As this is a question that returns over and over again, and there are so many different brands and bags, I thought it might be useful to gather all the feedback in one topic. So the question is, how do you carry your A1/HC1 and equipment. I would like to make a split between field use and transportation. I know that many of you have different bags for different purposes. Please post the brand name, product name and the price along with your feedback/rating.

This way, newcomers can easily get a good overview which are the most popular bags and what the advantages and disadvantages are.

I hope everyone will contribut to this topic. I would love to kick-off but I am currently looking for a good bag myself. So I leave it up to you!

I am considering the following bags:

Petrol PCBP-1 Mini DV Hiker Backpack with PRC-DV Rain Cover - for Mini DV Camcorders with a Laptop Computer and Accessories
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=399839&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Porta Brace BK-1 Camcorder Backpack - for Canon GL-1, GL-2, Panasonic AG-EZ1, AG-EZ30, AG-EZ35, AG-EZ50 or Similar Size Camcorders
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=224239&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Petrol PWB-HDV Wingbag - for Sony HDV Series Camcorders with Accessories (Blue)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=377302&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/All_Weather_Cover/SlingShot_200_AW.aspx

Lowepro Compact AW DV
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Shoulder_Bags/video/Compact_AW_DV.aspx

Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/notebook_camera/CompuTrekker_Plus_AW.aspx

Kata HB-207 GDC Hiker Backpack - for Large Pro Film or Digital SLR Outfit or Camcorder with Accessories
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=368034&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Please let me know if you have experience with one of these bags, or have heard about their comfortability and durability.

I suppose everyone is carrying his or her expensive gear in Wallmart plastic bags? I expected some feedback of this board but this is dissapointing. Maybe I am asking too much, I don't know.

I just received the Petrol PCCB-1N Compact Camcorder Bag for my A1 and I am loving it. I don't think there could be anything better out there. I heard that Porta Brace bags are good as well, but I felt that the Petrol hand grip is superior.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=236223

There is a nice review of a Petrol bag here which convinced me to go with them.

http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=49

That bag looks really nice but I find it hard to judge it's size. How comfortable do you reckon this bag would be in the field? Is it suitable to carry with you an entire day while visiting Rome for example? Furthermore, does it fit the compartment in the airplane above your head? Thanks for your feedback!

In all the looking I've done I have yet to find an off the shelf bag that I like ... so I took a lowepro slingshot 100 (the smaller one ) and modified it with some foam cutouts ( camping pads, for under your sleeping bag) and Now I have a bag that will hold the hc1 with 71 battery, swing around to the front in an instant , allow me to grab the camera (with Y lens attached) shoot with my elbows propped on the bag for support and put it all away without taking off the bag. Oh, and did I mention you can mountain bike with it on your back, hold a mess of tapes, extra batteries, remote, 75 ft of lanc wire and every cord and filter and doohickey you can think of ...well.... maybe not every doohickey ....

I like it.

Pelican 1400 case.

To haul it around for the day, I have been using a CaseLogic "messenger" case that I bought for my digital SLR. Haven't decided if I am going to look for something else or not. I like the bag because it does not scream expensive camcorder here - more like man-purse of some guy that needs bigger pockets.

I found the Petrol bag quite comfortable and much lighter than I expected. I definetely can see myself using the bag quite easily in the field. In fact, it was recommended to me by someone who uses it religiously during his tapings. I would give it a try, I am sure you'd be as amazed as I was/am.

I have settled with the Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II. I decided that the type of bag that suits my purposes best is a backpack. First of all, they are the most comfortable to carry for long trips as the weight is distributed in the most efficient manner. Secondly, backpacks cannot easily be ripped of your shouders, in contradiction to shoulder bags with one strap.

The Nature Trekker AW is the most compact in the Trekker AW II series and has water resistant zips. It also has the all-weather cover. Furthermore, it has about the right size to still take it with you in airplanes.

Thanks for all your feedback that helped me selecting my bag. Most of the bags recommended on this board were shoulder bags, which I might need at a later point but for now this one seemed to be the most convenient.

As soon as I receive it I will take some pictures of the bag and my gear.

The Nature Trekker AW II can be viewed over here:

http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Backpacks/allWeather/Nature_Trekker_AW_II.aspx