Review Review: FStop Mala Shoulder Bag

neil_g

neil_g

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After the FStop Loka got me hooked I decided it was time for a smaller bag for when I didn't need to take everything out with me.

I bring you, the Mala.

http://fstopgear.com/en/product/mountain/mala

(I'll also apologise for the bad quality photos at this point)

From the front..
You can see the shoulder strap with the pad that can be moved up and down, strap is fully adjustable. You can also see the large front pocket.

P1020599 by neilgates, on Flickr

From the rear..
You have the waist belt, the bag can be used as a "fanny pack" also if you feel that way inclinded. You can also see the fully taped (waterproof) zips for the top and main compartments. Note they open from the rear so that when you open the flap it does not obstruct access into the bag.

P1020601 by neilgates, on Flickr

Top pocket..
See through and waterproof. It also has a plastic quick release clip for hooking things onto.

P1020602 by neilgates, on Flickr

P1020603 by neilgates, on Flickr

Inside..
You have 2 internal zip compartments in the lid and 4 velco removable/reconfigurable dividers each section is pretty big.

P1020604 by neilgates, on Flickr

Outside..
The front external compartment runs the full depth of the bag and has a pocket and some pen holders.

P1020605 by neilgates, on Flickr

Next, loading up..
 
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Okay, the bit I hate.. trying to get all of the dividers in the right places. In the end I settled for the following layout. No doubt I'll change it around but I ended up taking out one of divider sections and adding in 2 spare smaller dividers I had from my Loka just to maximise storage.

Inside..
Internal zip compartments - TTL cord and eBay wireless triggers.
Main compartment (left to right) - Sigma 70-200mm, StormJacket, Canon 1Dmk3 with Sigma 50mm attached, cable shutter release (just out of shot), Canon 580mk2, Yongnuo YN560 (both flashes have Stofen style diffusers attached).

P1020606 by neilgates, on Flickr

I used the spare Loka dividers to let me have a smaller right hand side section, also to tuck away the cable release.

P1020607 by neilgates, on Flickr

Top compartment..
Microfibre cloth and ThinkTank CF and business card holder (would probably throw the mobile in there too)

P1020608 by neilgates, on Flickr

Front section..
Selection of filters (CP, Cokin P and holder), 8 spare Eneloops in holders, lens pen. Could easily fit more in..

P1020609 by neilgates, on Flickr

With the rest of the family..

P1020612 by neilgates, on Flickr

About now you're probably thinking "I thought he said for when he didn't need to take everything.." :lol: I thought I'd initially set it up for a full load and then I can pick and choose.

But yeah, initial thoughts are it's a typical FStop bag in that it feels bomb proof and could survive a monsoon. I'm taking it out this weekend so I'll report back.
 
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I didn't realise it came with a shoulder strap!
 
I thought it was more aimed as a really big waist bag, it seems bigger than I expected too, almost the same size as the bard.
 
Craikeybaby said:
I thought it was more aimed as a really big waist bag, it seems bigger than I expected too, almost the same size as the bard.
Click to expand...

It's pretty deep, I mean the 70-200 has about an inch clearance above it and likewise the extended flashes with diffusers attached have clearance above them.

I'll try and do some better quality photos, maybe tonight depends how many photos I've got to sift through from the comp I'm at.
 
do you think it would take a 7d gripped with a 70-200mk2 attached?
 
possibly at a squeeze if you had nothing in the internal top zip compartments and not much in the outer top compartment?

i was going to have the 1d with 70-200 mounted but it would have been uncomfortably tight.
 
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