It’s been 11 years since I bought the Think Tank Airport Security V2 stroller as my main luggage for my wedding. It serves its purpose, and I’m still happy with the bag. In this article, I want to rate the bag based on my findings from the time I first bought the Think Tank stroller in 2011.
Like many photographers, I have a backpack to transport my photography gear. A good backpack allows you to carry a lot of stuff with you with relative comfort. It also protects your device, which is equally important.
While backpacks are great, I don’t find these bags very practical at weddings. Theoretically, one could use such a day, but taking off your backpack to get another lens or spotlight would take too long. You have to take it off your back, put it in a safe place, open your backpack, change your lenses, close your backpack, and put it back on.
If you are only in one location, you can leave it lying on the ground in a safe place. But for that, you can use any photo bag, and that’s why I prefer a shoulder bag for weddings. Just put the shoulder bag down and pick it up easily. I chose one LowePro Stealth Reporter D550 because it has a zipper that allows access without having to open it completely.
Pelican or Think Tank
I have used LowePro Stealth Reporter with great satisfaction for many years. However, there is a downside. It became heavy on the shoulders during the 14 hours of the wedding day. So I decided to look for an alternative. Wouldn’t it be great if the bag had wheels? The obvious solution is a trolley.
There are two options for me: a The Pelican Affairor one Think Tank Trolley. It was a difficult decision because both are great. But I prefer Think Tank for some reason. First, the wheels are quieter and smoother, the handle is retractable for my liking, it offers tripod mounting, and it has a steel cable attached to the chassis with a TSA lock. . Best of all, I already own a Think Tank Streetwalker backpack and I love the look. So I went with the Think Tank Airport Security V2 trolley.
What I have
Think Tank Airport Security V2 is one of the larger trolleys available. With that said, the steel cables attached to the chassis were a big selling point, as I had to leave my bags alone at wedding venues. This way, not only can I lock the bag myself, but I can also attach it to heating pipes, electric poles, and other permanent things. That will reduce the risk of theft.
The bag has a lot of space, enough for my gear, room to grow. A large neoprene pocket at the front provides space for a reflector and it allows me to hide a bunch of light dimmers. It can also accommodate a laptop, if you prefer. There is even a second steel cable with a lock available for that purpose.
There are pockets on the front, on one side and on the inside. And there’s a system for attaching a tripod to the bag, which is a great perk. But what surprised me a lot was the ability to turn the Airport Security V2 into a backpack. There is a hidden shoulder strap in the back pocket, in case you have to transport the stroller through terrain without wheels.
I have used these shoulder straps a few times. And I have to say, although the bag can be quite heavy at full load, it works well, but only for emergencies, in case the wheels don’t work. I’ve run into such a situation at a few weddings and once during a themed photo session in a forest. But I wanted to use the bag the way it was meant to be used: as a stroller.
What Did I Bring Inside?
The photography gear I own has changed in the 11 years since I bought the bag. What I carry inside the stroller has also changed. At first, I put every single item I had in my pocket, which was a lot: two cameras, eight lenses, a strobe light, and a battery pack. Usually, I bring only the essentials to the wedding, leaving things at home that I don’t expect to use.
From the moment I use the Profoto flash, Think Tank Airport Security V2 has become dedicated to these flashes and modifiers. I can also keep a camera and a few lenses in the bag, but I prefer a shoulder bag as an additional bag. I bought a Think Tank Urban Disguise for that, which I can slide over the handle. This way I can have an extra lens and light in my shoulder bag and a Profoto flash in the stroller. Stroller tripods are used for some light stands.
It works like a charm. I had all the equipment I needed for a full day of wedding photography. The Profoto flash worked well when I had little ambient light to work with as well as occasional evening photography with the wedding couple.
My 11 years of experience with strollers
The Think Tank Airport Security V2 never let me down during those 11 years of extensive use. It surprised me when I realized how long I’ve been using it. The bag is in perfect condition and the outer material remains free of wear or tear, with the exception of the bottom bumper, which has been significantly scratched, but that’s what this plate is for. It protects the bag every time I have to pull it up onto the sidewalk, the threshold, or the door step.
I replaced the wheels because one wheel was damaged. This is my fault. But I ordered a new set of wheels from Think Tank and replaced the broken one without any problems. It still runs as quietly as before. The only time the wheel wouldn’t work was in loose soil, a gravel beach or something like that. Plus, there’s always a shoulder strap available, tucked away in the back compartment. If you don’t want to use a shoulder strap, the bag has well-padded handles on all four sides.
The only outfit that can be found is with a synthetic plastic bag on the front. I always pack this compartment to the max with my flash and other dimmers. It has lost some of its stretch, although it can still hold all the stuff I put inside with no problem. In addition, the transparent bags on the inside have become a bit pale and dull. But that’s natural for such materials, I think.
What I like about Think Tank Airport Security V2
I like almost everything about this stroller. But if I had to name a few things that make the stroller stand out, it’s definitely the wheels and steel cables attached to the chassis. But there’s more than that. You can use it as an emergency backpack, it holds a ton of stuff, and the material of the bag still looks like new after 11 years.
What I don’t like about Think Tank Airport Security V2
However, not all is perfect with Think Tank Airport Security V2. There are just a few things I don’t like about this particular stroller. One of those things is reducing the stretch of the neoprene pocket on the front. But then again, this is probably casual wear.
The front zippered pocket is a bit narrow and tight. The business card pocket has no Velcro to keep it closed. But what I don’t like the most is the position of the side pockets. When attaching a tripod or lamp holder, this bag cannot be used, which is a pity.
Believe it or not, these are the only downsides I’ve noticed after 11 years of use. For me, this stroller is almost perfect. With that said, it has never let me down.
The best photography bag I’ve bought
I know it’s a bold thing to say, but for me it’s the best photography bag I’ve bought. Of course, it’s only for a specific purpose. You won’t want to take it with you when hiking. But for weddings and corporate missions, it is a reliable companion and it has allowed me to safely and comfortably carry my photography gear.
I finally decided to buy a second stroller, Think Tank Airport Navigator, it replaced my shoulder bag at the wedding. The great thing about this stroller is the ability to use it as a shoulder bag and it can be connected to Airport Security V2 no problem. The Airport Navigator is a completely different kind of stroller and it’s a great addition.
The Think Tank Airport Security V2 there was an update a while ago. The V3 version has several upgrades that could make it an even better stroller. Steel locking cable is more accessible and a lockable front pocket holds 17-inch laptops and tablets. I believe there are some other changes as well. I’d love to upgrade my bag to the V3 version, but I don’t see any reason to change my current bag because it’s still perfect for me. I hope it lasts another 11 years.
If you’re looking for a camera bag capable of holding multiple gear, the Think Tank Airport Security will do the job for years to come.
