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Manhattan Portage Focus Backpack
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Manhattan Portage Focus Backpack
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Product Description
Built to meet the needs of urban bikers and photographers, the Focus backpack is slim, streamlined, and ready for all of your tech gear. It features a removable camera insert (for the left or right side), a removable laptop sleeve, and webbing throughout for attaching extra items Read More
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Calaverasgrande
1486
Jan 21, 2019
Bought this bag a few months back. It's a pretty good all arounder with some nice touches for photography use. I wasnt prepared for how flexible and useful it is. I was going to make it a dedicated camera bag. But it squishes down very small with the cinch straps, so it can make a suitable commuter bag. It also can get big enough to be a laundry bag. I do that every week when I ride to the laundromat on my bike.
The main flaw of the bag is the magnetic roll top buckle. It just does not hold if you have even the slightest torsion or pressure from contents. I'm going to stop by Manhattan Portage to see if they will replace with a more secure buckle.
It is comfortable loaded up. I packed it full of every damn thing for Xmass. couple days clothes, laptop, camera and lenses. cables galore. And a few presents. It was 30-40 pounds and worked out fine. The sternum strap rides high, but I am barrel chested.
I'd buy it again if I lost it.
Calaverasgrande
1486
Apr 23, 2019
I stopped by one of their shops in NYC to see what they would say about the buckle.
The guy at the store was helpful, and agreed it was lame. He showed how to make it less prone to popping off. You basically have to press the little tabs holding the magnets inward. And only slide the buckles horizontally apart.
He also showed me a revision of the focus which is a collaboration with some other brand.
It's bigger and has a better buckle!
I still think the buckle should not only be replaced with a positive locking one, but also be moved down about 6 inches.
yokken
117
Apr 23, 2019
CalaverasgrandeRight, you gotta slide the buckle, that's what's dumb about it. If you press it together sure it'll stay in there, but when you let go it's back to being weak sauce. Magnets are cool but not when they're the only thing keeping my bag full of valuable stuff sealed from the elements (and possibly theft).
Calaverasgrande
1486
Jan 21, 2019
doobie83actually it's completely different. But I am guessing you are just doing drive by snarkk, not actually comparing products.
doobie83
46
Jan 22, 2019
Calaverasgrandequick access to camera cube, check.
side pocket for tripod, check.
even the front zipper is on the same side with the roll top design.
sure there a bunch of differences like a non dedicated laptop compartment, no rain cover, no way to lock in the camera cube, no removable waist straps,
all they did was make a simplified version of it with the same base design. So what am I missing here?
A community member
Jan 21, 2019
Do I need a 4th backpack?
lukinid
301
Jan 21, 2019
Last time I joined a Manhattan Portage drop, it was canceled without any explanation. And yes, the number of purchaser needed was met. So I would be very sceptical about this one.
Calaverasgrande
1486
Aug 21, 2018
Only 7 people? I guess Manhattan Portage isn't a well known brand outside of NY.
I was hoping this would do well, and there would be further great deals on gear from them. Holidays coming up and all.
Lefibonacci
629
Aug 24, 2018
CalaverasgrandeStill very disappointed that my Manhattan Portage messenger bag - purchased at UO in Urban Outfitters in 2011 - was stolen from me quite some time ago. This happened well before I ever was on MD or realized the cult-like following that the brand has. I have looked many places online for it, but as I don't know the exact model I have found no success.
Djghost1133
22
Aug 20, 2018
Gotta say for this price, I'd rather go for a lowepro 450 aw on sale. I got one for around 200 a while back and it blows this bag way out of the water.
Lefibonacci
629
Aug 25, 2018
I see that the user above me already did an adequate job describing why maybe this is a better option for someone than the lowpro450 (: still cool that you attempted a suggestion though. Just two very different bags.
Djghost1133
22
Aug 25, 2018
LefibonacciIts understandable. My suggestion was geared towards people who want a bag strickly for photography gear. For general use the manhattan portage should do fine.
Saucy_Puppet_Show
62
Aug 17, 2018
Those side pockets... are they separate from the main compartment? Or can you reach through those pockets into the main compartment?
Calaverasgrande
1486
Aug 18, 2018
Saucy_Puppet_Showjudging from the pics of the interior I think they do not access main compartment, but are just on the outside.
Calaverasgrande
1486
Jan 21, 2019
CalaverasgrandeI've owned this bag for a few months. The side pockets are just doors to the main compartment. You can position the padded camera compartment to face left or right. Then also pack stuff in around it and reach in from one side for a lens or camera. And the other side for that choice squished banana.
Calaverasgrande
1486
Aug 17, 2018
Went and looked up this model on Manhattan Portage's site.
https://www.manhattanportage.com/catalog/product/view/id/2728/s/blacklabel-focus-backpack-bag-905/category/16/
It's almost $100 more over there. So this is a decent discount. I just wish they had it in red as well!
I'm in at $175 for olive, if we get there!
Calaverasgrande
1486
Aug 16, 2018
kukkurovacayou mean this one that is out of production and pending a re-design?
https://ilequipment.com/collections/photo/products/photo-bag-mkiii
None of their other roll tops look anything like this.
kukkurovaca
323
Aug 16, 2018
CalaverasgrandeIt also looks quite a bit like the unfortunately named ASNMNT to my eye. ::shrug:: Whatever. Current-production Manhattan Portage brands are kind of blah, but it's certainly a functional design, although I wonder if it will carry weight well.
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