PolarPro 1L RoadRunner review: is this tiny bag the perfect partner for premium compact cameras?

If you own a premium compact camera such as the Fujifilm X100VI, or one of its coveted predecessors, or other fixed lens compacts like the Leica D-Lux 8 or Sony RX1R II, you may have struggled to find the perfect camera bag to pair with them. Many of the best camera backpacks and best messenger bags are too big, which is great for carry extra accessories and items like a small laptop or tablet, but they’re not the most portable solution. In fact, if you’re looking for portability many photographers simply ditch the case altogether and prefer to use their premium compact handheld, or with a neck or wrist strap and stashed in a coat pocket when not in use.

PolarPro has, it seems, come up with a more elegant solution and is targeting users specifically with premium compacts to carry their cameras with style, keep them protected, out of sight, have accessory storage and a safe place to stash your camera at home so it doesn’t collect dust.

Californian photo accessory company PolarPro was established in 2011 and since then has made a name for themselves as innovators in the photography space with inventive designs made to be used outdoors with premium materials and environmentally responsible.

I got hold of the PolarPro 1L Roadrunner, which at the time of this review was brand-new out, and put it to the test to find out if you should buy one.

PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Specifications

PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Price

The PolarPro 1L RoadRunner at first seems quite steep costing $49.99 for such a small camera bag, especially when you consider you could a much more expansive shoulder bag for a similar spend – for example the Ruggard Commando Pro 45 DSLR Shoulder Bag costs $49.95 and has space for a DSLR, multiple lenses and even a 10” tablet.

However, that’s not the point. PolarPro is known for making high quality accessories and the 1L RoadRunner is no different, it’s designed to be a lightweight and compact storage space for premium compacts. Rather than compare it to larger shoulder bags, I think it makes more sense to compare the 1L RoadRunner to a sling camera strap like the Black Rapid Sport Breathe which allows you to wear your camera over the shoulder and costs $99.95. The 1L RoadRunner is similar, in that it allows your premium compact camera to be worn over the shoulder so you always have it ready to hand to get shooting, but also has the added benefit of providing protective padding, accessory pockets and also hides your camera from prying eyes when it’s not in use.

PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Design & Handling

As you might expect from a one-litre bag the PolarPro 1L RoadRunner is very small with external dimensions of 5x4x7” so it’s portable and doesn’t get in the way, though its interior dimensions are roomier than you might expect at 4x3x6”. It’s designed to accommodate a Fujifilm X100VI, Leica D-lux 8 or Sony RX1R II – if you’ve got a premium compact with a fixed lens or smaller, you should be good to go. I was even able to squeeze in an APS-C mirrorless Fujifilm X-Pro1, though this was due to the very slender 18mm f/2 pancake lens attached to it which meant the fit was very snug, but it did fit all the way in with a bit of persuasion.

The bag is a sling type and comes with a 1cm wide strap that can be clipped onto the bag and worn over the shoulder and this works very well. It’s also adjustable so you can fine-tune how high or low you want to wear it and swing it around on to your back so that it’s not in the way. The strap also has a small neoprene shoulder pad that adds a little extra comfort and also has grippy strips on its inside to help make sure it stays in place on your shoulder – though the padding can also be removed if you prefer.

In terms of materials the 1L RoadRunner is made from 600D RipStop Nylon and is only available in black with a light khaki trim – the inside of the case is this cream khaki color too and is microfibre material – so it’s tough on the outside to keep your camera protected and soft on the inside to make sure it’s not scratched.

For such a small bag it fits in a lot of neat little features and storage spaces. There’s a stretchy pocket on its back large enough to fit your phone or a big lens cap, on the front there’s a small zippered pocket large enough for some cash or small accessories like a UV filter or memory cards. On the inside of the top lid there’s also a netted pocket which again could store a filter or cards. It also has a small grab handle and plastic D-rings to attach the provided strap which allows the 1L bag to be worn over the shoulder or across the body, sling fashion. One notable omission I did think would have been a nice touch is any sort of belt loop as I think this would have been great to be able to buckle this to a belt and would just provide a different wearing option than just the shoulder.

