Protecting Your Photography Kit While on the Move

If you're like me and, with the best intentions, try to store your camera and equipment securely on the move but end up shoving it in your backpack, you're not alone.

It's easy to do, especially if you're taking your kit in and out of your bag all day. Or, for example, travelling on cramped buses where there's nowhere safe to keep it and it might get knocked or scratched.

Unfortunately, that's happened to me a few times, with filters and other bits getting scratched while on the go. Yes, it sounds careless, but I'm sure you'll agree we've all been there at some point. This is especially true when you're a photographer constantly on the move.

I recently discovered something new from our friends at 3 Legged Thing: Wrapz. They're brilliant, soft, waterproof wraps that fold around your kit and keep it safe in your bag, backpack, or wherever else you keep your gear. They've been a game-changer for me.

Read on below to find out more.
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What Are Wrapz from 3 Legged Thing?

Wrapz are a new product from 3 Legged Thing. Here at Picfair, we're already big fans of their tripods, monopods and VSGO cleaning kits, and we love these too.

Simply put, Wrapz are individual pieces of material (beautifully designed, too) that you wrap your gear in to protect it in your bag or luggage, or when it's in storage at home.
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How Do Wrapz Work?

It's very much what it says on the tin. These are soft, waterproof cloths that you literally "wrap" your kit in. They come in a range of sizes: the smallest are ideal for something like your smartphone or a pancake lens, while the larger ones will take a full camera body, bigger lenses, or even a laptop.

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I tested all four sizes (small, medium, large, and extra large) in a mix of designs, and it's been really handy to have the right wrap ready for whatever I'm carrying that day. The prints are a lovely touch too, and they make it easy to tell at a glance which wrap has which piece of kit inside.

Wrapz are also multi-layered, with a built-in waterproof layer, so if you have an accident, or you're somewhere your kit might get wet, rest assured it'll stay protected.

The two sides of the fabric also stick to each other, so it's not a loose cloth flapping around, and your kit stays very secure.

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Once wrapped, your kit generally keeps its shape, which makes it easy to slip into a backpack alongside everything else. That was one of the really big selling points for me - fitting things around everything else I have in there!
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What Are the Benefits of Wrapz for a Photographer?

I spend a lot of time travelling and on the move, and while I certainly know the benefits of a dedicated camera backpack, one isn't always practical for me as I need to carry other things too.

Wrapz make it easy to put my photography kit in an everyday backpack without worrying about it getting scratched, cracked, smeared, wet or generally damaged.

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I also used them to pack and SLR camera and additional lens into my hard suitcase, wrapping each one up and tucking them in among my other bits and bobs. It gave me real peace of mind, knowing my kit was protected from the inevitable knocks and bumps luggage takes at an airport and in transit.

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They're also very affordable, and much cheaper than most camera backpacks out there. Wrapz start from £14.99, which makes them accessible to any photographer, whatever your budget.

They're washable and reusable too, so when they inevitably pick up a bit of mud, sand or coffee (or, in my experience, spilt yoghurt!) on your travels, you can simply wash them, and they're ready to go again.

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And if you're still using a camera backpack, they add an extra layer of protection. The same goes for when you're on location or on a shoot and need several pieces of kit out at once, for example, when changing lenses. They keep your kit safe and protected, wherever you are.
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Anything to Keep in Mind when Using Wrapz?

If I'm being honest, the one thing to bear in mind is speed. When a shot suddenly appears in front of you, unwrapping your camera takes a moment longer than grabbing it straight from your bag. It's not a big delay, but it's worth knowing.

The other thing is to be careful when unwrapping and wrapping. Because the fabric sticks firmly to itself, it can be easy to rush and fumble, so take a second to make sure you've got a good grip on your kit before you peel it open or fold it away.
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The Verdict

In a nutshell, Wrapz are a great, affordable solution for when you're on the go or a bit forgetful about storage. Most of all, if you're a photographer like me (a bit chaotic, constantly on the go and taking your kit in and out of bags all the time), they'll keep it much safer.

Get Wrapz from 3 Legged Thing. Starting from £14.99.

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