In our latest review, we unpack (and then repack) the Wotancraft Pilot Travel Camera Bag 7L to determine whether it's the best street-photography bag on the market. I’ve owned and reviewed a ridiculous amount of camera bags over the years. And most photographers I come across will attest to their constant search for a better camera bag to carry and protect their gear. It’s a trope, but based on my observations, it’s the reality of many image makers and a big part of GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). As a street photographer, my camera bag needs are fairly simple. I need a compact yet well-padded sling bag with superior weather-resistant materials, easy access, and exceptional comfort, even when loaded to the max. Given I mostly shoot with smaller Fujifilm X cameras and lenses, I don’t need a huge bag, nor do I need to carry all the bells and whistles. Often I will resort to a non-camera sling bag and make it work for the kit I wish to carry. But recently, that all changed!
WOTANCRAFT aims at creating the best of vintage aesthetics through custom-made hardware & vegetable-tanned leather, blending the scrutiny of old-school craftsmanship with a personal taste for antique, distressed look.”
From time to time, I come across a camera bag that ticks all the right boxes and becomes my go-to carry solution. I recently came across the Wotancraft Pilot Travel Camera Bag 7L - it actually belongs to Justin (Lucky Straps / The Camera Life Founder). He lent me the Pilot 7L (Version 1) to test and review. I liked the Pilot 7L so much that I decided to invest in a Wotancraft Pilot bag of my own. Wotancraft was founded in 2009 in Taipei City, Taiwan, and has developed a considerable range of travel bags, pouches, camera bags, and modular accessories. While testing Justin’s Pilot 7L, I discovered only one annoyance with the bag - the main hook buckle that secures the main compartment of the bag was too fiddly to work, especially in a hurry. Fortunately, Wotancraft has since released an update to the Pilot line of bags, and the lock has received an ergonomic and functional upgrade. Let’s dive into the review!
Wotancraft Pilot 7L Specifications
- Colours: Black or Brown Khaki Canvas
- Exterior Dimensions: 33 x 21.5 x 14.5cm / 13.0 × 8.5 × 5.7" (W x D x H)
- Main Interior Dimensions: 28 x 19.5 x 12cm / 11.0 × 7.7 × 4.7" (W x D x H)
- Front Zipper Pocket: 21 x 20cm / 8.2 x 7.8"(W x H)
- Rear Zipper Pocket: 24 x 15 cm / 9.4 x 5.9" (W x H)
- Adjustable Shoulder Strap: 87 ~ 135cm / 34.25 ~ 53.15" (Length)
- Weight (including shoulder strap and dividers): 770g / 1.7Ibs
Materials And Durability
One of the key elements of a great camera bag comes down to the materials and durability of construction. You really can't have one without the other, as the quality of materials works in tandem with reliable and durable manufacturing techniques. You can have the best material, but if the stitching is dodgy, the bag won’t last, and it certainly won’t keep your gear safe. Another key element when selecting materials is how they match with customer expectations. For example, Wotancraft bags are all available in varying colourways and outer shell fabrics. The Pilot range of slings, backpacks, and modular accessories is available in khaki-brown canvas, black canvas, and full leather in brown or black.
When it comes to the non-leather Pilot camera bags, the outer shell is formed from Dualcoat Water Repellent Waxed 500D Nylon Canvas (PFAS-Free), precisely stitched together with ultra-strength bonded nylon thread. Sandwiched between the outer canvas shell and the inner medical-grade microfibre lining is a core of high-density EVA foam padding. The triple-layer design ensures the bag stays upright and in shape even when empty. The outer canvas shell feels incredibly premium and durable, plus it affords great water resistance. As for the interior, the main storage cavity is lined with microfibre, allowing the Velcro-fitted dividers to be securely placed to support the size and shape of your cargo. Other noteworthy mentions include the two Duraflex Swivel Snap Hooks that secure the wide nylon shoulder strap, which features a Neoprene-padded section for optimal comfort. They may be plastic, but they are incredibly strong and won’t detach from the bag without effort.
Feature-Packed Design
One of the most notable aspects of the Wotancraft Pilot series is the sheer number of sensible features that elevate your gear-carrying and use. The Pilot Travel Bag series of slings is available in 2L, 3.5L, 7L and 10L. Wotancraft offers a select range of limited edition Pilot bags. Even though the Pilot 7L offers a number of pockets, compartments, and smart features, you can expand the usability of the bag with additional modular elements - more on that in a moment. Regardless of the modular options, the stock-standard Pilot 7 offers impressive features that elevate this bag beyond first impressions.
