I got the CityWalker 20 for a forthcoming trip to Japan and Tanzania, distributing my camera gear between the two (electronics are mostly in the backpack). The CityWalker is carrying my Nikon D7000 + 80-400 mm lens, tablet, spare batteries and memory cards (in a Hakuba case) and personal stuff. On either side of it, there are compartments that can fit a camera body, flash, compact camera, lenses or personal belongings.
There are also other compartments: two interior, unpadded lateral ones with velcro tab closures; a front one, expandable, right inside the flap, also with a velcro tab closure and dividers for business cards, pens and other small items; a zippered big one behind the camera insert; another zippered compartment on the outside of the flap; a dedicated tablet slot; and a slip-in compartment (for maps and whatsuch) on the back of the bag. There is also space on either side of the camera insert, which can be juggled with the lateral compartments in case a taller item needs to be fitted inside the bag.
The bag is very well made and incredibly light when empty. I like it that the camera insert can be removed, turning the CityWalker into something that can double as a [large] handbag. The carrying strap is very comfortable, allowing for precise height adjustment. And the bag comes with a rain cover.
However, there are some -in my view -flaws:
1. Although the D7000 + 80-400 fits nicely in the insert, it is taller than the insert. However, there is no padding on the flap, leaving the camera back a little too unprotected for my liking. If I don't bang the bag around and don't drop it, it should be okay. In a photo in the Thinktankphoto website the 70-200 lens is taller than the insert, so I'm pretty sure the manufacturer thought of this possibility beforehand (I could have gone for a CityWalker 30, but it is HUGE -and I am not).
2. My Samsung Note 10.1 will NOT fit in it with the sleeve -the slot is just a tiny bit too narrow. The solution, obviously, was to remove the sleeve... which isn't the ideal solution if you want to prop the tablet up, etc. I resolved this by sticking the sleeve in the big compartment in the back of the bag (I wouldn't want to carry the tablet there, because it'll bang against my hip).
3. I don't like the closure of the front expandable compartment. I can see things falling from it, especially because if you put too much stuff in it and use the velcro silencers, the only closure in use will be central clip.
Overall, I like the CityWalker 20 and think it will work well for my needs.
January 9, 2013, update. After traveling with the CityWalker for over a month, I have a few more comments.
This bag went with me on planes, in the field, in towns -meaning that it was tested beyond its "urban" (that's where it got its name from, not?) conception. And then it didn't do so well.
Its greatest pitfall is that it is too easy to get this bag REALLY full. And this is NOT a good thing, for two reasons:
1. The front flap is a hazard. When the bag is full and the flap is closed, it will leave gaps on either side of the bag, ie the flap doesn't cover the bag's sides. Two things can happen: this makes it easy for someone to stick their hand into the bag (something that could happen in an urban environment, crowds, etc.) or; small items can fall out. Exactly what happened to me when the bag tipped over in the backseat of a car and three batteries fell out. I only found out hours later, when looking for the batteries to charge them. Luckily, the car belonged to my bird guide, who next morning found the batteries amongst his stuff on the seat. This event made me change the way I packed the CityWalker, arranging smaller items in the bottom and always covering them with something (like a bag full of cables).
2. When the bag is full and it rains, the rain cover will not cover it completely! This happened to me as well, and it was very annoying. You sit there and stretch and pull and rearrange and it simply isn't large enough. Add that to the clips from hell (plastic thingies that are supposed to hook to the bag's straps to keep the rain cover in place, but won't because they are so stiff there is no way a normal human being can get them to open. I nearly had finger cramps and those things never budged), and the rain experience with the CityWalker is anything but positive.
So I'm thinking that the next time I go on a crazy trip the CityWalker won't be my choice. For a dry day out in town photographing, it will work fine.
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As does 10.
In this case I bought the City Walker 30 first and my review on that bag has been completed and readable elsewhere on this site.
Yes I am a Think Tank photo bag fan.
Both bags purchased for low light, fast glass lenses but will fit everything from soup to nuts and perhaps a small body too. I really felt that the City Walker 10 would not do a proper job for me.
The Think Tank City Walker 20 holds everything from my Canon 5d Mark III, 24-105mm f4, 15mm fisheye, 70-200 f2.8, the new Canon 600 Speedlite, filters, batteries, wipes (both antibacterial and lens), pens, rocket blower, lens brush, Zoom recorder for notes and an assortment of other necessary photo excess. This and a light weight carbon fiber tripod and head and I'm set for most usual circumstances.
What else can a photo nut or pro ask for?
This bag can be configured can carry a 24-70 f2.8 attached to body rather than the 24-105 f4 and the above items. I finally got a nearly ideal bag for everyday toting about, snap and shoot. Gear easy in, easy out and rainfly for moisture or windblown dirt and really secure from prying hands and nosy eyes of casual on lookers.
Best Deals for Think Tank Photo CityWalker 20 Messenger Bag (Black)
I bought this bag as a travel bag that can fit my 13" MacBook Pro, a medium sized micro 4/3 camera kit and other misc. small items for trips. This bag exceeds my expectations. The material is lightweight, but it feels very sturdy and is backed by ThinkTanks warranty. The front flap is one of the best I've seen in that it's pliable enough to be able to open it and get to your gear while wearing the bag without much hassle. My old bag, a Timbuk2 Snoop, was not good for this.
Even though it's not listed for it, this bag fits a 13" MacBook Pro (non-retina) perfectly in the main compartment. It won't fit in the iPad slot, but it slides right in between the iPad slot and the camera insert like a glove. I prefer this position for the laptop because when I'm wearing the bag, the laptop isn't banging against my back and the bag can shape more to my body since the laptop is in the front.
I fit a micro 4/3 camera, 4 lenses, flash and accessories no problem. In the inner side pockets, my compact Ultra-Pod 2 fits in nicely. The external side pockets are big enough for a 20oz. size bottle of water. The organization in the front pocket is a nice feature too. Overall, this bag is exactly what I was looking for.
Honest reviews on Think Tank Photo CityWalker 20 Messenger Bag (Black)
Great bag, nice design and doesn't slip off your shoulder. I have my canon 6d with extra battery grip, 85mm lens, 24-105, 70-300 and flash all in this bag. I like the fact that it has an extra hand strap attached so you can pick it like a bag and don't have to use the shoulder strap.
