Domke Herald Video Review (Features Score: 19.5; Access. Score: 7.3/10)

Overall:  Pros =  26.0 points; Cons =  6.0 points; The Domke Herald's Features Score =  20.0 points. (Score sheet posted below.)  Accessibility score: 7.3 out of 10.

Video:




There is a lot to like about this bag, but there are some puzzling design decisions, too.  In that way, it is not unlike many of the bags I have reviewed.  However, at an MSRP of $360 USD, I expected it to be much better than the $70-$150 bags I have reviewed.  (I often think that when people invest this much in an item it has the counterintuitive result of making them less critical.  I am not one of those people.)  You will note that the score of 20.0 is pretty high. Unfortunately, this shows how incomplete my bag grading system is.  The Herald has a lot of checks in the "pros" column, but it is a case of a bag not being better than the sum of its parts.  Read on for my explanation.



It is absolutely true what owners of Domke bags say:  these bags are built for war zones.  The canvas is thick and somewhat unyielding (it will, unfortunately, soften up over time), the seams are carefully stitched and reinforced, and all the zippers work flawlessly.  The disappointment is that the D-rings and the clips for the shoulder strap are plastic!

Plastic!  Really?

While I understand that modern plastics can be as strong as metal (in fact maybe stronger), why would you choose plastic for this part of the bag and then use metal in other parts?  It cannot be a weight thing as they chose to use a heavy metal spring clip to hold down the main flap.

The metal spring clip and ring holding the main flap closed

In fact, if they are going to mix and match, I would suggest that they use a plastic Fastex buckle for this front flap and metal for the shoulder strap attachment hardware!  A Fastex buckle is so much quicker and less fussy.  Given how often I use the flap fastener, I find the metal clip to be a bit of a pain.  I have found that it takes just the right orientation and more force that you think to close and to open it up.  Could I get used to it?  Sure, but I am just as likely to get annoyed by it.  This part of the bag should be something that you shouldn't have to think about.  Clearly, the metal spring clip is there for aesthetics more than functionality.  I get it.  It does make the bag more retro chic.

The second issue is far more critical. The Herald has a messenger bag flap.  The main reason to have a flap is to afford some level of weather-proofing to the bag.  Given that some people will have thousands of dollars worth of camera gear under that flap, it make perfect sense.  The draw back, of course, is speed of access.  Using a zipper to access the main compartment is not only faster, it is also easier to deal with on the fly.  Consider that if you are wearing the bag, you have to hold a flap (that opens toward you) out of the way when you are accessing items or changing a lens. Even Domke understands this.  Many of their bags have a zipper built into the flap to essentially override the flap issues (which include exposing all of your photographic equipment to the eyes of thieves).

However, it is not simply the flap that is at issue here.  I knew when I bought the bag that it would have a flap and, as I have written, I fully understand the weather-proofing benefits.  As a photographer who has been caught in the rain, I know that rain protection is a higher priority than access convenience.  The problem here is that the design is flawed.  You will note that the main flap does not extend over the sides of the bag.  That means rain can sneak in through these openings:

Special place to store rainwater

To combat this issue, instead of simply extending the flap to cover these openings, Domke did what too many messenger bag manufacturers do - they installed rain flaps:

Rain flaps or rain funnels?

These are not merely useless.  In the case of the Domke rain flaps, they are so stiff that they naturally invert into the bag and act like funnels which will channel the rain into the bag!  So, in the end, you have the worst of both worlds; the inconvenience of the flap without the weather-proofing benefit of the flap.

To make matters worse, Domke made this same mistake with the expandable side pockets as you can see here:

Downspout!

Again, all this would be a non-issue had Domke designed the flap to look something like is shown below:

The $157 Domke F-6 Little Bit Smaller bag with a well designed flap.

Domke obviously knows how to do this right.  It is worth noting that this is one of their cheaper bags.  So what gives?  My guess?  Once again, aesthetics won out over functionality.  At $360 USD these should not be mutually exclusive goals.

There are also issues that I have with the bag that are not deal breakers so much as they are quality of life issues:

1.  The location of the key clip in the rear open pocket interferes with your ability to quickly slide in a folder or magazine when you are called to board the plane.
2.  The lack of gusseting for the padded iPad pocket makes it a bit tight to use for anything but the flattest of items.  Even my iPad mini (with a trim case) is difficult to insert into and remove from this pocket.
3.  The bags handle is comfortable and stout, but it shifts backwards if you do not shorten the webbing that holds the spring clip to its minimum length.  If you choose not to do this, the bottom bag has a tendency to kick in towards your knees when you walk with the bag at your side.  Shortening the webbing is not a perfect solution either, as it makes it much harder to clip and unclip the flap.
4.  The camera insert is held in with Velcro that completely encircles the main compartment making it difficult to use the space behind the camera insert for papers, etc.  (Actually this is a big issue but I am tired of bag bashing.)

Too much Velcro in unnecessary places!

After this rant, does the bag offer anything positive to outweigh these negatives?  It's obviously up to you to decide how important these negative issues are, but the Herald does have some great features that keep it an attractive option.  I really love the expandable pockets.  Particularly the side ones where you can triple the volume by releasing the gusset through a simple unzipping.  This design also keeps the bag trim and compact when you do not need the extra volume.  Similarly, the two large pockets under the flap are an absolute joy to use.  They, too, expand and because of their gusseting, it is easy to access and see stowed items.  The pocket within the flap is also well done, too.  It opens easily and, unlike similar pockets on other bags (including the aforementioned iPad pocket on the Herald), it is a cinch to access even when the bag is fully loaded.  (Too bad it is lined in black, however.)

