Mark Ryden’s Torino will keep your stuff close, and it’s comfortable.
I’ve carried a camera with me for years. These days, I’m equipped with much more than just a camera. Sometimes I need my iPad to quickly edit a photo. Other times, I need to pack another lens. Batteries. A small microphone. My DJI Osmo Pocket. It can add up.
When I was in Costa Rica in 2018, I was gifted a sling bag by my parents. It did the job, but sometimes nearly burst at the seams. The bag fit but was literally a pain when overpacked. The thin material of the bag made every pointy edge just a little more painful. I’ve used that bag now on multiple trips and while it’s held up well, it’s not always comfortable nor does it provide adequate space for the myriad of things I need to carry.
With the days getting warmer and more events starting to return, I wanted to make sure I had a better way to carry those oddball things I tend to carry before I hit the streets this summer.
Mark Ryden has a variety of crossbody bags. I was looking for something simple and not too big. The Mark Ryden Torino seemed like the right model for me.
It’s easy to doubt the usefulness of the Mark Ryden Torino at first glance. There doesn’t seem to be much to it. After you unzip the bag, you start to see the sling’s functionality. You can carry quite a bit in the bag before it gets hard to close. The strap is partially removable so you can carry it on either the right or left sides. And there’s a thick, sturdy handle to hold the bag rather than wear it across your body.
What We Liked
It’s definitely a good size. The main body of this Mark Ryden bag measures 7.9 inches wide, 12.6 inches tall and 4.8 inches deep. Lots of good padding. If you travel light, you won’t even feel it. The strap has plenty of cushions and feels good no matter what side you wear it across.
It’s a sturdy bag. Tough seams and a rough-textured exterior make the bag feel like it could take a beating. The stuff inside certainly feels well protected.
I’m not sure how often I’ll need to carry an iPad along with a camera, but I could fit my 11” iPad Pro into the back pocket compartment with ease. I should mention that I placed it inside with no cover.
I’m going to sound like a broken record, but this is still a no-brainer: All. Those. Pockets. Two compartments, both with zippered interior areas and extra, interior pockets, a comfortable strap with an area for an ID and a credit card (or some other small, critical object), a cleverly hidden pocket in the back (company labels it as an “anti-theft pocket”) and an interchangeable strap make this crossbody sling hard to beat. A majority of Mark Ryden products boast USB charging capabilities. The Torino is no different. This bag even has a small, vertical pocket to pack the battery cable.
The bag feels great in front or in the back. The ambidextrous crossbody strap is also a big plus. The pocket in the strap is also a nice touch. I completely missed the zipper hidden in plain sight,
And like a lot of other Ryden products, this also claims to be a water-resistant backpack. During one of my walks with Bucky, I did have occasion to get it wet when I was stowing the folding, plastic water bowl in the second compartment. Water got on the bag but was wiped off without leaving any marks behind.
The strap is comfortable and easy to switch sides, even while in motion. Depending on how you carry it- bag in front or in back -it is really easy to spin the bag around to access it or move it out of your way.
The back of the pack- which sits against you -has loads of padding. It has so much padding that the company took advantage and installed what it calls an “anti-theft pocket.” The zipper for the pocket runs along the edge of the padding. You could hide your phone, cards or cash and maybe even keys if you don’t carry many.
What We Didn’t Like
While the cushioned strap is easy to switch sides, you really have to plan on how you want to wear it to make the most of the strap pocket. For me, it was often inaccessible as I wear the pack behind me. Easy access to the little pocket also hinged on the strap’s direction. Worn the wrong way, it would unzip down, which could cause items to fall out.
The strap is comfortable, but it does move around a little bit. Which can be annoying depending on what you’re doing or carrying.
The “anti-theft” pocket only remains that way if remains hidden. If they steal your entire bag, that label is nothing more than a marketing gimmick. Admittedly, I did not see that pocket during my first inspection.
And let’s talk a second about the “card pocket” that’s nestled in the strap. Where it falls may depend entirely on your size. I stand 5’5″ and the pocket is completely inaccessible to me. It might be that for larger men, the pocket may shift down as you expand the bag strap. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice have. But if I can’t access it, I’m less likely to use it. Or forget that I put something in it.
This company does not believe in including any instructions or diagrams of the bag’s features. Would have been nice to know where things were before I unzipped it for the first time.
And like its big, big brother, the Infinity XL backpack, the Torino also has multiple zippers, all the same color. With only two compartments on the Torino, you won’t get the wrong one too often.
The cable to attach a power bank has a pocket to stash it in, but not for the battery. At least not for my square one. So, again, the battery rolled around the bottom.
The Bottom Line
You will most likely not need to pack a camera and two lenses on your outing. This bag functions best when you don’t cram it full of stuff. But if have to, know that you’ve got a tough sling to handle the cargo. You can buy it here. The Mark Ryden Torino won’t just surprise you with its versatility but with its affordability as well.
