
The Think Tank Airport Roller Derby V2 is an updated version of the popular Airport Roller Derby that from memory, was released back in 2016.
I have used Think Tank bags for a long time. I still have 4 or 5 that have been all over the world and are still going strong after more than a decade. I would argue that you would be hard-pressed to find more durable or well-made rolling bags for camera equipment.
I have been using the StreetWalker Rolling Backpack V2 for the last 7+ years and it has taken a beating, but everything still works and nothing has broken. However, the material has started to fade slightly and I wanted to get something with four wheels instead of two. This led me to the new Airport Roller Derby V2.
Overview
The Airport Roller Derby V2 is a 4-wheel rolling camera case that is easy to maneuver in tight spaces and requires minimal effort to push or pull.
Key features
- Meets most International and U.S. carry-on requirements
- Fits a 16” MacBook Pro and 12.9″ iPad Pro in dedicated, padded pockets
- Lock and cable to secure and tether the bag
- Wheel Features:3-ways to roll: upright at your side, back wheel tilt, or side wheel tilt
- 4 dual-wheel sets provide 360-degree maneuverability in tight spaces
- Large rear wheels enable effortless, tilted two-wheeled rolling
- User-replaceable wheels
- 2-position locking handle extends to 38”– 42.75” for better ergonomics when pushing or pulling
- Lockable YKK RC Fuse zippers
- Interior zippered mesh pockets for batteries, memory cards, filters, and other accessories
- Top zippered pocket stores security cable and lock. Can also be use for flat items
- Deep front pocket with organizer and laptop sleeve
- Expandable side pocket for water bottle or tripod (straps included)
- Bottom handle for easy overhead lifting
- Reinforced back panel for increased durability
- Seam-sealed rain cover included
How is it different from the original Airport Roller Derby?
Airport Roller Derby on the left, & Airport Roller Derby V2 on the right Airport Roller Derby on the left, & Airport Roller Derby V2 on the right
The Airport Roller Derby V2 keeps a lot of the same form factor as the original, but there are a few differences.
Airport Roller Derby on the left, and Airport Roller Derby V2 on the right Airport Roller Derby Airport Roller Derby V2
You can see that on the right-hand side of the bag, Think Tank has removed the pocket and instead added a TSA lock.

With the original Airport Roller Derby, as it had a pocket on the right-hand side you could store the included wet weather cover.

The back side of the bag has also changed slightly as well. You can see that the handle is now recessed on the Airport Roller Derby V2.
Airport Roller Derby V2 Airport Roller Derby
Above you can see the difference with the handle location. There is no longer a protective zippered cover for the handle.

The left-hand side is fairly similar, but the pocket design has been changed. In the original version, the pocket had some elasticity, but that expands over time and can get loose, so Think Tank made it firmer.
Airport Roller Derby V2 Airport Roller Derby
The wheel design appears to be the same as with the original version.

The zippered compartment in the lid of the Airport Roller Derby V2 is now horizontal instead of vertical like it was on the original.
Airport Roller Derby V2 lock & cable on the left, and the Airport Roller Derby lock& cable on the right
This may be a small thing, but the included TSA cable and lock are now a lot shorter in length on the V2 than they were on the original.
What can you fit in it?

The roller fits two camera bodies with a maximum lens size of up to 400mm f/2.8 unattached, making it ideal for anyone who travels a lot.
Inside there are a series of hard and soft dividers so you can customize the bag to your liking.
I normally use a case this size for putting in lenses and other bits and pieces. There is certainly enough room if you want to put in mirrorless hybrid camera bodies or even smaller-sized digital cinema cameras.
On the lid, there is a series of meshed pockets with zippers for putting small items.

On the front of the bag, there is a zippered pocket where you can store a 16″ laptop and a 12″ tablet, or anything else you may want to put in there.
Build Quality
This is where Think Tank bags excel, and I can confidently say that after traveling all over the world with them.

