The Review Smiths
Think Tank Airport International 3.0 Think Tank Airport International 3.0
5
Think Tank Airport International 3.0 5

The Think Tank Airport International 3.0 has been made for photographers who travel often and want to keep their gear safe and organised. It feels like a piece of professional equipment rather than a bog-standard camera bag. The overall build quality reinforces this, the outer fabric is thick and tough, the handles are solid, and the 80mm wheels with sealed ABEC grade five bearings deliver a quiet and velvety smooth movement. Everything about it feels built to last. In fact, the retractable handle, wheels, wheel housings, feet and kick plate are all replaceable to even further extend the product life. There is a security cable and TSA-approved locks to give you some peace of mind when you are on the move and parted from your belongings.

Inside, the layout is just as impressive. The reinforced dividers support heavy gear and maintain strength over time. They can be moved around to fit whatever kit you have, and there is enough room for two full-size cameras with lenses attached, plus two to four extra lenses. It also has dedicated pockets for a laptop and tablet, which is handy for editing on the go which are also lockable. The main compartment opens wide, so you can see and reach everything easily, which makes it grabbing what you need for those unexpected photo opportunities a breeze.

It is not a small case though. It weighs around five kilograms when empty, which is quite a bit before you even add your gear. That said, the weight is partly what makes it so solid. The size usually fits airline carry-on requirements, but it is always worth checking before you fly. The case rolls well through airports and fits neatly in most overhead compartments but lifting it up there when full can be a bit of a workout.

Other features worth noting are the included seam sealed rain cover, the tripod attachment and side pocket, the large top compartment cradles large camera bodies for the perfect fit. It comes with a unique serial number for Lost and Found registration, there are interior zippered pockets for batteries, memory cards, filters and small accessories. The Hypalon reinforced rear corners gives added protection when bumping up and down curbs and steps.

The Airport International 3.0 is not cheap, but you can see where the money goes. It is practical, strong, and thoughtfully designed. For photographers who travel with a lot of equipment, it is an excellent and important investment. If you only carry a small kit, there are lighter and simpler options out there, but for anyone serious about protecting their gear on the road, this bag is hard to beat. RRP $459.75

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A durable, well-designed roller case for travelling photographers; spacious, secure, and airline-friendly, but heavy and pricey for lighter travel needs.
  • Excellent build quality and durability
  • Smooth, quiet wheels and sturdy handles
  • Flexible interior layout with adjustable dividers
  • Fits most airline carry-on size limits
  • Secure features like TSA locks and a steel cable
  • Plenty of space for pro camera gear, laptop, and tablet
  • Quite heavy when empty (around 5 kg)
  • Can be tight on some budget aircrafts
  • Lifting into overhead lockers can be awkward when full