Vanguard VEO Select 42T Camera Bag Review

Trolley/Roller cases are a great option for photographers who travel with lots of kit and the VEO Select 42T from Vanguard is a particularly interesting roller case as it's a much more compact design than we are used to seeing while still offering the room needed for cameras, lenses and accessories. 

The VEO Select 42T is currently available over on the Vanguard website for £199.99 in two colour options (green or black) and we've been putting the green version to the test to see if it's a camera bag we'd take travelling. 

Vanguard VEO Select 42T Features

The Vanguard VEO Select 42T Roller Case is a bit different to the roller cases we've previously reviewed as it has a more compact size, very similar to the pilot/crew style pull-along cases you see airline staff using. Don't let the compact size fool you into thinking it's a small camera bag, however, as there's room for a couple of pro DSLR/mirrorless cameras with a grip, 7-8 lenses (up to 300mm f/2.8), a flash unit, a 16" Macbook Pro with a 9.7” tablet, up to two tripods and multiple accessories. 

The internal storage space is fully customisable and you can even remove it completely so you can use the VEO Select 42T as everyday luggage. When you do have it full of kit you can gain quick access via the top of the bag and the four-wheels and double bar handle make it really easy to transport your kit through busy airports. When walking down a plane aisle you can use a strap and top handle to carry the bag as a shoulder bag.

Other features include zips that can be secured with padlocks, a rain cover, water-resistant construction and straps that keep the front panel, where you access all of your kit, off of the ground when needed. 

Vanguard VEO Select 42T Features:

• Room for 1-2 DSLR/mirrorless cameras with a grip, 7-8 extra lenses (up to 300mm f/2.8), a flash unit and accessories
• Space for a 16" Macbook Pro with a 9.7” tablet
• Carry two tripods on the outside of the bag
• Quick top access
• Removable kit section for conversion to a day bag
• Constructed from water-resistant material
• 4-wheels
• Double-bar handle 
• Converts to a shoulder bag with a padded strap
• Dimensions: 420x250x455mm
• Weight: 3.8KG
• Capacity: 19.5 litres 

Vanguard VEO Select 42T Handling & Performance

We've already mentioned the size of the Vanguard VEO Select 42T in the 'Features' section but we're going to give it another plug as the dimensions, which should meet most airline carry-on sizes (but do check), are rather compact considering the space that's inside the bag. The fully customisable interior has plenty of room for a couple of cameras (we found it easier to fit pro mirrorless models in but the bag does have room for 2 pro DSLRs), a plethora of lenses up to 300mm in length and accessories such as battery charges and flash units.

Open the top, quick access flap and you'll also find 2 mesh pockets for new/used memory cards or you could store cables and small accessories in them. The top access point, like the main compartment, is secured with strong zips that can be secured with a padlock via the security buckles (ie, the holes in the zips that allow them to overlap and lock). They also feature tabs which makes them easier to open/close. If you need faster access to kit and don't want to use a padlock, there are buckles on the front that prevent the zips from quickly being opened and to stop the front panel from dropping to the floor when the bag is upright, internal buckled straps hold it in place. 

On top is a strong and robust grab handle as well as straps for securing a tripod along the top of the bag should you need to. If you prefer, you can attach the tripod to the side of the bag which sits in a pocket that pulls out and can be adjusted and a strap keeps it secured to the VEO Select 42T. 

The front is where you find a zipped compartment giving you main access to all of your kit and a pocket with room for a 16" Macbook Pro and 9.7" tablet. The pocket and interior are incredibly well-padded and definitely feel like they will keep your kit secure. You can configure the interior however you like and even remove it completely should you want to use the bag for clothes rather than camera kit. 

The VEO Select 42T glides effortlessly on its 4-wheels in an upright position which, until you've used one of these newer style roller bags that don't have to be tilted to pull along, you won't realise how much easier it makes moving through an airport. The double-bar handle also extends to a really good height with no slip making it even easier to manoeuvre the bag. The handle can be used at various heights, too. 

For situations where it's too busy for a roller bag, you can attach a padded shoulder strap to the VEO Select 42T so you can lift and carry the bag off the ground but we'd not recommend this for long distances. However, when walking down a plane aisle where it can be a bit of a squeeze, popping the bag on your shoulder may make it easier to reach your seat. 

As well as being well padded the VEO Select 42T has a reinforced base and what Vanguard describes as 'extra tall wheels' to give height between the bottom of the bag and the ground. Water-resistant materials have been used in the construction of the bag but for extra protection, a rain cover is supplied. 

The overall construction of the VEO Select 42T feels very solid and everything we've come to expect from Vanguard in terms of quality and attention to detail features in this bag. No corners have been cut and you certainly get peace of mind that your kit will be protected when you get hold of the VEO Select 42T.

Roller cases are a great accessory for those with lots of kit or indeed for those with mobility/back issues as you don't have to be the one burdened with the weight of your cameras, lenses and tripods. However, the slight snag we have with them is that you can't get off the plane and head off for a walk around a city with it as they're just not practical for that type of use. Instead, you'll need to drop the roller case off at your hotel and pop the kit you need from it into a backpack or shoulder bag. We know that a mooch around a town isn't what the VEO Select 42T is designed for but when you compare it to a Vanguard rucksack, it's just not quite as flexible and you'll have to pack an additional bag in your hold luggage for your trip. But, as a bag for making airports easy to navigate with lots of photography kit, the VEO Select 42T can't be faulted. 

Value For Money

The Vanguard VEO Select 42T is available now priced at £199.99 on the Vanguard website where you'll also find a wide range of more 'traditionally' shaped roller bags ranging from £209.99 to £279.99 which includes the VEO Select 59T which we gave a 'Highly Recommended' award. We've not found another roller bag with similar dimensions to the VEO Select 42T but other well-known brands such as Tenba, Manfrotto and Think Tank all offer airport roller bags for photographers. 

For the overall quality and features, the Vanguard VEO Select 42T is very competitively priced. 

Vanguard VEO Select 42T Verdict

The Vanguard VEO Select 42T is a rather unique roller photography bag that's compact in size yet has plenty of room for all of the kit you could possibly need for a trip away or when you're heading to an event you're planning on taking photographs at. It looks great, is really well-made and is really easy to manoeuvre even when full of cameras and lenses. There's no fear of gear getting damaged in this bag and you have the added bonus of being able to remove the interior divider compartment to turn it into an everyday bag for travel without your cameras and lenses. We know it's not practical for a day of photography while on holiday so you will need to pack a backpack should a city shoot be your thing but for those who simply need to pack loads of kit and are happy to switch to a smaller bag when out-and-about or are going on commercial shoots, the VEO Select 42T is ideal. You'll be able to zip around an airport in no time with the VEO Select 42T roller case and for that reason, amongst many others, we're happy to 'Highly Recommend' it.  

The Vanguard VEO Select 42T is a stylish roller trolley that's compact yet has plenty of room for all of the kit you could possibly need for a trip away.

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Vanguard VEO Select 42T Specifications

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