Vanguard VEO City S30 review: perfect for city slickers or should you give it the cold shoulder?

We test Vanguard's VEO City S30 shoulder bag designed for architecture, city and street photography

Vanguard VEO City S30
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

While expensive, Vanguard's VEO City range of shoulder bags integrates premium build materials, class-leading weather sealing and a host of other desirable features for urban photography. The 3-in1 accessories pouch is bit niche and won't be for everybody and it would have been good to have the option to buy the S30 at a lower price point without it. Thin padding on the back also hampers comfort and makes it better suited to shorter trips rather than long days. If you spend a lot of time in cities taking photos the S30 is definitely one to consider.

Pros

  • +

    High build quality and materials

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    Very weather resistant design

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    Option to expand storage with included accessories pouch

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    RFID pocket

  • +

    Underside tripod attachment

Cons

  • -

    It's a bit on the small side, though there is the larger S36 option

  • -

    Stiff chassis and thin padding make it uncomfortable to wear for extended periods

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    Expensive

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    Awkward to get into main camera compartment

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Vanguard's VEO City range has been specifically designed specifically to cater to the needs of photographers who love to shoot cities and architecture in urban environments. 

In this review, we take a closer look at Vanguard's diminutive 7L S30 VEO City shoulder bag, though it also comes in a larger 10L S36 variant which shares much of the same build material and quality in a bigger package. There's also the VEO City range of backpacks, we recently tested the Vanguard VEO City B37 so be sure to check out that review if you think a backpack might be better for your city photography needs.

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FeaturesThe S30 comes with a raft of handy features for city photography including tripod attachment, heaps of storage, an RFID pocket and excellent water resistance. The 3-in-1 accessory pouch offers extra options for photographers and videographers that need the extra space.★★★★★
DesignThere’s a lot to love about the design of the S30, it’s highly water resistant, boasts plenty of space and has a nondescript look which is ideal for urban photography. However, the optional accessories pouch feels a bit of a clunky add-on and we didn’t like how the top access opens from the back rather than the front.★★★★
PerformanceThe S30 is a little on the small side, though there is the S36 if you need more space. Overall the S30 performed admirably on our outing, though did find the back padding to be very thin and was a bit uncomfortable to wear for long periods. The water resistance is very good, but the provided rain cover is a faff to use and doesn’t work well when the accessories pouch is connected.★★★
ValueVanguard has gone for a more up-market shoulder bag with the S30, using high quality materials, great water resistant features and a tough outer shell to keep your kit safe from bumps and dings in busy cities. So while the S30 is undoubtedly pricey, you get a lot for your money.★★★★
LowePro RunAbout

If you’re an avid camper and your main camera rucksack has a GearUp insert, the LowePro RunAbout is a no-brainer. It’s a well-designed folding daypack that’s easy to stow and should appeal to photographers and dedicated hikers alike.

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Dan Mold
Deputy Editor

Deputy Editor on PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, Dan also brings his technical wizardry and editing skills to Digital Camera World. He has been writing about all aspects of photography for over 10 years, having previously served as technical writer and technical editor for Practical Photography magazine, as well as Photoshop editor on Digital Photo

Dan is an Adobe-certified Photoshop guru, making him officially a beast at post-processing – so he’s the perfect person to share tips and tricks both in-camera and in post. Able to shoot all genres, Dan provides news, techniques and tutorials on everything from portraits and landscapes to macro and wildlife, helping photographers get the most out of their cameras, lenses, filters, lighting, tripods, and, of course, editing software.