Welcome back to another full-length gear review, everyone!
I gave a sneak peek of the Camera Base Layer by Matador last week in my “what i’m wearing” article for the month of April.
I honestly couldn’t hold my excitement in for this product any longer though. So I wanted to go ahead and post my full written review for it this week.
Matador Camera Base Layer Review
The Matador Camera Base Layer is one of those products that leaves you thinking….”Okay, why have I went so long without this?”.
It’s so simple, easy to use, lightweight and protects my camera like a champ in the outdoors.
As an adventure photographer & outdoor blogger I need all of those attributes to keep my expensive camera gear protected while i’m jumping over rocks taller than I am, rustling through overgrown forests and climbing behind waterfalls to get the perfect shots!
Waterproof Protection for your Camera
While we’re on the topic of waterfalls and competing with water around your camera, let’s chat about the Camera Base Layer’s integrated rain fly!
It’s only a matter of time before you’re going to either venture to a location that has a waterfall, or get caught in a down pour while you’re on a hike or campout. So you’re going to need something to keep your camera protected from it.
Rain fly for the win .
The Matador Camera Base Layer’s rain fly is awesome…And honestly a hidden gem for the product.
It easily folds out and back into a hidden pocket on the bottom of the base layer. It’s made of a super slick, water repelling material and is sealed for extra water protection. All you have to do is pull it from the hidden pocket, slip it over your base layer, roll the “roll top” portion of the base layer down and buckle it up. It couldn’t be an easier or quicker way to protect your camera from the elements. Whether that’s water, or even dirt and sand.
(And it sure beats shoving your camera into a ziplock bag…i’ve been there.)
If you’ve ever went hiking with your camera suspended around your neck, you know all to well the fear that it strikes into your heart as you approach a bunch of rocks, or a forest of trees that you have to walk through. You think the worst….”Oh no, what if my screen smashes into that rock as i’m climbing over it”. Or….”What if that stick scratches this brand new lens that costs more than my camera body”.
Peace of mind while your expensive camera is dangling around your neck….
Believe me…I’ve been there on many hikes and adventures before I got the Base Layer. And putting your camera away, then taking it back out is not an option. That results in missed shots.
But now, with the Camera Base Layer i’ve felt a lot less panicky in those times. The material that the base layer is made from, paired with the 600 fill down is like a cozy puffer jacket for your camera. It protects it from scratches and offers padding for slights bumps. Plus it adds essentially no weight or bulk to your load out, which is awesome for weight conscious people like myself.
It works with most any camera .
No matter if you have a bulky DSLR, a small Sony Mirrorless like myself, a small prime lens or a larger telephoto…The camera base layer simply works. I’m sure someone has tried to fit a telescope to the end of their camera body…And that of course won’t work. But within reason (and what you can comfortably carry on a hike), this is gonna work out awesome for you!
It also accommodates any camera strap, as you can see below. The strap feeds out the sides of the base layer, allowing you to carry your camera as you normally would.
Matador Camera Base Layer Quality
I’m sure you wanna know…How is the quality of the Matador Camera Base Layer? I would reply….It is awesome! It feels like a high end winter coat, but for your camera.
The Matador camera base layer has great stitching all around, with no signs of fraying or loose threads anywhere. It also features great lightweight buckles and nice leather accents. You can definitely tell Matador took their time and made this product the right way.
Who do I think would love this product?
I believe anyone who uses a camera on hikes, camp outs or is active in the outdoors would love this product and get a lot of use out of it. It’s truly an excellent solution to keeping your camera secure and waterproof while in the outdoors.
Matador Camera Base Layer (10 out of a 10)
This product is going to be a permanent fixture for my outdoor adventures from now on. So, as you can guess – I give the Matador Camera Base Layer an easy 10 out of a 10. Buy it with confidence, fellow adventurers and photographers!
Packing Up….’Till Next Time
So that’s a wrap…I’m packing my Matador Camera Base Layer back up for today and closing this review out! Thanks so much for reading what I thought about this excellent product.
If you have any questions about the base layer, have one of your own, or just wanna chat, drop me a comment below!
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