Zipperless Flap
In a more traditional sling style, the large cover flap does not zip to the rest of the bag to seal your gear within. Instead, the large flap folds over and wraps around the side edges of the bag. The clever gusseted design seals the bag to prevent debris or water from entering the main compartment.
FIDLOCK To The Rescue!
The earlier versions of the Pilot camera bags featured a single metal hook that slid into a loop sewn into the top flap. As mentioned, it was a clumsy system and was my only issue with the OG version. However, the new versions of the Pilot bags are fitted with a magnetic FIDLOCK mechanism, with one half stitched to the bag flap and the other to the front of the bag. The sliding attach-and-release mechanism offers a fluid, fast way to access or secure our kit.
Pockets, Pockets, Pockets!
The design team at Wotancraft should be congratulated for the intuitive and clever use of pockets throughout the bag. It actually offers a lot more storage zones than first impressions may show. Aside from the cavernous main storage zone and padded velcro-fastening dividers, the Pilot 7 features an impressive number of storage pockets ensuring you have a place for everything from spare batteries to your smartphone and more.
Front Zipper Pocket (21 x 20 cm / 8.2 x 7.8”) - this pocket is only accessible once the main flap is open. It features wide access and a deep pocket, plus a pair of mesh pockets (10 x 12 cm / 3.9 x 4.7”) within for storing smaller items like your batteries and memory cards. Accessible from both sides of the Pilot 7, a large mesh hidden pocket (18 x 13 cm / 7 x 5.1”) sits behind the bag's front panel. Each end of the pocket has a zipper and a passthrough for sliding in larger items like a tripod or a water bottle. On each side of the Pilot 7, an elasticated pocket (15 x 15 cm / 5.9 x 5.9”) ensures items are secure and can’t topple out. Turning to the back of the bag, a long weather-sealed YKK zipper ensures your contents stay dry and safely hidden. While the Wotancraft Pilot 7 does not feature a tablet pocket, you can install the large divider into the main compartment to form a simple yet padded pocket for your device.
Grab Or Sling
Another key feature of the Wotancraft Pilot 7 is the carry options. At the rear of the bag, a strong, padded grab handle protrudes from the top for quick grab-and-go access. Below the grab handle, a luggage pass-through strap provides an opening width of 21cm / 8.2” to quickly secure the bag to your roller case. Another neat feature is the dual adjustable tripod straps located underneath the bag and capable of supporting a tripod with a diameter no larger than 27cm / 10.6”. However, the star of the carry show is the wide nylon shoulder strap with its quick-adjustment hardware, secure Duraflex Swivel Snap Hooks for mounting, and a neoprene-padded shoulder pad. The adjustable shoulder strap effortlessly glides between 87 ~ 135 cm / 34.25 ~ 53.15” to fit almost any adult body. The length of the strap is locked in place with a clamping buckle complete with a red leather pull for easy handling.
Modular Mayhem!
If you aren't satisfied with the amazing number of pockets and storage zones on the Pilot 7L, you can add even more pockets and storage zones to the inside and outside of the bag. The Wotancraft Pilot series offers up to 14 additional modular "Armor" elements that clip to the exterior of the bag via the 5 Slot Vertical Loop Strips located on the front of the Pilot 7. All of the modular add-ons are available in black or khaki brown and feature the same styling and materials as the main bag. The Armor add-ons feature sturdy snap-on buckles that attach to the Vertical Loop Strip and lock securely into place. Some of the Wotancraft Armor elements include:
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Armor 02: A small canvas pouch for storing spare batteries, lens caps, and other small EDC gear such as Apple AirPods or your keys. Armor 02 measures 11 x 3.4 x 8cm (W x D x H).
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Armor 10: A circular Lens Filter Pouch measuring 10 x 1 cm (W x H).
- Armor 14: A Drawstring Pouch Module ideal for carrying a water bottle up to 500ml. Armor 14 measures 10 x 15.3 x 4cm (W x D x H).
The customisation and modular options also allow you to set up the perfect camera bag storage solutions inside the Pilot 7. Aside from the included padded dividers, you can add elements such as a Battery and SD Card Fastener Module or a Zipperless Pocket Module for storing smaller items. And if you want to add a touch more personalisation, Wotancraft also sell paracord zip pulls in a range of colours. The Pilot series of slings and modular add-ons allows you to craft the perfect bag for your photography setup.
What's Included With The Pilot 7L?
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the packaging and included items with the Wotancraft Pilot 7L. For reference, the Pilot 7L retails for around $260.00 - $300.00 AUD; however, I ordered mine during one of Rushfaster's many sales. Interestingly, the Australian Leica Store stocks the Wotancraft Pilot 7L (among other models), but it retails for $360.00! Rushfaster is an Australian supplier of carry gear and travel goods that stocks a massive range of bags for any purpose. Rushfaster’s price was the most competitive, and the delivery options were great value for money. My bag was delivered within two days of my placing the order.
