In my never-ending quest for the perfect bag, I’ve finally found there really isn’t one, but instead, what I call occasion bags, like the fully functional, exceptionally well-thought-out Thule Covert I travel with or my FREITAG to just grab and go, and, there’s the full-day-of-shooting-style Think Tank suitcase. Now, I have a Blackforest Rimo I for a client meeting, a dinner party or whenever I want to dress up a bit.
The people behind the Rimo are exceptional, too, with a thank you card in the package and an emphasis on natural materials and handmade-quality in their marketing. Because the Rimo is luxurious doesn’t mean it won’t go to work with you. It sure will, and it has a feature list obviously created by a fellow photographer.
Just look at the details in the stitching and hardware.
Rimo I Features
- Side and bottom closed-cell foam padding for extra protection
- Padded anti-skid adjustable shoulder strap
- Triple stitched at the joints for added durability
- Front zipped pocket, with microSD card slots and accessories
- Front open pocket and streamlined back pocket for travel items
- Side pockets for quick access
Rimo I Details
- Full-grain vegetable tanned leather
- Premium cotton twill interlining
- YKK zips and brass fittings
- Outside specs: 14”L x 10.5”H x 5.5”D
- Inside specs: 13.5”L x 10”H x 5”D
- Weight: 1.7 kgs
What The Rimo I Holds
- DSLR camera body
- 2-3 lenses
- 13.3-inch laptop
- Accessories
A body, a handful of lenses and a 13-inch laptop, plus accessories, will fit inside the Rimo I. The easy-to-get-to front pockets are a nice touch, too. What I noticed immediately was the placement of the top handle like a suitcase. It’s offset for better balance, with the buckles taking up the weight. When a handle is on top of a bag, the bag can sag from the weight.
Another fine detail is a magnet inside the back pocket button that pulls it closed. That’s a very nice touch.
At $199, the price is nearly $100 less than the also stylish Signature line from Think Tank, and the bag is made with real, vegetable-tanned leather and shipped worldwide for free. Brass feet on the bottom protect it, but expect a bag like this to develop a patina and look better with age. Inside, the three padded compartments are removable so you can configure it how you like, and I have plenty of padding from other bags if I wanted to do so.
While I chose the all-leather version, Blackforest also offers a waxed canvas version, the Vinson, and in a variety of colors, including, sand tan.
Tonight I’m at a dinner with a vendor, and the dress code is a sports coat and slacks. This is the perfect bag for the occasion and the camera I’ll take snaps with while there.
You can follow DL Byron on Twitter @bikehugger