The zipper on the front ‘cash’ pocket is YKK and Water Resistant with additional waterproof material on this zipper section, though the top main zippered entrance to the camera compartment is just YKK and doesn’t have this extra weather protection.

The zip pulls are made from paracord and have heat shrink tubing around their knotted ends which feels nice to the touch and operate.

PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Performance

Though small the PolarPro 1L RoadRunner is mighty and impressed on test with its build quality, materials and design. Small premium compact cameras like the Fujifilm X100-series have grown in popularity over the years and users haven’t had a great deal of choice when it comes to storing them – sure you can bring an overly large shoulder bag with, which has the benefit of being able to bring everything you need including extra lenses, but I can see the benefit of this 1L case for the times when you don’t need it and you’re looking to travel with the bare essentials.

For use with premium compacts it allows you to wear your camera bag as a sling so that it’s always to hand, but unlike a cross-body sling strap, your camera is hidden away from potential thieves. The bag's minimalist and simple black design isn’t flashy and allows you to keep a low profile.

I was a little concerned as the shoulder strap is very small, thin and you also don’t get a lot of padding for your money either. However, these concerns were quickly put to bed as even with the heaviest lens I could pack into the case for some of my test walks I hardly noticed it was there.

It’s also worth noting that the case will be too small for DSLRs or larger mirrorless setups, but it could still be useful for carrying a spare lens as well as accessories like SD cards and filters. It also comes with a microfibre cloth which has a rivet and is secured by a piece of string so that you always have a cleaning cloth to hand.

The padding is very decent around the bag and I liked the amount of storage options, from the netted back pocket for your phone, front pocket for cash or other small accessories and the internal pocket on the inside of the lid – though depending on how tight a fit your camera is inside of the bag, you might not be able to put anything too bulky in that lid pocket as it could stop it from closing.

I gave the PolarPro 1L RoadRunner a shower to test its weather resistance. The top and bottom of the RoadRunner or 600D RipStop nylon which the water beaded off, though the YKK zipper around the top flap isn’t sealed so water can get in and feels like a bit of a weak point. The front pocket for small accessories does have an extra layer of weather resistance, so I’d have liked to seen this on the camera compartment zip to make it better protected as it doesn’t come with any sort of rain cover.

PolarPro 1L Roadrunner Sling: Verdict

The PolarPro 1L RoadRunner is a well-built, compact sling bag designed for premium compact cameras, though it can accommodate a slim APS-C mirrorless setup. Its quality materials and thoughtful design, including various storage pockets and an adjustable strap, are commendable.

While the $49.99 price tag might seem steep initially, its unique functionality as a discreet, over-the-shoulder carry solution with added protection justifies the cost. However, the lack of weather sealing on the main camera compartment zipper is a notable drawback. Despite this, the RoadRunner excels in its intended role, offering a lightweight, portable, and low-profile way to carry essential camera gear. It's ideal for those seeking a minimalist solution rather than a bulky, multi-lens bag.

For owners of premium compacts such as the Leica D-Lux 8 or Fujifilm X100VI, both of which retail for around $1600, spending a further $50 on a quality case like this 1L RoadRunner could be a no-brainer.

If you prefer to not use a case so that you always have your camera directly to hand, or if you need a bigger shoulder bag to carry extra lenses or a tablet/laptop then the 1L RoadRunner won’t be for you, however if you like the idea of wearing your camera case over the shoulder for better comfort, having a bit more padding and protection, accessory stash spots and having the ability to quickly put your camera away from prying eyes, the PolarPro 1L RoadRunner ticks a lot of boxes.

Alternatives

Black Rapid Sport Breathe: at digitalcameraworld.com

BlackRapid’s Sport Breathe performed admirably with top-quality build and high marks in comfort, features, and security. It’s clearly BlackRapid’s most popular strap for good reason, and the numerous user reviews online back this up tenfold.

Bellroy Venture 10L: at digitalcameraworld.com

The Bellory Venture 10L Camera Edition justifies its high pricetag with its premium and high quality materials and modern minimalist design. Its nondescript look will help street photographers keep a low profile in busy city centres as it doesn’t scream “camera bag!”, not to mention it’s one of the most comfortable bags I’ve ever worn.