They are built to withstand almost anything you can throw at them. In saying that, that doesn’t mean you can run it over with a truck or throw it off a bridge!
MATERIALS
Exterior:
- NY 1680D Ballistic C/PU
- 1680D ballistic nylon
- YKK® RC Fuse (abrasion-resistant) zippers
- Custom-designed, replaceable wheels with sealed steel bearings
- Hypalon rubberized laminate reinforcement
- 3D air mesh (on handles)
- 3-ply bonded nylon thread
- Durable water-repellent (DWR) coating
- Polyurethane coating
Interior:
- Poly 200D PU Grey and Navy
- 210D silver-toned nylon
- Polyurethane-backed velex liner and dividers
- 2x polyurethane-coated nylon 210T seam-sealed rain cover
- Closed cell foam and PE board reinforced dividers
- Belly-O mesh pockets
- 3-ply bonded nylon thread
I have only had this bag for a short time so I can’t comment on how it will be in 4-5 years time, but based on previous Think Tank bags that I have owned, I don’t have any serious concerns that it won’t be going strong for years to come.
The ballistic nylon is very strong and I am yet to see a Think Tank bag rip. I have also never had a single issue with a zipper, despite often putting way too much in my bags to the point where they are hard to close.

What I also like is that Think Tank makes the wheels replaceable, so if they do happen to wear out over time, you don’t need to throw the bag away. They also have quite a few user-replaceable parts which makes fixing the bags very easy.

Think Tank also backs their products up with a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Here is what they say on their website:
At Think Tank, we build our products for the daily impacts of travel and the demands of working professionals over extended periods of time. We build many of our products with user-replaceable parts to keep your bag going for years. But everything does eventually wear out, so we warranty our products against defects in material or workmanship for the life of the product. Damage due to normal wear and tear, the natural breakdown of materials over time, accident, improper care, or negligence is not covered by our warranty.
Size & Weight

- External Dimensions:
14” W x 22” H x 9.0” D (35.6 × 55.9 × 22.9 cm) - Interior Dimensions:
12.6” W x 18.5” H x 5.5–7.5” D (32 × 47 × 14–19 cm) - Tablet Compartment:
10.5” W x 10.5” H x 0.6” D (26.7 x 26.7 x 1.5 cm) - Laptop Compartment:
10.5” W x 14.25” H x 1.0” D (26.7 x 36.2 x 2.5 cm) - Weight:
9.9 lbs. (4.5 kg)
The Airport Roller Derby V2 weighs in at 9.9 lbs / 4.5 kg and that is something you need to factor into account when traveling. Once you start putting camera equipment in your bag it can get pretty heavy pretty quickly.

Below I have listed the carry-on weight and size limits for a couple of the popular airlines in different parts of the world. As you can see, these vary dramatically depending on the airline.
WEIGHT & SIZE | |
AMERICAN AIRLINES | 1 personal item and 1 carry-on Personal items Your personal item like a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front of you. Dimensions should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). These don’t count as your personal item or carry-on: Diaper bags (1 per child) Breast pump Small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk Child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices Carry-on items You can bring only one carry-on item along with your personal item. Your carry-on must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. If it doesn’t fit, it will need to be checked. Be sure all your carry-on items are labeled in case they are checked. Some airports and planes may have additional carry-on restrictions. Carry-on bag The total size of your carry-on, including the handles and wheels, cannot exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) and must fit in the sizer at the airport. Soft-sided garment bag Your soft-sided garment bag cannot exceed 51 inches / 130 cm (length + width + height). |
QANTAS | One piece weighing no more than 10 kilograms; two smaller pieces (such as a duffel-style bag and a backpack or laptop bag) that weigh no more than 14 kilograms combined; or one small piece and a garment bag, to a limit of 14 kilograms. You can also bring one personal item, such as a handbag, reading material or a camera. These rules apply across all cabins on domestic flights. On international flights, economy passengers are entitled to one standard carry-on case, weighing up to seven kilograms, while First, Business and Premium Economy passengers follow the domestic rules outlined above (one up to 10 kilos; two totaling 14 kilos; or one piece plus a garment bag, up to 14 kilos). |
CATHAY PACIFIC | Customers with a reserved seat are entitled to one piece of carry-on luggage and one additional small item, which includes small handbags, laptop bags, small backpacks, camera bags or briefcases. You may also carry other necessary items such as a small camera or a walking stick on board. 1 piece(s) + 1 small item Total weight limit 7kg / 15lbs Cabin baggage size limit 36cm x 23cm x 56cm (14in x 9in x 22in) including wheels, handles and side pockets. Small item size limit 40cm x 15cm x 30cm (16in x 6in x 12in) including wheels, handles and side pockets, and can fit under the seat in front. |
BRITISH AIRLINES | Cabin bag Up to 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) – includes wheels and handles Up to 23kg (51lb) No valuables, electronics or essential medicines May need to go in the hold Hand bag Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) Up to 23kg (51lb) Essentials like medication, mobile phones, other electronic devices and passports To be placed under the seat Guaranteed in the cabin |
EMIRATES | 7kg Carry-on dimensions should not exceed 55 by 38 by 22 cm |
JAL | One bag per person You may carry onboard one bag containing personal belongings (shopping bag, handbag, etc.) and one additional bag that meets the following conditions, with the total weight of both bags not to exceed 10kg (22lbs). Length + Width + Height Within 115cm (45in) Size limits W: within 55cm×H: within 40cm×D: within 25cm (W: within 22in×H: within 16in×D: within10in) Maximum weight Within 10kg (22lbs) |
LUFTHANSA | As carry-on baggage, you can take one item of baggage with you, such as a trolley case, a compact, foldable baby buggy, or a foldable garment bag. Dimensions for carry-on baggage: max. 55 x 40 x 23 cm Dimensions for foldable garment bags: max. 57 x 54 x 15 cm 1 item of carry-on baggage up to 8 kg |
Now, weight limits will also vary depending on what class you are flying and/or if you have frequent flyer status.
4WD