Here’s what’s included:
- Pilot 7L main bag
- One large tablet divider that locks in place with Velcro
- Two smaller dividers that lock in place with Velcro
- Detachable shoulder strap
- Detachable shoulder pad
- Dustproof storage bag
What Does The Wotancraft Pilot 7L Hold?
As a street photographer, I am very conscious and cautious about what I pack in my camera bag for a street walk. What I pack for a quick walk in my local hood versus a day in the city varies. Regardless, the Wotancraft Pilot 7L is the perfect size for my smaller camera kit while also offering space for all my daily EDC (everyday carry) gear. Here are two fitouts that I commonly pack for a street walk. Plus, I always carry my Bellroy leather wallet, iPhone 17 Pro, Apple AirPods Pro and a large Japanese cotton handkerchief.
Wotancraft Pilot 7L Fitout 1:
- Fujifilm X-E5 fitted with a Lucky Straps Slim 30 Leather Camera Strap
- Fujinon XF 23mm F1.4 R WR LM
- 2x spare NP-W126S batteries
- 2x spare Sandisk 64GB Extreme Plus SD cards
- Microfibre lens cloth
- Spare Fujifilm X Mount body and lens cap
Wotancraft Pilot 7L Fitout 2:
- Fujifilm X-E5 fitted with a Lucky Straps Slim 30 Leather Camera Strap
- Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR (pancake lens)
- Fujifilm X70 fitted with a Lucky Straps Deluxe Leather Wrist Strap
- 2x spare NP-W126S batteries (X-E5)
- 2x spare NP-95 batteries (X70)
- 2x spare Sandisk 64GB Extreme Plus SD cards
- Microfibre lens cloth
- Spare Fujifilm X Mount body and lens cap
Usability and Comfort - A Must In Any Camera Bag
Putting aside all the specifications, fancy material choices, and key features, a camera bag MUST be usable and comfortable. In terms of usability, the Wotancraft Pilot 7L offers an excellent user experience. From the tactile feel of the materials to the simplicity and effectiveness of the Fidlock main clasp, the Pilot 7 is a very usable bit of kit. I especially appreciate the large main storage zone, which is completely customisable with the included padded inserts. Plus, the amount of smaller open and hidden storage pockets means I have a place for all the essential bits and bobs I take on my outings. I am glad that Wotancraft chose to update the main flap hook system as it was incredibly fiddly and annoying when I wanted to get to my camera quickly. The other note on usability is around the stealthy nature of the bag. It doesn’t scream camera bag, and with every element of the bag being black, its purpose is unremarkable. More stealth!
When it comes to comfort, I must have a bag that’s not too heavy when loaded and offers an ergonomic carrying solution. When using a sling bag, I have to be very careful about the pressure it could place on my shoulder and neck. The Wotancraft Pilot 7L features a broad nylon shoulder strap that’s quick to adjust and offers superior comfort thanks to the neoprene shoulder pad. I especially appreciate the quick-release tab on the strap clamp and the ability to swing the bag from behind me to my side or to the front at a moment's notice. The Pilot 7L sits very comfortably on my right hip while the soft form takes shape around my body. It feels both comfortable and incredibly secure at all times. And when I am on the move, I can quickly grab the bag via the rear grab handle and hit the streets.
Is The Wotancraft Pilot 7L Worth It?
Value, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder. And the Wotancraft Pilot Travel Camera Bag 7L is a true beauty. It is incredibly durable, offers a stealthy street experience, delivers excellent comfort, and keeps my gear safe and dry. Plus, it looks awesome. I think the Pilot 7 is the ultimate street or travel photography bag. And the best bit is that if you want smaller, Wotancraft offers a 2L or 3.5L, and if you want bigger, the 10L is your answer. Plus, you can opt for the bag as it is, or you can splash out on a vast number of add-on accessories to create the perfect bag for you.
“Our creations are driven by strong persistence in personal taste and needs; this quality is reflected in WOTANCRAFT’s refinement of techniques, and continuous improvement of existing creations.”
As mentioned earlier, the Wotancraft Pilot 7L retails for around $260.00 AUD here in Australia. Or you can go full stupid and buy it from the Leica Store for $100 AUD more than anyone else. Regardless, when it comes to selecting a camera bag, how you value it depends on your circumstances. But when you consider the number of coins you dropped on your camera and lenses, why would you skimp on a camera bag? A camera bag, like a high-quality camera strap, ensures that your photographic experience is safe, comfortable, and optimised!
