Zealand, Nepal, Africa, China, Dubai, and countless trips here at home in the US. During all of my foreign travels I essentially carry it everywhere, and its function has been everything I could want, especially on long day trips or hiking. All of the pockets contain additional "inset pockets" of varying sizes, which makes them very versatile. The two side pockets and their additional "inset" pockets are PERFECT for carrying a small sunblock, insect repellant, lip balm, a tissue packet, and other small miscellaneous objects useful when traveling, such as a small room key or hotel business card. The larger pocket on the front is the right size to hold something oversized, such as a room key attached to a large wooden block. Personally, however, I like to use the front pocket to hold my camera battery charger, 3 spare camera batteries (in the inset "net" pocket) and 2 extra SDHC Cards (in the two small interior pockets seemingly designed for this purpose; the pockets are perfectly sized for a good "tight" fit for SDHC cards). Thus, I avoid opening the front pocket unless I'm changing batteries or SDHC cards. Instead, I find that the main interior of the bag is just roomy enough for such a purpose, and also safe; the pocket is deep enough that a large key is under no danger of falling out, even when I take out my camera. Using the Sony A55 camera with the moderately sized Sony 18-250 mm lens, I also have enough room in the main pocket to store a small water or juice can for a long day of hiking or exploring a remote town. This is VERY handy on long uphill hiking treks; in Nepal for example I was able to access juice cans easily from my camera bag, and replace them in villages along the way, all without ever removing my backpack. This extra space is also handy to store a small purchase, such as aspirin or a small carved object, without having to carry it around in a separate bag.
Clearly, versatile features are one reason I find this bag essential for travel--but, back to its use for my actual camera. With the padding inside the bag, I always feel that my camera is extremely well protected, even when the bag gets bumped around a little. There is also a velcro-closed inside pocket in the main compartment of the bag, which I use to hold polarizing /filtering lenses. This would also be a fine location to store camera batteries. The bag is extremely durable and comfortable, even when worn almost continuously in various travel conditions. The dimensions of the bag are just right; structured well and large enough to feel stable when I set it on any surface, yet small and light enough to feel so natural when worn. The only feature I find less than desirable is the attached lens cleaning cloth. The cloth is literally sewn in one side at the top of the interior pocket, which makes it difficult to maneuver sometimes to clean the lens, and also limits the methods of cloth cleaning. I could cut the cloth off, but then it could be more easily lost. Personally I'd prefer if the cloth was affixed with something like a few small snaps, to be detachable. Still, this is a very minor flaw. Overall, this is a highly functional and versatile camera bag that I consider as important for traveling as any suitcase or backpack.
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