All of the previous Think Tank Rollers I have owned only had two wheels, and this is the first one I have owned that has four.
I am not sure why I didn’t move to a four-wheel roller sooner! If you are walking and travelling a lot with a carry-on sized camera bag then the last thing you want to be putting the strain of that weight on your body. I personally don’t like back backs for this very reason as they put a lot of strain on your neck, shoulders, and back. Yes, they are certainly handy if you need to go over uneven terrain or you are walking up a mountain, but for a lot of everyday use cases< would prefer not to be carrying all that weight.
Even with rolling cases with two wheels, you are putting strain on your arms and back. With a four-wheel roller, there’s not much strain as the bag will do all of the work.
I like the height of the handle as it puts the roller in a very comfortable position (at least for someone of my height). I live in Japan, so a lot of times you need to travel by train and that is where having a four-wheel roller comes in very handy. It doesn’t come in handy if you are at a station with stairs, but regardless of what type of bag you have, you are going to have to carry that weight.
All four wheels move independently and this makes it very easy and smooth when you are changing direction and rolling the case.
What if you need to carry the bag?
As I just mentioned, you can’t always just push a roller. If you get to uneven terrain, need to use stairs, or simply have to pick the bag up and put it in an overhead locker then that should be easy to do.
Think Tank have put carry handles on the top and right-hand side, as well as carry straps on the left-hand side and bottom. These make it easy to pick up the bag regardless of its orientation.
Only one side pocket

As I mentioned earlier, on the Airport Roller Derby V2, there is only a single pocket on the left-hand side where you can put a small tripod, light stand, water bottle, etc.
Security
Along with a TSA-compatible lock, there is a cable and lock in the top pocket for attaching your bag to something secure if you are worried about it getting taken.

Think Tank also lets you register the bag with Travel Sentry ID. This is handy because if an honest person or airline, etc. happens to find your bag they can scan the bar code on the plate so it can be reported as being found.
Are there any caveats?
I would have preferred to have an additional pocket on the right-hand side of the bag, this is something I missed after owning the StreetWalker Rolling Backpack V2 for so long. Apart from that, there isn’t anything else that I found that concerned me.
Price & Availability

The Think Tank Airport Roller Derby V2 retails for $429.75 USD.
$430 USD may sound like a lot for a small-sized bag, but good quality bags are like good tripods and other well-built pieces of kit, and the price is more than justified when you can get years and years of use out of it.
One of my main criteria when buying any piece of kit is longevity, build quality, and trouble-free operation. It is why I buy certain cameras, tripods, and bags. Every single Think Tank bag that I have is still going strong (some for more than 10 years), and that’s one of the main reasons I stick with them.