Traveling with a bunch of expensive camera gear, lenses, laptops, and tablets can be a pain in the backside. Especially when we want to make sure it all gets to our destination intact. One way to make sure it doesn’t fall foul of careless baggage handlers is to keep it with us as hand luggage. This means we need a camera bag that matches airline carry-on rules while being portably robust with it. Think Tank has a long history of solid transport options, with its third generation Airport International V3.0 the latest camera bag/rolling case to have landed on my test slab for evaluation, even though it originally first surfaced in 2016 and has been steadily selling since.
Designed for making the lives of us jet-set photographers and videographers just that little bit easier, there are, in addition to adjustable spaces for our image-making kit, pockets for laptops, tablets, and sundry accessories, a side strap to tether a tripod or lighting stand, high-quality YKK zips, plus even the carbon steel bearing wheels at the base are replaceable if needed. The impression given is that this is something of a Rolls Royce of rolling bags/cases. But can this behemoth of portable storage, say to meet ‘most’ airline carry-on requirements, do more miles to the gallon than lower-priced, more budget-conscious alternatives?
Think Tank Airport International V3.0: Specifications
Think Tank Airport International V3.0: Price
At $399.75 / £459.99, the manufacturer’s suggested asking price for the Think Tank Airport International V3.0 doesn’t quite make it a budget option; it’s more the equivalent of a luxury spa break with all the trimmings. But even though this particular model has been around since 2016, the premium being paid here does at least guarantee a premium feel. For those who can stump up the cash, my assessment is that this iteration feels sturdier and more robust than most consumer-level airline-friendly carry-on roller bags. If it’s peace of mind you’re after, you should find it here.
Think Tank Airport International V3.0: Design & Handling
Heavier than it looks at 5Kg in weight, or 4.4Kg if most of the internal architecture is removed to only leave minimal dividers, it’s fair to say that the Think Tank Airport International 3.0 feels substantial to lift even without any gear packed. In terms of what can fit into the available space, its manufacturer insists there’s room for up to a whopping 500mm f/4 lens and three or five smaller lenses plus two DSLR or mirrorless camera bodies, potentially with grips attached. Given what it can accommodate, that’s quite a weight to, at some stage, have to be lifting overhead and sliding into an airplane cabin compartment.
The external dimensions of the Think Tank Airport International 3.0 are similarly maxed out yet manageable at 35.6x53.3x20.3cm. We say ‘manageable’, here meaning that we can capably steer the roller around without it crashing into our shins. It also boasts nicely roomy maximum internal dimensions to squeeze gear into, measuring 33x47x19.1cm, which feels ample yet practical.
The sense here is that Think Tank has thought about the space available within current airline restrictions, pushed against these boundaries, and made the most of it. As well as adjustable / re-configurable dividers to keep cameras and lenses snugly in place, there are also compartments for a 10-inch tablet and up to a 15-inch laptop, both of which can be packed tightly into a zippered outer pocket. Hard plastic outer pads to the base of the bag that are screwed into position also prevent possible rips of the outer water-repellent coated fabric if using the case on rough or uneven ground. However such chunky, scuff-avoiding features do inevitably add to the overall weight. Helping to minimize that, while simultaneously providing strength, the extendable handle for wheeling it confidently through airport arrivals is constructed from aluminum tubing. I’m impressed with the build quality and handling here, with the only real concern on a practical level being the weight of this beast.
Think Tank Airport International V3.0: Performance
Even if it’s us who will be handling the Think Tank International V3.0 in the main, it’s still going to be subject to regular knocks in transit. Or shoved into a tight space in an overhead locker or taxi. And if we’re transporting expensive photo gear inside, then robustness is as essential as convenience, practicality, and price.
As well as reinforced sides to prevent our precious contents from being accidentally damaged in transit, there are security measures too, such as a metal ID plate on the back with a unique code that can be registered directly with Think Tank, plus a combination zipper lock to the side to deter prying fingers at the airport. A business card can be slipped into a clear plastic wallet on the top to further identify it as ours in a sea of similar-looking black rollers at the airport.
Further damage prevention measures include a rain cover bundled in one of the divider compartments inside. The dividers themselves are soft but firm, keeping kit in place and preventing scratches from one bit of gear potentially rubbing up against another. As mentioned, the interior itself is almost infinitely customizable, thanks to Velcro-like strips on the edges of each divider pad, allowing us to either open up more internal space or alternatively create an intricate lattice-work of lens-sized compartments to prevent anything from moving around when we’re wheeling the case to and fro. This all felt sensible and practical to me.
As ever in life, ultimately it’s all about compromise and reinforced sides, lots of compartments and extras and handles mean a heavier and more expensive bag/case overall. But maybe we can live with that in exchange for our equipment making it out and back again in one piece.
Think Tank Airport International V3.0: Verdict
This is a high-quality rolling case/ wheelie bag for those who have enthusiast or pro-level camera gear yet still want to be able to securely squeeze it all – along with, perhaps, a change of clothes and a washbag – into something that will fit within airline restrictions for carry-on luggage. Despite it being weighty, even when empty, the Think Tank Airport International V3.0’s reinforced sides reassure that our gear isn’t going to get trashed in transit, while handles on all four sides provide options for carriage beyond the basics of pulling it along via the extendable /retractable main handle. While I’d recommend this one, it would be wise to try it out yourself for weight and size before confirming a purchase.
Alternatives
If you’re after a slightly lighter and more budget friendly alternative to this Think Tank behemoth, then the Vanguard Alta Fly 55T at 3.9Kg is worth checking out thanks to its voluminous 22 litre capacity. Lighter weight at 3.3Kg still is the Manfrotto Manhattan Runner 50, even if it has a slightly lower internal capacity and added appeal with this one in particular is that it can be transformed into a backpack. Slightly closer still to our Think Tank example here is the Tenba Roadie Air Case Roller 21 which offers shedloads of protection and the capacity for two DSLRs and a whopping eight to ten lenses at up to a 400mm f/2.8 in size. This option is also near to the Airport International V3.0 in terms of weight, at a similarly chunky and robust 4.7Kg. More options besides can be found in our online buyers’ guide elsewhere on this site.
