Welcome to the forum, Lud. I doubt anyone would have caught that mistake if you didn't correct it. ;-)
That was a very thorough review!

Lud said:
1. Cheaper latches. (Hard plastic vs. metal)

I obviously do not know my own camera bag that well. I took my kids to the park yesterday and noticed that the main latches attached to the shoulder belt is metal. The latch that is plastic is the one which goes around your waist which provides a more secure fit when carrying it messenger style. In retrospect, I don't think a metal latch would feel comfortable resting against part of your body as opposed to a flat buckle.

I don't have as much experience with camera bags, but I did own the Toploader 70AW (Street & Field) for over 15 years until last summer when it was stolen (along with a certain wide angle zoom lens) last year while vacationing in Italy.
As many of you have said, what I liked about the 70AW was its solid build. The one thing I didn't see mentioned were the metal latches.

I decided to replace my bag with the new Toploader Pro 75AW (knowing I was planning to add a 70-200 lens to my collection). At the time it was priced at $110Cdn, which was about the same price as the older series. I think that price has skyrocketed to about $170Cdn now.

When I brought it home, my initial thoughts were:
1. Cheaper latches. (Hard plastic vs. metal)
2. Only one lens attachment.
3. Weaker "grab-and-go" latch (the short handle). This one "lesser" feature alone almost incented me to return it for the older style.

Having put the bag through the paces, I will tell you what I really like about the bag:
1. I really like the ability to close the top with a quick snap (as well as have the option to zip afterwards). Most of the time, I only close the clasp if the camera is going to be in and out several times.
2. The side opening. With my old one, I carried it with the chest harness (which was a feat to get in and out of). When I opened the top, it covered my face instead of opening outwards (permitting easier access). With the Pro version, I carry the bag messenger style and the side opening is perfect. However, I could see this being a slight problem if you carry the bag on your right side hip.
3. The extra strap the cinches around your waist making it comfortable to carry it messenger style.
4. Although I miss the ability to carry an extra lens attachment, I have found the web pocket to be very useful for tucking away lens caps in a jiffy (no more lost ones, or searching for a vacant pant pocket) and have also used it to place my Epson viewer, or my smaller P&S (for video).
5. I like to use the additional top storage pouch for my TC1.4 (There's a slight bulge, but not too bad. I wouldn't want to throw anything taller like a 1.7 or 2.0) as well as a portable Targus cable lock.

I have only had the new bag for about 9 months, but other than the cheaper short handle, I have never felt that the new style bag was not sturdy enough for any of my lenses. I have had my 2 year old daughter often sit on top of the bag while I hold her on my hip when we are walking about on vacation and do not feel apprehensive about any of the buckles breaking.

One more thing I will mention. On the front pocket, there is a small opening which (I presume) was designed to tuck away a LensPen cleaner. While neat, I have already lost one of them this way (too easy to unclip, unless my kids grabbed it without my knowing).

ad2019 said:
Thanks a lot for your very precise answer :-).

Good luck with your purchase.

Thanks a lot for your very precise answer :-).

bobwebber said:
I do appreciate the tip and just ordered the larger one... you can never have too many bags... I can't believe the low price...

The first one of these 75 AW bags that I purchased from B&H about 1 1/2 years ago was $99.95 and now it is $39.95. That is a 60% price cut!

I have always purchased just about every camera bag I have used from BH. When new bag models come in the old models usually get sold as used equipment even though they are literally brand spanking new bags.

I do appreciate the tip and just ordered the larger one... you can never have too many bags... I can't believe the low price...

Thanks for the info, I have the old one and prefer it over the new one, as it's more spacey. For $40 it's a bargain.

ad2019 said:
Thanks for the tip. I was actually ready to buy one the new Toploader Pro.
Can you explain why you prefer the old ones ?

The old ones have the following:

1. An accessory attachment loop and cinch straps on both sides of the bag for attachement of lens cases and pouches. The new one only has this on one side and the other side has a built-in elastic web pocket which I do not see much need for.
2. The interior padding seems to be thicker on the older one. The interior padding that supports the camera with the lens attached is also much more solid. The new one has a smaller padded piece that bridges the top of the bag and seems to be a bit mickey-mouse.
3. The exterior front of the bag on all models has two exterior zippered pockets. The larger top pocket on the 75AW and the 70AW can hold a flash unit and the smaller bottom pocket can hold batteries, memory card cases, ets. The larger top pocket on the 65AW can hold a smaller flash unit such as the SB400. This is what my wife uses her bag for. The new one has one front exterior zippered pocket that does not have much room in it, certainly not for a flash unit and it does not have the bottom pocket.
4. The older version just appears to be a more solid bag and I would say that when new models come out on some items they sometimes wind up being lessor quality.
5. The older version just seems to be a roomier bag in all aspects.

I hope this helps and good luck.

Thanks for the tip. I was actually ready to buy one the new Toploader Pro.
Can you explain why you prefer the old ones ?

I am sure that most of you as me have several camera bags. I have the Lowepro Toploader 75AW, Toploader 70AW and the Toploader 65AW. Which bag I use for small trips depends on what lenses I take so each size is a big help.

I think that these older style bags are better than the new Lowepro Toploader Pro series.

I have just bought and received today one each of the older style just to have as a backup when my current ones are trashed. The price of these on B&H are extremely low now compared to there original price. The 75AW is $39.95, 70 AW is $34.95 and the 65 AW is $29.95. I think that these are a steal at these prices, they are now priced less than half of what they once were. Cheap bags cost this much.

They are listed in the "Used Department", but when you go there the description states that they are new. Again I have just received mine and they are new with all tags in original Lowepro plastic bag.

Here is the link:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=LOWEPRO+TOPLOADER&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&usedSearch=1

I hope that this may help anyone interested in this bag or who just may want a spare.