The Gaston Luga X Nikon collab crossbody bag doesn’t play into the pure sadness that Peak Design is — and at least I know that the CEO of the company didn’t use Luigi Mangione just to get a little bit of press. Though at the same time, I’m not sure who would wear it. When our Nikon reps pitched this bag to us, they told me flat out that it was pretty feminine. I, being the guy who is confident enough in my masculinity (and who knows that that comes from deep within), didn’t care. And so, I don’t disagree with their assessment, but I don’t think that this bag is for me simply because it reminds me of an oddly textured purse that won’t develop patina the way most masculine products will.
Quite frankly, this bag brings me the same joy as needing to wear a blazer on a sweltering New York summer’s day. And it’s as shallow as Canon releasing a new version of a camera and only giving it a single feature.
So why am I salty about this bag? The only thing that I could really fit into here is a Panasonic point-and-shoot camera or any other compact point-and-shoot. The problem is that Nikon doesn’t make any of those. At any one time, I tend to bring more stuff with me. Things like eye drops, contact lens cases, beard oil, my keys, and a book of some sort to read are the essentials I stuff into any bag or jacket that I own. Unlike canvas and leather bags or even nylon bags, you can’t overstuff this thing because of the material on the exterior.
Truly, I’d rather tote around the Bagsmart Camera case because it’s not only much more handsome, but it’s also much more affordable.
However, I’m pretty sure that Bagsmart is owned by Amazon. According to the press release for this bag, “Gaston Luga remains unwavering in their commitment to sustainability, ensuring their ethically sourced and environmentally friendly creations empower both people and planet.” On their website, you can see that they’ve been carbon neutral since 2019 and that they use recycled materials.
“The crossbody bag is constructed of premium, water-resistant material and offers excellent protection for one’s camera and equipment, ensuring effortless organization with its thoughtfully designed compartments,” states the press release for the bag. The problem, however, is that the bag’s interior is only water-resistant if you close the buttons on the side. That limits what you can stuff in there.
Looking at the company’s website, I wonder why they didn’t use a different kind of material. At the same time, I’d hate for this bag to get any sort of wear that you’d experience when you’re in a city. Instead, canvas tends to embrace wear and make it a part of itself.
I hope that Nikon eventually partners with another company to make a better bag. I truly can’t think of who, in my mental rolodex of photographers, would want to use this camera bag. I’m not saying that I don’t like the Gaston Luga X Nikon collab crossbody bag – but if it got stolen from off my shoulder while walking around in NYC, I wouldn’t be mad.
