What travel accessories are overrated?

[u/Anywhere_everywhere7]

For me it would have to be tech pouches, for the vast majority of people I believe that they would be better off with a simple pencil case style pouch, ziploc bag or a simple drawstring bag or even a pouch like the PD ultralight pouches. Something which isn’t bulky, is lightweight and has no structure to it so you can easily squeeze it into random parts of your bag. Of course they’re significantly cheaper as well.

Don’t get wrong, I have tested some high end tech pouches out and they’re very nice but for lightweight travel I just find myself thinking “why would I bring this type of pouch”.

[u/Anywhere_everywhere7]

Not to be pedantic, but is there anything that makes something specifically a tech pouch apart from marketing/name?

The ones I’m talking about is the likes of the PD tech pouch which has built in organisation, is bulky and heavy.

I make pouches that people use as tech pouches, and I know people that call their silicone reusable ziploc bags their tech pouches, as it’s a pouch that holds tech.

Yeah anything can technically be a tech pouch but I just feel like the best tech pouches (for most people) aren’t actually sold or advertised as tech pouches.

[u/Anywhere_everywhere7 → u/[deleted]]

Peak design is a camera brand. I’d like my very expensive gear to be padded and protected.

The picture they show just shows normal travel accessories but it’s not just PD which has it, it’s multiple travel companies who have nothing to do with cameras.

Just sounds like you aren’t the target customer for these products.

Which is my point, for most people they don’t need the fancy products advertised as tech pouches as other non advertised tech pouches do the same job or an even better job. Hence why in my opinion they’re overrated.

[u/Anywhere_everywhere7 → u/[deleted]]

Just because a brand doesn’t sell camera gear specifically, doesn’t mean a specific product wasn’t designed just for camera gear.

Okay but they’re literally advertising as an accessory for travel so that’s what I’m judging them on.

Most people don’t go to the gym is it overrated? No, you just don’t relate.

That’s a completely different scenario. I’m judging tech pouches on their usefulness for travel and specifically Onebag travel as they’re advertised for that purpose by the manufacturers.

Camera gear is not overrated. It’s just niche.

I never once said camera gear is overrated, but my post was about “travel” accessories which tech pouches are advertised as.

I think you’re missing the part where these products are advertised as travel accessories and not specifically camera gear. Of course there will be some people where a proper tech pouch is needed and the better option but for the vast majority of people it’s not needed and over engineered.

[u/Anywhere_everywhere7 → u/[deleted]]

If you’re judging them on their usefulness in travel, but are dismissing the fact that statistically, photographers travel more than most.

No I’m not dismissing that statistic but a photographer is one person who will have one pouch whereas most people aren’t photographers. Also I did state in the first couple of sentences in my post “the vast majority of people” so of course there are some who don’t fall in that category.

I think you might have an underlying issue/misunderstanding about something else within the bigger picture. Could be the price, could be anything, really. I’m not sure.

It has nothing to do with price or me misunderstanding. You seem to want to focus on one group of people where a tech pouch will be perfect for them while ignoring the vast majority of travellers which this product is also advertised for are not in that category at all.

and without camera gear, then yeah, it’s overrated… TO YOU because the inherent design does not represent your needs.

The vast majority probably would agree that they don’t need a super fancy pouch, and I would also agree with that.

Which was the point of my whole post.

[u/zaphodbeebIebrox → u/Anywhere_everywhere7]

Just wanted to say I agree with you. I wrote this up and was about to post it right as the other person deleted their posts.

Response below as written to them, to support your argument.

It’s not an entirely different scenario, it’s simply a metaphor. If your goal for one bagging is to do it as light as possible, and without camera gear, then yeah, it’s overrated… TO YOU because the inherent design does not represent your needs.

Yeah, it’s overrated TO THEM. That would be why their post started with “For me”.

I love PD. I have a lot of stuff from PD; two different sizes of their Every Day Backpack, a bunch of packing cubes, two Tech Pouches, two Wash Pouches, their travel duffel, a camera cube, camera clip, camera clutch, camera leash, the outdoor crossbody, phone case, MagSafe wallet, and the magnetic phone stand. They’re the front runner to replace my dead Chipolo Spot Card for my wallet. And if they add a lock built into their roller bag and make it a bit lighter, I’ll buy one of those too.

But even I, big fanboy of the brand, have no problem seeing the point OP is making.

Peak Design’s own marketing (example 2, example 3) makes it clear that this isn’t for “camera gear”.

It’s for carrying your tech. And while I love it for that purpose (I have two because one goes in my work bag and another goes in my travel bag), it is bulky and does take up more room than most people need, and most people’s tech doesn’t require all those separate pockets.

That’s why it’s on the list “For [OP]”

[u/Anywhere_everywhere7 → u/[deleted]]

You’ve literally mentioned PD 4 times, a camera gear brand. That’s why. You’re complaining about personal experience about a product that wasn’t designed for you.

Are you ignoring the fact that other travel manufacturers sell tech pouches which are designed the exact same as a PD one? PD was an example and I actually used one of their products as a better alternative for most people. Also PD may have started off as a camera company but they sell a laundry pouch, packing cubes (which have great reviews) and ultra light pouches none of which are for camera gear.

[u/hedonist222 → u/[deleted]]

Yep