3 days ago
This crossbody is actually a sophisticated DSLR camera bag in disguise — it was the only purse I used for a 12-day trip to France
Years ago, I invested in a DSLR camera. While iPhone photos suffice most of the time, they aren't always able to capture the truest representations of an experience the way a dedicated camera can. What I didn't anticipate was how clunky owning a "real" camera really is, or how unattractive most of the necessary accessories are.
If I wanted to bring my camera anywhere — either to a local NYC exhibit or on a tiring, sweaty day of tourism abroad — I had to pick between three equally unappealing options: commit to buying and carrying a heavy briefcase-like camera bag, throw it haphazardly into a backpack with the rest of my loose possessions, or wear the DSLR around my neck like an expensive rock necktie.
But before one trip abroad, I stumbled across a camera bag that solved virtually all of my usability problems: the Lo & Sons Claremont. It's the unlikely Goldilocks design for anyone who wants the usability of a functional nylon camera bag, but can't quite compromise on either the weight of such a bag or utilitarian, proud-dad-at-middle-school-dance look.
Design
The Claremont hails from the buzzy bag startup Lo & Sons — a brand that we've reviewed extensively in our guide to the best Lo & Sons bags — and is sculpted out of soft full-grain leather. Up close, it looks indistinguishable from any other high-end purse (it won't scream "steal me, there's a camera inside"), but was designed specifically to schlep a DSLR. Inside, the bag has a plush quilted lining, pockets for two extra memory cards, and a removable divider to separate the camera from an extra lens. It comes in four versatile colors (black, navy, light grey, and sienna brown) to go with any outfits you pack for that three-week-long trip, and an external pocket can house everything from lip balm to your wallet and/or passport for easy access.
What it's like to use
On my trip, I used The Claremont as both a travel purse and camera bag interchangeably. For a vacation that ranged from the dress code of upscale bars in Paris to lazily biking city streets in the French Riviera, The Claremont worked seamlessly — meaning I also didn't need to waste space packing a second purse.
For how much it holds, the bag is deceptively small — no bigger than a roomy crossbody. At the airport, it held a small book, phone charger, travel wallet, and keychain inside. Externally, my passport, lip balm, and main cards remained handy in its zipped outside pocket. On long tourist days, it packed lip balm and cards in the external pocket, and my DSLR, two extra memory cards, sunglasses, and a small travel wallet inside.
It's also deceptively lightweight. Even though it feels substantial and well-cushioned, it didn't feel like it added any more weight than a standard crossbody bag would.
Cons to consider
At $368, it's still an expensive purchase for an already expensive tool. But, if you're like me, it might be worth it for the usability of a camera bag that's essentially an everyday purse tricked out for a DSLR. However, if you're looking for a camera bag with room to spare, this probably isn't for you. It can fit a small extra lens, but you'll probably have to rearrange things to get your camera out if you're planning to stack sunglasses and a wallet inside as well. For me, this was ultimately a small price to pay for the convenience and look of the bag.
Another con to consider is that it's not quite roomy enough to use as a personal item bag. Instead, you'll want to pack this bag within your carry-on luggage, and you'll have to be careful that it's packed securely enough not to squish or strain your expensive equipment. It's also a bit bulky for the days you might be heading out without a camera; in our guide to the best crossbody bags we recommend Lo & Sons' Aoyama bag for an everyday option.
The bottom line
All in all, the Claremont has been the perfect model of a subtle camera bag, and it's been ideal for someone who wants to use their DSLR often but isn't willing to compromise on style or comfort in order to do so. It's a steep price, but it's worth it to me if you're willing to spend the same amount altogether on a travel crossbody and a camera bag you may be inspired to use far less often. After getting it, I've brought my DSLR out for days in Central Park and international vacations — and I can't remember the last time I thought to do that before.
