My Timbuk2 D-Lux bag (with my “I heart PDX” pin on the front)

As an international teacher you need to move every few years or so (or you do if you have a case of wanderlust like I do!). Sometimes you live in a country like Venezuela where stuff wont make it through customs if you try mailing it, or it might take six months to arrive. So you need to be very choosy about what you carry onto the plane, what goes into the checked luggage, and what you are willing to risk shipping!

One thing that I ALWAYS want to carry with me onto the plane is my DSLR camera and other expensive tech stuff.

I’ve mentioned before that I use a messenger bag to carry my tech stuff from Oregon to Venezuela and it is no easy feat!  I chose the messenger so that I can still have my big backpack on as my carry-on luggage and the messenger as my “personal item”.

Also, when I’m walking around town, I prefer the messenger style so my fancy camera isn’t out of my sight and is more difficult to snatch off my shoulder.

In August I managed to fit all of the following tech in my Timbuk2 D-Lux messenger bag:

13in MacBook Pro

Canon T4i

1 pancake lens

spare lens

iPad

Pocket projector

iPhone

Mini Jambox Speakers

I use this camera bag insert so I can use the messenger as my schoolbag when I’m not toting my camera. I almost bought the Timbuk2 version but was trying to save money.  When I was in Los Roques I just carried the insert on it’s own!

Besides the tech, I generally stuff some Venezuelan Bs, my wallet, pens, passport, travel docs, a small bag of almonds, a flexible water bottle, and other purse stuff in this bag so it really is a work horse!

While my bag is not exactly a comfortable weight once it has all the tech goodies in it, everything fits very nicely.  It also easily fits under the seat in front of me while flying.

If you are looking for a bag that can go from work to your next adventure, I would check out the Timbuk2 D-Lux!

Please comment! Do you have a DSLR? What bag do you use for it when you are traveling? Do you normally bring your DSLR on vacation with you or just rely on your camera phone?