Vanguard Up-Rise 38 review

Messenger bag with laptop compartment, two-year warranty
The market for gadget bags has never been so crowded, with bags of all shapes, sizes and price tags available to consumers. So, when the Up-Rise 38 landed on my desk, I immediately thought to myself: can this newcomer compete with the more established brands like Lowepro, Kata and Tamrac?

I started by looking at the features this messenger bag offers. First of all, the bag can be used in its normal form (38x28x10.5cm), or it can be unzipped and expanded to give the photographer more room for equipment. Once at full size, I was able to squeeze in a DSLR with some medium-sized glass (my 28-135mm lens was attached), plus three or four extra lenses or flashguns and a 17in laptop. The lightweight bag (1,620g) comes in just one colour, black, and is made from a durable 600D polyester ripstop material, which is shower-proof, but won't survive a dunking. The shoulder strap is well padded and comfy enough for a long day of walking. If you’re flying with the bag you’ll be pleased to hear conforms to carry-on requirements and also has a netted sheath so it can slide onto some trolley wheels. 
If you’re shooting around the UK, you’ll most likely benefit from the additional raincover that will keep your expensive gear dry.

Additional storage is provided by one pocket on the rear, three pockets at the front (plus two pouches to hold CF cards) and an extra zip-pocket on the bag's main flap. The main flap can be secured by Velcro tabs (for fast entry) and/or a solid plastic buckle for a more secure hold. For an additional speedy entry, there is a zip on the top of the bag that allows quick access to your cameras. All in all, this is quality bag with a good range of features. 

Verdict:
With good capacity and decent features on offer, the Up-Rise 38 represents good value for money, especially for photographers who need to carry a laptop.

Like: The fast-access zip proves really useful to get to gear quickly.
Dislike: The bright orange insert may not be to everybody’s taste.
Rating: 4/5

www.vanguardgb.com