Notably, I thought that the lack of a dedicated organizer panel was going to hamstring me.  I typically like to have everything in its place.  However, the large-sized pockets, easy pocket accessibility, and number of pockets, largely made this a non-issue.  In fact, it makes me rethink the need for a dedicated organizer panel altogether.

The main compartment (camera area) is much bigger than you can probably gauge from the photos.  If you removed the padded insert (a huge pain) it is a large enough volume to easily fit a 13 laptop and your bag lunch.  That said, the Herald is still compact, overall.  Finally, I have to admit that I am somewhat taken by the way this bag looks.  Domke has touched a gritty-chic war correspondent nerve in me.

I don't want to romanticize war, but don't you think these guys used a bag like the Herald?  Actually, every photo of Larry Burrows shows him with cameras hanging off of him like Christmas ornaments.

In the end, I will return this bag.  Given my needs, it is not a great value. Sometimes, I will keep an item  that is not as functional if it is good-looking.  Actually, scratch that, I don't own anything where its looks outweigh its functionality. After all, I drive a mini-van and use both shoulder straps when using a backpack.

Accessibility:

A bag's accessibility is rated on a 1 - 10 scale (10 = most).  Three major compartments are judged.  The accessibility score for this bag:

Organizer pocket(s) = 9. Four big, wide, pockets form heaven. Behind flaps, but the flaps do serve as the zippers in a sense.  No additional fasteners to undo once behind the flaps.
Main compartment = 8. Under a flap that is difficult to open and that you have to hold up to get access to your stuff.  Once there, it is easy access since it is held open by the insert.
Laptop compartment = 5. A tablet compartment. Behind a flap and zipper.  Also in a tight place competing for volume with other pockets and compartments.

Overall accessibility: 7.3 out of 10.

Photos:

Front of Domke Herald

Rear of Domke Herald

Top of Domke Herald

Side of Domke Herald

Other side of Domke Herald

Both side pockets expanded

Slip in pocket on larger expandable side pocket

Expandable side pocket (showing Velcro in non-quite mode)

Expanded side pocket

Contract side pocket with cover flap tucked in to hide Domke logo

Note that the unexpanded side pocket still holds a lot

Zippered pocket in the front the main flap 

Key thing - its a buttoned loop not a clip

"Sleeve" for sliding over rolling luggage handle

The left pocket under the flap; the red pocket is moveable to anywhere there is "loop" surface in the bag

Mini-slot between the two under flap pockets

Right pocket under flap

Both pocket in unexpanded form

Padded zippered iPad pocket

iPad pocket

Main compartment dominated by camera "insert"

Shoulder strap and handle strap

Score Sheet:

Item	Points +	This Bag	Notes
Made with Cordura or similar nylon material	2	2	The equivalent
Straight stitching, doubled in high stress zones, taped seams - well put together	1	2
Made with soft polyester making it flexible, quiet, gentle on clothing	2
Stout zippers, large pulls, and hardware	1	1	strange mix, see text
Reinforced bottom for durability and/or weather resistance	1
Compression straps to slim bag	0.5
Large external water bottle pockets	2	2
Separate, external access to laptop compartment	3
Separate iPad pocket	3	3
Fleece-lined external pocket for eyeglasses or phone	3
External pocket for eyeglasses or phone	2	2
Large rounded or paddded handle	1	1
Handle centrally placed (front to back)	0.5		Not in practice; see text
Multitude of pockets for organization	2	2
Open slide in pocket for file folders (internal)	2
Open slide in pocket for file folders (external)	2	2
Ability to slide over handle of rolling luggage	1	1
Laptop section that is TSA friendly (opens up without laptop removal)	1
Flat bottom and perpendicular sides allow bag to stand on own	2	2
Organizer panel within an outer pocket to allow to easy access	1	1	Sort of; no dedicated org. pan.
A dedicated cell-phone pocket	1
A dedicated cell-phone pocket that is large enough to fit an iPhone 6	0.5
Large padded shoulder pad with stick coating	1
No Velcro used to keep flap closed (quiet and professional)	2	2	Sort of – built in quiet flaps
Xtra bright inner lining allowing you to see items easily	2
Light inner lining allowing you to see items easily	1	1
Stiff build that maintains the pack's structure when loading/placing	2	2
Outer lashing points for attaching accessories	1
	Total	26
Item	Points -	This Bag	Notes
Soft material that will not wear as well as nylon	-1
Simple handle that digs into hand	-0.5
Cannot stay upright due to design	-3
Tips forward when sitting - unstable	-1
No fleece lining in outside pocket for glasses	-1	-1
No fleece lining in the laptop or tablet pockets	-0.5
No pass through for attaching to rolling luggage	-1
No dedicated tablet pocket	-2
No external pocket for glasses, phone	-1
No flap for weatherproofing	-1
No external pocket for holding a water bottle	-1
No lash points	-0.5	-0.5
Handle in middle prevents easily hanging bag on hook	-0.5	-0.5
Poor hardware choice or design (small zippers, placement of compression straps, etc.)	-1	-1	See text
Lack of reinforced bottom allow for excess wear and poor weatherproofing	-1	-1
Black interior making it hard to see item in the bottom of bag	-1
No open file folder pocket	-2
Velcro closure for main flap (loud and unnecessary)	-2		Can be silent
No strap or buckle to hold laptop in pocket if in main compartment	-1
No dedicated laptop sleeve	-0.5	-0.5
The dedicated cell phone pocket will only fit a small phone	-0.5
Thin or nonexistent shoulder pad	-1	-1
Handle is located in such a way that picking up the bag kicks it into your knee	-0.5	-0.5
Deep zipper covers that impede opening	-2
	Total	-6